US08999520B2
An organometallic complex having a structure represented by the following general formula (G1) is provided. (In the formula, A represents an aromatic hydrocarbon group having 6 to 25 carbon atoms. Further, Z represents any one of hydrogen, an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or an aryl group having 6 to 25 carbon atoms. In addition, Ar1 represents an aryl group having 6 to 25 carbon atoms. R1 represents any one of hydrogen, an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or an alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms. Further, M is a central metal and represents an element belonging to Group 9 or Group 10.)
US08999518B2
The present invention discloses a hierarchical composite material comprising a ferrous alloy reinforced with titanium carbides according to a defined geometry, in which said reinforced portion comprises an alternating macro-microstructure of millimetric areas concentrated with micrometric globular particles of titanium carbide separated by millimetric areas essentially free of micrometric globular particles of titanium carbide, said areas concentrated with micrometric globular particles of titanium carbide forming a microstructure in which the micrometric interstices between said globular particles are also filled by said ferrous alloy.
US08999513B2
Airtight and puncture-resistant multilayer elastomer laminate that can be used in particular in an inflatable article, such as a pneumatic tire for a vehicle, comprising at least the following three layers (phr signifying parts by weight per hundred parts of rubber (elastomer) in each composition considered): as an airtight first layer, a first elastomer composition comprising at least 50 phr of a diene elastomer; as a puncture-resistant second layer, a self-sealing second elastomer composition comprising at least 50 phr of a saturated thermoplastic styrene elastomer and more than 200 phr of an extender oil; as an adhesive third layer or interphase between the above two layers, a third composition comprising at least 30 phr of an unsaturated thermoplastic styrene elastomer.
US08999501B2
A urethane foam member that after cutting into the desired shape from sheet urethane foam is applied with adhesive on one face of the urethane foam, an edge portion of the non-adhesive applied face at least at one side of the urethane foam member being of a low edge profile, to which permanent thermal distortion has been induced such that the thickness of the edge portion of the side is thinnest at the end portion thereof and the thickness gradually increases with distance from the end portion.
US08999500B2
The invention comprises semifinished products with a structured surface, the semifinished product comprising an oxidized and subsequently re-reduced surface containing at least one refractory metal, and also a process for their production and their use for producing high-capacitance components.
US08999498B2
Methods and apparatuses for releasably attaching support members to microfeature workpieces to support members are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, for example, a method for processing a microfeature workpiece including a plurality of microelectronic dies comprises forming discrete blocks of material at a first side of a support member. The blocks are arranged on the support member in a predetermined pattern. The method also includes depositing an adhesive material into gaps between the individual blocks of material and placing a first side of the workpiece in contact with the adhesive material and/or the blocks. The method further includes cutting through a second side of the workpiece to singulate the dies and to expose at least a portion of the adhesive material in the gaps. The method then includes removing at least approximately all the adhesive material from the support member and/or the workpiece with a solvent.
US08999497B2
A barrier film for an electronic device includes: a resin film; an adsorption layer disposed on a side of the resin film and including an inorganic material, which is electrostatically chargeable with a positive charge or a negative charge and having higher hydrophilicity than a surface of the resin film; and a stacked layer disposed on a side of the adsorption layer and including a plate-shaped particle layer including an inorganic plate-shaped particle, which is electrostatically chargeable with a positive charge or a negative charge, and a binder layer including a binder particle, which is electrostatically chargeable with a positive charge or a negative charge, where the plate-shaped particle layer and binder layer are alternately stacked.
US08999489B2
An article of manufacture is disclosed. The article of manufacture comprises a package and a disposable sheet. The sheet has a first surface and a second surface. One of the surfaces comprises a texture. The texture is defined by peaks and valleys such that the one textured surface may have an Average Peak to Peak Distance in the range of about 1 mm to about 20 mm, an Average Height Differential in the range of 1 mm to 3 mm, and a Surface Topography Index in the range of about 0.01 to about 10. The sheet may be contained within the package.
US08999486B2
A composite molded article comprising: a main body portion including, a bottom wall portion formed of an elastically deformable polymer material, and a peripheral wall portion protruding so as to surround a peripheral edge of the bottom wall portion and formed of an elastically deformable polymer material; a vent hole passing through the bottom wall portion; and a gas permeable membrane integrally connected to the main body portion and is permeable to gas but is impermeable to liquid, wherein the gas permeable membrane is arranged to the bottom wall portion so as to cover the vent hole and connected to the bottom wall portion at a periphery of the vent hole, and wherein the bottom wall portion includes at least one rigid body portion which is more difficult to be deformed than the bottom wall portion at an outer peripheral part of the gas permeable membrane.
US08999485B2
A liquid silicone rubber composition comprising an alkenyl group-containing liquid organopolysiloxane, a reinforcing silica filler, an organohydrogenpolysiloxane, a platinum group catalyst, a liquid organopolysiloxane that is free of crosslinking groups and is compatible with the alkenyl group-containing liquid organopolysiloxane, and a liquid organopolysiloxane that is free of crosslinking groups and is incompatible with the alkenyl group-containing liquid organopolysiloxane, wherein the cured material therefrom has a JIS type A durometer hardness of 15 to 26 and a tensile stress at 100% elongation of 0.25 to 0.60 MPa. Also, a through hole-containing sealing member comprising this cured material.
US08999483B2
Disclosed is a honeycomb catalyst support structure comprising a honeycomb body and an outer layer or skin formed of a cement comprising an amorphous glass powder with a multimodal particle size distribution applied to an exterior surface of the honeycomb body. The multimodal particle size distribution is achieved through the use of a first glass powder having a first median particle size and at least a second glass powder having a second median particle size. In some embodiments, the first and second glass powders are the same amorphous glass consisting of fused silica. The cement may further include a fine-grained, sub-micron sized silica in the form of colloidal silica. The cement exhibits a coefficient of thermal expansion less than 15×10−7/° C., and preferably about 5×10−7/° C. after drying.
US08999480B2
A shear layer for a shear band that is used in a tire is provided that has multiple cells having a chiral configuration. The chiral configuration may be hexagonal or tetrachiral or have other configurations.
US08999478B1
A panel overlay system for embellishing an existing metal multi-panel articulating overhead garage door is disclosed. Plural lightweight panels are removably attached to the panels of the existing garage door with magnets. Each panel comprises an underlayment sheet that provides a relatively rigid structural backing, and thin wood veneer adhesively bonded to the outer-facing major surface of the backing sheet. The veneer includes plural vertical demarcations; when multiple panels are installed the demarcations on adjacent panels align to give the appearance of elongated vertical boards. Vertical and horizontal members are placed at desired positions on the veneer—typically the vertical members are aligned along the side edges of the panel and the horizontal member extends across the middle of the panel so that the entire installation provides the appearance of a garage door typical of the well-known rail and stile carriage house design.
US08999467B2
The present invention relates to cured coatings comprising: at least one filler, a polyalkoxysilane matrix, and at least one cured aminosilane in an amount between 5.5 to 40.0 wt % of the total weight of the cured coating. These cured coatings can be used in optics or electronics, and in devices such as lamps.
US08999465B2
The present invention provides a liquid crystal display device in which display defects are not easily generated even when an alignment film is not formed. The liquid crystal display device of the present invention includes a pair of substrates; and a liquid crystal layer that is held between the pair of substrates, wherein both substrates of the pair of substrates do not substantially include an alignment film, at least one substrate of the pair of substrates includes a polymer layer that controls the alignment of liquid crystal molecules adjacent thereto, the polymer layer is formed by polymerization of monomers of at least one kind included in a liquid crystal layer composition, and the monomers of at least one kind contain a compound represented by the following formula (1): (wherein A represents an acrylate group, a methacrylate group, an ethacrylate group, a vinyl group, or an allyl group; a represents 0 or 1; and m represents a natural number of 4 to 12).
US08999460B2
The invention relates to compounds of the formula I, and to a liquid-crystalline medium, preferably having a nematic phase and negative dielectric anisotropy, which comprises one or more compounds of formula I, defined herein, for use in an electro-optical display, particularly in an active-matrix display based on the VA, ECB, PALO, FFS or IPS effect, and to the use of the compounds of the formula I for the stabilization of a liquid-crystalline medium which comprises one or more compounds of the formula II and one or more compounds of the formulae III-1 to III-4, defined herein.
US08999457B2
Methods for making an environmental barrier coating using a sintering aid involving: applying a bond coat layer to the ceramic component; combining at least water and a primary transition material selected from a rare earth disilicate or a doped rare earth disilicate to produce a transition layer slurry; applying at least the transition layer slurry, and optionally an outer layer slurry and/or compliant layer slurry to the component; and sintering the component to produce the environmental barrier coating. The sintering step causes a reaction between a slurry sintering aid and constituents of at least one of the transition, outer and compliant layers to form a secondary material and reduce porosity in the coating.
US08999455B2
Disclosed is a double-sided adhesive tape that has a difference in adhesion between the front and rear sides thereof and can be produced to have a reduced thickness by a simple method. The double-sided adhesive tape is a sheet-shaped cured product of an adhesive composition containing a resin composition and an inorganic filler. The resin composition contains (A) an acrylate-based monomer, (B) a monomer copolymerizable with (A), (C) a photopolymerization initiator, and (D) a photo-crosslinking agent. The inorganic filler has an average particle diameter of 30 μm or less and is localized on one side of the tape. The surface roughness (center line average roughness Ra) of the tape surface on the side on which the inorganic filler is localized is 0.01 to 0.50 μm.
US08999454B2
A nozzle for making a reinforced hollow fibre membrane discharges one or more reinforcing yarns at or near a plane where the dope exits the nozzle, or in the same plane as a discharge opening of dope passage, or both. Multiple discrete yarn discharge openings may be spaced around a longitudinal axis of the nozzle. A reinforcing yarn passage remains generally free of dope during use. The dope may be discharged in an annular ring inside of the one or more reinforcing yarns, in an annular ring outside of the reinforcing yarns, or both. Minimal tension is required to pull the yarns through the nozzle, which helps to reduce distortion of the membrane cross section in a coagulation bath.
US08999453B2
Carbon nanotube-infused fiber materials containing substantially parallel-aligned, infused carbon nanotubes are described herein. The carbon nanotube-infused fiber materials contain a fiber material and a layer of carbon nanotubes infused to the fiber material, where the infused carbon nanotubes are aligned substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fiber material and at least a portion of the substantially parallel-aligned, infused carbon nanotubes are crosslinked to each other, to the fiber material, or both. Crosslinking can occur through covalent bonding or pi-stacking interactions, for example. The carbon nanotube-infused fiber materials can further contain additional carbon nanotubes that are grown on the layer of substantially parallel-aligned, infused carbon nanotubes. Composite materials containing the carbon nanotube-infused fiber materials and methods for production of the carbon nanotube-infused fiber materials are also described herein.
US08999449B2
A method for making a composite polyamide membrane including the step of applying a polyfunctional amine monomer and polyfunctional acyl halide monomer to a surface of the porous support and interfacially polymerizing the monomers to form a thin film polyamide layer, wherein the method is characterized by: i) conducting the interfacial polymerization in the presence of an aromatic anhydride monomer include at least one sulfonyl halide functional group, or ii) applying the aromatic anhydride monomer to the thin film polyamide layer.
US08999445B2
A method for producing a glass or glass ceramic composite material with a metallic decorative appearance is provided. The method includes: applying a layer onto a glass or glass ceramic substrate, the layer comprising a sol-gel and/or a polysiloxane; patterning the layer; and applying a metallic-looking layer onto the patterned layer.
US08999444B2
An ink jettable overprint composition includes a reversible polymer material, which can reversibly transition between a liquid state and a solid state by reversible cycloaddition reactions, wherein upon cooling, the reversible polymer material transitions from a liquid state to a solid state by reversible cycloaddition reactions within a time period of less than about 10 seconds.
US08999442B2
Disclosed is a ruthenium film-forming material having a lower melting point and a higher vapor pressure that facilitates supply of the material onto a base and moreover enables a high-quality ruthenium film to be obtained.A ruthenium film-forming material includes a compound represented by general formula (1) below (wherein R1 is independently at each occurrence a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms or a halogenated hydrocarbon group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; R2 is independently at each occurrence a halogenated hydrocarbon group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms or a halogenated alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, with the proviso that R1 and R2 are mutually differing groups; R3 is independently at each occurrence a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and L is an unsaturated hydrocarbon compound having 4 to 10 carbon atoms and having at least two double bonds).
US08999441B2
A preparing method for coiled nano carbon material is provided and includes forming a noble metal catalyst crystallite nucleus layer on the surface of the substrate by displacement of a noble metal catalyst, forming a composited nano carbon material on the metal layer of the substrate by using TCVD; in which the composited nano carbon material includes coiled carbon nano tubes and coiled carbon nano fiber. The measured quantity of the total coiled nano carbon tubes and coiled nano carbon fiber in the total measured quantity of nano carbon material is greater than 30%. The coiled nano carbon material can be acquired by scraping it off from the substrate surface.
US08999439B2
The invention relates to a method of fabricating a composite material part comprising fiber reinforcement densified by a matrix, the method comprising the steps of: making a fiber preform consolidated by impregnating (S4) a fiber texture made up of yarns with a liquid consolidation composition containing a precursor for a consolidating material, and by transforming (S7) the precursor into consolidating material by pyrolysis so as to obtain a consolidated preform that is held in shape; and densifying (S8) the consolidated fiber preform by chemical vapor infiltration; the method being characterized in that it includes, prior to impregnation (S4) of the fiber texture with the consolidation liquid composition, a step of filling (S2) the pores of the yarns of said fiber texture by means of a filler composition.
US08999438B2
The field of the invention relates to systems and methods for surface treatments, and more particularly to systems and methods for surface treatments, modifications or coatings using micro- and nano-structure particles for both super-hydrophobic and super-oleophobic properties. In one embodiment, a method of treating surfaces to impart both super-hydrophobic and super-oleophobic properties includes the steps of pre-treating a substrate surface; assembling dual-scale nanoparticles onto the surface of the substrate; and treating the dual-scale nanoparticle coated surface with SiCl4 to cross-link the nanoparticles to each other and to the surface of the substrate creating a robust nano-structured topographic surface having both super-hydrophobic and super-oleophobic properties.
US08999425B2
A low sodium salt substitute composition is disclosed that includes (i) from about 3.0% by weight to about 9.0% by weight of sodium acid sulfate; (ii) from about 2% by weight to about 8% by weight of one or more umami ingredients; (iii) from about 12.0% by weight to about 19.0% by weight of sodium chloride; and (iv) from about 0% by weight to about 95% by weight of a filler, the composition delivering less than 140 mg of sodium while providing an appealing taste to users and complying with the current Food and Drug Administration definition of low sodium.
US08999422B2
Improved processes for the production of engineered feed or food ingredients by extrusion comprise the steps of directing a dry fraction and a byproduct slurry fraction in serial order through a preconditioner and twin-screw extruder in order to create a wet extrudate, which is thereafter dried. The dry fraction is selected from sources of plant-derived starch and/or protein, sources of animal-derived functional proteins, and mixtures thereof. The slurry fraction comprises aqueous byproduct slurries from meat, dairy, vegetable, and fruit processing. The extrusion processes yield high-quality ingredients without the need for conventional rendering.
US08999420B2
This disclosure relates to improvements in beverage/food product preparation systems and in particular to beverage/food product preparation systems having machines of the type which use pre-packaged cartridges containing beverage or food ingredients. The cartridge (30) contains one or more beverage or food ingredients for use in a machine for preparing a beverage or food product from said ingredients. The cartridge (30) includes a base (34), an outlet aperture (37) in the base (34), and a collar (38) extending from the cartridge base (34) around the outlet aperture (37). The cartridge (30) is inserted into a holding receptacle (14) of a machine the collar (38) interacts with an element (65) of the machine and the collar (38) is configured to determine the pressure in the cartridge (30) during the preparation process.
US08999413B2
Dried fruit has a coating of microcrystalline cellulose in an amount effective to prevent agglomeration of the dried fruit. Methods of preparing and using the coated dried fruit are also described. The dried fruit pieces of the present invention are less sticky and are readily separated from one another using ordinary gravity feed handling conditions.
US08999407B2
An alcohol-free insect repellent composition includes an essential oil mixture that includes: (a) from about 30 to about 60 weight % of lemongrass oil; (b) from about 15 to about 40 weight % of essential oil of lemon eucalyptus; (c) from about 10 to about 30 weight % of rose geranium oil; and (d) from about 2 to about 20 weight % of Litsea cubeba oil; the balance of the insect repellent composition to 100 weight % being water; wherein the insect repellent composition further comprises a weight ratio of lemongrass oil to lemon eucalyptus oil of between about 1:10 and about 10:1; a weight ratio of lemongrass oil to Litsea cubeba oil of between about 6:1 and about 1:1; a weight ratio of rose geranium oil to Litsea cubeba oil of between about 5:1 and about 1:5; and a weight ratio of rose geranium oil to lemon eucalyptus oil of between about 5:1 and about 1:5.
US08999396B2
The present invention relates to methods and kits for the treatment of breast cancer based on hormone receptor status of progesterone receptor and estrogen receptor comprising the administration of a taxane alone, in combination with at least one other and other therapeutic agents, as well as other treatment modalities useful in the treatment of breast cancer. In particular, the invention relates to the use of nanoparticles comprising paclitaxel and albumin (such as Abraxane®) either alone or in combination with other chemotherapeutic agents or radiation, which may be used for the treatment of breast cancer which does not express estrogen receptor and/or progesterone receptor.
US08999392B2
Granules having a solid core on which an active ingredient is supported, the core being chosen preferably from among insoluble supports, the granules also having, supported on said the core, the following compounds: one or more coloring agents, one or more metallic pigments, one or more gas-releasing compounds, and optionally one or more embittering agents.
US08999391B2
A thickening system for personal care formulations including methyl ethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose provides efficient thickening power in applications areas such as shampoo and styling gels. In addition to providing thickening, the methyl ethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose derived polymers also provide foam stability to shampoos and improved high humidity curl retention to hair gel compositions.
US08999386B2
An oral methylphenidate extended release tablet is described, which can be scored and still retain its extended release profile. The tablet contains a combination of an uncoated methylphenidate-ion exchange resin complex, a barrier coated methylphenidate-ion exchange resin complex-matrix, and an uncomplexed methylphenidate active component. Following administration of a single dose of the extended release methylphenidate chewable tablet, a therapeutically effective amount of methylphenidate is reached in less than about 20 minutes and the composition provides a twelve-hour extended release profile.
US08999385B2
The invention relates to a method for producing an oral form of administration which decomposes immediately and releases active ingredients in the mouth. According to said method, (a) an anionic pharmaceutical active ingredient is intensively mixed with (b) a copolymer consisting of radically polymerized C1-C4 esters of the acrylic acid or methacrylic acid and other (meth)acrylate monomers containing functional tertiary amino groups, and (c) between 5 and 50 wt. %, in relation to (b), of a C12-C22 carboxylic acid in the melted mass; the mixture is solidified and ground to form a powder containing active ingredients having an average particle size of 200 μm or less; and the powder is encapsulated in a water-soluble matrix consisting of pharmaceutically standard adjuvants, on the condition that no more than 3 wt. %, in relation to the copolymer, of emulsifiers with an HLB value of at least 14 must be contained therein. The invention also relates to the powder containing active ingredients and the uses of the same.
US08999378B2
The present invention provides porous electroactive hydrogels, the deformation angle of which is controlled by electroactuation, and methods for preparing and using such hydrogels.
US08999374B2
The present invention is to provide a β-1,4-mannobiose-containing composition which can inhibit colonization of salmonella in animal body and effectively excrete salmonella outside the body and the method for producing thereof, a feed additive containing the β-1,4-mannobiose-containing composition, and a feed blended with the β-1,4-mannobiose-containing composition. The present invention is intended to provide a method for producing the β-1,4-mannobiose-containing composition wherein a mannan degrading enzyme is functioned to a mannan-containing natural material for producing at least 10% by weight of β-1,4-mannobiose based on the mannan before the degradation, the β-1,4-mannobiose-containing composition prepared through the function of a mannan degrading enzyme to a mannan-containing natural material, which contains at least 10% by weight of β-1,4-mannobiose in terms of dry matter, a feed additive containing the β-1,4-mannobiose-containing composition, and a feed blended with the β-1,4-mannobiose-containing composition.
US08999353B2
A method for eliciting or inducing a protective immune response in a subject against a pandemic subtype of influenza virus comprises administering to the subject a composition comprising (i) at least one immunogen of an endemic influenza subtype, and (ii) an immunogen-free immunostimulating complex as adjuvant.
US08999350B2
The invention relates to a method of preventing or treating acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in a patient, wherein the patient is administered with a Tat protein comprising amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO: 1 or 2, or a variant thereof capable of stimulating an immune response against Tat proteins.
US08999345B2
The disclosure provides adjuvants, immunogenic compositions, and methods useful for vaccination and immune response. In particular, the disclosure provides a class of adjuvants comprising cationic lipid:co-lipid mixtures and methods for delivering formulated compositions.
US08999341B1
The invention relates to human targets of interest (TOI), anti-TOI ligands, kits compositions and method.
US08999338B2
The invention relates to a method for diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) wherein, presence or absence of an anti-AT1 receptor antibody is determined in a sample from a patient to be diagnosed and wherein, the presence of an anti-AT1-receptor antibody is indicative of the disease.
US08999329B2
This invention provides an agonist antibody to a human thrombopoietin receptor (human c-Mpl), and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same for use in treatment of thrombocytopenia. The disclosed agonist antibody comprises (1) antibody constant regions comprising heavy and light chain constant regions, each of which may optionally contain domain substitutions, or may contain deletions, substitutions, additions, or insertions of amino acid residues, and (2) antibody variable regions capable of binding to and activating a human thrombopoietin receptor. The-agonist antibody further induces colony formation at a concentration of 10,000 ng/ml or lower, and has a maximal activity at least 50% higher than that of PEG-rHuMGDF and an 50% effective concentration (EC50) of 100 nM or less.
US08999327B2
The present invention relates to antibodies against human CSF-1R (anti-CSF-1R antibody), methods for their production, pharmaceutical compositions containing said antibodies, and uses thereof.
US08999324B2
The present invention relates to the field of glycosylation engineering of proteins. More particularly, the present invention relates to glycosylation engineering to generate proteins with improved therapeutic properties, including antibodies with increased antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity.
US08999323B2
The present invention relates to a polymerization-curable composition for the preparation of biodegradable, biocompatible, cross-linked polymers on the basis of polyvinyl alcohol comprising: 5 to 100% by weight of (a) vinyl ester monomer(s) of one of the general formulas (I) to (III): wherein X is oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen, or phosphorus; n is 1 to 1000, at least 20% of the n being ≧2; the R1 are selected from hydrogen; straight, branched or cyclic, saturated or unsaturated, n-valent hydrocarbon groups having 1 to 30 carbon atoms, which optionally have heteroatoms and are optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from —OH, —COON, —CN, —CHO, and ═O, and n-valent radicals of biodegradable, biocompatible oligomers and polymers; m is an integer from 1 to 5; the R2 are selected from hydrogen, —OH, ═O, and the options listed for R1; and the R3 are selected from hydrogen, —OH, and the options listed for R1; 0 to 50% by weight of ethylenically unsaturated co-monomers; 0 to 10% by weight of (a) polymerization initiator(s); and 0 to 95% by weight of solvent(s).
US08999321B2
Provided are compositions comprising newly identified protein fragments of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, polynucleotides that encode them and complements thereof, related agents, and methods of use thereof in diagnostic, drug discovery, research, and therapeutic applications.
US08999320B2
Methods for rapidly obtaining a nanoscale apolipoprotein bound phospholipid bilayer (NABB) associated with at least one membrane protein are provided. Also disclosed are methods for rapidly obtaining a NABB not associated with membrane proteins. Immunogenic compositions comprising NABBs with native conformational epitopes are also provided along with their methods of use.
US08999315B2
Bis-quaternary ammonium salts of formula wherein Y is a group of formula NR11R12+X− or NR7; n is 0 or 1; p is 1 or 2; r and q are independently 2, 3 or 4; X is an anionic counterion and R1R2R3N— and R4R5R6N— are independently selected from groups of formula —N(R13)2R8, —N(R14)3, —N(R13)3, —N(R13)2(CH2)qOC(O)R9, and wherein R7, R11 and R12 are independently selected from C1-C18 alkyl; R8, R9, R10 and R15 are independently selected from C8-C18 alkyl and C8-C18 alkenyl; R13 is C1-C4 alkyl; R14 is C2-C4 hydroxyalkyl; and R11 is selected from C2-C4 hydroxyalkyl, C2-C4 aminoalkyl and groups of formula —CH2)rNHC(O)R15 are effective inhibitors of corrosion and biofouling of metallic surfaces in contact with gas- and oil-field fluids.
US08999313B2
The invention provides a colon cleansing solution comprising: a) 300 to 800 mmol per liter ascorbate anion provided by a mixture of: (i) ascorbic acid and (ii) one or more salts of ascorbic acid the components (i) and (ii) being present in a molar ratio of from 1:4.5 to 1:7.0; and b) 10 to 200 g per liter polyethylene glycol. The invention also provides methods an kits associated with, or making use of the solutions, and compositions for the preparation of the solutions.
US08999307B2
Compositions and methods are disclosed for imparting water repellency to the hair. The compositions generally comprise a first hydrophobic particulate material having a coefficient of dynamic friction of 0.5 or greater in combination with a second hydrophobic particulate material having a coefficient of dynamic friction less than 0.5.
US08999304B2
Disclosed are non-aqueous compositions capable of forming a gel structure, containing: (a) a low molecular mass N-acyl glutamic acid diamide having a straight-chain alkyl group; (b) a low molecular mass N-acyl glutamic acid diamide having a branched-chain alkyl group; (c) at least one gel-promoting solvent; (d) at least one film former; (e) at least one volatile solvent capable of solubilizing the film former; and (f) at least one colorant; and (g) a polyorganosiloxane-containing polymer, wherein the composition has a hardness value ranging from about 30 to about 300 gf, a melting point of about 500 C or higher, does not require use of wax as a structuring agent. Methods of making and using the compositions are also disclosed.
US08999294B2
The present invention relates to diagnostic and therapeutic nanoparticles. More particularly, the present invention relates to creating a copper (Cu)-based nanoparticle and a method for making the same. The Cu-based nanoparticles can further be incorporated with additional therapeutic or diagnostic compounds and used for the diagnosis and treatment of tumors.
US08999280B2
Provided are a carbon catalyst for decomposing a hazardous substance that effectively decomposes hazardous substances such as aldehydes, a hazardous-substance-decomposing material, and a method of decomposing a hazardous substance. The carbon catalyst for decomposing a hazardous substance is a carbon catalyst having a catalytic activity for decomposing the hazardous substance. The hazardous substance is, for example, a volatile organic compound such as aldehydes or a malodorous substance such as a sulfur compound. The method of decomposing a hazardous substance, is a method including decomposing the hazardous substance with the carbon catalyst for decomposing a hazardous substance or with a hazardous-substance-decomposing material containing the carbon catalyst for decomposing a hazardous substance.
US08999278B2
The invention provides various methods for removing gas phase pollutants by calcining limestone or dolomite using flash calcination to produce a high surface area lime or hydrated lime and directly adding the lime or hydrated lime to a gas stream containing gas phase pollutants. In other methods, the production of an activated sorbent, such as activated carbon, is combined with the production of the high surface area lime or hydrated lime and directly added to a gas stream containing gas phase pollutants. The combination of lime or hydrated lime and an activated sorbent enhances the removal of gas phase pollutants such as those from a coal-fired boiler flue gas.
US08999274B2
A process for treating a mixed sulphidic material containing lead sulphide and at least one other metal sulphide. The process includes the steps of subjecting the mixed sulphidic material to selective oxidation such that lead sulphide in the material is oxidised to form an oxidized lead compound while substantial oxidation of the at least one other metal sulphide is avoided, and separating the oxidized lead compound from the at least one other metal sulphide. The oxidized lead compound may be separated by flotation wherein the oxidized lead compound reports to the tailings and the at least one other metal sulphide reports to the concentrate (froth).
US08999273B2
A system for preparing and holding specimens for microscopic analysis including a capsule having an open end, an opposite end including at least one aperture and a reservoir. The system also includes an insert with a base including at least one aperture. The insert fits within and engages an inner wall of the reservoir to secure the insert within the reservoir. The system also includes an insertion tool configured to engage the insert. The insertion tool is sized to position the insert within the reservoir at a variety of positions within the reservoir. The insertion tool will disengage the insert once the insert is positioned within the reservoir. A method of positioning a specimen within a capsule for processing the specimen in preparation for microscopic analysis. A tray for holding a plurality of pipette tips in such a way that a lower end of each pipette tip is sealed.
US08999269B2
The present invention relates to a glass plate (2) for use in a device (1) for stretching sample sections having a sectioning knife, the glass plate (2) being arranged at the back (3) of the sectioning knife in such a way that a defined gap (4) for reception of the sectioned sample is formed between the back (3) of the sectioning knife and the plate (2), the glass plate (2) possessing, at least on one of its longitudinal sides (21, 22), edges (211, 212; 221, 222) ground and polished to optical flatness.
US08999265B2
Disclosed embodiments concern a microfluidic device comprising a bonding agent and two or more components. In particular disclosed embodiments, the microfluidic device is made out of the disclosed bonding agent. Also disclosed are embodiments of a method for making a microfluidic device, wherein the method includes using the disclosed bonding agent to couple two or more components together.
US08999256B2
A process and apparatus are disclosed for hydrotreating a hydrocarbon feed in a hydrotreating unit and hydrocracking a liquid hydrotreating effluent stream in a hydrocracking unit. A hot separator separates the diesel in a liquid hot hydrotreating effluent stream that serves as feed to the hydrocracking unit. Low sulfur diesel product can be saturated to further upgrade its cetane rating.
US08999254B2
Apparatus and a method for decomposing a body of a deceased person, as an alternative to traditional cremation. The apparatus includes a primary vessel where the body is treated with a highly basic solvent to render the body into skeletal remains and liquid remains. A clamp is applied to the skull during processing for solvent access to the skull. A secondary vessel is used to receive the liquid remains from the primary vessel and further treat them. During this further treatment, the skeletal remains left in the primary vessel after the liquefied portion has been transferred to the secondary vessel, can be treated to be decolorized and deodorized, and then returned to the decedent's next of kin as ash-like material.
US08999253B2
The invention provides a method and apparatus for incinerating waste, wherein the waste is one or more of an organic waste and an inorganic waste. The apparatus includes a grinder for grinding a mixture of the waste and calcium carbonate. The ground mixture is then fed to a molten metal bath contained within a crucible. Thereafter, a heating member configured proximal to the crucible combusts the mixture of the waste and the calcium carbonate to form one or more of slag and one or more acidic gases. On combustion, the one or more acidic gases are neutralized by calcium hydroxide produced as a result of combusting the calcium carbonate. Additional metal compounds usable as fertilizers are also produced in response to reacting with the one or more acidic gases.
US08999245B2
The disclosure describes a cascaded gas chromatograph including a first gas chromatograph having a first temperature control and a second gas chromatograph coupled to the first gas chromatograph. The first and second chromatographs have individual temperature controls that can be controlled independently of each other. Other embodiments are disclosed and claimed.
US08999244B2
The present invention provides a sensor apparatus based on 2D films or 3D assemblies of cubic nanoparticles capped with an organic coating. The apparatus is used to determine the composition and preferably measure the concentration of volatile and non-volatile compounds in a sample, with very high sensitivity. Methods for use of the apparatus in applications such as diagnosis of disease, food quality and environmental control are disclosed.
US08999243B2
A blood coagulation analysis device and method in which information relating to the coagulability of blood is evaluated based on a change generated in a permittivity measured in a coagulation process of the blood due to addition of a substance that activates or inactivates platelets to the blood.
US08999241B2
A specimen analyzer comprising: a reagent refrigerator configured to store and cool a reagent container; a measurement unit configured to measure a specimen by using a reagent in the reagent container cooled by the reagent refrigerator; wherein the reagent refrigerator comprises: a housing configured so that an upper portion of the housing is openable and closable; a reagent container table configured so that the reagent container is set thereon, wherein the reagent container table is arranged within the housing so as to space away from a bottom of the housing; a first member arranged so as to face a side surface of the reagent container set on the reagent container table; and a second member arranged lower than the reagent container table, wherein the second member has a higher thermal conductivity than that of the first member.
US08999239B2
Devices, systems, and methods for conducting chemiluminescent immunoassay testing and, more particularly, to initiating and monitoring a chemiluminescent reaction in a plurality of such assays, of different types, on a single immunoassay instrument, in a single procedure, using a plurality of labels and a triggering reagent combination are disclosed. Moreover, by including a base reagent injector assembly having an “e-channel” to provide a swirling turbulence to the base reagent immediately before it is introduced into the well of a cuvette containing a sample and an acid reagent. The added turbulence addresses the phenomenon referred to as “RLU shift,” in which the luminescence output can increase or decrease between assays.
US08999237B2
A UV and visible light transparent film material is secured onto or within a touch-based screen to automatically disinfect the external surface. UV light is emitted from a UV light source into an edge of the transparent film material in order to transfer the UV light through the transparent film material while remaining in the transparent film material through total internal reflection effect. Some UV light exits the transparent film material at points of contact to disinfect fingertips and immediate surrounding areas through the frustrated total internal reflection effect.
US08999235B2
A method for sterilizing an implantable sensor for sensing an analyte in a body tissue. The implantable sensor has a sensor part which can be introduced into the body tissue, at least one sensor electrode for sensing the analyte, and at least one electronics part. The electronics part has at least one electronic component and is connected to the sensor part. The method includes (a) introducing the implantable sensor into a package, the package sealing the implantable sensor from bacteria and accommodating a radiation shield, (b) irradiating the implantable sensor in the package with sterilizing radiation from at least one irradiating direction, in particular with electron radiation, the radiation shield shielding the electronic component of the electronics part from the sterilizing radiation, the radiation shield being arranged in such a way that the sensor part is sterilized by the sterilizing radiation.
US08999234B2
A composition for the creation of a protective barrier on a wide variety of materials to prevent the deterioration and degradation caused by exposure to moisture and sun over time.
US08999229B2
Disclosed herein is a sintered composition comprising iron; about 0.05 to about 1 wt % molybdenum; about 3 to about 4.5 wt % silicon; about 0.05 to about 0.5 wt % chromium; about 0.011 to about 0.015 wt % magnesium; all weight percents being based on the total weight of the composition; the composition being devoid of carbon except for trace amounts; and wherein the composition is sintered. Disclosed herein too is a method comprising blending a powdered composition that comprises iron; about 0.05 to about 1 wt % molybdenum; about 3 to about 4.5 wt % silicon; about 0.05 to about 0.5 wt % chromium; about 0.011 to about 0.015 wt % magnesium; all weight percents being based on the total weight of the composition; the composition being devoid of carbon except for trace amounts; compacting and sintering the composition.
US08999228B2
Process for manufacturing a reinforced alloy comprising a metallic matrix, dispersed in the volume of which are nanoparticles, at least 80% of which have a mean size from 1 nm to 50 nm, the nanoparticles comprising at least one nitride chosen from the nitrides of at least one metallic element M belonging to the group consisting of Ti, Zr, Hf and Ta. The process comprises the following successive steps: a) plasma nitriding of a base alloy is carried out at a temperature from 200° C. to 700° C. in order to insert interstitial nitrogen therein, the base alloy incorporating 0.1% to 1% by weight of the metallic element M and being chosen from an austenitic, ferritic, ferritic-martensitic or nickel-based alloy; b) the interstitial nitrogen is diffused within the base alloy at a temperature of 350° C. to 650° C.; and c) the nitride is precipitated at a temperature from 600° C. to 900° C. over a duration of 10 minutes to 10 hours, in order to form the nanoparticles dispersed in the reinforced alloy.
US08999225B2
First, an ionic liquid is placed on a glass slide, which is then installed in an evaporation apparatus, and a metal (for example, indium) is mounted as a target material at a position facing the ionic liquid, followed by sputter deposition of the metal. After sputtering, the ionic liquid containing nanoparticles dispersed therein is recovered. The nanoparticles are solid nanoparticles. Next, the ionic liquid containing the solid nanoparticles dispersed therein is placed in a test tube and then oxidized by heating in air at 250° C. for 1 hour. As a result, hollow nanoparticles having cavities formed in core portions of the solid nanoparticles are produced.
US08999222B2
There is provided a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional shaped object, the method comprising the repeated steps of: (i) forming a solidified layer by irradiating a predetermined portion of a powder layer with a light beam, thereby allowing a sintering of the powder in the predetermined portion or a melting and subsequent solidification thereof; and (ii) forming another solidified layer by newly forming a powder layer on the resulting solidified layer, followed by the irradiation of a predetermined portion of the powder layer with the light beam, wherein a part of a surface portion of the three-dimensional shaped object is formed as a low-density solidified portion whose solidified density ranges from 50% to 90% so that an application of pressure can be performed by a gas flowing through the low-density solidified portion.
US08999221B2
Provided is a curable composition for imprints having good patternability and dry etching resistance. Disclosed is a curable composition for imprints comprising at least one kind of polymerizable monomer selected from the following compounds and a photopolymerization initiator;
US08999218B2
A process of producing a member having a pattern. The process includes preparing a first mold having a pattern surface provided with a first uneven pattern at a surface of the first mold, and preparing a second mold having a pattern surface, provided with a second uneven pattern at a surface of the second mold, including a shape portion corresponding to an outer peripheral shape of the pattern surface provided with the first uneven pattern. When the pattern is transferred onto the member in a transfer area including (i) a peripheral area, which is an area not large enough to transfer an entire first uneven pattern of the first mold, and (ii) an area inside the peripheral area, in the area inside the peripheral area, the first uneven pattern of the first mold is transferred plural times to form a pattern group of the first uneven patterns, and in the peripheral area, the second uneven pattern of the second mold, including a shape portion corresponding to an outer peripheral shape of the pattern group, is transferred.
US08999211B2
A process for producing porous structures from polyamide by dissolving the polyamide in an ionic liquid and precipitating or coagulating the dissolved polyamide by contacting the solution with a liquid precipitant medium. Fibers are produced from the dissolved polyamide in a wet-spinning process by precipitation in protic solvents, in particular water, a C1-4-alkanol or mixtures thereof, and subsequent freeze-drying. Foils, films or coatings are produced by blade coating the dissolved polyamide onto a substrate surface, optionally spraying with protic solvent, in particular water, a C1-4-alcohol or mixtures thereof, dipping into a precipitation or coagulation bath, freeze-drying of the resulting foil, of the film or of the coated substrate. Molded parts are prepared by extracting the dissolved polyamide with protic solvents, preferably water, a C1-4-alcohol or mixtures thereof, wherein the dissolved polymer is transformed to a solid or wax-like state by cooling and extracted after subsequent molding.
US08999207B2
The invention relates to a metallic, conductive ink for ink-jet printing, comprising a metal precursor material, in particular an organometallic decomposition compound, and a thermally decomposable polymer dissolved in an organic solvent, wherein a polymer having a decomposition temperature Tc<150° C. is contained as the thermally decomposable polymer. The polymer is selected from a cyclic polyacetal having blocked terminal groups, a cyclic polyaldehyde comprising bifunctional monomers, such as polyphthalaldehyde, polyglutaraldehyde, polysuccinaldehyde, and a polymeric glyoxylic acid, or a glyoxylic acid derivative, such as poly(methyl glyoxylate). The monomeric depolymerization products of the thermally decomposable polymer are used as reductants for the metal precursor material. The invention further relates to a method for producing the ink.
US08999205B2
Metal nanowires with high linearity can be produced using metal salts at a relatively low temperature. A transparent conductive film can be formed using the metal nanowires. Particularly, the transparent conductive film has high transmittance, low sheet resistance, and good thermal, chemical and mechanical stability. The transparent conductive film has a high electrical conductivity due to the high linearity of the metal nanowires. The metal nanowires take up 5% or less of the volume of the transparent conductive film, ensuring high transmittance of the transparent conductive film. Furthermore, the metal nanowires are useful as replacements for existing conductive materials, such as ITO, conductive polymers, carbon nanotubes and graphene. The metal nanowires can be applied to flexible substrates and other various substrates due to their good adhesion and high applicability to the substrates. Moreover, the metal nanowires can find application in various fields, such as displays and solar cell devices.
US08999204B2
Disclosed is a conductive ink composition, a manufacturing method thereof, and a manufacturing method of a conductive thin film using the same, and more specifically, a conductive ink composition is provided that includes composite metal nanoparticles including first metal nanoparticles and second metal nanoparticles, and a polymer matrix. The polymer matrix is a composition including a polymer and a solvent, the first metal nanoparticles and the second metal nanoparticles are different metals, and the content of the composite metal nanoparticles is about 20 to about 25 wt %, the content of the polymer is about 5 to about 10 wt %, and the content of the solvent is about 65 to about 75 wt %, based on the total weight of the composition.
US08999202B2
Methods of manufacturing nano-engineered carbon materials, such as carbon aerogels and carbon xerogels, and methods of manufacturing precursor solutions and sol-gels for making the same are provided. A method for manufacturing a precursor solution comprises programmed-addition of a cross-linking agent to a component mixture comprising a resorcinol compound. A method for manufacturing a sol-gel comprises subjecting a precursor solutions to at least one heat treatment. Methods for producing nano-engineered carbon materials from precursor solutions and sol-gels are also provided. Methods for using the nano-engineered carbon materials are also disclosed. The resulting nano-engineered carbon materials can be useful in a range of products including, supercapacitor applications, high-surface-area electrodes, fuel cells, and desalination systems.
US08999196B2
The invention is to provide a new liquid crystal compound having a high clearing point, a good compatibility with other compounds, a small viscosity, and a high stability to heat, light and so forth; compound (1) is provided: R1CF2nR2 (1) wherein, for example, R1 is alkyl having 4 to 10 carbons or —(CH2)2—CH═CH2, R2 is alkyl having 2 to 10 carbons, n is 8, and R1 and R2 are not allowed to be straight-chain alkyl having an identical number of carbons.
US08999188B2
The present disclosure provides a froth flotation composition including a cycloaliphatic alcohol and a reaction product of the cycloaliphatic alcohol and propylene oxide. The froth flotation composition is especially suited for use in ore and coal flotation processes.
US08999185B2
The present invention provides a process of etching or plating comprising the steps of: i) ink jet printing an alkali removeable water insoluble hot melt ink jet ink onto a substrate to form a resist image; ii) etching or plating the substrate in an aqueous acid medium; and iv) removing the resist image with an aqueous alkali.
US08999183B2
A method involving ion milling is demonstrated to fabricate open-nanoshell suspensions and open-nanoshell monolayer structures. Ion milling technology allows the open-nanoshell geometry and upward orientation on substrates to be controlled. Substrates can be fabricated covered with stable and dense open-nanoshell monolayer structures, showing nanoaperture and nanotip geometry with upward orientation, that can be used as substrates for SERS-based biomolecule detection.
US08999171B2
A method of producing desalinated water and recovering minerals from the feedwater uses membrane separation and electrodialysis brine concentration. This process can recover all of the minerals as high purity industrial minerals, including capturing the calcium and sulfate as agricultural grade gypsum and boron as high purity boric acid. In addition the process allows the use of low cost lime or dolime to produce valuable magnesium hydroxide.
US08999167B2
There is provided a composite porous membrane comprising a porous membrane comprised of an organic polymeric compound, and a supporting porous membrane adjacent to the porous membrane, characterized in that the organic polymeric compound constituting the porous membrane penetrates in at least part of a surface adjacent to porous membrane of the supporting porous membrane, the porous membrane having specified opening ratio, average pore diameter, standard deviation of pore diameter, ratio of through pore, average membrane thickness, standard deviation of membrane thickness and internal structure, and that the supporting porous membrane has communicating pores of 0.5 D μm or greater average pore diameter. Further, there are provided a blood filtration membrane comprising the composite porous membrane; a leukocyte removing filter unit comprising the composite porous membrane as a second filter; and, utilizing the composite porous membrane, a cell culturing diaphragm and method of cell culturing.
US08999161B2
A plasma filter is provided for separating aggregates and targeted blood cell species from plasma comprising a filter housing with an inlet and an outlet and an internal flow path between the inlet and outlet. A filter media is disposed in the flowpath between the inlet and the outlet for filtering plasma that passes therethrough. The filter media comprises a filter configured to substantially remove targeted blood cell types from the plasma and a prefilter upstream of the filter, the prefilter having at least one reinforcement layer.
US08999152B2
A process and apparatus provides for blending a heavy naphtha stream with a diesel stream to increase the yield of diesel. The diesel stream is recovered separately from a kerosene stream to leave the kerosene stream undiminished. The blended diesel provides a valuable composition.
US08999149B2
A process for removing gases from a sweetened hydrocarbon stream. The process can include passing the sweetened hydrocarbon stream to a gas removal zone, contacting the sweetened hydrocarbon stream with an aqueous stream, passing the aqueous stream to the degassing drum, and removing gases including at least one of oxygen and nitrogen from the aqueous stream. Often, the gas removal zone includes a degassing drum.
US08999141B2
In general, methods of hydroprocessing a hydrocarbonaceous feed stock are provided that do not use a costly recycle gas compressor, but are still able to use the more efficient reaction systems provided in a substantially three-phase hydroprocessing zone. The method combines a substantially liquid-phase hydroprocessing zone with the substantially three-phase hydroprocessing zone in a manner so that the hydrogen requirements for both reaction zones can be provided from an external source thereto without the use of a hydrogen recycle or recycle gas compressor to the substantially three-phase reaction zone.
US08999132B2
A liquid electrolyte can be desalinated and purified using a system that includes a first electrode and a configuration selected from (a) a second electrode and at least one distinct ion-selective boundary and (b) a second electrode that also serves as the ion-selective boundary. The ion-selective boundary is contained in the liquid conduit adjacent to a porous medium that defines pore channels filled with the liquid and that have a surface charge, and the charge of the ion-selective boundary and the surface charge of the pore channels share the same sign. A liquid including at least one charged species flows through the pore channels, forming a thin diffuse electrochemical double layer at an interface of the liquid and the charged surface of the pore channels. A voltage differential is applied between the electrodes across the porous medium to draw ions in the liquid to the electrodes to produce brine at the electrodes and to create a shock in the dissolved-ion concentration in the bulk volume of the liquid within the pore channels, wherein a depleted zone with a substantially reduced concentration of dissolved ions forms in the liquid bulk volume between the shock and the ion-selective boundary.
US08999127B2
A biological sensor for electrochemical and/or electrical measurement, including at least: a measurement electrode, able to make electrochemical and/or electrical measurements, and including a part of a doped diamond layer of a substrate comprising a stack including a dielectric layer placed between the doped diamond layer and a semiconductor material layer; an electronic circuit for amplifying and/or processing at least one electrical signal intended to be issued by the measurement electrode, electrically connected to the measurement electrode and made in a portion of the semiconductor material layer.
US08999125B2
An auto-calibration system for diagnostic test strips is described for presenting data individually carried on each test strip readable by a diagnostic meter. The test strip meter may provide a predetermined varying resistance on one strip or a plurality of varying resistances from strip lot to strip lot.
US08999117B2
One exemplary embodiment can be a system for separating a plurality of naphtha components. The system can include a column, an overhead condenser, and a side condenser. Generally, the column includes a dividing imperforate wall with one surface facing a feed and another surface facing at least one side stream. Typically, the wall extends a significant portion of the column height to divide the portion into at least two substantially vertical, parallel contacting sections. Typically, the overhead condenser receives an overhead stream including a light naphtha from the column. Usually, a side condenser receives a process stream from the column and returns the stream to the column to facilitate separation. A cooling stream may pass through the overhead condenser and then the side condenser.
US08999115B2
An industrial textile belt, a method for making it, and its use. The belt includes a seam with joining ends that can be joined together so that the belt becomes an endless loop. The joining ends have seam areas with cross-machine direction wear yarns on their machine surface. The wear yarns receive wear stress when the belt slides against the support surface of a processing device.
US08999107B2
A method for laser ashing of polyimide for a semiconductor manufacturing process using a structure, the structure comprising a supporting material attached to a semiconductor chip by a polyimide glue, includes releasing the supporting material from the polyimide glue, such that the polyimide glue remains on the semiconductor chip; and ashing the polyimide glue on the semiconductor chip using an ablating laser.
US08999105B2
An etch mask is formed on a substrate. The substrate is positioned in an enclosure configured to shield an interior of the enclosure from electromagnetic fields exterior to the enclosure; and the substrate is etched in the enclosure, including removing a portion of the substrate to form a structure having at least a portion that is isolated and/or suspended over the substrate.
US08999093B2
On a tire inner surface “is” facing a tire cavity “i” surrounded by a rim 2 and a pneumatic tire 3, the tire is provided with a noise damper 4 made of a spongy material and extending in the circumferential direction of the tire. Noise dampers 4 having the same cross sectional shape are used in a size group of tires which include a minimum volume tire that the cross sectional area S of the tire cavity on the meridian cross section has a minimum value Smin and a maximum volume tire that the cavity cross section area S has a maximum value Smax, and which have sizes such that the cavity sectional area ratio Smax/Smin falls within the range of 1.00 to 1.95.
US08999091B2
To provide a material for use at high temperatures of several 100° C. which is simple and quick to produce, the invention provides a composite having a layer structure and a process for producing it, which comprises the following steps: a) provision of at least two plates which each have at least one main area of extension, b) stacking of the plates in such a way that a main area of extension of one plate is essentially opposite a main area of extension of the subsequent plate in the stack, c) joining of the stacked plates to form a block using a sinterable composition, d) carrying out a heat treatment on the block so that at least sintering of the sinterable composition occurs and a strong composite body is formed from the block.
US08999080B2
Disclosed are: a casting aluminum alloy that is excellent in elongation as alternative properties of a high cycle fatigue strength and a thermal fatigue strength and is suitably usable for a casting for which both of the excellent high cycle fatigue strength and the excellent thermal fatigue strength are required, for example, an internal combustion engine cylinder head; a casting made of the aluminum alloy; a manufacturing method of the casting; and further, an internal combustion engine cylinder head composed of the aluminum alloy casting and manufactured by the manufacturing method of the casting. The casting aluminum alloy contains, in terms of mass ratios, 4.0 to 7.0% of Si, 0.5 to 2.0% of Cu, 0.25 to 0.5% of Mg, no more than 0.5% of Fe, no more than 0.5% of Mn, and at least one component selected from the group consisting of Na, Ca and Sr, each mass ratio of which is 0.002 to 0.02%.
US08999079B2
New 6xxx aluminum alloy bodies and methods of producing the same are disclosed. The new 6xxx aluminum alloy bodies may be produced by preparing the aluminum alloy body for post-solutionizing cold work, cold working by at least 25%, and then thermally treating. The new 6xxx aluminum alloy bodies may realize improved strength and other properties.
US08999078B2
A forging heat resistant steel of an embodiment contains in percent by mass C: 0.05-0.2, Si: 0.01-0.1, Mn: 0.01-0.15, Ni: 0.05-1, Cr: 8 or more and less than 10, Mo: 0.05-1, V: 0.05-0.3, Co: 1-5, W: 1-2.2, N: 0.01 or more and less than 0.015, Nb: 0.01-0.15, B: 0.003-0.03, and a remainder comprising Fe and unavoidable impurities.
US08999076B2
In one embodiment, the invention provides a composition useful for passivating a metal surface, in particular a zinciferous surface, comprising, preferably consisting essentially of, most preferably consisting of water and: (A) dissolved phosphate ions; (B) dissolved trivalent chromium ions; (C) dissolved anions of at least one complex fluoride of an element selected from the group consisting of Ti, Zr, Hf, Si, Sn, Al, Ge and B; preferably Ti, Si and/or Zr; (D) an optional component of dissolved free fluoride ions; (E) organic acid inhibitor, preferably comprising quaternary ammonium compounds; and, optionally (F) a pH adjusting component; and optionally organic hydroxyl acids.
US08999075B2
A composite magnetic material manufactured by mixing a metal magnetic powder with an insulating binder to produce a mixed powder, press-molding the mixed powder to produce a molded product, and heat-treating the molded product in an oxidizing atmosphere at not lower than 80° C. and not higher than 400° C. to form an oxide film on a surface of the molded product. The metal magnetic powder includes Si, Fe, and component A, and the composition thereof satisfies 5.5%≦Si≦9.5%, 10%≦Si+component A≦13.5%, and the remainder is Fe, where % denotes weight %. The component A includes at least one of Ni, Al, Ti, and Mg.
US08999073B2
A device for cleaning a site of a luer activated valve (LAV) is disclosed. The device can include a cap having an inner cavity for receiving a site of the LAV. The cap can be formed to provide at least one aperture to the inner cavity when the site is received into the inner cavity. The device can also include one or more protrusions that extend inwardly from the cap to engage the site to maintain the cap on the site. The device can also include a cleaning agent that occupies some of the inner cavity. The cleaning agent can be formulated to clean the site as the inner cavity receives the site and when the cap is maintained on the site. The device can further include a removable seal that seals the cleaning agent within the inner cavity prior to the inner cavity of the cap receiving the site.
US08999070B2
The invention provides a method and apparatus for removing a blockage from a fluid conduit. An apparatus comprises a first portion containing a fluid volume separated from the fluid conduit via a controllable valve. The valve is cyclically opened and closed such that a pressure differential between the first portion and the fluid conduit causes a series of pressure pulses in the fluid conduit. The pressure differential is regulated to control the amplitude of the pressure pulses of the series.
US08999069B2
A method for producing cleaning water for an electronic material, includes obtaining oxygen gas and argon gas from air with a PSA oxygen concentration apparatus, dissolving the oxygen gas and argon gas obtained from the PSA oxygen concentration apparatus in pure water or ultrapure water. A concentration of dissolved oxygen is in a range of 8 to 50 mg/L, and a content of dissolved argon gas is in a range of 2 to 50 volume % of a total amount of dissolved oxygen gas and the dissolved argon gas.
US08999068B2
Provided is a chamber cleaning method capable of efficiently removing a CF-based shoulder deposit containing Si and Al deposited on an outer periphery of an ESC. A mixed gas of an O2 gas and a F containing gas is supplied toward an outer periphery 24a of an ESC 24 at a pressure ranging from about 400 mTorr to about 800 mTorr; plasma generated from the mixed gas is irradiated onto the outer periphery 24a of the ESC 24; an O2 single gas as a mask gas is supplied to the top surface of ESC 24 except the outer periphery 24a; and the shoulder deposit 50 adhered to the outer periphery 24a is decomposed and removed while preventing the top surface of ESC 24 except the outer periphery 24a from being exposed to a F radical.
US08999062B2
A film depositing apparatus comprises: a rotatable drum within a chamber around which a substrate is wrapped in a specified surface region; a film depositing unit comprising a film depositing electrode spaced facing to a surface of the drum, and a feed gas supply section supplying a feed gas for forming a film into a gap between the drum and the film depositing electrode; and an exhaust unit that exhausts the gap between the drum and the film depositing electrode during film formation by the film depositing unit so as to forcibly discharge the feed gas, supplied into the gap by the feed gas supply section, through at least one of end portions of the gap upstream side and downstream side in a rotating direction of the drum uniformly over an entire region of the gap in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the drum.
US08999059B2
A growth apparatus is used having a plurality of crucibles each for containing the solution, a heating element for heating the crucible, and a pressure vessel for containing at least the crucibles and the heating element and for filling an atmosphere comprising at least nitrogen gas. One seed crystal is put in each of the crucibles to grow the nitride single crystal on the seed crystal.
US08999058B2
This disclosure enables high-productivity fabrication of semiconductor-based separation layers (made of single layer or multi-layer porous semiconductors such as porous silicon, comprising single porosity or multi-porosity layers), optical reflectors (made of multi-layer/multi-porosity porous semiconductors such as porous silicon), formation of porous semiconductor (such as porous silicon) for anti-reflection coatings, passivation layers, and multi-junction, multi-band-gap solar cells (for instance, by forming a variable band gap porous silicon emitter on a crystalline silicon thin film or wafer-based solar cell). Other applications include fabrication of MEMS separation and sacrificial layers for die detachment and MEMS device fabrication, membrane formation and shallow trench isolation (STI) porous silicon (using porous silicon formation with an optimal porosity and its subsequent oxidation). Further the disclosure is applicable to the general fields of Photovoltaics, MEMS, including sensors and actuators, stand-alone, or integrated with integrated semiconductor microelectronics, semiconductor microelectronics chips and optoelectronics.
US08999040B2
A method for cleansing an electrostatic precipitator having a collecting electrode and an emission electrode includes applying a voltage between the collecting electrode and the emission electrode and reducing the applied voltage from a first voltage to a second voltage upon an occurrence of a spark between the collecting electrode and the emission electrode.
US08999039B2
The invention relates to membranes, in particular oxygen separation membranes, which enable improved gas separation conditions with respect to cost, price, size, weight, and noise. The membrane, in particular oxygen separation membrane, according to the invention comprises a support layer (28) and a separation layer (30), wherein the separation layer (30) is permeable for oxygen and has a sorptive affinity for at least one other gas, in particular for nitrogen, wherein the membrane (20) is designed such that substantially only the separation layer (30) is heatable by a heating device.
US08999034B2
Disclosed are methods and compositions for improving metal extraction processes by introducing at least one cationically charged compound selected from a group consisting of amines, particularly quaternary amines such as alkyldimethylbenzylammonium chlorides (ADBAC compounds), polyamines and other suitable cationic organic materials, and mixtures thereof, for neutralizing and/or coagulating excess anionic organic compounds including, for example, flotation reagents, surfactants, polymers, flotation reagent by-products and/or anti-scalant additives found in metal concentrate streams, and thereby reduce the downstream fouling of the activated carbon by these compounds.
US08999029B1
A furnace filter box for mounting next to an intake air opening in a furnace. The filter box is adapted for receiving a furnace filter therein for filtering intake air. The filter box includes a front panel with a furnace filter door. The front panel is attached to sides of a first side panel and a second side panel. The first and second panels are attached to a back panel. A bottom panel is attached to a bottom portion of the front, back and first and second side panels. Mounted to an inside of an upper portion of the first and second side panels are filter rails. The filter rails are adapted for holding the furnace filter next to an open top in the filter box.
US08999024B2
An abrasive element comprises a body of crystalline abrasive material. The body has an array of cutting elements formed of crystalline abrasive material which projects from a surface of the body. The shape, size and form of the projections is controlled in the production process. The body may be a natural or synthetic crystal. The body may be a film formed by deposition. The body may be diamond or cubic boron nitride. The body may be monocrystalline or polycrystalline. The projections may be aligned along a crystallographic plane or planes.
US08999022B2
A method for producing synthetic gas from biomass by: a) grinding the biomass, feeding the biomass into a pyrolysis furnace while spraying a first superheated water vapor into the pyrolysis furnace, controlling the temperature of the pyrolysis furnace at 500-800° C., contacting the biomass with the first superheated water vapor for a pyrolysis reaction to yield crude synthetic gas and ash including coke; b) cooling the ash, and separating the coke from the ash; c) transporting the crude synthetic gas and the coke into a gasifier, spraying a second superheated water vapor into the gasifier, controlling the gasifier at an operating temperature of 1200-1600° C., contacting the biomass with the second superheated water vapor for a gasification reaction to yield primary synthetic gas; and d) cooling, removing dust, deacidifying, and desiccating the primary synthetic gas to obtain clean synthetic gas.
US08999016B2
A fuel processor for generating hydrogen rich gas or cleaned hydrogen rich gas from hydrocarbon fuel includes an inner housing and an outer housing defining a mantel space between them, wherein at least one fuel reformer unit for reforming hydrocarbon fuel to a hydrogen rich gas and optionally a gas-cleaning unit for cleaning the hydrogen rich gas from unwanted by-products are arranged in the inner housing. The fuel processor further includes a processor inlet for introducing hydrocarbon fuel into the inner housing and a processor outlet for releasing cleaned hydrogen rich gas from the inner housing. The outer housing further includes a fluid inlet for introducing a heat transporting fluid into the mantel space. The inner housing includes at least one opening for providing a fluid-connection between the inner housing and the mantel space. A method for operating such a fuel processor is also provided.
US08999014B2
Systems and methods for producing engineered fuels from municipal solid waste material are described herein. In some embodiments, a method includes combining a first waste stream that includes at least one of hard plastic, soft plastic and mixed plastic with a sorbent and increasing the temperature of the combined first waste stream and sorbent to a temperature of at least about 200° C. The method further includes combining the thermally treated first waste stream and sorbent with a second waste stream that includes fiber, and compressing the combined first waste stream, sorbent, and second waste stream to form a densified engineered fuel feedstock.
US08999013B2
Methods for producing alcohols and oligomers contemporaneously from a hydrocarbon feed containing mixed butenes using an acid based catalyst are provided. Additionally, methods for producing fuel compositions having alcohols and oligomers prepared from mixed olefins are also provided as embodiments of the present invention. In certain embodiments, the catalyst can include a dual phase catalyst system that includes a water soluble acid catalyst and a solid acid catalyst.
US08999005B2
A process obtains an aged or faded effect on garments made of protein fibers such as wool, cashmere and silk. Granules of inert materials, which are particularly light in order not to damage very fine fibers, are introduced into a tumbler. The garments were previously treated with a chemical product commonly referred to as “dye retardant” for inhibiting dyeing of the fabric. The tumbler is pre-arranged so that the chemical product does not migrate through holes or openings. Raw confectioned garments that are to be treated, such as jerseys or outerwear, are introduced into the tumbler. The garments are extracted from the tumbler at the end of migration of the chemical product for inhibiting dyeing of the outer surface of the garments by the granules and steamed in an autoclave to fix the chemical process of the product for inhibiting dyeing of the outer surface of the garments. The garments are then dyed with a specific selection of dyes that must be defined each time according to the desired result.
US08999000B2
A cartilage resurfacing implant is provided for replacing cartilage of an articulating portion of a bone at a skeletal joint having opposed joint surfaces. The cartilage resurfacing implant includes a body having a bearing surface and a bone interface. The bearing surface is able to support articulation with an opposing joint surface.
US08998999B2
The invention comprises an implant having a first end section and a second end section, where the first end has a cancellous thread for implantation in a first section of bone and the second end includes expansion slots and barbs or wings, that that resist movement out of a second section of bone. These anchors expand outwardly when a rigid wire, such as a k-wire is fed through a central cannulation in the implant and either the wire expands in diameter or the cannulation decreases in diameter. The implant also includes a collar intermediate to the first and second section which includes one or more surfaces to allow the first section to be screwed into a first bone section.
US08998998B2
A method for treating arthritis of a joint includes identifying a bone lesion in a bone adjacent to the joint; and implanting in the bone a reinforcing member in or adjacent to the bone lesion. A kit for conducting the method includes: (a) at least one reinforcing member having a proximal face adapted to face the joint, a distal face adapted to face away from the joint, and a wedge-shaped edge adapted to pierce bone, wherein the at least one reinforcing member is planar and sterile; and (b) a container adapted to maintain the at least one reinforcing member sterile. Another kit includes: (a) a sterile fluid; (b) a syringe for injecting the fluid into a bone; (c) a curing agent adapted to cure the fluid to polymerize and/or cross-link; and (d) a container adapted to maintain the sterility of contents of the container.
US08998986B1
A nasal valve retention stent assembly is positionable within a person's nasal cavity to enlarge the nasal cavity and promote easier breathing through the person's nose. The assembly includes a frame having a pair of ends and a plurality of rib elements extending between and being attached to each of the ends. The rib elements are arched between the ends to form a cage like structure having a hollow interior. The rib elements are spaced from each other such that air freely flows through the frame. The frame is positionable within an inner nasal valve of the nose.
US08998985B2
Paranasal sinus apparatus is provided, including a hole-forming member configured to form a hole through a bone wall of a paranasal sinus of a subject. An implant is provided, having a proximal end and a distal end, and which is shaped to define a lumen. The implant is couplable to the hole-forming member, and is securable to the wall and extendable through the hole, such that the proximal end is disposed external to the paranasal sinus and the distal end is disposed within the paranasal sinus. The implant includes a biodegradable material. Other applications are also described.
US08998979B2
A prosthetic heart valve comprises a biological tissue valve and a collapsible and expandable support frame comprising a longitudinal axis. The frame comprises an outflow circumferential structure defining an outflow end of the frame and defining a similar row of expandable cells, and a circumferential undulating strut structure spaced apart from the outflow circumferential structure. The frame also comprises three struts longitudinally aligned with the longitudinal axis, configured to facilitate mounting the biological tissue valve to the frame, and interconnecting the outflow circumferential structure to the circumferential undulating structure. Each strut comprises a first end terminating at a respective junction between two adjacent expandable cells of the outflow circumferential structure, and a second end terminating at the circumferential undulating strut structure. The prosthetic heart valve is configured to be collapsed for introduction into a patient using a catheter and to be expanded for deployment at an implantation site.
US08998972B2
A stent graft is provided which has two stent sections having different functions on, for example, a tubular graft. One stent section preferably comprises a plurality of circumferential reinforcing hoops and the other a Z-stent. The two sections are preferably separated by a spacer section and the tubular graft preferably increases in diameter from the Z-stent section to the hooped section. This enables the stent graft to be compressed radially so that it can be inserted in a catheter for later delivery to a body lumen.
US08998963B2
The present disclosure relates, in some embodiments, to locking mechanisms for a fastener (e.g., a bone screw) and associated devices, systems, and methods. According to some embodiments, a lockable bone plate assembly may comprise, for example, a bone plate and a bone screw assembly. A bone plate may comprise, in some embodiments, at least one through hole, the at least one through hole having at least one bone plate hole circumferential recess. According to some embodiments, a bone screw assembly may comprise (a) a bone screw, (b) at least one deployable protrusion, and/or (c) a protrusion driver. The present disclosure further relates, in some embodiments, to methods for bone (e.g., vertebral) fixation. For example, a method may comprise contacting at least a portion of a spine (e.g., cervical spine) of a subject with a lockable bone plate assembly.
US08998960B2
A polyaxial bone screw assembly includes a threaded shank body having an upper capture structure, a head and a closed retainer ring. The external capture structure surface and retainer ring internal bore surface are both threaded for rotatable attachment within a cavity of the head. The head has a U-shaped cradle defining a channel for receiving a spinal fixation rod. The head channel communicates with the cavity and further with a restrictive opening that allows for loading the capture structure into the head but prevents passage of the closed retainer ring out of the head. The retainer ring has an external substantially spherical surface that mates with an internal surface of the head, providing a ball joint, enabling the head to be disposed at an angle relative to the shank body. The threaded capture structure or the closed retainer structure includes a tool engagement formation and gripping surfaces for non-slip engagement by a tool for driving the shank body into bone.
US08998951B2
One exemplary process for manufacturing a surgical apparatus may include providing a flat, generally-planar strip of biocompatible material; cutting the strip to produce a feeder belt with at least one lateral edge, and staples affixed to the feeder belt in proximity to at least one lateral edge, where the staples and feeder belt are substantially aligned along a first plane; and bending at least one staple out of the first plane, while the feeder belt remains in the first plane. Another exemplary process for manufacturing a surgical apparatus may include providing a flat, generally-planar strip of biocompatible material; cutting that strip to produce a feeder belt with edges, and staples affixed to different edges of the feeder belt; and coining at least one staple after the cutting.
US08998948B2
Provided is a manipulator including a first forceps piece and a second forceps piece, which are connected by a pivotal axle and have a gripping part opened or closed on a leading end side thereof. The manipulator includes a manipulation member that is connected to a base end side of the pair of forceps pieces, and moves forward or backward in an axial direction to open or close the gripping part, a first buffer part that has a first spring constant, and undergoes elastic deformation to change a grasping force generated at the gripping part on the basis of the first spring constant and a pulling amount of the manipulation member, and a stopper that regulates the elastic deformation of the first buffer part.
US08998940B2
A gripper device for use in a lancet device for generating a sample of a body fluid. In the lancet device, a plurality of lancets can be provided in succession on a carrier element in an application position. The gripper device is equipped to seize one lancet at a time in the application position and carry out a piercing movement using the lancet. The gripper device includes at least one stop element, which is equipped to stop the lancet in the application position and temporarily prevent further movement of the carrier element. The gripper device further includes at least one positioning element, which is equipped to position the lancet during the piercing movement in a direction transverse to a piercing direction. The gripper device can further include at least one counter-gripper, which is equipped to cooperate with the stop element whereby the lancet can be held with a form fit.
US08998936B2
The invention generally relates to method and apparatus for crossing an obstruction in a tubular member, and more particularly to a medical device method for crossing of a chronic occlusion in a subintimal or interstitial space of an artery.
US08998935B2
A surgical staple-clip including a clip component and a securing member is used in a wide range of surgical procedures. The staple-clip may be introduced to a surgical site in an un-assembled condition through a small port or trocar. An applier for the staple-clip comprising a pair of opposed jaw-like channels is provided to position and apply the clip component and the securing member. The clip component is positioned around a target tissue and is compressed or clamped upon the tissue using only the force required for a specific surgical procedure such as occlusion, ligation or fixation. When the clip component is properly applied, the securing member is urged forward and over the clip component to secure the staple-clip. The clip component may include traction enhancement features such as surface interruptions, bumps, valleys and ridges. With the staple-clip of the invention, the force required to constrict or occlude the tissue is separate from the force required to secure and maintain the staple-clip in position and, as a result, the body tissue is not over-compressed and nourishment to the body tissue is maintained. Other aspects of the invention include thumb actuated clip appliers for use in hand assisted laparoscopy (HAL) In one embodiment, a clip applier includes a handle and a thumb actuated mechanism that is used to slidably release clips onto a body tissue or vessel by sliding the thumb actuated mechanism forward and backward using only one hand. In another aspect of the invention, a two-stage clip is disclosed having a clip component and a staple component for securing the clip after it has been properly positioned.
US08998929B2
A medical device system for advancing a subcutaneous device to a desired implant site that includes a strap extending along a length from a proximal end to a distal end, a first flange and a second flange extending along a portion of the length of the strap, a base portion extending along a portion of the length of the strap between the first flange and the second flange, and an indentation extending from the proximal end to the distal end of the strap, the indentation formed by the first flange, the second flange, and the base portion, wherein the first flange and the second flange include curved bottom portions that make contact with and compress a tissue layer to position the tissue layer within the indentation during the placement of the subcutaneous device.
US08998924B2
An insertion handle for medical implants includes a handle with an elongate shaft extending therefrom and connection means for the implant disposed at the end of the shaft opposite the handle. The connection means includes a pivotable attachment for the implant that is controlled remotely from the handle. Both angle of the implant with respect to the handle and shaft as well as the attachment may be separately controlled and adjusted. Remote angular adjustment facilitates insertion of implants in to small surgical sites because the orientation of the implant may be repeatedly, remotely adjusted as the implant is inserted. Connectors may also be provided at the engagement surface between the handle and implant in order to provide communication with the implant or surgical site. The connectors also may serve as torque bearing members to avoid the need for separate torque bearing means such as keyways and the like.
US08998917B2
An instrument assembly for use in knee joint replacement surgery is provided including a base instrument having a tibial plate, a femoral plate, a tibial arm having a plate end and a control end, a femoral arm having a plate end and a control end, wherein the femoral plate is rotatably fastened to the plate end of the femoral arm. The assembly also includes a distractor mechanism configured to act between the tibial arm and the femoral arm at a point between their respective plate ends and control ends by which the distance between the plate ends of the arms can be adjusted and an ancillary instrument mountable on the base instrument and configured such that the position of the ancillary instrument relative to the tibial plate is fixed during subsequent steps in the knee replacement procedure, while the knee joint is distracted as a result of forces applied across the joint between the tibial plate and the femoral plate.
US08998916B2
New apparatuses and methods for their design and use are disclosed that can be used to assist a surgeon in placing a guide pin during hip surgery. Specifically, a hip surgery method is disclosed in which an image of a patient's femur can be obtained and used to design and prepare a mold that contains an aperture for guiding a drill at the desired location and angle. During surgery the mold can be quickly and accurately positioned on the exposed femur head. Then, a drill bit can be inserted through the aperture and an opening for a pin can be drilled into the femur head. The mold can have a unique contoured surface adapted to fit to the femur head in a single unique position such that the opening is made in a unique desired position. The apparatuses and methods facilitate faster, more accurate surgery and are less invasive.
US08998915B2
Disclosed herein are methods, compositions and tools for repairing articular surfaces repair materials and for repairing an articular surface. The articular surface repairs are customizable or highly selectable by patient and geared toward providing optimal fit and function. The surgical tools are designed to be customizable or highly selectable by patient to increase the speed, accuracy and simplicity of performing total or partial arthroplasty.
US08998913B2
A patella resection assembly comprises a handle, slide member and two claw members. The slide member is movably mounted on the handle and includes two diverging arms. Inner edges of the diverging arms contact outer edges of the claw members so that distal movement of the slide member causes the claw members to move toward each other and close around a patella. The claw members and slide member have teeth for grasping the patella as the claw members move together. The claw members also have flat co-planar surfaces for guiding the path of a saw blade during resection of the patella.
US08998911B2
Methods and apparatus for performing knee arthroplasty, including, but not limited to, bicruciate retaining knee arthroplasty, are described herein. Methods and apparatus for preparing a distal femur for a femoral implant as well as methods and apparatus for preparing a proximal tibia for a tibial implant are described. These methods and apparatus, in at least some embodiments and uses, facilitate decreasing the complexity of knee arthroplasty procedures such as bicruciate retaining procedures, while maintaining, if not improving on, the safety, accuracy and/or effectiveness of such procedures.
US08998905B2
Embodiments of the invention include instruments, implants, and methods for surgically treating facet joints of vertebrae. An instrument may be advanced into one or more facet joints to one or both separate vertebrae and remove tissue from one or more articular processes. A stop on the instrument may be used to terminate advancement of the instrument by contacting a vertebra, and one or more implants may be placed into one or more facet joints.
US08998900B2
A surgical device integrating a suction mechanism with a coagulation mechanism is provided for improving lesion creation capabilities. The device comprises an elongate member having an insulative covering attached about means for coagulating soft tissue. Openings through the covering expose regions of the coagulation-causing elements and are coupled to lumens in the elongate member which are routed to a vacuum source. A fluid source to passively transport fluid along the contacted soft tissue surface may be provided in order to push the maximum temperature deeper into tissue.
US08998894B2
Catheter apparatuses, systems, and methods for achieving renal neuromodulation by intravascular access are disclosed herein. One aspect of the present technology, for example, is directed to a treatment device having a multi-electrode array configured to be delivered to a renal blood vessel. The array is selectively transformable between a delivery or low-profile state (e.g., a generally straight shape) and a deployed state (e.g., a radially expanded, generally helical shape). The multi-electrode array is sized and shaped so that the electrodes or energy delivery elements contact an interior wall of the renal blood vessel when the array is in the deployed (e.g., helical) state. The electrodes or energy delivery elements are configured for direct and/or indirect application of thermal and/or electrical energy to heat or otherwise electrically modulate neural fibers that contribute to renal function or of vascular structures that feed or perfuse the neural fibers.
US08998888B2
A cryogenic medical device for delivery of subcooled liquid cryogen to various configurations of cryoprobes is designed for the treatment of damaged, diseased, cancerous or other unwanted tissues. The device is a closed or semi-closed system in which the liquid cryogen is contained in both the supply and return stages. The device is capable of generating cryogen to a supercritical state and may be utilized in any rapid cooling systems. As designed, the device comprises a number of parts including a vacuum insulated outer dewar, submersible cryogen pump, baffled linear heat exchanger, multiple pressurization cartridges, a return chamber, and a series of valves to control the flow of the liquid cryogen. The cryogenic medical device promotes the subcooling to any external cryogenic instrument.
US08998886B2
Embodiments of a system including a remotely controlled osmotic pump device and associated controller are described. Methods of use and control of the device are also disclosed. According to some embodiments, an osmotic pump device is placed in an environment in order to pump a material into the environment or into an additional fluid handling structure within the osmotic pump device. Exemplary environments include a body of an organism, a body of water, or an enclosed volume of a fluid. In selected embodiments, a magnetic field, an electric field, or electromagnetic control signal may be used.
US08998882B2
The present disclosure relates to a packaged urinary catheter. The catheter includes a conduit having a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end includes at least one aperture for receiving urine from the bladder. The catheter is contained within a sleeve having a length, a width, and a size configured to receive the catheter. According to one embodiment, the catheter and the sleeve may be arranged in a helical coil. The outer surface of the catheter may have a lubricious and/or an antimicrobial coating.
US08998879B2
A method of using a system to collect colostrum from a breast of a human and using at least part of the system to dispense the colostrum to an newborn involves: coupling an interface member with a suction member to form at least part of the system; positioning the interface member in contact with or near the breast; expressing colostrum from the breast, into the interface member; applying suction force to the interface member, using the suction member, to draw the colostrum into the suction member; detaching the interface member from the suction member; and dispensing the colostrum to the newborn from the suction member.
US08998876B2
An ampoule holder for receiving an ampoule that has a closure element with a radial projection, the ampoule holder including an ampoule seat and a securing member operably coupled to the ampoule seat, wherein the radial projection of the closure element can be arranged between the ampoule seat and securing member.
US08998875B2
Vial assemblages having a vial and a pre-attached fluid transfer device for use with a needleless syringe for enabling flow communication between the syringe and the vial. The fluid transfer device includes an elongated tubular flow member having a connector for sealing flow communication with the needleless syringe and a spike having a spike end for puncturing the vial for enabling flow communication between the needleless syringe and vial interior. The spike end is in intimate sealing contact with the vial's stopper. The fluid transfer device also includes a manually removable closure for initially sealing the connector and, on removal, exposing the connector.
US08998872B2
In a crotch region in the disclosed absorbent article, a waist elastic member provided in a front waist region, and waist elastic members provided in a rear waist region are arranged so as to not come into contact with each other, and a linear identification part is provided in either the front waist region or the rear waist region, in a manner such that in a first region wherein an absorbent main body is provided the identification part is only visible from the side of the absorbent article which is not in contact with the skin, and in a second region wherein the absorbent main body is not provided the identification part is visible from both the side of the absorbent article which is in contact with the skin and that which is not.
US08998869B2
A packaging medium is provided only on non-skin side surfaces of a third portion and a fourth portion. The length of the packaging medium in a lengthwise direction of a sanitary napkin is shorter than the length of the sanitary napkin. A second portion includes a folded end portion which is formed by a first folded portion provided on a side of a first portion of the sanitary napkin which opposes a first folding portion. The folded end portion is folded over a non-skin side surface of the second portion.
US08998867B2
An ostomy device (1) has an implant (10) arranged, in use, to be located inside the body of person near the site of a stoma (S). A discharge device (20) is arranged, in use, to provide means for intestinal waste to exit to the exterior of the body of the person. In addition, there is means, in use, to be operatively associated with the implant (10) and removably locate the discharge device (20) at the site of the stoma (S). The discharge device (20) is retained at the site of the stoma (S) by magnetic attraction between the implant (10) and the discharge device (20).
US08998860B2
An access port for subcutaneous implantation is disclosed. Such an access port may comprise a body for capturing a septum for repeatedly inserting a needle therethrough into a cavity defined within the body. Further, the access port may include at least one feature structured and configured for identification of the access port subsequent to subcutaneous implantation. Methods of identifying a subcutaneously implanted access port are also disclosed. For example, a subcutaneously implanted access port may be provided and at least one feature of the subcutaneously implanted access port may be perceived. Further, the subcutaneously implanted access port may be identified in response to perceiving the at least one feature. In one embodiment, an identification feature is engraved or otherwise defined by the access port, so as to be visible after implantation via x-ray imaging technology.
US08998859B2
Provided are a medical needle and a puncturing instrument which make it possible to administer a predetermined amount of a substance to be administered into a living body and/or collect a predetermined amount of an object to be collected from within the living body with ease and accuracy. A medical needle (1) is provided with a puncturing part (10) which can penetrate into the living body. The puncturing part (10) has a pair of planar portions (12, 12) which are parallel to each other in an outer surface and a retaining chamber (18) defined within the puncturing part (10), the retaining chamber (18) passing through the puncturing part (10) and opening to the pair of planar portions (12) on each side. A puncturing instrument can be structured by accommodating the medical needle (1) in a casing in such a way that the medical needle (1) can project therefrom.
US08998858B2
A connecting structure for connecting a first member in fluid flow connection with a second member may include a receptacle structure provided on the first member and having an interior chamber and an opening into the interior chamber in which a needle and a pierceable member surrounding a piercing end of the needle may be supported. The second member may include a connection portion that has a septum supported in an interior chamber having a size and shape suitable to be received at least partially into the opening of the receptacle structure upon moving the first member and the second member together to push the pierceable member toward the piercing end of the needle to cause the piercing end of the needle to pierce the pierceable member and the septum to come into fluid flow communication with the interior chamber of the connection portion.
US08998857B2
The present invention relates to a cartridge holder assembly for a drug delivery device comprising of a cartridge holder adapted to receive a cartridge filled with a medicament to be dispensed by the drug delivery device, wherein the cartridge holder comprises a first through opening at a distal end section to receive a piercing element adapted to penetrate a sealing member of the cartridge, a support structure adjacently arranged to the first through opening; and a constriction member arranged between the support structure and a distal end face of the cartridge and having a second through opening smaller than the first through opening.
US08998856B2
A cartridge holder is presented having a first cartridge retainer, at least a second cartridge retainer and a locking device for each cartridge retainer, wherein each cartridge retainer is configured to receive a medicament reservoir and wherein each cartridge retainer is movable between a closed and an open position, wherein the locking devices are configured to lock and unlock the cartridge retainers in the closed position and wherein the locking devices are configured to operate such that only one of the cartridge retainers at a time is movable into the open position. An apparatus is also presented that has a main body and a cartridge holder, wherein the cartridge holder is removably attached to the main body. A method for inserting of a medicament reservoir in a cartridge holder or in an apparatus is also described.
US08998852B2
An insertion tool for inserting a catheter into a body of a patient is disclosed. The insertion tool unifies needle insertion, guidewire advancement, and catheter insertion in a single device. In one embodiment, the insertion tool comprises a housing in which at least a portion of the catheter is initially disposed, a hollow needle distally extending from the housing with at least a portion of the catheter pre-disposed over the needle, and a guidewire pre-disposed within the needle. A guidewire advancement assembly is also included for selectively advancing the guidewire distally past a distal end of the needle in preparation for distal advancement of the catheter. In one embodiment a catheter advancement assembly is also included for selectively advancing the catheter into the patient. Each advancement assembly can include a slide or other actuator that enables a user to selectively advance the desired component.
US08998850B2
Fill stations and base stations are provided for personal pump systems. The fill stations may be opened and closed to accept a reservoir and to allow fluid to be introduced into the reservoir for use with personal pump systems. The fill stations may hold the reservoir at a tilt relative to an underlying surface and may discourage overfilling of the reservoir. The filling stations may also include viewing windows having fluid lines marked thereon for indicating volume of fluid within the reservoir.
US08998843B2
A thrombectomy catheter includes a catheter body having a catheter lumen. An outflow orifice is positioned along a catheter perimeter. A fluid jet emanator communicates with a high pressure tube. The fluid jet emanator includes at least one jet orifice for directing a fluid jet from the fluid jet emanator through the catheter lumen toward the outflow orifice. The fluid jet emanator provides a jet stream from the catheter body through the outflow orifice. The jet stream includes first and second stream portions. An entrainment fluid flow circuit includes at least the first stream portion, and the entrainment fluid flow circuit entrains particulate and macerates the particulate therein. An exhaust fluid flow path includes the second stream portion, and the exhaust fluid flow path draws entrained particulate from the entrainment fluid flow circuit at a location exterior to the catheter body and directs it toward the catheter proximal portion.
US08998838B2
A drainage device for implantation in an eye of a patient to treat an ocular condition, that includes an implant body portion comprising of a valve portion. The valve portion may comprise a flexible membrane disposed and arranged in a manner to affect flow of aqueous humor through the implant body portion. The device may also include a reed valve disposed downstream of the flexible membrane. The reed valve may be configured to prevent backflow of aqueous humor toward the membrane and configured to stabilize flow by affecting pressure at the flexible membrane. In one aspect, the reed valve is configured to create backpressure at the membrane that affects the rate of flow at the flexible membrane.
US08998834B2
In one aspect, an ankle foot orthosis generally comprises a leg member, a foot member, and a drive assembly. The leg member is configured to be releasably fastened to a leg of the wearer. The foot member is configured to be releasably fastened to a foot of a wearer, the foot member having anterior and posterior ends. The drive assembly includes a link member hingedly secured to the foot member at a hinge location adjacent to the posterior end of the foot member.
US08998813B2
An image forming apparatus has acoustic transducers; and an image processing unit which calculates intensity of acoustic waves irradiated from regions inside a subject respectively by processing received signals, which are output from the acoustic transducers, by a Fourier-domain method. The image processing unit includes: a coefficient memory which stores coefficients computed in advance, the coefficient being a value determined only by a position of the acoustic transducer, position of the region and a time of receipt of the acoustic wave; a multiplier unit which multiplies the received signal of the acoustic transducer by the corresponding coefficient; and a voxel memory which accumulates multiplication results of the multiplier unit for each region.
US08998812B2
A method of ultrasound imaging includes acquiring ultrasound data with a plurality of transducer elements. The ultrasound data includes a plurality of signals. The method includes detecting an electromagnetic noise signal during the process of acquiring the ultrasound data. The method also includes modifying the plurality of signals based on the electromagnetic noise signal to generate a plurality of noise-cancelled signals.
US08998795B2
The present invention concerns apparatus (1) for applying targeted stimulation at or adjacent the base of the area of the glans (5) of the penis (2), wherein the apparatus comprises a contact portion having a first contact surface (3) conforming substantially to the longitudinal profile of the penis, the contact portion further having a second contact surface (4), raised, in use, inwardly of the first contact surface towards the penis, to project in use into positive engagement with the area at or adjacent the base of the glans of the penis.
US08998791B2
The present invention provides a system for increasing skin rejuvenation of a region of a patient's skin comprising a pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) frequency generator for constantly providing electromagnetic pulses to the region of a patient's skin and a deep tissue diathermy device for constantly applying heat to the region of a patient's skin up to temperature T. The system is adapted for simultaneously applying heat and PEMF to the region of a patient's skin; wherein application of the system increases skin rejuvenation such that the skin rejuvenation increase (SRI) is greater than the sum of the SRI provided by electromagnetic pulses increase and the SRI provided by the deep tissue diathermy device increase.
US08998784B1
A training apparatus for use by a user in learning balance when standing on one leg and having no external balance support includes a stable base assembly, a support column extending vertically from the stable base assembly, a rigid standing surface member, and means for providing rotation in a horizontal plane to the rigid standing surface member. Rotation may occur at a constant vertical height or as the apparatus is raising or lowering. The apparatus may also include a balancing assembly with a deflectably resilient member. The apparatus promotes proper alignment and mimics the feel that a flyer cheerleader experiences when being supported by a base cheerleader.
US08998782B1
An adjustable band peg assembly is for exercise equipment in an exercise zone where a user performs exercises. The assembly comprises a housing and a band peg that is connected to the housing so as to be selectively movable between an active position wherein the band peg extends into the exercise zone and an inactive position wherein the band peg is retracted away from the exercise zone.
US08998781B1
Exercise equipment is for performing exercises in an exercise zone. The exercise equipment comprises a frame and a band peg that is connected to the frame so as to be selectively movable between an active position wherein the band peg extends from the frame into the exercise zone and an inactive position wherein the band peg is retracted away from the exercise zone.
US08998775B1
An oblong orbital exercising machine includes a main frame, an upright, two swinging handles, a cycle movement mechanism, two tread bars, two sliding bars, two pedals, two cranks, two rollers, two guiding tracks, two pivot members, and two ball bearings. The top face of each of the guiding tracks has an arcuate convex shape to correspond to the respective roller. Each of the guiding tracks has two upward extending side wings formed on two opposite sides thereof. Each of the pivot members has a threaded rod threadedly connected with a respective one of the swinging handles. Each of the ball bearings is located between a respective one of the pivot members and a respective one of the swinging handles. Each of the ball bearings is mounted on the threaded rod of the respective pivot member.
US08998771B2
Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, driveline operating modes may be manually selected to improve hybrid driveline operation during off road conditions. The approaches may improve vehicle drivability and reduce driveline degradation.
US08998766B1
An axle assembly includes first and second spiral bevel gears meshing with a pinion, a gearset including a sun gear secured to the first bevel gear, a ring gear secured to the second bevel gear, and planet pinions supported on a carrier and meshing with the sun gear and ring gear, and a differential including an input secured to the carrier, and first and second outputs secured, respectively to first and second output shafts.
US08998765B2
An axle assembly with a motor, a differential assembly, a housing, a transmission and a reduction gearset. The transmission has a first and second planetary gearsets that have associated (i.e., first and second) ring gears, planet carriers and sun gears. The first planet carrier is coupled to a differential carrier of the differential assembly for common rotation. The second ring gear is non-rotatably coupled to the housing. The second planet carrier is coupled to the second differential output for common rotation. The second sun gear is coupled to the first sun gear for common rotation. The reduction gearset is disposed between an output shaft of the motor and the first ring gear and includes a first gear, which is coupled to the output shaft for rotation therewith, and a second gear that is coupled to the first ring gear for rotation therewith.
US08998759B2
In a silent chain, rocker joint pins are composed of first and second rocker pins having mutually engaging front rolling surfaces. Each first rocker pin is fixed to pin fixing link plates of a first link, and extends through holes in other link plates of the first link. Each first pin has a back surface engaged with portions of the pin holes in the other link plates of the first link on the inner side of a pitch line, but is spaced by a gap from portions of the same pin holes on the outer side of the pitch line. The second rocker pin moves with link plates of a second link which forms a link pair with the first link, and elastically deforms the first rocker pin when the second link is flexed relative to the first link, thereby resisting flexion of the link pair and reducing impact noise.
US08998756B2
A bicycle transmission control apparatus comprises a control unit that provides a first signal to operate a first derailleur a gear shift distance from a first origin sprocket to a first destination sprocket. The control unit receives a condition signal that indicates a condition resulting from at least one of the first derailleur and a second derailleur; and an adjustment controller moves the first derailleur an adjustment distance less than the gear shift distance in response to the condition signal.
US08998746B2
A body member has a face plate and a first engaging member. A sole plate has a second engaging member, the first and second engaging members being interlocked with one another. A layer of resilient material is disposed between the first engaging member and the second engaging member.
US08998742B2
The present invention is direct to a set of golf clubs comprising long irons, mid-irons and short irons. The long irons have a first center of gravity positioned horizontally from the face center by a first distance. The mid-irons have a second center of gravity positioned horizontally from the face center by a second distance. The short irons have a third center of gravity positioned horizontally from the face center by a third distance. The first distance and the second distance are preferably similar and the third distance is at least about 30 percent greater than the first and second distances. Preferably, the first and second distances are between about 1 mm and 3 mm and the third distance is between about 3 mm and 4 mm.
US08998737B2
A golf shot recordal system permits images of a golfer's shot to be recorded. The system comprises a tee unit adjacent to the tee comprising a tee camera and a green unit in the golf hole on the green comprising a green camera. The tee unit further comprises a radio frequency video receiver to receive and decode signals corresponding to the image from the green camera and a video encoder to receive signals corresponding to the image from the tee camera and signals corresponding to the green images from the radio frequency receiver. The green unit further comprises a pin located in the golf hole, wherein the green camera is mounted on the pin, and a radio frequency video transmitter to send signals to the radio frequency video receiver in the tee unit. Also provided is a method of recording video images of a golfer's shot using the recordal system.
US08998735B2
A game table assembly structure includes a table frame and a table face board, the table frame is composed of two pairs of sideboards. Four connection boards are disposed on top edges of the sideboards. At least one support board is disposed in the table frame with two ends connected with a pair of sideboards. The top edge of the support board is higher than the connection boards. Four connecting boards are connected under the bottom face of the table face board and define a locating space therein. When assembled, the table face board is placed on the table frame with the connecting boards and the connecting boards up and down corresponding to each other for connection, the top end of the support board fitted in the locating space. The table face board can be easily located on and assembled with the table frame.
US08998734B2
A thread forming tap has a full thread portion and a leading portion contiguous with the full thread portion and reducing in diameter toward its tip. The full thread and leading portions are provided with external thread on which lobes and recesses are alternately formed. When δ represents an angle around a tool center line toward a thread forming side, the shape of the lobe varies along a quadratic curve relative to angle δ so that relief amount increases toward inflection point angle δ. However, in a rough plastic deformation section where angle δ is greater than inflection point angle θ and exceeds the working region, the shape varies along an Archimedean curve with clearance angle α1 so that the relief amount increases linearly relative to angle δ, and a margin section is substantially zero or within a range where angle δ is less than or equal to 1°.
US08998730B2
A driveshaft containment system and a method of its use. In preferred embodiments, the invention takes the form of a two component system including a first component mounted to a device such as a differential housing, coupled to driveshaft, and a second component comprising a tubular driveshaft containment housing. A driveshaft containment ring is preferably mounted to the forward end of the tubular housing which in turn is provided with a mechanism at its rearward end for rotationally engaging and disengaging the first component. The first and second components are also provided with a mechanism for preventing relative rotational movement of the first and second components while engaged with one another.
US08998729B2
A fixed type constant velocity universal joint has pairs of track grooves, each pair forming a wedge angle (α). The wedge angle (α) includes a wedge angle (α0) formed, when an operating angle is 0°, with respect to each of torque transmitting balls arranged in a joint center plane, and opening to the same side in an axial direction for all pairs of track grooves. Further, the pairs of track grooves are mirror-image symmetrical with each other when the operating angle is 0°.
US08998723B2
Automatic player profile generation may be implemented for an interactive online game in which one or more players interact via one or more client devices connected to a server device via a network. Information relating to game activity may be collected for the one or more players during one or more game sessions with the server device. One or more player statistics relevant to the game activity may be calculated for each of the one or more players during the game session based on the information relating to game activity with the server device. A player profile may be generated for each of the one or more players with the server. Each player profile may include the one or more player statistics for a corresponding one of the one or more players.
US08998720B2
A media appliance comprising: video apparatus for outputting signals to a screen; a control device allowing a user to control the output of signals from the video apparatus to the screen, thereby selecting a viewing activity; a network interface for accessing a packet-based network; a memory storing a communication client application; and processing apparatus, coupled to the memory, network interface and video apparatus, and arranged to execute the communication client application; wherein the client application is configured so as when executed to allow the user to conduct bidirectional communications with other users via the packet-based network, and output notifications to the user of incoming communication events received from other users over the packet-based network; and wherein the client application is further configured to defer one or more of said notifications of incoming communication events received during said viewing activity, determine a delineation in the viewing activity, and automatically output the one or more notifications to the user following said delineation.
US08998719B1
Aspects of the present disclosure relate to the implementation of a gaming environment including gaming servers for instantiating instances of games requested by a user. The gaming environment includes a game device for obtaining game inputs corresponding to the instantiated game. Additionally, the gaming environment includes one or more output devices for obtaining outputs generated by the processing of the inputs by the gaming server. Illustratively, the game device and one or more output devices form game device groups. Within each game device group, the inputs obtained by game device are transmitted independent of the outputs transmitted to the output devices. The transmission of input data from the game device and the transmission of the output audio data, output video data or other data from the gaming server may be individually optimized.
US08998713B2
A control lever which is included in a gaming machine and rotatable forward and backward includes a grip which is held by a hand of a player and allows the player to fix or rotate the control lever in forward and backward directions and a reel unit including a rotation axis, a reel handle configured to rotate the rotation axis, a rotation sensor configured to detect the number of rotation of the rotation axis, and a rotation resistance imparting unit configured to impart resistance to the rotation axis such that torque increases in accordance with the rotational speed of the rotation of the rotation axis in one direction. The reel unit is formed on a side of the grip such that, while the control lever is fixed as the player holds the grip by one hand, the reel handle can be rotated by the other hand of the player.
US08998709B2
The present disclosure provides gaming systems, gaming devices, and methods providing an estimated emotional state of a player based on the occurrence of one or more designated events. When a player initiates a gaming session, the gaming system estimates the player's emotional state and generates estimated emotional state data that represents that estimation of the player's emotional state. For each of one or more designated events that occurs, the gaming system updates the player's estimated emotional state using an expected emotional response to that designated event. More specifically, the gaming system updates the player's estimated emotional state data using expected emotional response data representing the expected emotional response to that designated event. If one or more triggering conditions associated with the player's estimated emotional state is satisfied during the gaming session, the gaming system modifies one or more functions, aspects, or features of the gaming system.
US08998700B2
A method in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is provided, the method comprising the steps of generating a first outcome of a game of chance, determining a target outcome, receiving a first wager, generating a second outcome based on the first outcome, and repeating the step of generating the second outcome until the second outcome matches the target outcome, before receiving any second wager.
US08998692B2
A system and method may provide sets or packets of playing cards for forming part or all of a hand of playing cards. Each set or packet may be formed before starting to form another set or packet. Sets or packets may be formed in respective playing card receiving compartments. The playing cards may be withdrawn from a plurality of playing card receiving compartments of an intermediary playing card receiver in random or pseudo-random fashion, which may, or may not, be based at least in part on the selected payout or house odds and/or house advantage.
US08998681B2
Provided is a gear grinding method capable of improving processing accuracy and easily adjusting the crowning shape by simplifying a processing operation. To this end, a work piece (W) is ground by a gear-shaped grinding stone (11) having a drum shape such that crowning along a tooth trace direction is applied to the work piece (W) by applying a relative feed in a feed direction (D1) that intersects a work piece rotation axis (C1) at a predetermined first diagonal angle (θ1) between the work piece (W) and the gear-shaped grinding stone (11) while the work piece (W) and the gear-shaped grinding stone (11) are synchronously rotated in the state of being engaged so as to have a predetermined crossed axes angle (Σ), and the curvature in a grinding stone width direction, which defines the drum shape of the gear-shaped grinding stone (11), and the first diagonal angle (θ1) are set according to the crowning shape of the work piece (W).
US08998676B2
A retaining ring for holding a substrate below a carrier head during chemical mechanical polishing includes an annular lower portion and an annular upper portion secured to the lower portion. The annular lower portion has a main body with a bottom surface for contacting a polishing pad during polishing, and is a first material. A top surface of the upper portion is configured to be secured to the carrier head. The upper portion is a second material that is more rigid than the first material. A thickness and stiffness of the lower portion is selected for a particular polishing environment to improve polishing uniformity near an edge of the substrate.
US08998667B2
A personal floatation device includes a housing and a plurality of bladders disposed within the housing. The plurality of bladders are movable between a non-deployed position within the housing and extendable from the housing to a deployed position. A device is provided for selectively filling the bladder with a substance that is buoyant in water and causing the bladder to be moved from the non-deployed position to the deployed position. The bladder filling and deploying mechanism can be a cartridge that contains a supply of a compressed gas.
US08998666B1
A system and method are used for dispatching a rescue flotation device to an individual who has fallen overboard from a ship. A water-activated transmitter is carried or worn by each and every passenger on a given ship. Upon detecting moisture, the transmitter is activated to send a data signal to a radio signal receiver on the ship. The contents of the data signal may be the location and/or coordinates of the victim, as determined by triangulation of the signal, a GPS receiver and/or radar. Upon transmission of the data, a rescue flotation device or vessel is automatically deployed from a portion of the vessel into the water. The rescue device may be dispatched from a portion of the ship nearest to the determined location of the victim, and/or the rescue device may be self-propelled such that it navigates to the approximate location of victim.
US08998664B2
A water ski handle system used with a personal water ski towing watercraft that includes a handle component that selectively attaches to a standard water ski handle and contains a manual control module. The control module includes directional control buttons, power ON and OFF buttons, and power Up and Down buttons. Coupled to the control module is a self-correcting propulsion and steering system that senses undesirable changes to the watercraft's motion caused by the water-skier when pulled by the watercraft. When a difference is detected, a command module located in the watercraft automatically controls the watercraft's propulsion and steering systems so the watercraft follows the desired path and velocity. The system also includes an auto-back tracking feature that automatically reduces power to the last known marked geographic point the skier was upright.
US08998653B2
A second connector housing 20 to be fitted into a first connector housing 10 is equipped with a first housing 21 which holds second terminal metal fittings belonging to a first group and a second housing 22 integrally formed with the first housing 21. The second housing 22 holds second terminal metal fittings belonging to a second group. The second housing 22 is connected slidably to a portion located on the one side of the first housing 21 so that during a manipulation for fitting the second connector housing 20 into the first connector housing 10 fitting of the second terminal metal fittings belonging to the second group with corresponding ones of the first terminal metal fittings is completed earlier than fitting of the second terminal metal fittings belonging to the first group.
US08998636B2
An interconnect assembly and system are disclosed herein. An example of the interconnect assembly includes a first signal connector and a second signal connector. The example also includes a combination connector coupled to the first signal connector and the second signal connector. The example further includes a power bus coupled to the combination connector to supply power to the combination connector. Other elements, components, and features of the interconnect assembly are disclosed herein as are alternative examples of interconnect assemblies. Elements, components, and features of the system are also disclosed herein as are alternative examples of the system.
US08998628B2
A fixed-side ring plate rotation regulation section is provided at an outer circumferential edge of a fixed-side ring plate, and an outer cylinder rotation regulation section is provided at an outer circumferential edge of an outer cylinder at a position corresponding to the fixed-side ring plate rotation regulation section. The fixed-side ring plate and the outer cylinder formed of different members from each other are fit to each other such that the fixed-side ring plate rotation regulation section and the outer cylinder rotation regulation section are in contact with each other so as not to rotate about a rotation axis thereof.
US08998626B2
A female connector (F) is formed such that a block-shaped terminal accommodating portion (21) accommodating female terminal fittings (24) is surrounded by a substantially rectangular tubular fitting (35). A male connector (M) includes a rectangular tubular receptacle (11) to be fit into a clearance between the terminal accommodating portion (21) and the tubular fitting (35) and tabs (13) at the leading ends of male terminal fittings (12) are surrounded by the receptacle (11). Bulges (51, 52 and 53) are formed on four wall portions (37, 38 and 39) of the tubular fitting 35 and bulge outward of the tubular fitting (35) from an opening edge part at a front side of the tubular fitting (35).
US08998620B2
A dual-personality extended USB (EUSB) system supports both USB and EUSB devices using an extended 9-pin EUSB socket. Each EUSB device includes a PCBA having four standard USB metal contact pads, and several extended purpose contact springs disposed on an upper side of a PCB. A single-shot molding process is used to form a molded housing over passive components and IC dies disposed on the lower PCB surface. The passive components are mounted using SMT methods, and the IC dies are mounted using COB methods. The extended 9-pin EUSB socket includes standard USB contacts and extended use contacts that communicate with the PCBA through the standard USB metal contacts and the contact springs. The EUSB device is optionally used as a modular insert that is mounted onto a metal or plastic case to provide a EUSB assembly having a plug shell similar to a standard USB male connector.
US08998618B2
A connector which is capable of accommodating displacement between objects to be connected, and prevents an operation force required in connecting the connector and the objects and the amount of deformation of the contacts from becoming too large. A plurality of contacts are each provided with contact portions which sandwich a plate-shaped contact portion of a contact (first object to be connected) in a manner capable of relatively pivoting in a direction of thickness thereof, and contact portions which sandwich a plate-shaped contact portion of a contact (second object to be connected) in a manner capable of relatively pivoting in a direction of thickness thereof. The contacts are accommodated in a contact-accommodating hole of a housing in a manner capable of pivoting in the direction of the thickness of each of the contact portions of the first and second objects to be connected.
US08998609B2
A method, system and apparatus for imaging an oral cavity of a subject include a bracket comprising a mouthpiece and a camera mount. The mouthpiece has upper and lower bite guides disposed on a posterior side and separated by an opening through the mouthpiece. The bite guides are spaced apart so a subject biting on the guides opens the oral cavity to inspection through the opening. The mount is disposed on an anterior side of the mouthpiece; and has a flange to engage and slide along the opening and an optical path for light to pass through the mount and mouthpiece. A clip on an anterior side of the mount is configured to removeably hold a camera to record light passing through the optical path from the posterior side of the mount. In one embodiment, the camera is a programmable cell phone with digital camera.
US08998607B2
A method of manufacturing an orthodontic appliance may include molding a plurality of green bodies in plurality of molds and coupling the green bodies so as to form an intermediate green body. The orthodontic appliance may be an orthodontic bracket body. The plurality of green bodies may be molded so as to be devoid of any undercut formations. Coupling the plurality of green bodies may form the intermediate green body to include at least one undercut formation. An orthodontic bracket may include an undercut formation not capable of being formed in a single shot molding process and not formed through post-formation processes. The undercut formation may include a guiding track and/or a retaining recess configured to receive a portion of the ligating member. The ligating member may include a flexible ligating portion that overlies the archwire slot and a relatively rigid main body portion.
US08998584B2
A switchable adhesion device combines two concepts: the surface tension force from a large number of small liquid bridges can be significant (capillarity-based adhesion) and these contacts can be quickly made or broken with electronic control (switchable). The device grabs or releases a substrate in a fraction of a second via a low voltage pulse that drives electroosmotic flow. Energy consumption is minimal since both the grabbed and released states are stable equilibria that persist with no energy added to the system. The device maintains the integrity of an array of hundreds to thousands of distinct interfaces during active reconfiguration from droplets to bridges and back, despite the natural tendency of the liquid towards coalescence. Strengths approaching those of permanent bonding adhesives are possible as feature size is scaled down. The device features compact size, no solid moving parts, and is made of common materials.
US08998575B2
An airfoil comprises a leading edge, a trailing edge, and pressure and suction surfaces defined therebetween. An inner platform is coupled to a root section of the airfoil, with a curvilinear gusset extending along a lower surface of the inner platform, opposite the root section. An outer platform is coupled to a tip section of the airfoil, with a multi-lobed gusset extending along an upper surface of the inner platform, opposite the tip section.
US08998569B2
A gas turbine engine includes a gas turbine engine internal compartment structure having an integral passageway. Wiring is routed through the integral passageway of the gas turbine engine internal compartment structure.
US08998561B2
According to one embodiment, a gripping device grips a rim of a workpiece by opening and closing gripping plates. The device includes a gripping unit, a hoisting and lowering unit and a motion control unit. The gripping unit includes a first and a second gripping plate. The first gripping plate has a first gripper to contact the rim. The second gripping plate has a second gripper to contact the rim. At least one of the first and second gripping plates is moved and the first and second gripper are spaced from each other. The hoisting and lowering unit is configured to hoist and lower the gripping unit. The motion control unit is configured to control open/close operations and hoisting and lowering operations. The motion control unit mechanically controls first first hoisting and lowering operations, controls second the open/close operations, and controls third second hoisting and lowering operations.
US08998557B2
An apparatus for loading a camper-insert, or other large-volume load, onto the bed of a pickup truck comprises a stiff-leg frame for supporting the load from the ground, the frame preventing the load from applying weight to the tail end of the bed with damaging consequences while the load is being cantilevered into position over the frame by the draw of a winch and cable system. The apparatus uses at least one telescoping leg to lift the rear of the load as part of a novel hoist assembly, which dynamically braces the telescoping leg on a foot while providing minimal interference to nesting the camper-insert closely to the host surfaces.
US08998548B2
Disclosed is a floating barrel nut with improved means for retaining a nut in a seat of a segmented cylindrical slug and related methods. In one embodiment, a barrel nut according to this disclosure may comprise: a nut with a threaded shaft and a flange that is chamfered on its lower end; a cylindrical slug that has been segmented along a plane that is parallel to the cylindrical axis, said slug having a head and a foot; two pins; wherein said nut is configured to float between the head and foot of the slug; wherein said shaft features an indentation on opposite sides thereof; and, wherein said pins are attached to the head and foot of the slug and sit in the indentations of the shaft. In another embodiment the pins are bent around the shaft.
US08998547B2
A cargo holding apparatus configured to secure cargo in a pickup truck cargo bed and facilitate unloading of the cargo therefrom is provided with a holding frame having cross members forming a top and a bottom of the holding frame; and side support members forming a left side and a right side of the holding frame, where the cross members being joined to the side support members at each end; a strap secured to each side support member, the strap being dimensioned to extend at least a length of the cargo bed; and a clamping member disposed and a left and a right side vertical walls of the cargo bed at a position nearest a lift gate of the cargo bed, each of the straps being fed through respective clamping members, the respective clamping members securely holding each strap when in an engaged aspect and allowing each strap to slide unrestricted when in a disengaged aspect.
US08998543B2
The application comprises a blank for producing a cutting tool with at least one inner bore for conducting fluids, wherein the blank comprises at least a first and a second portion along, its longitudinal axis, wherein the inner bore in the first portion is formed substantially in a straight line and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the blank, and the inner bore in the second portion has a first twist with a first twist angle greater than zero, wherein the blank can be obtained by a continuous pressing operation, in particular a continuous extruding operation. The application also describes an extrusion device for producing a blank, wherein the extrusion device comprises a control element for controlling the twist angle, in particular the first and/or second twist angle.
US08998540B2
A remotely operable drilling apparatus (6) comprises a body such as frame (10) and drive means arranged to drill annular pile (8), which is loaded in the drilling apparatus (6) into the floor of a body of water. The annular pile comprises a cutting shoe (24). The drive means comprises a power swivel (12) which attaches to the top of the annular pile (8) by means of a drive head. Delivery means is also provided which comprises at least one nozzle to enable flushing fluid and grout to be injected around annular pile (8). The power swivel (12) is raised and lowered by rack and pinion means 14 disposed on either side of the power swivel (12).
US08998539B2
Disclosed is a riser including a plurality of pipelines. In one example there are three such pipelines extending from the seabed toward the surface and having an upper end supported at a depth below the sea surface. In one embodiment, a first of the pipelines acts as a central structural core, and the other pipelines are arranged around the first pipeline. In another embodiment, three pipelines are arranged around a structural core. In each case, the first of the pipelines can be a fluid injection line, and the other pipelines are production lines. Also disclosed is a riser having buoyancy along at least a part of its length. The buoyancy results in the riser having a generally circular cross-section, the circumference of which is non-contiguous. Methods of installing such risers are also described.
US08998532B2
A carbon dioxide tank (3) is connected to a pump device (5). The pump device (5) is joined and connected with an infusion well (9), which is a tubular body. The infusion well (9) extends downward beneath the ground (7) and is provided so as to reach a saltwater aquifer (11). Part of the infusion well (9) forms a horizontal well (10) in a substantially horizontal direction. In other words, the horizontal well (10) is a location in which part of the infusion well (9) is formed in a substantially horizontal direction within a saltwater aquifer (11). The horizontal well (10) is provided with filters (13), which are porous members. For the filters (13), for example, a fired member in which ceramic particles are mixed with a binder that binds those particles can be used. Moreover, if the hole diameter for the filters (13) is small, microbubbles with a smaller diameter can be generated.
US08998529B2
A track system may include a plurality of connected slat members that may form rollable tracks. The rollable tracks may be used in moving vehicles across sensitive ground. The rollable track may be deployed using various methods and/or apparatus such as, e.g., deployment apparatus including one or more spool portions for rolling and unrolling the rollable tracks.
US08998522B2
A packaging and applicator device for applying a composition on the eyelashes and/or the eyebrows, that includes a container defining an inside space containing the composition and including a wiper member; and an applicator having a longitudinal axis and having an applicator member with a twisted-core brush carrying bristles, there being 5 to 55 bristles per turn, the diameter of the brush lying in the range 6/100 mm to 40/100 mm along at least a fraction of the applicator member, a plurality of bristles carried by this portion coming to within a distance of less than 1.5 mm from the inside surface of the container under the wiper member in a storage position or while the applicator is being withdrawn along the longitudinal axis of the container.
US08998506B2
An ST format optical connector for terminating an optical fiber comprises a housing configured to mate with an ST receptacle or coupling, the housing having an ST bayonet-style format. The ST format optical connector also includes a collar body and a retainer disposed in the housing, where the collar body is retained between the housing and the retainer. The housing is prevented from fully rotating about the collar body and retainer. In addition, the connector can be deactivated for fiber repositioning or reuse.
US08998494B2
A dry gas thrust bearing is provided for use in rotating equipment and more particularly, this thrust bearing is designed to support compressor/turbine thrust loads in an improved arrangement which does not require oil lubrication and which is designed to support necessary shaft thrust loading by the utilization of a dry gas film. The bearing includes a shaft rotor between two axially movable stators and relies on a dry gas film to separate the rotor and stators. The stators are axially loaded by a double spring package arranged in series wherein a lightly loaded spring engages the stator during zero thrust applications, and as the shaft begins to rotate and encounter axial thrust, a heavier stiffer spring, greater than the thrust load, quickly engages.
US08998492B2
To recover the axial forces transmitted by a rotating shaft, a bearing assembly includes a plurality of distributed bearing units. Each bearing unit comprises: a stationary base; a resilient member having a stationary portion and a portion that is completely movable in a main direction of the forces to be supported; and a bearing surface that defines, together with the shaft, a water film. The bearing surface is connected to the movable portion. The minimum radius of the bearing surface is between 1 m and 3 m. The resilient member and the base define at least one water chamber. A plurality of ducts are arranged so as to connect the chambers together, thereby defining a closed circuit.
US08998487B2
An X-ray imaging apparatus comprises an X-ray source; a housing configured to accommodate the X-ray source; and a plurality of supporting legs each connected to the housing via a movable connecting portion and configured to support the housing, wherein each of the supporting legs can change, by the movable connecting portion, a support angle made by a ground plane and the supporting leg.
US08998486B2
An apparatus for cone beam computed tomography of an extremity has a digital radiation detector and a first device to move the detector along a circular detector path extending so that the detector moves both at least partially around a first extremity of the patient and between the first extremity and a second, adjacent extremity. The detector path has radius R1 sufficient to position the extremity approximately centered in the detector path. There is a radiation source with a second device to move the source along a concentric circular source path having a radius R2 greater than radius R1, radius R2 sufficiently long to allow adequate radiation exposure of the first extremity for an image capture by the detector. A first circumferential gap in the source path allows the second extremity to be positioned in the first circumferential gap during image capture.
US08998478B2
A lighting assembly includes a light guide having a first major surface, a second major surface opposite the first major surface, a light input edge, and an end edge distal the light input edge. Light input to the light guide through the light input edge propagates by total internal reflection toward the end edge. The lighting assembly further includes light extracting elements at least one of the major surfaces of the light guide, the light extracting elements configured to extract light through the first major surface in a direction away from the light input edge and away from the first major surface, and a banding reduction element at the end edge configured to redirect light incident thereon in a direction away from the light input edge.
US08998475B2
A plurality of prisms 23e which make an input angle of light from an LED 21 with respect to a rear surface of a light guiding body 23 gradually small are provided on a light emission plane 23b of the light guiding body 23, and a plurality of prisms 24b which cause the light from the LED 21 to be totally reflected to front in an interface between a rear surface of a low refractive index layer 24 and an air layer are provided on the rear surface of the light guiding plate 22. The light guiding plate 22 further includes an inclined plane 30 which is inclined to an optical axis O of the light from the LED 21. The inclined plane 30 is configured so as to cause input light to be reflected in the direction which is close to the optical axis O.
US08998470B2
An electronic censer includes a seat and an incense detachably mounted on the seat. The seat includes a base, a supporting plate mounted on the base, two pins protruding from the plate and an annular rib surrounding the pins. A bottom of the incense is inserted within the annular rib. The incense includes a light guiding rod, a shell enclosing the rod, an LED, a circuit board and a battery embedded within the shell. An induction coil is fixed in the shell to control the lighting of the LED.
US08998467B2
An optical system for a motor vehicle, in particular for an indicating and/or lighting device, arranged to emit a light, the intensity of which is maximal in a given prioritized optical direction. The optical system comprises a surface light source exhibiting a front wall emitting a light, the intensity of which is maximal in a principal direction of emission, and an optical guide comprising an input face and an output face forming at least partly an outer face of the system, the system being arranged such that the light penetrates the guide through the input face and escapes through the output face. The optical guide being conformed such that the intensity of the light at the output of the system is maximal in a prioritized optical direction.
US08998459B2
An illuminating apparatus includes a lamp member, a lighting member, a waterproof member, and cooling liquid. The lamp member has a closed chamber, in which the cooling liquid is filled. The lamp member has at least a metal heat sink in the chamber, and the heat sink has at least a slot. The lighting member is isolated from the cooling liquid by the waterproof member. Therefore, the heat of the light emitting diode may be dissipated quickly through the cooling liquid.
US08998454B2
A flexible circuit assembly for accommodating a plurality of power electronic devices, including an insulating cover layer having first openings for power electronic devices, a flexible conductive layer arranged under the insulating cover layer and attached with a first adhesive to the insulating cover layer, an intermediate insulating layer arranged under the flexible conductive layer and attached with a second adhesive to the flexible conductive layer, the intermediate insulating layer having second openings, a plurality of heat-conductive elements arranged inside the second openings, a first thin heat sink layer, the heat-conductive elements arranged to be in contact with an upper surface of the thin heat sink layer and the lower surface of the islands via heat-conductive material; and a second thin heat sink layer, upper surfaces of the power electronic devices arranged to be in contact with a lower surface of the thin heat sink layer and the lower surface of the islands via heat-conductive material.
US08998449B1
An assembly of LED luminaires is distributed at a sports venue, includes key, back, and fill light sources in such a way as to provide modeling within a significant portion of the playing area of the sports venue, uses beam types narrower than previously used, and achieves efficiencies higher than previously attained, while also reducing glare and spill light.
US08998445B2
A time sequence energy saving color splitting system includes at least one light source provided on a surface of the guide module and composed of multiple light illuminating elements capable of illuminating light beams with different wavelengths and arranged in array, the at least one light source being able to illuminate light beams with specific wavelengths in two time sequences and entering the guide module and a color splitting module provided on the guide module, comprised of a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first surface is a collar structure per unit cycle and the second surface is a non-spherical structure per unit cycle, the non-spherical structure per unit cycle corresponds to the collar structure every two unit cycles.
US08998444B2
A solid state lighting apparatus includes a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) including at least a first LED and a second LED. Chromaticities of the first and second LEDs are selected so that a combined light generated by a mixture of light from the pair of LEDs has about a target chromaticity. The first LED may include a first LED chip that emits light in the blue portion of the visible spectrum and a phosphor that emits red light in response to blue light emitted by the first LED chip. The second LED emits light having a color point that is above the planckian locus of a 1931 CIE Chromaticity diagram, and in particular may have a yellow green, greenish yellow or green hue.
US08998442B2
A lighting device having a simplified connection configuration between light sources and a light source driver is provided. A backlight unit 12 according to this invention includes a plurality of LED boards 18 on which LEDs 17 are mounted. The LEDs 17 are light sources. Each LED board 18 includes a connection wiring pattern 27 electrically connected to the LEDs 17 and a through wiring pattern 28 not electrically connected to the LEDs 17. The connection wiring pattern 27 is connected to the through wiring pattern 28 on the other LED board 18. The connection wiring pattern 27 of each LED board 18 electrically connected to the LEDs 17 is electrically connected to the through wiring pattern 28 of the other LED board 18 not electrically connected to the LEDs 17.
US08998433B2
A light emitting device includes a radiation source operable to generate and radiate excitation energy, the source being configured to irradiate a wavelength conversion component with excitation energy and the wavelength conversion component comprising a layer of photo-luminescent material configured to emit radiation of a selected color when irradiated by the radiation source and a color enhancement filter layer configured to filter undesirable wavelengths of an emission product of the layer of photo-luminescent material to establish a final emission product for the light emitting device.
US08998427B2
A method of projecting an image is provided. The method includes the step of providing a first light source, the first light source emitting light at a first polarization. A second light source is provided adjacent the first light source, the second light source emitting light at a second polarization. A digital mirror device is provided (DMD), the DMD having a first axis. A mirror is provided optically disposed between the first light source, the second light source and the DMD, the mirror being adjacent the DMD. A first light is emitted from the first light source. The first light is reflected with the mirror onto the DMD. A second light is emitted from the second light source after the first light is emitted. The second light is reflected with the mirror onto the DMD.
US08998421B2
A projector includes a solid-state light source that emits linearly polarized light, a birefringence element that converts the linearly polarized light emitted from the solid-state light source into circularly or elliptically polarized light, a diffusion element that diffuses the light having exited from the birefringence element, and a polarization conversion element that separates the diffused light having exited from the diffusion element into first polarized light polarized in a first polarization direction and second polarized light polarized in a second polarization direction, converts the polarization direction of the first polarized light into the second polarization direction, and outputs the resultant first and second polarized light.
US08998416B2
An opthalmological apparatus includes a base station having a light source for generating light pulses, and an application head mountable on an eye having a light projector for the focussed projection of the light pulses for punctiform breakdown of eye tissue. The application head has drivers for moving the light projector in a feed direction and in a first scanning direction. A scanner is arranged in the base station in order to deflect the light pulses in a second scanning direction. The opthalmological apparatus includes an optical transmission system for transmitting deflected light pulses from the base station to the application head, and for superimposing the light pulses deflected in the second scanning direction onto the movement of the light projector in the first scanning direction.
US08998403B2
When tacking print media to a print media transport belt in a printer, a tack module having a pair of nips is employed to control charge migration in across the print media in order to tolerate lead edge curl while ensuring uniform printing. An upstream nip is formed by a first bias transfer roll and a first backup roll, and a downstream nip is formed by a second bias transfer roll and a second backup roll. The respective backup rolls are offset slightly upstream of the respective bias transfer rolls. Charge of opposite polarities is applied to the first backup roll and the second bias transfer roll to facilitate taking of the print media to the print media transport belt.
US08998402B2
A printing apparatus includes a print head for inkjet printing, and a guide disposed opposing the print head and configured to guide a back surface of a sheet being conveyed in a first direction. The back surface is a reverse surface of a surface being printed. The printing apparatus further includes a receiving unit disposed opposing the print head and configured to receive ink outside the sheet being conveyed, and a mechanism configured to change a position of the guide in a second direction relative to the receiving unit being fixed, according to a size of the sheet to be used. The second direction crosses the first direction.
US08998398B2
A free radical radiation curable inkjet ink containing a photoinitiator and polymerizable compounds includes a) no more than 15 wt % of one or more monofunctional acrylates wherein the homopolymer thereof has a Tg smaller than 20° C.; and b) at least 45 wt % of a mixture of monomers consisting of b1) 10 to 45 wt % of a N-vinyl lactam and/or a vinylether acrylate; and b2) 10 to 45 wt % of an ethoxylated and/or propoxylated polyacrylate having a molecular weight of at least 450; wherein all wt % are based on the total weight of the inkjet ink; and wherein the Tg is determined by the DSC method in ISO 11357-2:1999.
US08998389B2
A liquid ejecting head comprises a pressure generation chamber communicating with a nozzle opening, a vibrating wall provided as one surface of the pressure generation chamber and vibrates so that ejects the liquid from the nozzle opening, and a resin portion having a recessed arc-shape and formed in a corner of the pressure generation chamber and formed of a resin material having a Young's modulus of less than or equal to 10 GPa. A ratio r/w of a radius r of the surface of the resin portion to a width w of the pressure generation chamber defined by the vibrating wall is greater than or equal to 0.017 and less than or equal to 0.087.
US08998386B2
Provided is a liquid ejecting apparatus which comprises a pressure generation chamber, a piezoelectric element, and a driving unit which supplies a driving signal to the piezoelectric element. The piezoelectric layer shows electric field induced phase transition and when among voltages at which the piezoelectric layer shows the electric field induced phase transition a voltage having a higher absolute value is defined as VF and a voltage having a lower absolute value is defined as VAF, the driving unit supplies to the piezoelectric element a driving signal which allows the voltage to be applied to the piezoelectric layer, allows the voltage that passes through VF and of which the absolute value is equal to or higher than VAF to be set as a start point, and allows the voltage to be changed within a range where the absolute value is equal to or higher than VAF.
US08998381B2
A liquid jet head includes a nozzle guard attached to a nozzle plate. The nozzle guard functions as a liquid storage unit and is configured to store residual liquid that attaches to the nozzle plate. Channel lines include ejection and non-ejection channels and a dummy channel incapable of driving. Liquid is supplied into the dummy channel while being brought to a negative pressure. The nozzle plate includes a dummy nozzle hole that communicates with the dummy channel, and the dummy nozzle hole is provided at a position to aspirate stored residual liquid using the nozzle guard.
US08998380B2
A liquid ejecting head includes a nozzle plate, a flow path forming substrate, and a communication plate between the nozzle plate and the substrate and having a communication hole connecting a nozzle and a first opening of a pressure chamber. The first opening extends in a direction perpendicular to an arrangement direction of the pressure chambers. The first opening has a narrowed portion close to the communication hole. The communication hole has at least three edge lines which extend in a penetration direction. The communication plate is bonded to the substrate such that the ends of the edge lines at a surface close to the substrate are covered with the substrate that defines the narrowed portion on a surface close to the communication plate.
US08998373B2
According to one embodiment, an ink-jet head includes a main body, electrodes, electrically conductive portions, an insulating film, a frame member, a lid member, an electronic component, a protective agent. The main body includes pressure chambers. The insulating film covers the electrodes and a part of the electrically conductive portions. The frame member is attached to the main body from above the insulating film. The protective agent covers an end portion of the insulating film located between the frame member and the electronic component and the electrically conductive portions between the electronic component and the end portion of the insulating film.
US08998372B2
A scanning optical apparatus includes a light beam detection unit, a reference signal generation unit, and a returned light detection unit. The light beam detection unit decides whether the light beam reflected by the reflecting surface of a polygon mirror has entered the BD sensor, through comparison between an output value of the BD sensor and a predetermined first threshold. The reference signal generation unit generates a scan start reference signal in response to the decision that the light beam has entered the BD sensor. The returned light detection unit decides whether the light beam reflected by the reflecting surface has entered the internal light sensor, through comparison between an output value of the internal light sensor and a second threshold corresponding to light beam intensity higher than the intensity of the light beam reflected by the reflecting surface and corresponding to the first threshold.
US08998366B2
A serial type inkjet printing apparatus performs the following processing. A slant is set between the nozzle arrayed direction and the carriage moving direction for each printing column in the carriage moving direction. The carriage position is detected. Image data stored in a print buffer in association with each printing column is divided based on the detected carriage position and the slant in the printing column corresponding to the set position of the carriage. The image data is read by separating it into respective data used for first-and-second-scan printings by the printhead in an identical region, based on the detected carriage position, and the slant in the printing column corresponding to the set position of the carriage. Printing is performed by first-and-second-scanning the printhead on the identical region, using the read image data.
US08998364B2
A printing device includes a nozzle for discharging liquid, a counter that counts the number of signals for defining a cycle in which the liquid is discharged through the nozzle, and a discharge control portion that controls such that the liquid is not discharged through the nozzle when the number of signals counted by the counter is larger than a predetermined threshold value.
US08998357B2
A liquid ejection apparatus including: a liquid ejection head including an inside channel; a supply channel; a return channel; a supply device; an adjusting device; and a controller, wherein the controller starts a liquid circulation control for circulating liquid through the supply channel, the inside channel, and the return channel in order by controlling: the adjusting device such that a channel resistance value of the return channel is less than a predetermined maximum value; and the supply device to supply the liquid into the inside channel, wherein, when the liquid is circulated, the controller starts a liquid discharge control for discharging the liquid by increasing the channel resistance value, wherein, when the liquid is discharged, the controller starts a liquid-discharge stopping control for stopping the discharge by decreasing the channel resistance value, and wherein the controller controls the supply device such that a liquid amount supplied to the inside channel per unit time when the discharge is stopped is less than that in the liquid circulation control.
US08998353B2
A method to control a vehicle including control of regenerative brakes and friction brakes includes monitoring a desired corner force and moment distribution, monitoring real-time actuator constraints including a braking torque limit of each of the regenerative brake, determining a regenerative braking torque for each of the regenerative brakes based upon the desired corner force and moment distribution and the real-time actuator constraints, determining a friction braking torque for each of the friction brakes based upon the desired corner force and moment distribution and the determined regenerative braking torque for each of the regenerative brakes, and controlling the vehicle based upon the determined regenerative braking torques and the determined friction braking torques.
US08998349B2
Disclosed are electronic control brake systems for vehicles which suppress residual frictional force generated due to contact between pads and a disc.
US08998347B2
A brake system and method for operating same for a vehicle having a master brake cylinder, a brake medium reservoir, a first wheel brake cylinder, into which a first brake medium volume is displaceable from the master cylinder, a second wheel brake cylinder, into which a second brake medium volume is displaceable from the master cylinder, and a pump, which is hydraulically connected to the brake medium reservoir, the first wheel brake cylinder being hydraulically connected to the pump via a first non-return valve and the second wheel brake cylinder being hydraulically connected to the pump via a second non-return valve so that the pump can pump a third brake medium volume from the brake medium reservoir through the first non-return valve into the first wheel brake cylinder and a fourth brake medium volume from the brake medium reservoir through the second non-return valve into the second wheel brake cylinder.
US08998345B2
An improved solution mining method for a soluble target layer comprising a target material such as potash, wherein an elongate sump is developed within a salt layer underlying the target layer, with generally horizontal wells extending through the target layer to empty into the elongate sump, the sump capable of storing at least a portion of the salt liberated from the target layer so that an optimized proportion of target material is produced.
US08998342B2
A hoist cylinder for rotationally moving a vessel provided between a vehicle body and the vessel, and first and second directional control valves for controlling supply and discharge of a pressurized oil with respect to the hoist cylinder are provided. The first and second directional control valves have a neutral position, a raising position where the vessel is rotationally moved upward, a lowering position where the vessel is rotationally moved downward, and a floating position where free fall of the vessel is allowed by contracting the hoist cylinder by the weight of the vessel. A flow control valve is provided between the first directional control valve and a tank, which controls a flow rate of the pressurized oil discharged from the hoist cylinder into the tank when the first directional control valve is set at the floating position and the vessel freely falls due to its own weight.
US08998340B1
A passenger restraint including a buckle, a locking arm, a power supply, a bracket, a mount, and a rod. The buckle has a button capable of being depressed. The locking arm has first and second extensions extending outwardly therefrom, and first and second prongs extending downwardly from the first and second extensions, respectively. The buckle includes an opening arranged to receive the first and second prongs. Furthermore, there is a bracket secured to the locking arm, a mount having first and second mount sides and first and second mount side fastening means. The power supply is secured to the mount and the bracket is secured to and pivotable about the mount via first and second mount side fastening means. The locking arm is in an open position but when an electrical signal is applied the locking arm extends downwardly into the opening of the buckle into a closed position.
US08998334B2
The invention relates to a head support comprising a head support case that can be moved in relation to at least one stay bar in the X direction. The invention also relates to a locking system.
US08998333B2
A headrest design described herein improves rigidity and reduces weight of an entire headrest of a vehicle seat. The headrest of the vehicle seat includes a base member attached to an upper part of a seat back, and a reinforcing member attached to the base member. The base member is formed by coupling a front side base member and a back side base member by a coupling member. The reinforcing member includes attachment portions and projection portions having larger width therebetween than that of the attachment portions. The attachment portions are fixed to a front side of a front side base member. The projection portions continue from the attachment portions and protrude to the upper side of the base member.
US08998332B2
A locking device for a fold-over backrest of a seat, has a locking housing in which a handle is pivotable between a locked position and an unlocked position, by which handle a pawl of a locking mechanism can be carried between a locked position and an unlocked position. A blocking bolt is movable manually by a closable lock between a blocked position blocking the handle and a released position releasing the handle. A transmission element is driveable displaceably in a guide from a first end position into a second end position. The transmission element has a retaining element and, upon movement of the handle out of the locked position, is movable into a retaining recess of the blocking bolt and prevents the blocking bolt from being able to move from the released position into the blocked position.
US08998331B2
Provided is a seat structure minimizes a size of a vehicle seat in which a rotation body rotates by being pressed by a seat back in interlocking a driving unit with the seat back. In a seat including a link mechanism which interlocks a driving unit with a seat back tilted toward a seat cushion, the back and cushion are connected to each other by a bracket at the side of the back and cushion in the vehicle width direction, and a transmission member which rotates to interlock the driving unit with the seat back is provided. The transmission member is adjacent to the bracket in the vehicle width direction and rotates by being pressed by the seat back tilted toward the seat cushion, and a portion pressed by the seat back in the transmission member is positioned outside compared to an outer edge of the connection bracket.
US08998330B2
[Problem] The present invention addresses the problem of providing a reclining device in which a pawl moves smoothly, does not slip and locks well.[Solution] A cam part that moves a pawl (33) in the direction of a locked position is configured from a rotating cam (first cam) (31) that pushes the pawl (33) in the direction of the locked position and a cam (second cam) (34) that is pressed by the rotating cam (31) and pushes the pawl (33) in the direction of the locked position while pressing same against a guide (25c). The cam part is configured so that when the pawl (33) located at the unlocked position moves to the locked position, the cam part initially presses the pawl (33) with the rotating cam (31), and when the pawl (33) is at the locked position, presses the pawl (33) with the cam (34).
US08998328B2
The invention relates to a fitting for a vehicle seat, in particular for a motor vehicle seat, comprises a first fitting part and a second fitting part that can be rotated with respect to each other, a clip ring that is fixed to the first fitting part for holding both fitting parts axially together by an outer ring section and engaging the second fitting part by an inner annular section, and stops that define the limits of the relative rotation of both fitting parts and that comprise at least one limiting stop embodied as a clip ring and at least one locking stop joined to the second fitting part such that the limiting stop protrudes outwards from outside of the annular section of the clip ring, and the limiting stop is provided on a structural part secured to the second fitting part.
US08998326B2
A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat, a pedestal, a swivel mechanism connected to the pedestal for permitting the seat to rotate about a vertical axis and a latch located external to the swivel mechanism for preventing rotation of the seat. The seat assembly may further include a bracket for mounting the seat to the swivel mechanism in any one of a plurality of positions. Another vehicle seat assembly includes a track, a seat having a seating portion and a seat back, a base connected to the seat and engaging the track so as to permit longitudinal movement of the seat along the track and a locking mechanism for retaining the seat in a desired position along the track. The locking mechanism includes a vertically extending pin located beneath the center of the seating portion of the seat.
US08998325B2
A vehicle seat carrier for a vehicle seat comprises a position adjustment arrangement adapted to enable the vehicle seat carrier to be displaced between a plurality of different positions and a position lock adapted to retain the vehicle seat carrier at a selected position. The position lock is adapted to be disabled as a response to a detected crash, or a detected imminent crash, so that the vehicle seat carrier is permitted to be displaced along a first path at least partly defined by the position adjustment arrangement, to provide for a passenger protective function. The passenger protective function utilizes the existing position adjustment arrangement to provide for a controlled displacement during a collision.
US08998322B2
Reaction force mechanism for backrest of a chair has clear large space under the seat and uses a longer reaction force spring than the prior art. The mechanism includes a base member supported on a leg, a back support member coupled by a rotation shaft to the base member to recline and support the backrest, a seat support member to which the seat is mounted, a weight-dependent reaction force mechanism for moving the seat support member in a lifting direction, and a reaction force spring for applying a spring force for returning the back support member to an original position, in which the reaction force spring is disposed in a lateral orientation between the back support member and the seat support member.
US08998315B2
The present invention relates to a headrest having a headrest box which is mounted on at least one retaining rod and can be displaced in the X direction.
US08998310B2
A seat trim retention clip that may have a pad and at least one footing. The pad may have first and second retention features. A footing may extend from the pad and may have a plurality of arms that extend from the pad.
US08998308B2
A rocking chair includes a base unit, a frame unit located above the base unit, and a plurality of rocking members mounted between the base unit and the frame unit to connect the base unit and the frame unit. The frame unit is suspended above the base unit and is capable of swinging forward and backward relative to the base unit. The frame unit has an adjustable inclined angle. Thus, the frame unit and the base unit are folded when not in use to reduce the whole volume of the rocking chair.
US08998307B1
A header beam couples between A-pillars of a vehicle frame. The header beam is formed from a generally straight beam segment that is extruded to have a hollow body portion with supportive legs extending within the hollow interior along the length of the beam segment, defining uninterrupted forward and rearward box sections for supporting continuous load paths on the header beam. The end portions of the beam segment are clamped and the beam segment is stretch bent to form a curvature between the end portions that remain generally straight. A front flange extends forward along the body portion and is struck proximate the end portions to form an edge that is parallel to the curvature formed between the end portions. The end portions are attached to the A-pillars and the edge of the front flange is attached to a windshield.
US08998298B2
An energy absorber includes a base sheet and a plurality of recovering crush lobes extending from the base sheet. The crush lobes protect an adjacent object by cushioning the blow following repeated impacts in both vehicular and non-vehicular (e.g. helmets) environments. Each crush lobe includes a side wall that is oriented to buckle or bend and then spring back after absorbing energy when impacted. At least one of the base sheet and an end wall of at least one crush lobe optionally includes a number (X) of integrally-formed protruding countermeasures where 0<=X<1000 of lower standing strength than the crush lobes. Methods related to the above are also described.
US08998295B2
A sidewall construction arrangement for a trailer includes a plurality of upstanding panels. Each panel includes two opposing flanges. The flanges are disposed on opposing lateral edges of the panel. Adjacent flanges of two adjacent panels partially overlap each other. Each of a plurality of vertically oriented logistics posts includes two lateral margins. A first of the margins is attached to a respective first of the flanges of the two partially overlapping panels. A second of the margins of the post is attached to each of the first and second flanges of the two partially overlapping panels.
US08998291B1
The vehicle attachable carrier device includes a mounting bracket assembly for movably mounting a guard frame to a vehicle that includes a bracket coupled to the vehicle. A frame is movably coupled to the bracket. The frame may guard the vehicle. The frame is positionable between a stored position and an extended position.
US08998283B1
A utility vehicle is equipped with a passenger space, a cargo bed disposed behind the passenger space, and a screen disposed between the passenger space and the cargo bed. The screen is formed into a lattice shape using an outer frame made of a square pipe, a plurality of vertical cross-piece members made of square pipes, and a plurality of horizontal cross-piece members made of square pipes.
US08998276B2
A storage system including peripheral walls providing a storage area and a pivotally mounted door closing an opening into the storage area. A latching mechanism includes a latch member attached to a peripheral wall cooperating with an inturned latching member on the door to maintain the door closed. The cooperating latch member and inturned latching member extend for more than 25% of the height of the door and most preferably approximately 100% of the height of the door. In another aspect of the invention the latch member and the inturned latching member overlap each other when the door is closed and are forced in a direction to further overlap when a prying force is applied between contiguous surfaces of the door and peripheral wall.
US08998274B2
A sliding door latching and locking system is disclosed which includes a latch assembly, a lift rod assembly, and a retainer assembly, among other things. In some embodiments, the latch assembly includes a support member mounted in a movable body and a latching arm pivotally mounted to the support member having a distal end thereof extending outside of the periphery of the movable body, wherein the distal end includes an engagement facilitating portion with a sloped outer surface for contacting an interlocking member.
US08998272B2
A latch assembly includes a chassis, a latch bolt movably mounted on the chassis and having a closed position for retaining a striker and an open position for releasing the striker, and a pawl having an engaged position at which the pawl is engaged with the latch bolt to hold the latch bolt in the closed position and a disengaged position at which the pawl is disengaged from the latch bolt thereby allowing the latch bolt to move to the open position. The pawl is rotatably mounted via a pawl pivot pin about a pawl axis, and the pawl pivot pin includes a first arcuate portion having a first radius about the pawl axis. A cross-sectional area of the pawl pivot pin, taken perpendicular to the pawl axis, is greater than an area of a circle having the first radius.
US08998268B2
A sintered ceramic article includes a silicon carbide tube and a silicon carbide base component circumscribing at least a portion of the tube and sinter-bonded to the tube. The sinter bond between the tube and the base component is defined as an interface bond and includes no bond materials. The interface bond has at least one of the following performance characteristics: a Shear Strength not less than about 25 MPa, a Nitrogen Seal Performance of not greater than 10%, a Helium Seal Performance of not greater than 10%, and/or a Vacuum Seal Performance of not greater than 10%.
US08998267B2
A pipe-in-pipe pipeline has a bulkhead that transfers thermal stress from an inner pipe to an outer pipe, wherein at least part of the bulkhead forms a conduit for a product traveling through the inner pipe.
US08998254B2
Rollover protection device (10) for a motor vehicle has a supporting frame (11) extending in the vehicle transverse direction and rollover protection cassettes (12). Each rollover protection cassette (12) has a rollover body (14) that can be deployed from a housing (13). A connecting profile (15) of the supporting frame (11) extends between the rollover protection cassettes (12). Columns (16) are positioned between lateral ends of the connecting profile (15) of the supporting frame (11) and the housings (13) of the rollover protection cassettes (12). Each of these columns (16) is connected to the housings (13) of the rollover protection cassettes (12) and to the connecting profile (15) of the supporting frame (11). Each column (16) can be connected to a center tunnel of a body shell of the motor vehicle.
US08998251B2
A horn switch device for a steering wheel may include an airbag module mounted in an inner region of the steering wheel to perform pressing and restoring operations while being elastically supported by a plurality of horn springs, a link plate assembly mounted on a lower surface of the airbag module and including a plurality of link plates to facilitate a seesaw movement, a module-side horn contact point positioned at the fixed end portion of each link plate and toward the outside of the airbag module, and a wheel-side horn contact point positioned below the module-side horn contact point. A horn operation is produced when the wheel-side horn contact point contacts with the module-side horn contact point.
US08998249B2
An airbag device for a vehicle including at least one airbag housing interface chamber that attaches to an airbag housing; at least one airbag cushion chamber downstream of the at least one interface chamber; an elbow that fluidly connects the housing interface chamber with the cushion chamber and configured so that it controllably regulates gas flow into the at least one airbag cushion chamber; the elbow having an internal configuration, which includes at least one opening that permits back and forth gas flow between the elbow and the least one airbag cushion chamber, and which controls the directional deployment of the airbag cushion chamber so that upon deployment the downstream end of the cushion chamber exits an airbag housing outwardly in a first direction and then in at least one second direction, so that the direction of deployment of the cushion chamber changes in direction to thereby wrap at least partially around a structure of a vehicle of the vehicle and at least temporarily interpose the cushion chamber between any occupant and the vehicle structure.
US08998248B2
An airbag cushion assembly can include a mounting assembly and an airbag cushion. The mounting assembly includes a plate which may be coupled to the airbag cushion, and which may also include a fastener which is used to attach the assembly to a vehicle.
US08998235B2
A rear suspension bicycle in which a lower linkage member between the front triangle and the rear wheel swingarm of the bicycle extends a significant distance backward toward the rear wheel. Rear suspension configurations according to the present teachings may exhibit one or more of the following characteristics: (i) the center of curvature of the rear wheel axis of rotation and the instant center of the bicycle may be substantially equidistant from the pedaling axis when the shock absorber is fully compressed, (ii) as the shock absorber is compressed from a fully uncompressed state to a fully compressed state, a rate of change of chainstay length may decrease substantially linearly, and (iii) as the shock absorber is compressed from a fully uncompressed state to a fully compressed state, the acceleration anti-squat value may decrease from a value substantially equal to 100% to a value of substantially equal to zero.
US08998224B2
A scooter includes a footboard, a steering column having an upper end connected to a handlebar and a lower end connected to a front fork, a head-tube frame assembly having a head tube coupled to the steering column and a frame assembly coupled to the footboard, a front ball bearing wheel rotatably mounted to the front fork, and a rear ball bearing wheel rotatably mounted to a rear fork the footboard. The scooter further includes a folding mechanism in the head-tube frame assembly for folding up the scooter.
US08998223B2
A braking system is mounted on a rollator or a transport chair and includes a braking part and an operating system. The braking part is mounted adjacent to a wheel of a rollator or a transport chair. When the operating system is unactuated, the braking part abuts a corresponding wheel to avoid a rotation of the corresponding wheel. When a user wants to walk and move the rollator or the transport chair, the user can press the operating system such that the braking part departs from the wheels and releases a brake. When the user wants to sit on the seat cushion and rest, the user can keep the braking system actuated without pressing the operating system, and accordingly the rollator or the transport chair would not be slidable when sat on, thereby avoiding danger. In addition, when the user walks on a slope, the user can release their hands from the rollator or the transport chair without making the rollator or the transport chair slide down the slope.
US08998221B1
Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a wheelbarrow tie rod having a central body that is substantially rectangular and elongated. The tie rod comprises a lower anchor section, which is joined to a first side of the central body, and an upper anchor section, which is joined to the central body on a second side opposite the first side and extending in a second direction on a side opposite the central body. The central body includes a central projection.
US08998212B2
A leaf seal is provided for effecting a seal between two coaxial, relatively rotating components. The leaf seal has an annular pack of leaves which are stacked face-to-face within the pack, and which are mountable to one of the components at respective root portions of the leaves such that the leaves extend towards the other component and respective edges of the leaves are presented for wiping contact with the other component. The pack includes a plurality of spacers, each spacer separating the root portions of neighboring leaves to form therebetween interleaf gaps which allow an axial leakage flow through the pack. The spacers are distributed around the pack such that the leaves are divided into blocks of two or more leaves sandwiched at their root portions between nearest-neighbor spacers.
US08998203B2
A sheet take-out apparatus includes a first separation unit, a second separation unit, a drawing roller for drawing sheets from a nip of the second separation unit, and a pinch roller rotating in contact with it. Overlapping sheets which pass the first and second separation units and are not separated are detected to be overlapped in a state that they are clamped by the nip of the drawing roller and pinch roller. When overlapping is detected, in a state that the rear ends of the overlapping sheets in the conveying direction are restricted by the nip, the drawing roller and pinch roller are stopped and the overlapping sheets are re-separated.
US08998198B2
A controller temporarily opens a pair of side fence plates under a prescribed condition to move the side fence plates away from both side ends of sheets in a sheet width direction, after each time stacking of sheets at a first or second sheet stacking position is completed, but before a sheet receiving tray is temporarily lifted down to offset an offset guide plate and an end fence plate. Else, the controller sets an amount of lifting up and down of the sheet receiving tray such that the amount at the second sheet stacking position is smaller than that at the first sheet stacking position when offsetting the offset guide plate and the end fence plate after each time the stacking of sheets at the first or second sheet stacking position on the sheet receiving tray is completed.
US08998195B2
An automatic document feeder includes a paper transmitting path for guiding documents, a driving motor for providing driving torque, a pickup device disposed at the upstream of the paper transmitting path, an output device disposed at the downstream of the paper transmitting path and transmitting rollers disposed along the paper transmitting path for transmitting the documents, a first driving gear disposed between the pickup device and the output device, a transmitting gear swing arm equipped with a transmitting gear set and axially hinged with the first driving gear to swing according to the driving torque between a first position meshing the transmitting gear set with the pickup device and a second position idling the transmitting gear set, an actuator connected with the output device and a braking device disposed on the output device for locking the transmitting gear swing arm according to the position of the output device.
US08998193B2
According to the invention, in the transport path between the input device and the output device, at least one intermediate buffer is arranged that serves as input device and as output device. The input device, the output device and the intermediate buffer are positioned adjacent to the conveyor belt and operated by the control device in such a way, that sheets forwarded from the input device or sheets stocked in the intermediate buffer are coupleable pneumatically to the lower side of the conveyor belt, and that sheets pneumatically attached to the lower side of the conveyor belt are selectively decoupleable at the intermediate buffer or at the output device.
US08998191B2
A support pin assembly for supporting and/or locating a fixture on a tooling plate is provided. The support pin assembly includes a stanchion with a bore configured to secure the support pin assembly to a locating surface on the tooling plate. A sleeve is included within the stanchion bore, such that the sleeve is infinitely adjustable between two positions and lockable with respect to the stanchion. The assembly additionally includes a locator pin engaged at a first end thereof with the sleeve, and configured to mate at a second opposing end thereof with the fixture. Furthermore, the assembly includes a stopper pin operatively connected to the sleeve and configured to selectively extend and retract relative to the locator pin. The locator pin is free to displace relative to the locating surface when the stopper pin is retracted and is blocked from displacing when the stopper pin is extended.
US08998190B2
A machine vice quick locking system being a machine vice unit with modified mounting blocks, each having a plurality of vertically inclined continuous hole spaces with the mid-space portion of each hole space being amenable to receipt of the nut portions of a plate-bolt-nut complex unit serving to quickly facilitate a locking fast of either one and ultimately both of a pair of equivalently sized jawplates to either of the anterior or posterior walls of either modified mounting block portion of the machine vice unit with each jawplate featuring a pair of horizontally inclined counterbored holes for receipt by each, of one bolt portion of each complex unit.
US08998186B2
Disclosed herein is a hydraulic mount for a vehicle, wherein a serpentine wall that protrudes from a bottom surface of a membrane wherein the membrane operates as a bottom surface of the upper chamber, is bonded to an orifice lower plate and separates a central chamber and a serpentine inertia track. Furthermore, the serpentine inertia track is disposed along a circumference of the central chamber. The hydraulic mount additionally includes a plurality of orifice apertures that are formed in the orifice lower plate and configured to allow communication between the central chamber and the lower chamber.
US08998185B2
A Tuned Mass Damper (TMD) for damping oscillations of a hanging vertical pump structure includes a removable mass symmetrically configured within the pump structure diameter and supported by a mechanism which provides damped mobility relative to the pump structure so as to absorb and dampen pump vibrations and oscillations. The TMD mass is easily removable before tipping of the pump between horizontal and vertical orientations during maintenance. In some embodiments, the TMD mass comprises fluid pumped by the pump to fully or partially fill a housing, the fluid being gravitationally drained therefrom when the pump is not operating. In other embodiments the TMD mass is supplied by removable solid weights. Damped mobility is provided by springs damped by mechanical or fluid friction, or by obstructed movement of fluid within a partially filled housing. In embodiments, the TMD mass is at least 5% of the total mass of the pump structure.
US08998184B2
The invention relates to an air bellows for a pneumatic spring, in particular of a commercial vehicle, the air bellows including an axle-side region and a body-side region, wherein the axle-side region is arranged on a plunger and movable by a compression or extension movement between a first, compressed position and a second, extended position, and further including an interior space adapted to be filled with compressed air via a compressed air opening that is connectable to a compressed air line. The air bellows further comprises a valve connected to the atmosphere for ventilating the interior space, wherein by applying compressed air present in the interior space to the valve the valve is moved to a closed position.
US08998183B2
A suspension apparatus 100 includes a leaf spring 110 in which a front end and a rear end are rotatably supported by a frame 2 of a car and an intermediate portion thereof in a longitudinal direction is attached to an axle 3; and a stay 160 having an engaging portion 161 for blocking rotation of a portion to a rear of a breaking point of the leaf spring 110 when the leaf spring 110 is broken at a portion to a rear of the intermediate portion thereof.
US08998174B2
A diaphragm (20) for a diaphragm valve is described. The diaphragm (20) has a body (22) comprising a first elastomer and a resistant layer (24) comprising a second elastomer having a different composition or formulation. Diaphragms described in examples have good flexibility with a high level of chemical resistance and low surface adhesion. A fixing attachment for fixing the diaphragm in the valve is also described.
US08998156B2
A bracket for attaching a post to one or more fascia boards is provided. In one embodiment, the bracket comprises a flat top surface with openings sized to receive fasteners for attachment to the post. A back surface comprises openings sized to receive fasteners for attachment to the fascia boards. Two flanges extend substantially perpendicularly to both the top surface and the back surface. A cover is releasably attachable to the flanges. In another embodiment, the bracket comprises a top surface, a plurality of walls extending down from the top surface, and a plurality of angled faces extending from an edge of the walls. The top surface, the walls, and the angled faces form a semi-enclosed space.
US08998151B2
A cable organizer including a front surface and a rear surface, wherein the front surface and the rear surface define a width therebetween; a first end and a second end, wherein the first end and the second end define a length therebetween; a bottom surface, wherein the bottom surface is adapted for placement proximate a work surface; a top surface, wherein the top surface comprises at least one aperture for receiving a cable therethrough, and wherein the top surface comprises at least one of a tab and detent which is controllably bendable, thereby facilitating releasable insertion of a cable into at least one cable channel such that the cable is retained in the at least one cable channel during normal use and removable by a user upon upward displacement of the cable by the user.
US08998146B2
Spacecraft momentum management techniques are coordinated with station-keeping maneuvers or other delta-V maneuvers. A body stabilized spacecraft attitude is controlled, the spacecraft including at least one momentum/reaction wheel, and a set of thrusters. A first momentum storage deadband limit is adjusted, the adjustment being related to a first delta-V maneuver window. A momentum management strategy is executed with the adjusted first momentum storage deadband limit such that a first thruster firing that performs desaturation of the momentum/reaction wheel also provides velocity change beneficial to the first delta-V maneuver.
US08998144B2
A structure for use with an electrothermal heating element is disclosed comprising a heating element contained in a mat and heater supports attached to one surface of the mat. The heating element is disposed between the skin and internal structure of an aircraft with the heater supports disposed toward the internal structure thereof. The heater supports maintain an insulating layer of air between the mat and the internal structure of the aircraft.
US08998138B2
A seating installation for a passenger vehicle, especially an aeroplane, the installation comprising a plurality of seat units, each seat unit having a back, two opposite sides and comprising a seat, which seat has a back-rest and a seat-pan and defines a longitudinal seat axis. The plurality of seat units are arranged in two adjacent files, each file defining a file axis, and the seat units in each file being oriented such that the axis of each seat unit subtends an acute angle with the respective file axis and being offset from one another along their respective seat axes to form at least one bay in each file behind the back of at least one seat unit and to one side of an adjacent seat unit in the same respective file, the seat units in the two respective files being staggered with respect to one another and the two files being disposed relative to one another such that at least one seat unit in each one of the files nests partially within a corresponding bay of the other file such that the seat units in the two respective files are arranged generally back-to-back with one another; and wherein each file comprises a succession of shields that are spaced along the respective file axis, the space between each pair of adjacent shields accommodating a respective seat of the file, the shields forming side screens for the seats, and the shields being configured and arranged such that a portion of at least one shield in each one of the files extends between two adjacent shields in the other file to form a rear screen for a corresponding seat in said other file disposed between the two adjacent shields.
US08998136B2
An aircraft galley waste bin extraction unit is disclosed having a first compartment formed by a plurality of walls that conform with walls of the waste bin, an extraction chamber adjoining the first compartment and sharing a common wall, and a platform within the common wall including a hinged bottom edge that allows the platform to pivot into a horizontal position against a rest on an extraction chamber side wall, the deploying of the platform forming a window through which the waste bin can pass through from the first compartment to the extraction chamber. The unit preferably also includes retractable ramp extendable from the platform to a ground surface to guide the waste bin from the extraction unit to the ground.
US08998134B2
A fiber-reinforced, organic matrix, composite structural member includes a plurality of layers of fiber-reinforced, organic matrix, composite material in which adjacent layers are bonded to one another, wherein the structural member exhibits a non-linear stress-strain response when mechanically loaded to failure. A helicopter landing gear includes a pair of skids and one or more cross members extending between the pair of skids. The one or more cross members includes a plurality of layers of fiber-reinforced, organic matrix, composite material in which adjacent layers are bonded to one another, wherein the cross members exhibit non-linear stress-strain responses when mechanically loaded to failure.
US08998131B1
A system for enhancing movement of a multi-engine flight vehicle about either of pitch or yaw axes. The engines are oriented relative the centerline of the flight vehicle and a portion of the engines have a positive tangential cant and the remaining engines have a negative tangential cant. The attitude of the flight vehicle about the pitch, yaw and roll axes is controlled by differentially throttling the multi-engine flight vehicle.
US08998128B2
A balloon having a bladder positioned within a balloon envelope, a plate having a port, a housing secured to the plate, an impeller positioned within the housing, the port providing a passageway from an inside of the housing to an inside of the bladder, wherein a passive valve having a periphery is positioned over the port, a control system configured, upon receiving a signal to increase the amount of air within the bladder, to cause the passive valve to move from a first, closed position where a seal is provided by the engagement of the periphery of the passive valve and a periphery of the port to a second, open position where the periphery of the passive valve is disengaged from the periphery of the port to open the passageway between the housing and the bladder and to allow air to be forced into the bladder.
US08998125B2
A foldable rotor system for a rotorcraft, the foldable rotor system comprising a rotor assembly operably associated with a driveshaft, the driveshaft being operable associated with an engine, the rotor assembly comprising a rotor blade connected to a grip pin. A swashplate is operable associated with the grip pin in order selectively change a pitch of the rotor blade. A blade fold actuator is operably associated with the grip pin such that the blade fold actuator is configured to fold and unfold the rotor blade about a blade fold axis. During an airplane mode, the rotorcraft can stop and fold the rotor blades so that the rotorcraft relies upon thrust from the engine for propulsion. The rotor blades are folded in a spiral fold path so that the rotor blades remain substantially edgewise, or feathered, during the folding process. The spiral fold path minimizes the aerodynamic drag experienced by the rotor blades while being folded during flight of the rotorcraft.
US08998121B2
A braking mechanism for a reel stand has been developed. The braking mechanism is affixed to a reel support member. The reel support member is configured to rotatably support at least a part of a reel. The braking mechanism includes a brake lever connected to the reel support member at a pivot point, and a braking member connected to the brake lever. The pivot point is offset from an axis of rotation of a reel supported by the reel support member. The braking member is configured to be positionable against the reel supported by the reel support member with an adjustable braking force.
US08998120B1
The various embodiments disclosed and pictured illustrate a curved hammer for comminuting various materials. The illustrative embodiments pictured and described herein are primarily for use with a rotatable hammermill assembly. The curved hammer includes a connection portion having a rod hole therein, a contact portion for delivery of energy to the material to be comminuted, and a curved neck portion affixing the connection portion to the contact portion. In other embodiments, a shoulder is positioned around the periphery of the rod hole for added strength. In still other embodiments, a neck reinforcement is positioned along a portion of the neck for increased strength. A weld or plurality of welds may be affixed to various surfaces of the contact portion to aide in comminuting and/or longevity of the curved hammer.
US08998114B2
A reagent injector with a cartridge design has a body with a reagent inlet, outlet, and a swirl chamber, which has an exit orifice that may be covered and uncovered by a solid, movable pintle. Reagent flows through the injector when the exit orifice is covered and uncovered to cool the injector. An insulator may be disposed between the injector body and a mounting flange connectable to an exhaust system. A flow path ensures cooling of an electromagnetic actuator. Reagent may bypass an orifice swirl chamber when the pintle blocks the exit orifice. Fluid may flow between an outside diameter of a pole piece and an inside diameter of an electromagnetic actuator, through an orifice chamber and return through a central bore housing a solid pintle, around which fluid may flow. Different inner injector body passages may direct fluid into an orifice distribution chamber and out to the solid pintle.
US08998112B2
An agricultural drip emitter optionally includes an elastomeric having a flow restriction. Flow through the emitter, when deployed inside an irrigation hose, is optionally regulated by pressure-responsive deformation of the elastomer. The flow restriction optionally includes under-tooth bypass spaces located between a base and a sequence of baffles. Some implementations also include a rigid polymer component. Optionally, a thermoset elastomer component is mechanically interlocked with the rigid component. The elastomer component and the rigid component are optionally molded as a unitary part by two component injection molding. Optionally, in the molding process, a divider initially divides the mold into two cavities. After forming the first component, the divider is optionally repositioned for forming the second component with an interface to the first component. The sequence of baffles is optionally formed by elastic stripping from an undercut mold.
US08998101B2
A radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag assembly enabled article and methods therefor are provided. The RFID tag assembly enabled article includes a RFID tag assembly connected to an article with a pair of conducting strips, wherein the pair of conducting strips is connected between each end of the RFID tag assembly, respectively, and the article to form an electrical association of said RFID tag assembly with the article. The RFID tag assembly further comprising an antenna formed from said electrical association of the RFID tag assembly with the article and a RFID microchip securely embedded within at least one layer of a substrate of the RFID tag assembly, wherein said RFID microchip coordinates with the article and the antenna to establish a stable impedance matching network. A support structure holds at least one end of the article.
US08998089B2
A method for controlling a workstation includes the following: (1) energizing a first illuminator to illuminate a first subfield of view with a first illumination pulse and subsequently energizing the first illuminator to illuminate the first subfield of view with a second illumination pulse; (2) exposing the array of photosensitive elements in the imaging sensor for a first sensor-exposure time and subsequently exposing the array of photosensitive elements in the imaging sensor for a second sensor-exposure time; and (3) processing an image captured by the imaging sensor to decode a barcode in the image. The first illumination pulse overlaps with the first sensor-exposure time for a first overlapped-pulse-duration, and the second illumination pulse overlaps with the second sensor-exposure time for a second overlapped-pulse-duration. The first overlapped-pulse-duration is different from the second overlapped-pulse-duration.
US08998086B2
There is provided a management device including a position identification unit that identifies, based on identification information that is acquired from a plurality of antennas, a plurality of terminals, or antennas and terminals and indicates an object, a position of the object that stores the identification information. A distance between the antennas, a distance between the terminals, or a distance between the antennas and the terminals is a distance at which no mutual interference occurs.
US08998084B2
A system for tagging, organizing and tracking evidence during the course of an investigation has one or more mobile communication devices that collect physical, photographic and interpretive evidence, such as materials from a crime scene, interviews with witnesses and an establishing shot of the crime scene or other areas or persons of interest for surveillance operations. The mobile devices can be in two-way communication with a central server computer which is in communication with other mobile devices. The mobile device users can enter descriptive information about the evidence into the mobile devices while other information pertaining to the evidence may be obtained from other sources and automatically provided to the users for their review and possible incorporation into the record. Each mobile device can store information in memory and communicate the information to the central server computer where it may then be made available to groups of mobile device users.
US08998078B2
An apparatus including an automated banking machine is operative to cause financial transfers responsive at least in part to data read from data bearing records. The machine includes a card reader that is operative to read card data usable to identify at least one of a user of the machine and a financial account. A computer associated with the machine is operative to cause card data to be read through operation of the card reader, and to cause a determination to be made that read card data corresponds to a financial account authorized to conduct a transaction through the machine. The computer is operative responsive at least in part to the determination to cause the financial account to be at least one of assessed and credited with a value associated with a financial transaction. Transaction function devices of the machine are supported through slides that can be configured in different ways to facilitate mounting of devices within the machine.
US08998068B2
A removal apparatus for a semiconductor chip may include a stage configured to support a board on which the semiconductor chip is mounted by bumps, a laser configured to irradiate a laser beam into the board over an area larger than the semiconductor chip, and a picker configured to cause the laser beam to penetrate the semiconductor chip locally and to separate the semiconductor chip from the board. A method of removing a semiconductor chip from a board may include loading the board, on which the semiconductor chip is mounted by bumps, on a stage; irradiating a laser beam into the semiconductor chip to melt the bumps and to separate the semiconductor chip from the board; continuously irradiating the laser beam into the board on which solder pillars, that are residues of the bumps, remain to melt the solder pillars; and removing the solder pillars.
US08998063B2
A wire bonding system is provided. The system includes a bond head, a bonding tool carried by the bond head, a wire supply configured for bonding by the bonding tool, and a wire shaping tool carried by the bond head. The wire shaping tool is independently moveable with respect to the bond head and the bonding tool.
US08998051B2
A backpack including a pack portion having a top, a bottom, a front, a rear and two sides. A strap arrangement can also be included for carrying the pack portion as a backpack. The strap arrangement can have a pair of carrying straps. Each carrying strap can be secured to the pack portion at about the bottom and extend upwardly along respective sides of the pack portion, and redirected at about the top of said respective sides to extend around to the rear of the pack portion, and being redirected at about the top of the rear to extend downwardly for securement at about the bottom of the pack portion at the rear. The strap arrangement can redirect forces to support a load in the pack portion from the sides of the pack portion.
US08998046B2
The present invention relates to a roof rack (10) for a vehicle (11). The roof rack ( ) comprises a load carrier bar (13), a first and a second load carrier foot (14), wherein at least the first load carrier foot (14) is displaceable with respect to the load carrier bar (13) to enable the roof rack (10) to be attachable to vehicles (12) of different sizes. The roof rack also comprises a readable indication device (30) enabling the determination of different appropriate positions of the load carrying foot (14). The indication device (30) is displaceable between different positions with respect to the load carrier bar (13) and adapted to be read with respect to a reference point on the roof rack (10), enabling repeatable readings at different positions. The present invention also relates to a method for assembling a roof rack. The roof rack is simple in construction yet easy to use for an end user and does not tend to produce air turbulence around the load carrier bar to any significant degree.
US08998043B2
A vibratory apparatus includes a trough assembly comprising first and second plates, the first and second plates joined together in close proximity so as to define a space through which a fluid may pass at a high velocity, a vibration generator coupled to the trough assembly, and a frame resiliently coupled to the trough assembly. Also included is a system including the vibratory apparatus and other equipment, and a method of using the vibratory apparatus.
US08998040B2
A substance dispensing system that includes a hydraulic drive system is disclosed. The hydraulic drive system includes a hydraulic valve having a variable pressure setting, the hydraulic valve operable between a closed position in which a hydraulic pump moves hydraulic fluid to a hydraulic cylinder and an open position in which the hydraulic pump moves the hydraulic fluid to a hydraulic reservoir. The substance dispensing system of the present disclosure provides a system that recirculates hydraulic fluid in a hydraulic drive system instead of recirculating a substance back to a container via a pump. The substance dispensing system of the present disclosure allows for precise, accurate, and instantaneous control of an external force in a substance dispensing system.
US08998033B2
A material dispenser includes a base, a platen, a spring, a casing, a material pick-up mechanism, and a cap. The spring is connected in between the platen and the base, and the casing encloses the spring and the platen and removably attaches with the base. The material pick-up mechanism is rotatably connected with the casing opposite from the base. The cap attaches with the casing opposite from the base and positions adjacent with the material pick-up mechanism. The material dispenser includes stored materials in between the platen and the material pick-up mechanism. The casing provides a parameter wall for the stored materials. The users of the material dispenser can dispense an exact amount of the stored materials through a top opening of the casing by rotating the material pick-up mechanism.
US08998029B1
A support system for a baby bottle has a support body having a generally cylindrical portion. A channel is defined within the support body. A slot is defined between slot edges of the support body extending between a first end portion and a second end portion. First and second handle portions are coupled to the support body. The first and second handle portions are coupled to the support body at an angle less than about 120 degrees apart from each other about a surface of the support body. The support body is sized and configured to support a baby bottle positioned within the channel defined within the support body. In some embodiments, the first and second handle portions have handle grip portions that are coupled to the support body at an angle between about 5 degrees and about 30 degrees relative to a surface of the support body.
US08998020B2
An inner container is to be installed inside an outer container, the inner container including a jointed portion configured to joint a jointing portion formed in the outer container to prevent the inner container from being separated from the outer container when the inner container is installed in the outer container; and a second engaging portion engaged with a first engaging portion formed in the outer container and configured to prevent the inner container from rotating relative to the outer container.
US08998017B2
The present invention provides a container, a lid body and a method of seaming a container, in which the influence of a load at the time of seaming can be made as small as possible, in the container having a seaming flange portion and a seaming curl portion notched. In a container of a structure in which a seaming flange portion formed at an open end portion of a container body, and a seaming curl portion formed on a periphery of a bottom lid are seamed to be joined to each other, and in which a notch is formed in at least one of the seaming curl portion and the seaming flange portion, a short and small curl portion in which a width of protrusion of the seaming curl portion is partially short is formed in at least one of circumferentially opposite sides of the notched portion.
US08998008B1
One embodiment of a corner shelf assembly having a shelf held securely in a horizontal position by a bracket or corner element, two support rails and two end caps. The shelf comprises a flat sheet with one corner clipped at its apex so that the shelf may be slid into a complementary slot in a bracket or corner element secured into a wall corner. The corner element is attached to two support rails held securely horizontal by the configuration of the corner piece. The support rails comprise a solid body with a narrow tongue protruding from it and running the length of the solid body. The tongues of the support rails are secured to walls having complementary openings and are further secured to the walls by fasteners. The shelf is rested upon the support rails and secured at its front by end caps that sandwich the shelf and the support rails, thus holding the shelf toward the corner and preventing it from tipping up or down. Other embodiments are described and shown.
US08997999B1
A rotating pressure washing stand for spa or pool filter that includes an open-topped cylindrical housing having a vertical rod centrally disposed therein, a buoyant base disc insertable around said rod, said buoyant base disc configured to releasably support an extant pool or spa filter thereon, wherein water pressurized through a pressure washer is forcibly ejected from a plurality of nozzles disposed in a spiral around the housing into the interior of the housing, said plurality of nozzles including a lowermost nozzle oriented to directionally jet water and rotationally engage a plurality of fin members disposed on a bottom surface of the base disc, whereby a filter is rotated and cleaned inside the housing without a user having to scrub the filter or bend over so to do.
US08997996B2
The present disclosure provides a drawer type cushioning packaging device for liquid crystal glasses, including several cushioning packing boxes and a rack. The rack includes a bottom plate and a pair of symmetrically configured supporting brackets, each of the supporting brackets includes at least one standing post and several supporting plates; a lower portion of each standing post is connected to the bottom plate; each of the supporting plates is connected to one side of the corresponding standing post and is located above the bottom plate; and each of the cushioning packing boxes is placed on the corresponding supporting plate.
US08997985B2
Disclosed are various embodiments for holding and organizing surgical instruments in a surgical environment. In one embodiment, a surgical instrument holder comprises an elongated body portion including a plurality of slots. Each of the slots may be configured so as to retain a surgical instrument in a fixed position. The elongated body portion may have a base surface configured to contact a table surface.
US08997982B2
A container of the present invention includes a bridging member disposed between a pair of inner side faces of a band insertion groove formed in a bottom wall. A rolling bearing is arranged above the bridging member and a band can be wound around the bearing and the bridging member together. Thus, since both a sideslip and jumping of the rolling bearing can be prevented without covers, the container is more superior in usability to a conventional container requiring a cover, and the stacking height can be suppressed as well.
US08997981B1
A triangular golf bag cooler that includes a triangular longitudinal cross-section configured to fit the cooler within an extant golf bag pocket; the triangular golf bag cooler having a gel layer disposed between an outer liner and an interior liner; said gel layer freezable with a high specific heat capacity to provide extended cooling to items stored within an interior cavity; a drain plug disposed in a first side to drain condensation and melt water from the interior cavity; the triangular golf bag cooler collapsible when empty for easy portage and storage; to provide ready access to food items proximal to the golfer's clubs when playing on a fairway.
US08997980B2
A slide-open package of tobacco articles, having a parallelepiped-shaped inner container housing a group of tobacco articles and having a bottom wall, an extraction opening opposite the bottom wall, two parallel opposite major lateral walls, and two parallel minor lateral walls interposed between the major lateral walls; a parallelepiped-shaped outer container, which houses the inner container to allow the inner container to slide between a closed position, in which the inner container is inserted inside the outer container, and an open position, in which the inner container is at least partly extracted from the outer container; and a coupon folded about the group of tobacco articles and located between the group of tobacco articles and the inner container.
US08997967B2
In one embodiment, a banknote handling machine includes a recognition unit configured to recognize a kind of each banknote taken in a take-in unit, a plurality of stacking units, respectively configured to stack therein the banknotes, a transport unit configured to transport the banknotes, respectively recognized by the recognition unit, to any of the plurality of stacking units, an instruction accepting unit configured to accept an instruction concerning an automatic decision mode provided for deciding the kind of the banknotes to be stacked, by utilizing a recognition result obtained by the recognition unit, for each of the plurality of stacking units, and a control unit configured to control the transport unit to transport each banknote to a destination, which destination is decided based on the instruction accepted by the instruction accepting unit and on the recognition result obtained by the recognition unit.
US08997957B2
A coupling arrangement for a drive train of a motor vehicle includes at least one clutch which is arranged on a rotating shaft in order to couple the rotating shaft optionally with a drive element of the drive train, in which to couple the rotating shaft with the drive element, a first clutch part and a second clutch part can be brought into a form-fit engagement with each other by moving one of the clutch parts along the axis of the rotating shaft. To prevent jerks and vibrations in the drive train, a hydraulic damping device is provided which acts between the first clutch part and the second clutch part.
US08997956B2
A rotary electric drive device for a vehicle configured to couple a combustion engine to a wheel. The drive device includes an engagement device selectively drivingly connecting the input member with the rotary electric machine and a fluid coupling. The engagement device includes a differential pressure generating chamber that receives oil supply so as to apply hydraulic pressure to a side of the pressing member opposite to a side to which hydraulic pressure for operation is applied. A body portion housing chamber housing a body portion of the fluid coupling and the differential pressure generating chamber are structured as oil chambers independent of each other. The drive device includes a coupling supply oil passage supplying oil to the body portion housing chamber and a differential pressure supply oil passage supplying the oil to the differential pressure generating chamber.
US08997954B2
A variable semi-active damping assembly comprising a shock body defining a fluid-filled chamber; a piston tube having a first end slidably disposed within the shock body; an inner rod slidably disposed within the piston tube and the shock body, the inner rod having a first end connected to a lower piston mount and a second end extending outward from the piston tube and engaging an adjustment mechanism that is configured to move the inner rod with respect to the shock body; an upper piston mount slidably disposed within the shock body and connected to the piston tube; and a deformable member disposed between the lower piston mount and the upper piston mount, the deformable member being configured to transition between a compressed state and a non-compressed state in response to movement by the lower piston mount.
US08997951B2
An actively controlled colloidal damper having controllable damping characteristics. The damper has a cylinder (2); a piston (4) reciprocatably guided and supported by the cylinder (2) and forming a closed space (3) in cooperation with the cylinder (2); a porous body (8) having a large number of fine holes and received in the closed space (3); operation liquid (7) received in the closed space (3) together with the porous body (8), flowing into the fine holes in the porous body (8) when the pressure in the closed space (3) is increased, and flowing out of the fine holes when the pressure in the closed space (3) is decreased, and pressure regulation means, such as a servo value (6) and a pump device (10), for regulating the pressure in the closed space (3).
US08997948B2
A hand-detecting brake system for baby stroller is equipped on a stroller frame, including a handle holder, a brake mechanism, an electric motor, and a battery. The handle holder is connected to one end of the stroller frame equipped with a hand-detecting device for creating a signal when user's hand being held or touched on the handle holder. The brake mechanism is operatively mounted on one side of a first wheel of the stroller frame for braking and un-braking the first wheel. The electric motor is capable of driving the brake mechanism to brake the first wheel when being received the signal from the hand-detecting device, and un-brake the first wheel when the signal from the hand-detecting device being disappeared. The battery electrically connected to the hand-detecting device and the electric motor for supplying needed power thereto.
US08997945B1
This invention relates to a brake caliper adapted for use in a vehicle disc brake assembly and method and apparatus for producing the same. The method for producing the brake caliper comprises the steps of: (a) providing a mold member having at least two mold sections; (b) providing a core member having at least a first male extension which is adapted to form an integrally cast locating recess in the brake caliper which is used as a locating surface for subsequent machining of the brake caliper; (c) disposing the core member in the mold member in a predetermined position; (d) supplying a suitable material to the mold member so as to form a brake caliper within the mold; (e) removing the brake caliper from the mold, wherein the brake caliper includes an integrally cast locating recess formed therein by the first male extension of the core member; and (f) machining the brake caliper using at least the integrally cast locating recess formed therein as a locating surface.
US08997939B2
A control system for a hydraulic elevator. The system (10) controls an elevator (1) which includes an elevator cylinder (5) with a piston (5a) coupled to a car (2), a pump (4) having an outlet coupled to the elevator cylinder (5), and an electric motor (3) coupled to the pump (4). A speed regulator (11) for controlling the speed of the car (2) is driven in predetermined modes, such that the pump (4) rotates at predefined speed. The speed regulator (11) is driven such that the motor (3) of the pump (4) is supplied with a voltage having a frequency (f) the value of which corresponds to a predefined speed value (ω), increased by an amount (cft; fts, ftD) which is a predetermined function of the working pressure (P1) of the pump (4). This balances the effect of the leakage of operating hydraulic fluid in the pump (4).
US08997938B2
A method for modernizing an elevator installation includes installing story terminals for input of a destination story on the stories of the building, which terminals are so coupled with an elevator control device connected with an input device in the elevator cage that, at least in a standard mode, after input of the destination story call detected by means of the story terminal, the cage automatically travels to the selected destination story, and in that case a story selection in the cage by use of the input device is no longer possible. The indicating means for representing selected stories of the input device are so incorporated in the control system that the indicating means, after input of a story call by way of the story terminal, are activated.
US08997936B1
A compressor lubrication system including a positive displacement pump, a pressure relief valve assembly, and a divider block. The pressure relief valve assembly includes a housing that has an opening to the fluid distribution system and a relief passage. A conduit is connected from the relief passage to a fluid reservoir. The assembly also includes a pressure relief valve that has an open position in which fluid from the fluid distribution system can enter the relief passage, and a closed position in which fluid is prevented from entering the relief passage. A biasing element maintains a biasing force on the pressure relief valve. The pressure relief valve is maintained in the closed position when the biasing force exceeds the fluid force on the pressure relief valve and the pressure relief valve moves into the open position when the fluid force exceeds the biasing force.
US08997935B2
An assembly for holding a fluid includes an auxiliary reservoir inside a main reservoir. The auxiliary reservoir includes an auxiliary reservoir shell with a fill passage at or near its bottom. The auxiliary reservoir shell also has a vent passage at or near its top. The fill passage and the vent passage fluidically connect the auxiliary reservoir to the main reservoir. A fluid inlet is located inside the main reservoir and outside of the auxiliary reservoir. A fluid outlet located inside the auxiliary reservoir between the fill passage and the vent passage.
US08997929B1
A ladder locking designed intended to prevent access to a tree stand and an attached ladder includes a two-piece interlocking frame, top and bottom hooks to engage rungs of the ladder, and a locking bar. The frames include a mesh covers having a width greater than the tree stand ladder. The frame is secured to the ladder by the top and bottom hooks, which provide opposing hangers hooked over and clamping ladder rungs. A bottom of the frame includes a locking bar which insertingly engages between the two frame sections and secured with a padlock. The frame is placed over a ladder and locked to prevent unwanted persons from ascending the ladder.
US08997927B1
A fall restraint system includes a cable for attachment to a fall restraint harness assembly of a worker. The cable can be attached to a boom arm cantilevered on a mast carried from the ground or can be stretched between two points on opposed walls. A shock absorber is provided for absorbing at least part of the shock forces so as to reduce the loading applied to the support system. This comprises an elongate member with a movable member or sleeve mounted on it for longitudinal movement. The movement is resisted by a friction brake or a compressible material contained within a tube so that the sleeve moves along the tube in response to loads exceeding the normal load to reduce the loading on the cable while compressing the material in the tube.
US08997926B2
The present invention relates to fall protection systems to which a scaffolder can tie off during scaffold construction by adjusting the height of the lifeline and to move along the entire length of a scaffold level without having to disengage the lifeline. In one embodiment the fall protection system includes two vertical support members adapted to be affixed to a scaffold frame wherein the two vertical members have attachment means for attachment of a lifeline, and wherein the attachment means are located at each respective vertical member and configured for movable attachment at a plurality of positions along the vertical axis of each support members. In addition the present invention relates to methods to use the fall protection system during scaffold construction.
US08997915B2
A wheel loader includes a vehicle frame, an engine, an operating fluid tank, a stand, a rear support frame, and a base member. The engine is mounted on the vehicle frame. The operating fluid tank is disposed in front of the engine. The stand is fixed to the vehicle frame and supports the operating fluid tank. The rear support frame is disposed facing the stand with the engine interposed there-between and fixed to the vehicle frame. The base member is disposed above the engine and has one end fixed to an upper part of the stand and the other end fixed to an upper part of the rear support frame. A diesel particular filter, a nitrogen oxide reduction catalytic converter, and a connecting pipe are all mounted on the base member with the connecting pipe connecting the diesel particulate filtering device and the nitrogen oxide reduction catalytic converter.
US08997898B2
This invention relates to a ground drilling or cutting tool comprising a cutting element removably attached thereto by attachment means, the tool further including retention means adapted to maintain attachment of the cutting element to the tool in the event that the attachment means fails. The retention means comprises a first surface on a side of the cutting element, a mounting recess in the cutting tool in which at least a portion of said cutting element locates, a second surface in a side of the mounting recess against which said first surface locates, channels in each of said first and second surfaces that align so as to cooperatively define a dowel hole when said first and second surfaces locate together, at least one dowel that locates in the dowel hole, and means for retaining the or each dowel within the dowel hole.
US08997895B2
A system and method to facilitate the drilling of one or more lateral wellbores while eliminating one or more trips downhole. The system utilizes a drilling assembly comprising an impregnated drill bit or other suitable drill bit. The impregnated drill bit is coupled to a whipstock by a connector for deployment downhole in a single trip. The connector comprises a separation device which facilitates disconnection of the impregnated drill bit from the whipstock once the whipstock is anchored at a desired downhole location.
US08997892B2
A drill rig 10 has a drill tower 12, rotation head 14 and drill table 16. The rotation head 14 is supported on and linearly traversable along drill tower 12. A drill rig traverse system 20 provides pull back and pull down force to the rotation head 14 enabling the rotation head 14 to traverse along drill tower 12 and controlling contact force between a drill bit and toe of a hole being drilled. The system 20 is formed as a combination of a hydraulic ram traverse system 22 providing both pull back and pull down force; and a winch pull back system 24 providing pull back only. Both hydraulic ram traverse system 22 and winch pull back system 24 can traverse the rotation head for the full length of the tower 12 when simultaneously applying pull back to the rotation head 14.
US08997883B2
A wellhead seal assembly that forms a metal-to-metal seal between inner and outer wellhead members. A seal member has inner and outer walls separated by a slot, where the slot has an upper portion that is wider than a lower portion of the slot. An energizing ring having an upper end portion and a nose is moved into the slot, where the upper end portion has a greater cross-sectional thickness than the nose. As the energizing ring is moved into the slot, the nose of the energizing ring engages the lower portion of the slot to form a lock against the walls of the inner and outer wellhead members, and the upper end portion of the energizing ring engages the upper portion of the slot to form a seal against the walls of the inner and outer wellhead members.
US08997880B2
A method for providing a string of tubing for installation in a well, which method comprises installing a string of tubing within a wellbore. The string of tubing comprises a plurality of elongated tubular members and at least one cylindrical liner comprising a polymer. At least one of the plurality of elongated tubular members includes a cylindrical wall having an inner surface and an outer surface. The cylindrical liner has an outer surface that is disposed in adjacent contact with the inner surface of the elongated tubular member. The cylindrical liner has an inner surface that defines the tubing borehole through which fluids are capable of flowing. The cylindrical liner has a scrolled configuration.
US08997876B2
A retrievable flow module (RFM) apparatus is provided. In one embodiment, the RFM apparatus is a standalone assembly configured to mate with a subsea device, such as a production tree. The RFM apparatus may include a frame within which various flow control and monitoring elements are disposed. The frame may have an alignment system that enables the RFM apparatus to horizontally mate with the tree. Because the RFM apparatus provides for the collocation of flow control and monitoring elements within a standalone assembly, deployment or retrieval of the flow control and monitoring elements may be accomplished in single operation. Additional systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.
US08997860B2
In or near real-time monitoring of fluids can take place using an opticoanalytical device that is configured for monitoring the fluid. Fluids can be monitored prior to or during their introduction into a subterranean formation using the opticoanalytical devices. Produced fluids from a subterranean formation can be monitored in a like manner. The methods can comprise providing at least one fracturing fluid component; combining the at least one fracturing fluid component with a base fluid to form a fracturing fluid; and monitoring a characteristic of the fracturing fluid using a first opticoanalytical device that is in optical communication with a flow pathway for transporting the fracturing fluid.
US08997858B2
A liner hanger/packer apparatus operates by sequential expansion of a slip ring and then a sealing element. The hanger slips are set by pressure on a seated ball actuating anchor slips to grip followed by a stroker assembly and a swage making a first movement. The ball seat is defeated and the liner is cemented. A pickup force extends landing dogs so that a subsequent set down force releases a flapper to close and closes off fluid ports associated with the anchor slips so that pressure on the closed flapper sets the anchor and strokes the swage a second stroke to set the sealing element. A rupture disc breaks in the flapper after further relative movement of mandrel components to open the fluid displacement ports so that the anchor is in pressure balance to backpressure developed from fluid moving through the now broken disc as the running tool is removed.
US08997840B2
A heat-dissipating unit having a hydrophilic compound film and a method for depositing a hydrophilic compound film are disclosed. The heat-dissipating unit includes a metallic body having a chamber and a working fluid. The chamber has a liquid-guiding structure constituted of an evaporating portion, a condensing portion and a connecting portion. At least one hydrophilic compound film is coated on surfaces of the chamber and the liquid-guiding structure. By this arrangement, the flowing of the working fluid in the heat-dissipating unit is enhanced to improve the heat-conducting efficiency of the heat-dissipating unit.
US08997838B2
In a vehicular air conditioning apparatus, a pair of covers are provided on the respective sides of the casing that is constituted by respective air passages. The covers rotatably support a pivot shaft for a defroster damper and a pivot shaft for a sub-defroster damper. The sub-defroster damper is disposed in a passage directly connecting the heater core with the defroster blow-out port, and is disposed on an upstream side of the defroster damper. First and second blower units supply air into the casing. The sub-defroster damper is disposed so as to face a passage which is disposed even inside the casing. Thus, the flowing direction and the amount of air is adjusted.
US08997837B2
A dual-integrated HVAC system for an automotive vehicle is provided that includes a housing, a front HVAC unit with a front blower, and rear HVAC unit with a rear blower whereby both the front and rear HVAC units are housed in the housing. The front blower generates an airflow through a front airflow path and the rear blower generates an airflow through a rear airflow path. A separating wall separates the front airflow path from the rear airflow path. The HVAC system further includes an evaporator with a first portion in the front airflow path, a second portion in the rear airflow path, and a seal situated between the first portion and the second portion.
US08997825B1
A roll-up door guard assembly includes a first guard mount and a second guard mount capable of being mounted at ends of a roll-up door, a bar extending between the first guard mount and the second guard mount, the roll up door disposed between the bar and a wall to which said roll-up door is connected, the guard mounts connected to one of a wall and the roll-up door.
US08997823B2
An apparatus for processing a tire and a wheel for forming a tire wheel assembly is disclosed. The apparatus includes a tire support member including a first tire support member, a second tire support member and a third tire support member. Each of the first, second and third tire support members include an upper surface and a lower surface. The apparatus includes a plurality of tire engaging devices including a first tire tread engaging post and a second tire tread engaging post. A method for processing a tire and a wheel for forming a tire wheel assembly is also disclosed.
US08997821B2
A delamination system delaminates a laminated substrate, in which a first substrate and a second substrate are bonded together, into the first substrate and the second substrate. The delamination system has a first processing block processing the laminated substrate or the delaminated first substrate and a second processing block processing the delaminated second substrate. The first processing block has a delamination station having a delamination device that delaminates the laminated substrate transferred by a first transfer device into the first substrate and the second substrate. The second processing block has a second cleaning station and a delivery station. The second cleaning station has a second cleaning device cleaning the delaminated second substrate. The delivery station is disposed between the second cleaning station and the delamination station. The delivery station receives the delaminated second substrate from the delamination station and delivers it to the second cleaning station.
US08997817B2
An apparatus makes plastic bags in succession by intermittently feeding webs of plastic film longitudinally along a path. Movable units are spaced apart along the path and are driven by drive units, one for each movable unit, longitudinally of the film webs. Control switches, one for each movable unit, works on each drive unit to move the corresponding movable unit for position adjustment. The film webs are processed by at least some of the movable units whenever being fed intermittently, to successively make the plastic bags.
US08997813B2
A tire comprising at least one carcass-type reinforcing structure anchored on each side of the tire to a bead, each bead extending radially outwards in the form of a sidewall, the sidewalls radially towards the outside meeting a tread, and comprising, under the tread, a crown reinforcing structure consisting of at least one layer of reinforcing elements making angles of between 10° and 60° with the circumferential direction and known as a working layer, radially on the outside of the carcass-type reinforcing structure. In the sidewalls, the tire comprises at least two axially adjacent carcass reinforcing layer portions, the reinforcing elements of the said carcass reinforcing layer portions crossing those of a next layer by an angle of 5° at most, at least in the equatorial plane, the reinforcing elements of the carcass reinforcement making an angle of less than 80° with the circumferential direction and the reinforcing elements of at least one working layer crossing the reinforcing elements of the carcass-type reinforcing structure at an angle greater than 40°.
US08997812B2
The present invention relates to a pneumatic tire having an inner liner formed from a rubber composition that includes a butyl rubber in which the Mooney viscosity measured at 130° C. of an unvulcanized rubber of the rubber composition is at least 45, wherein the average value and standard deviation of the butyl rubber gauge of shoulder portion of a finished tire satisfy: (Standard deviation of butyl rubber gauge)/(Average value of butyl rubber gauge)≦0.060. The rubber gauge of the tire exhibits improved uniformity and is superior in air permeability resistance.
US08997806B2
Provided is a tire noise reduction device including an annular noise absorbing member which is made of a porous material, and which is arranged on the inner circumferential surface of a tire. A protective layer made of a thermoplastic elastomer composition obtained by dispersing an elastomer in a thermoplastic resin is arranged on the outer circumferential surface of the annular noise absorbing member.
US08997802B2
Sealing fluid container assembly (3), connectable to a compressor assembly and to a control circuit of the compressor assembly, has a connecting unit (25) defining a releasable connection to the compressor assembly; and a connecting device (12) for injecting sealing fluid into an inflatable article, and which cooperates releasably with a valve (V) of the inflatable article. More specifically, the container assembly (3) has a sensor carried by the connecting device (12); and at least one electric contact (33) connected to the sensor (12) and cooperating with an electric terminal (24) to transmit a signal from the sensor (12) to the control device when the connecting device (12) is connected to the valve (V); the sensor (12) having a first and a second terminal (40, 39) designed to be short-circuited directly by the valve (V).
US08997799B2
A method for filling a plurality of microdepressions in a major surface of a web with finely divided powder in which the web is fed continuously to and through a powder filling stage including a driven roller. At the powder filling stage, the powder, which is fed either onto the web upstream of the roller or to the roller of the powder filling stage, is filled into the microdepressions of the web using the driven roller, wherein said roller is rotating about an axis generally transverse to the direction of web, while the surface speed of the roller and the web speed are different and wherein the roller and web are positioned relative to one another, such that between the upper surface of the web and the outer surface of the roller there is a gap. A method of manufacturing an elongate carrier with microdepressions containing finely divided powder comprising steps filling a plurality of microdepressions in a major surface of a web as described, removing from upper surface of the web excess powder not filled within the microdepressions and remaining on areas of the surface between the depressions, and optionally slitting and/or cutting the web in width and/or length.
US08997798B2
A refrigerant line for carrying a mixture of refrigerant and lubrication oil. The line includes an inner casing made of a material impermeable to the refrigerant/oil mixture, an outer casing made of a material that is highly permeable to the refrigerant in its gaseous state, and an intermediate layer between the inner and outer casings made of a material that is high permeable to the gaseous refrigerant but that is able to retain the admixed oil. In this way, any oil contained in a refrigerant/oil mixture leaking through the inner casing is retained by the intermediate layer, while the refrigerant gas is allowed to escape through the outer two layers. The intermediate layer may retain the oil by absorption, by adsorption, or by binding of the oil.
US08997797B2
An object of the present invention it to provide a novel fluororesin that has excellent mechanical strength and chemical resistance, and very low permeability at high temperature. The fluorine resin a copolymer that includes copolymerized units derived from tetrafluoroethylene, vinylidene fluoride, and an ethylenically unsaturated monomer other than tetrafluoroethylene and vinylidene fluoride. The fluororesin has a storage modulus E′, as measured at 170° C. by a dynamic viscoelasticity analysis, in the range of 60 to 400 MPa.
US08997792B2
A system and method for detecting hose abrasion are disclosed. In one aspect, a hose abrasion monitoring system includes a hose assembly a monitoring circuit. The hose assembly includes a hose having at least one conductive layer and at least one outer insulating cover overlaying the at least one conductive layer. The monitoring circuit is in electrical communication with the at least one conductive layer. Upon abrasion of the at least one outer cover to expose a portion of the at least one conductive layer, the monitoring circuit is configured to detect electrical continuity between the at least one conductive layer and a conductive component external to the hose.
US08997775B2
A method comprises transporting a first stream of a carrier gas to a delivery device that contains a solid precursor compound. The first stream of carrier gas is at a temperature greater than or equal to 20° C. The method further comprises transporting a second stream of the carrier gas to a point downstream of the delivery device. The first stream and the second stream are combined to form a third stream, such that the dewpoint of the vapor of the solid precursor compound in the third stream is lower than the ambient temperature. The flow direction of the first stream, the flow direction of the second stream and the flow direction of the third stream are unidirectional and are not opposed to each other.
US08997774B2
The present invention relates in general to a pressure discharge mechanism for closed vessels having an internal chamber designed to hold volatile and/or explosive substances in a sealed manner comprised of an at least one eutectic composition and a threaded joint designed to open or vent the closed vessel when the contents of the closed vessel reaches a predetermined temperature while maintaining full structural integrity during normal operation. In one aspect, the closed vessel is a munitions casing which functions as intended under normal operating environments, but then when exposed to extreme temperatures, reduces the munition's high order explosion capability, and is transformed into a safe, low order reaction with significantly less reactive potential. In one aspect, the closed vessel is a transport tanker which should not release substances contained therein. However, if the tanker catches fire, the pressure relief mechanism of the present invention reduces risk of explosion.
US08997773B2
The present invention relates in general to a pressure discharge mechanism for closed vessels having an internal chamber designed to hold volatile and/or explosive substances in a sealed manner comprised of an at least one eutectic composition and a threaded joint designed to open or vent the closed vessel when the contents of the closed vessel reaches a predetermined temperature while maintaining full structural integrity during normal operation. In one aspect, the closed vessel is a munitions casing which functions as intended under normal operating environments, but then when exposed to extreme temperatures, reduces the munition's high order explosion capability, and is transformed into a safe, low order reaction with significantly less reactive potential. In one aspect, the closed vessel is a transport tanker which should not release substances contained therein. However, if the tanker catches fire, the pressure relief mechanism of the present invention reduces risk of explosion.
US08997771B2
An integrated pressure control actuator assembly of a hydrogen supply system includes: a start/stop solenoid valve, a bypass valve, and a pressure control actuator, which are integrally formed in a single body; a normal flow path formed on the body, through which hydrogen gas is transferred from the start/stop solenoid valve to the pressure control actuator; an auxiliary flow path formed on the body, through which hydrogen gas is transferred according to opening and closing of the bypass valve connected to the normal flow path; and a control means for controlling the opening and closing of the bypass valve by detecting a failure of the pressure control actuator. The assembly enables the fuel cell vehicle to be driven in a limp home mode in the event of an emergency by adjustment of the pressure of hydrogen.
US08997763B2
Provided is an example of bin washing system. The bin washing system may include a first solid-liquid separating device, a second solid-liquid separating device, a pump, and an inlet structure. The first solid-liquid separating device may be configured to receive a first solid-liquid suspension having first solids and second solids, separate the first solids from the second solids, and dispatch a second solid-liquid suspension having the second solids. The second solid-liquid separating device may be configured to receive the second solid-liquid suspension, capture the second solids, and dispatch cleaned water. The pump may be configured to pump cleaning water to the first solid-liquid separating device. The inlet structure may be configured to receive waste water that includes the first and second solids. The bin washing system may be configured to combine the cleaning water pumped by the pump with the waste water to form the first solid-liquid suspension.
US08997757B1
An eyebrow shaping method includes providing an image of a face. Three guidelines are determined on the image and thee points are located via the guidelines. An eyebrow is shaped to have Golden Ration proportions via the three points.
US08997752B2
Skin wound treatment method, dressing and biochemical activation device for the use of such a method
The present invention relates to a system for treatment of skin wounds, comprising an energy source for activation of a biochemical healing effect, and at least one dressing intended to be placed on the wound before the step of activation by said energy source, characterized in that said dressing comprises an identification means interacting in a contactless manner with a sensor that triggers the function of the energy source only when the distance between the sensor and said identification means is below a threshold value.
US08997747B2
A nasal cannula arrangement for use as part of systems for delivery respiratory gases to a patient is disclosed. The nasal cannula arrangement includes a manifold part adapted to receive gases from a delivery conduit. The manifold includes one but preferably a pair of prongs extending upward and curving towards the rear of the manifold. The prongs are inserted into the nostrils of the patient and deliver gases to a patient. The prongs have a cut out on the rear side of the prongs. The cut out forms a gases outlet in the prongs and are shaped such that the area of the cut out area is greater than the cross sectional area of the prongs at the entry point to the prongs.
US08997741B2
A respiration system feeds an anesthetic gas having, a density ρgas, with a Y-piece for connection to a patient, with a respiration circuit having an inspiration branch and an expiration branch, which extend away from the Y-piece. A first supply line from a branch in the expiration branch leads to an anesthetic gas discharge valve and a second supply line from the branch leads to a reservoir. A too high pressure, opposing expiration, cannot build up in the expiration branch and losses of anesthetic gas are kept to a minimum. A prestressing device exerts a prestressing force onto the valve body of the anesthetic gas discharge valve against the effect of gravity. The mass mvalve and the prestressing force determine a threshold pressure in the anesthetic gas discharge line that results in an opening of the anesthetic gas discharge valve.
US08997736B2
An interface apparatus identification system for a respiration machine such as, for example, a medical ventilator, includes a detection element which is adapted to communicate with the ventilator, a patient interface assembly including a patient interface apparatus for delivering a flow of gas from the ventilator to an airway of a patient, and a differentiating feature which is incorporated into the patient interface assembly. The patient interface apparatus is selected from a predetermined category such as, for example, a specific make or brand. The differentiating feature is detectable by the detection element to distinguish patient interface apparatus that fall within the predetermined category from those that do not. Operation of the respiration machine in conjunction with the patient interface apparatus is dependent upon detection of the differentiating feature by the detection element. An associated identification method is also disclosed.
US08997728B2
This invention belongs to the group of projectile throwing instruments working without an explosive or a combustible propelling charge in particular to the group of projectile throwing instruments using strained hard body energy and can be used for the design and construction of a missile throwing weapon using a string—namely a bow and crossbow.
US08997727B1
A projectile shooter toy has a body with a sidewall forming a space for holding a projectile in a loaded state and a pathway leading away from the space and along which the projectile moves in a forward direction. An actuator is arranged to engage the projectile to move the projectile forward along the pathway. At least two pinching members are spaced forwardly along the pathway from the actuator. The pinching members are separate from, and movable relative to, the actuator and the sidewall, and are configured to exert a force on the projectile as the projectile passes between the at least two pinching members.
US08997720B2
The present disclosure is directed to a fuel circuit of a fuel injector that includes a first channel, a second channel, and a valve. The first channel is configured to receive a first fuel and define a flow path for the first fuel. The second channel is configured to receive a second fuel and define a flow path for the second fuel. The valve is in fluid communication with the first channel and the second channel. The valve is adapted to direct the second fuel to the first channel when a pressure in the first channel reaches a predetermined level.
US08997719B2
The present invention includes a fuel vapor processing apparatus including a communication passage connecting between a first space and a second space each containing an adsorption material capable of adsorbing fuel vapor. The communication passage includes a dissipation delaying space capable of delaying dissipation or transmission of the fuel vapor between the first and second spaces. The communication passage further includes throttles positioned to oppose to each other across the dissipation delaying space.
US08997717B2
Attaching a fuel injector to a common rail may utilize a fuel injector and an integral tab that has a solid head portion from which a first flexible prong and a second flexible prong protrude and define a gap therebetween. A fuel injector cup may define a notch through which the first prong and the second prong reside to secure the fuel injector to the fuel injector cup, which is attached to the rail. A first prong interior straight wall surface and a second prong interior straight wall surface may face the gap and be parallel. The prongs may define entry contact surfaces and exit contact surfaces that meet at prescribed angles to aid in insertion and hinder retraction of the injector tab from the injector cup. The tab defines a solid head portion below the gap that resides in the notch.
US08997715B2
This disclosure provides a fuel system for supplying fuel to an internal combustion engine, an internal combustion engine that includes such a fuel system, a connector for connecting a single-walled high pressure common rail to a double-walled fuel line segment, and a fluid containment system. Each embodiment includes drain plumbing having a leakage drain connector that can be used to provide an interface between a single-walled high pressure common rail and a double-walled high pressure fuel line segment, and also provide part of a low pressure passage fluidly connected with a low pressure passage of the double-walled high pressure fuel line segment. The drain plumbing also can provide an interface with a low pressure fuel drain line fluidly coupled to a leakage detector.
US08997713B2
A vehicular air intake is configured to produce a turbulent intake air flow in a cylinder of an engine. The air flow may be provided as a vortex. A throttle valve, for controlling an amount of intake air provided to the engine, has a pivot shaft with an axis which is offset from a center axis of an air intake passage in which the throttle valve is installed, and a throttle plate affixed to the pivot shaft. The pivot axis is offset and spaced away from the central axis of the throttle body such that a first portion of a throttle plate disposed on a first side of the pivot shaft, is larger than a second portion of the throttle plate disposed on a second side of the pivot shaft. This arrangement provides the non-uniform turbulent air flow into the engine.
US08997711B2
Fuel management system for efficient operation of a spark ignition gasoline engine. Injectors inject an anti-knock agent such as ethanol directly into a cylinder of the engine. A fuel management microprocessor system controls injection of the anti-knock agent so as to control knock and minimize that amount of the anti-knock agent that is used in a drive cycle. It is preferred that the anti-knock agent is ethanol. The use of ethanol can be further minimized by injection in a non-uniform manner within a cylinder. The ethanol injection suppresses knock so that higher compression ratio and/or engine downsizing from increased turbocharging or supercharging can be used to increase the efficiency or the engine.
US08997707B2
A method is provided. The method includes, during stopped engine operation, burning fuel in an engine intake heater to generate heated gas, the heated gas bypassing engine cylinders via an exhaust gas recirculation passage. The method further includes during combusting engine operation, burning fuel in the engine intake heater to generate heated gas, and flowing the heated gas through combusting engine cylinders.
US08997698B1
A system for a multi-cylinder compression ignition engine includes a plurality of nozzles, at least one nozzle per cylinder, with each nozzle configured to spray oil onto the bottom side of a piston of the engine to cool that piston. Independent control of the oil spray from the nozzles is provided on a cylinder-by-cylinder basis. A combustion parameter is determined for combustion in each cylinder of the engine, and control of the oil spray onto the piston in that cylinder is based on the value of the combustion parameter for combustion in that cylinder. A method for influencing combustion in a multi-cylinder engine, including determining a combustion parameter for combustion taking place in in a cylinder of the engine and controlling an oil spray targeted onto the bottom of a piston disposed in that cylinder is also presented.
US08997693B2
A feeder for livestock is disclosed and includes a sidewall having a top portion and a bottom portion, at least a portion of the sidewall forming a feed-receiving enclosure. A plurality of spaced-apart first bars is provided, each first bar extending inwardly from the top portion of the sidewall and are spaced sufficiently apart to allow an animal to place its head therebetween during feeding. An upper portion includes a top member and an intermediate member having a substantially smaller perimeter than a perimeter of the top portion of the sidewall. At least some of the first bars extend between the sidewall and the upper portion. A plurality of spaced-apart second bars are also provided, each the second bar extending between the intermediate member and the top member spaced close enough to prevent feeding from the top portion.
US08997691B2
A pet feeding system is disclosed that includes a dish configured to regulate intake of food by a pet, such as a cat. The dish has a housing in cooperation with a food-dispensing receptacle that dispense food into a food-receiving chamber within the housing permitting a pet to access food in the chamber through at least one food access port that only permits part of the pet to reach within the housing to get some food. The food-dispensing receptacle can be a bowl that can be integrally formed as part of the housing and can also be a food-holding container that seats in the bowl. A cap is provided that can cover food in the bowl or container preventing a pet from accessing the food.
US08997688B2
An ion implantation system having a grid assembly. The system includes a plasma source configured to provide plasma in a plasma region; a first grid plate having a plurality of apertures configured to allow ions from the plasma region to pass therethrough, wherein the first grid plate is configured to be biased by a power supply; a second grid plate having a plurality of apertures configured to allow the ions to pass therethrough subsequent to the ions passing through the first grid plate, wherein the second grid plate is configured to be biased by a power supply; and a substrate holder configured to support a substrate in a position where the substrate is implanted with the ions subsequent to the ions passing through the second grid plate.
US08997683B2
A light-guide indicator is provided with a base part, and an indicator main body extending along the indicator plate from one end of the base part. One end of a light-guide output shaft provided with a motor is arranged opposite to the other end of the base part, and the other end of the output shaft is arranged opposite to a light source. A back side of the indicator plate is provided with a light-guide member, and the light-guide member is provided with a first recess receiving the other end of the base part and a second recess receiving the one end of the output shaft. A bottom face of the first recess is arranged tapered in such a way that the bottom face approaches the output shaft as approaches rotation axis of the output shaft.
US08997681B2
Systems and methods for displaying a marine signaling device are disclosed. A flag coupled to a top section of a telescoping shaft includes a folding arm pivotally coupled to the top section that folds upward to gather the flag into alignment with the telescoping shaft. A housing couples to a boat and supports the shaft in the display configuration and receives the shaft in the storage configuration. As the shaft is retracted, the folding arm contacts an upper surface of the housing and gathers the flag into alignment with the shaft. A motor automatically extends/retracts the shaft based on detected tension on a tow rope mount of the boat or a tow rope coupled to the boat. A tension switch detects tension and activates the motor based on the detected tension. The tension switch may include arms that rotate in response to tension to activate a limit switch.
US08997658B2
A cover of rigid planar configuration is designed for removable placement on the open top of a wheelbarrow for complete closing thereof to protect materials that are oftentimes contained therein from environmental damage. In particular, curable materials such as cement, mortar and the like will begin to cure if left unattended for more than short periods of time and this problem is particularly troublesome in dry climates. The cover is provided with a depending lip for engaging the sides of the wheelbarrow to prevent the cover from siding movement on the wheelbarrow, and tie-down devices can be used to releasably secure the cover on the wheelbarrow. In addition to protecting the contents of the wheelbarrow, the planar surface of the cover can provide a convenient work surface of use on a job site.
US08997654B2
A guided munition (10) includes a warhead (20) within the nose section (60) and processing electronics (30) arranged within the munition (10) behind the warhead (20). A plurality of sensors (50) are arranged within the nose section (60) for sensing a target. The sensors (50) are remote from but in communication with the processing electronics (30).
US08997641B2
An automatic banding packing machine is provided with a packing machine body having an upper-face table on which the object to be packed passes, a pair of vertical band guide arches arranged separately from each other above the upper-face table in a direction parallel with a passage direction of the object to be packed, and a horizontal band guide arch arranged above the upper-face table in the direction parallel with the passage direction of the object to be packed, and the pair of vertical band guide arches is configured to be movable between a standby position separated from the horizontal band guide arch and a communication position communicating with the horizontal band guide arch in a direction orthogonal to the passage direction of the object to be packed.
US08997635B2
A vertical grill (11) for cooking food items is disclosed wherein the vertical grill is comprised of a body (12) containing at least one vertical grilling area disposed between at least two sources of radiant heat energy (24), and wherein the body (12) is adapted to direct fats and breakaway solids generated during the cooking of the food into an external receptacle (32) via the external opening (22). It achieves this by including (Evacuation Slides) guides (28) and (30) which are contained within the body (12) of the grill (11) and arranged in various shaped assemblies such that food and fats falling on (Evacuation Slide) guide 28 travels down until it is collected by (Evacuation Slide) guide (30) which delivers the food and fats to the external receptacle (32) where they are not in any danger of catching fire.
US08997633B2
An apparatus, system, and method of use in making beverages. The apparatus includes components and structures for making beverages by mixing heated water or other liquid and a beverage making substance in combination with controllable evacuation, pressurization, or both of a mixing vessel. The method includes controllable brewing using a vacuum, positive pressure, or both to control one or a combination of active controllable agitation of ingredients, steep time, pressurization, extraction time, agitation pulsing, dispensing pulsing as well as other numerous other beverage preparation characteristics and controls.
US08997632B2
A metallic protecting cover is formed from two axially split members, i.e. a first protecting cover member secured to a mounting eye, and a second protecting cover member having an overall length shorter than that of each of first and second cylinders and having a predetermined gap between itself and the second cylinder. The second protecting cover member is press-fitted into the first protecting cover member secured to the mounting eye to integrate the first and second protecting cover members into the protecting cover. Accordingly, the lower end of the second cylinder can be caulked in a state where the second protecting cover member has been temporarily assembled to the second cylinder. Thus, it is possible to ensure the required strength of the protecting cover and to increase the degree of freedom in assembly process.
US08997624B1
A servomechanism has a jet pipe mounted by a flexure pivot driven by an electromagnet to control the position of the jet pipe. A fixed seal tube surrounds the armature and keeps the coil isolated and dry. The flexure pivot has two parts that can move with respect to one another. The jet pipe can be fixed with respect to one part and movable with respect to the other such that when the electromagnet armature moves pivotal motion is imparted to the jet pipe. A multi-port jet receiver receives media from the jet pipe in different orifices dependent upon armature position. That in turn can extend or retract an actuator, such as a piston, depending upon which receiver orifice receives greater pressure. A feedback mechanism can link the actuator to the jet pipe to provide feedback input used to improve the accuracy of the device.
US08997618B1
Disclosed is a quick release lock for blades mountable to a motor driven rotary tool consisting of a tool mount for mounting to the mandrel of a motorized tool. A blade retainer and lock ring positioned on each side of a user provided blade with the blade retainer providing a bore having a plurality of channels and rails and the tool mount having a collar with corresponding exterior helical channels and rails whereby the blade retainer can quickly mounted onto the tool mount.
US08997602B2
When clamped side plates of an upper column bracket (movable bracket) are fastened via clamping side plates of an upper fixed bracket by a fastening shaft in response to a rotating operation of an operating lever, the brackets are locked with each other. A pressing mechanism that includes a pressing member moves in the axial direction of the fastening shaft in accordance with fastening by the fastening shaft, and presses a lower tube (inner tube) through an insertion hole formed in an upper tube (outer tube). The entirety of the axial force of the fastening shaft is used as a retaining force for retaining the posture of a steering column.
US08997599B2
A motorized joint having two degrees of freedom in rotation connecting two elements is provided. The joint includes two pivot connections such that a first one of the pivot connections establishes a first pivot axis, and a second one of the pivot connections establishes a second pivot axis. The first pivot axis is not parallel to the second pivot axis. A first motor is disposed in fixed relation to a first one of the two elements and has a drive shaft aligned with a first drive axis so as to cause by means of a first speed reducer with parallel axes the two elements to rotate about the first pivot axis. A second motor having a second drive shaft aliened with a second drive axis parallel to the first drive axis of the first motor is affixed to an output portion of the first speed reducer for axial rotation therewith about the first pivot axis so as to cause by means of a second speed reducer including a bevel gear relative rotational movement of the two elements with respect to one another about the second pivot axis. Also, the joint may be implemented as part of a humanoid robot.
US08997594B2
A transmission (12) for a vehicle (10) includes a gear arrangement having a gear shaft (44) and a gear (48,66) mounted to the gear shaft (44). The gear (48,66) is axially movable and rotationally fixed relative to the gear shaft (44). A housing (28) includes an access opening (56) and an access cover (54) over the access opening (56). The access cover (54) rotatably carries one end of the gear shaft (44). The access opening (56) is sized and shaped to allow the gear (48,66) to be moved through and out of the housing (28).
US08997592B2
A picker assembly includes a plurality of pickers in selective variable spaced relation, a shaft having a plurality of cam plates, the cam plates co-axial with said shaft and having a variable thickness. The cam plates are in engagement with the pickers and positioned in interstitial spaces between the pickers. The selective variability in spacing is provided by rotation of the shaft such that thickness variation of the cam plates move the respective pickers along an axis parallel to the shaft.
US08997587B2
Described are techniques for force sensing. A computing device is configured to have a desired force setting. A first vertical position of a needle is determined using the computer device. A control signal is sent from the computing device to a positioning device. In response to the control signal, the needle is positioned at the first vertical position. When in the first vertical position, surfaces of a tip of the needle are in contact with surfaces of an opening of a sealing member and positioning the needle causes application of a force at surfaces of the opening in contact with surfaces of the tip of the needle. In response to application of the force, a spring is compressed a distance that is proportional to the force. The force is measured using a force sensor.
US08997585B2
There are disclosed methods and apparatus for monitoring fluid flow along a conduit such as a well bore or a pipeline. A sensor optical fiber is disposed along the conduit, and an optical interrogator is used to launch probe light pulses into the fiber and to determine optical properties of probe light backscattered within the fiber, the properties being indicative of vibration as a function along the fiber. An analyzer is used to detect one or more vibration features moving along the conduit and to determine a measure of fluid flow based on the detected movement.
US08997584B1
An edge of a piezoelectric disk transducer is biased into an external wall of a flow passage by a spring. The disk is then driven at a radial mode resonant frequency to project acoustic energy into fluid flowing in the passage. This arrangement is compatible with several types of fluid flow sensors such as transit time, Doppler, and vortex shedding flow meters.
US08997580B2
A flow metering apparatus, includes: a sensor insert body configured to enter a fluid conduit at an angle with respect to a wall of the fluid conduit; at least one electrode mounted on the sensor insert body; and a coil assembly including at least one magnetic coil in the sensor insert body.
US08997578B2
A variety of methods and compositions are included, without limitation, a method of cementing includes providing a settable composition comprising water and a cementitious component having a determined reactive index; and allowing the settable composition to set to form a hardened mass.
US08997576B2
A system and method detect the presence of an unacceptable quantity of gas molecules in the reference vacuum cavity of a capacitance diaphragm gauge (CDG). An independent pressure transducer has an active portion exposed to the reference vacuum cavity. The transducer includes a ring anode, a cylindrical inner wall surface that forms at least one cathode, and a magnet positioned with respect to the ring anode such that the magnetic flux of the magnet is generally aligned with the central axis of the ring anode. A high voltage source applies a voltage between the ring anode and the cathode. A current sensor senses a magnitude of any current flowing between the ring anode and the cathode via ionized gas molecules. A monitoring unit monitors the magnitude of the current sensed by the current sensor and activates an alarm when the magnitude of the current exceeds an acceptable magnitude.
US08997575B2
A system and method mitigate the effects of these external vibrations on a capacitance diaphragm gauge by sensing the motion of the diaphragm at the first natural frequency of the diaphragm of the CDG. The presence of the natural frequency signals superimposed on the pressure signal is determined by sensing variations in the output of a sensor at or near the known natural frequency of the diaphragm and filtering that known low frequency from the output. The filtered signal is used in a feedback circuit to impose electrostatic forces on the diaphragm. The imposed electrostatic forces oppose the motion created by the external vibration to suppress the effects of the vibration on the pressure measured by the CDG.
US08997573B2
An inspection apparatus and method for inspecting an interior surface of a hollow composite part. The inspection apparatus may have a first plug, a second plug, and a trolley positioned between the first and second plugs. The first and second plugs may form a leak-proof seal against the interior surface of the hollow composite part. The trolley may support at least one inspection probe for testing the interior surface of the composite part. A method of inspecting the composite part may include the steps of inserting the inspection apparatus into the hollow composite part, pushing or pulling the inspection apparatus with an elongated actuation element to a desired area to be inspected within the composite part, then filling a space between first and second plugs with a liquid. Finally, the method may include a step of inspecting the interior surface of the hollow composite part with the inspection probe.
US08997571B2
Provided are an ultrasonic probe capable of forming an image without degradation even when the frequency band of a photoacoustic wave and the frequency band of an ultrasonic wave used in ultrasonography are separated from each other, and an inspection object imaging apparatus including the ultrasonic probe. The ultrasonic probe includes a first array device capable of transmitting and receiving an ultrasonic wave; and a second array device capable of receiving a photoacoustic wave. The first array device includes plural electromechanical transducers arranged in a direction perpendicular to a scanning direction, the second array device includes plural electromechanical transducers arranged in a two-dimensional manner, and the first array device and the second array device are provided on the same plane and in the scanning direction.
US08997567B2
Method of angular measurement by means of a vibrating sensor to which modulated controls are applied
Method of angular measurement by means of a sensor comprising an axisymmetric resonator associated with means for setting the resonator into vibration and with means for detecting an orientation of the vibration with respect to a reference frame of the sensor, comprising the steps of applying a precession control so as to slave an orientation of the vibration to an angular setpoint value and of determining an angular measurement on the basis of the precession control. The method comprises a phase of modulating the angular setpoint value in such a way that the said setpoint value uniformly sweeps an angular span of π radians and that a temporal derivative of the setpoint is deducted from the precession control prior to the determination of the angular measurement.
US08997563B2
A sensor system includes a housing defining a cavity, an actuator formed from an alloy transitionable between first and second states, a plunger attached to the actuator, and a resilient member configured for translating the plunger within the cavity. The plunger is not translatable during a first condition in which a coating of debris is disposed on the housing as the alloy transitions between the first and second states to define a first stress on the actuator. The plunger is translatable during a second condition in which the housing is substantially free from the coating as the alloy transitions to define a second stress on the actuator that is less than the first stress. The alloy transitions from the first to the second state at a first transformation temperature during the first condition, and at a second transformation temperature that is less than the first temperature during the second condition.
US08997561B2
An apparatus for detecting a decrease in tire pressure based on a resonance frequency of a tire installed in a vehicle includes rotation information detection means for detecting rotation information of the tire, resonance frequency estimate means for estimating the resonance frequency of the tire from the rotation information of the tire, and judgment means for judging the decrease in the tire pressure by comparison between the resonance frequency estimated by the resonance frequency estimate means and a reference frequency preliminarily determined by learning at the time of initialization. An effective speed region when the reference frequency is determined at the time of the initialization is a first speed or less. The apparatus further includes effective speed region change means for extending an upper limit of the effective speed region to a second speed which is larger than the first speed at the time of shifting.
US08997554B2
A system and method for solid-liquid separation and analysis of drilling fluids is described. The method includes heating a retort body to a pre-determined temperature, with an inner wall of the retort body at least partially defines a chamber within the retort body. A sample drilling fluid may be automatically injected into the inner chamber, and a film of the sample drilling fluid may be generated on the inner wall of the retort body. The film may be separated into a solid portion and a vapor. The method may further include collecting vapor using a vent that provides fluid communication with the inner chamber, and condensing the vapor into a fluid portion of the film. The volume of the fluid portion may them be automatically measured.
US08997552B2
A method for leak testing of hand-held piston stroke pipettes and a corresponding leak testing apparatus (1) for performing the method. Essential to the system is a holder (8) for the sealed connection of a pipette tip (3) to the leak-testing apparatus. A line system (9) with connecting sections of the leak-testing apparatus forms a specific connection volume. The pipette tip (3) is evacuated to a measuring pressure below atmospheric pressure. With the vacuum pump (5) disconnected and the connection volume sealed off, the pressure is measured after a specific time interval, and any possible rise in pressure is determined. An indication of the serviceability of the pipette (2) is generated from the pressure rise determined.
US08997551B2
The apparatus for determining coefficients of friction collects data required for determining static and dynamic coefficients of friction between various materials. The apparatus includes a ramp with adjustable slope and a plurality of test masses for placement on the ramp. Upslope lights and sensors, downslope lights and sensors, and a digital angle meter are installed on the ramp. The apparatus has a timing device having a display to show the elapsed time between a test mass passing the upslope sensor and the downslope sensor. The operator can determine the static coefficient of fraction from the tangent of the angle displayed on the digital angle meter when a test mass first begins to slide, and can compute the kinetic coefficient of friction from the angle displayed on the digital angle meter and the elapsed time shown on the timing device.
US08997549B2
A method includes initiating a test of a servo gauge by causing the servo gauge to attempt to move a displacer of the servo gauge, where the servo gauge uses a drum to move the displacer in a tank. The method also includes measuring a torque associated with the drum during or after the attempt to move the displacer and identifying a mechanical problem with the servo gauge based on the measured torque. For example, a stuck displacer can be identified when the measured torque exceeds an upper expected value. A lost displacer or a stuck drum can be identified when the measured torque is below a lower expected value.
US08997530B1
An article of footwear including a full monofilament upper is described. The full monofilament upper incorporates a knitted component including a monofilament knit element. The monofilament knit element is formed by knitting with a monofilament strand. The monofilament knit element is formed of unitary knit construction with the remaining portions of the knitted component, including peripheral portions that are knit using a natural or synthetic twisted fiber yarn. An inlaid tensile element can extend through the knitted component, including portions of the monofilament knit element. The monofilament knit element may be knitted with a monofilament strand according to a variety of knit structures. A fusible strand may be knit with the monofilament knit element. Upon heating, the fusible strand can combine and surround the monofilament strand within the monofilament knit element.
US08997521B2
A method and apparatus for supporting and heating glass sheets for tempering or bending on a hot gas cushion. One edge of the glass is supported on transport rollers and the rotation axes of the rollers are transverse relative to the plane of the glass. The glass sheet is supported by means of gas pressure on a planar surface which has an angle of inclination of 2-20° relative to horizontal plane. The angle of inclination is sloping towards that edge of the glass which is supported by the transport rollers. Gas is expelled through the planar surface by way of gas outlet slots or holes. As the glass is moving, a gas is drawn or blown by fans from a certain part of the glass through the planar surface more than from the rest of the area by adjusting the rotating speed of the fans or by changing the suction pressure or delivery side pressure of the fans.
US08997518B2
The scroll compressor includes a fixed scroll including a first wrap, an orbiting scroll disposed to have a phase difference with respect to the fixed scroll, the orbiting scroll including a second wrap defining a compression chamber together with the first wrap, a suction part to receive a refrigerant into the compressor chamber, a driving shaft to transmit a rotation force to the orbiting scroll, a first injection part disposed in one position of the fixed scroll to introduce a refrigerant into the compression chamber, and a second injection part disposed in another position of the fixed scroll to introduce a refrigerant into the compression chamber, where the second wrap is disposed on the orbiting scroll such that the first injection part is opened to introduce the second refrigerant before the receipt of the first refrigerant through the suction part is completed during the orbiting of the orbiting scroll.
US08997516B2
The apparatus has a cooling arrangement with an expander/compressor system, condenser and evaporator primarily for air conditioning. An external heat source is provided for transfer of heat to the expander housing. For example, this heating medium is an electrical heat source in thermal contact with the outer side of the expander housing. Alternatively, the expander is provided inside an externally heated liquid buffer tank.
US08997510B2
A solar powered compressor and pump is disclosed having a trough-shaped parabolic reflector for heating a conduit of refrigerant as it passes through the system. The compressor/pump combination includes a lens that covers the reflector and insulates and protects the reflector from the elements while increasing the intensity of the sun's energy entering the reflector. The reflector converts the sun's energy into heat that superheats the refrigerant as it passes through the reflector, reducing or eliminating the amount of mechanical work that the system has to do to achieve the needed superheating stage.
US08997505B2
A vehicle climate control system includes a thermal-adsorption heat pump driven by engine exhaust heat, the heat pump including two adsorbers asynchronously switching between adsorbing and desorbing modes, each adsorber coupled with a corresponding antifreeze tank via a plurality of refrigerant-containing wick chambers. Cold heat transfer fluid (HTF) flows through the adsorber during the adsorbing mode which causes evaporation of refrigerant from the wick chambers, thereby cooling antifreeze, whereas hot HTF flows through the adsorber during the desorbing mode which causes condensation of refrigerant at the wick chambers, thereby heating antifreeze. In this way, the thermal-adsorption heat pump may condition cabin air independent of engine coolant and without exerting a load on the engine.
US08997502B2
In one embodiment, a system includes a first thermoelectric assembly that includes a first set of thermoelectric elements and a first plate and a second plate are coupled to the first set of thermoelectric elements. A second thermoelectric assembly is spaced apart from the first thermoelectric assembly. It includes a second set of thermoelectric elements and a third plate and a fourth plate are coupled to the second set of thermoelectric elements. A first set of fins is coupled to the first plate and a second set of fins is coupled to the third plate. A third set of fins is coupled to the second plate and a fourth set of fins is coupled to the fourth plate. A fan is coupled to the first and second sets of fins and is substantially centered with respect to a gap between the first and second sets of fins.
US08997501B2
A system includes a combustor transition piece configured to mount between a combustor and a turbine of a gas turbine engine. The combustor transition piece includes a hollow body with an internal flow passage extending from an upstream end portion to a downstream end portion. The combustor transition piece also includes an aft frame coupled to the downstream end portion of the hollow body, an aft flange coupled to the aft frame, and a mounting lug removably coupled to the aft frame at a first joint. The mounting lug is configured to removably couple to a mounting bracket at a second joint.
US08997497B2
A bypass gas turbine engine includes a variable area fan nozzle with a second fan nacelle section axially movable relative to a first fan nacelle section to define an auxiliary port to vary a fan nozzle exit area and adjust fan bypass airflow. The second fan nacelle section includes a leading edge region that defines a concave external contour and the first fan nacelle section includes a trailing edge region that defines a convex internal contour.
US08997493B2
A generator includes a main cavity and a shaft located in the main cavity. The shaft is configured to be connected to an auxiliary power unit (APU) and rotated by the APU. The generator is configured to generate power based on the rotation of the shaft. A fluid system is configured to receive a fluid from the APU, flow the fluid through the main cavity and return the fluid to the APU through a fluid scavenge channel. A filter is configured to filter the fluid from the main cavity to the fluid scavenge channel and a sensor is configured to detect a characteristic of the fluid at the filter.
US08997488B2
The present invention relates to a turbocharged reciprocating piston engine, and to a method for operating said engine. The combustion chamber includes at least one inlet valve (10), one outlet valve (13) and at least one additional charging valve (11), for the additional feed of compressed air to bridge the turbo lag, that are each operatively connected to the crankshaft via a camshaft and the operative connection of the charging valves to the crankshaft can be deactivated, with the result that the at least one charging valve (11) remains closed. An approximately stoichiometric combustion mixture is achieved by a turbocharger (4) and a throttle valve (8). By displacement of the opening instant of the charging valves (11), air can be pumped from the cylindrical combustion chambers into the compressed air tank (14). An additional compressor (24) can likewise deliver air into the compressed air tank (14).
US08997481B2
In a reservoir tank (5) of the present invention, a hydraulic fluid movement deterring wall (26) is disposed integrally with an upper half body (9) and extending toward a radial direction center of a cylindrical upper half body neck section (24) on a curved portion at a boundary between an inner peripheral surface (24a) of the cylindrical upper half body neck section (24) and an inner surface (25a1) of a ceiling portion (25a) of an upper half body trunk section (25) or on the inner peripheral surface (24a) of the upper half body neck section (24). The movement of the hydraulic fluid frontward (toward a hydraulic fluid inlet (10)) in a hydraulic fluid storage chamber 13 at a time when the reservoir tank (5) is tilted frontward is controlled by this hydraulic fluid movement deterring wall (26).
US08997480B1
A drive assembly for a vehicle is provided, the vehicle having a frame, a prime mover and a pair of driven wheels. The drive assembly includes a transmission having a housing, an input shaft extending from the housing and driven by the prime mover, a pump and motor disposed on a hydraulic mounting member in the housing, the pump driven by the input shaft and correspondingly driving the motor through porting formed in the hydraulic mounting member. The transmission further includes an internal reduction gear assembly driven by the output shaft of the motor, a transmission output shaft disposed generally parallel to the motor output shaft and driven by the internal reduction gear assembly, the transmission output shaft extending from the transmission at both ends of the transmission output shaft. Each end of the transmission output shaft drives an external reduction assembly supported in part by the frame of the vehicle, the external reduction assemblies powering at least a driven wheel of the vehicle.
US08997477B2
The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for controlling a raise speed of a working machine for heavy equipment that includes first and second pumps, a main control valve unit that includes two lift cylinder operation units connected with the first and second pumps and operating two lift cylinders and one tilt cylinder operation unit operating two tilt cylinders, a priority valve that is provided in a working fluid line between the second pump and the main control valve unit, and a lift lever that includes a remote control valve connected with the two lift cylinder operation units through a pilot oil line, respectively, and controlling the two lift cylinders through the two lift cylinder operation units, in which a valve control unit, which electrically controls the flow of pilot oil in proportion to the RPM of an engine to allow or stop the working fluid flowing from any one of the two lift cylinder operation units to the two lift cylinders, is disposed in any one of two pilot oil lines between the two lift cylinder operation units and the remote control valve of the lift lever.
US08997475B2
An apparatus can include a pressure vessel that defines an interior region that can contain a liquid and/or a gas. A piston is movably disposed within the interior region of the pressure vessel. A divider is fixedly disposed within the interior region of the pressure vessel and divides the interior region into a first interior region on a first side of the divider and a second interior region on a second, opposite side of the divider. The piston is movable between a first position in which fluid having a first pressure is disposed within the first interior region and the first interior region has a volume less than a volume of the second interior region, and a second position in which fluid having a second pressure is disposed within the second interior region and the second interior region has a volume less than a volume of the first interior region.
US08997474B2
A differential fluid pressure energy conversion system includes a valve (V1) for regulating an input from a pressure source to define a fluid flow; and a lower piston chamber (LPC) in fluid communication with an output of V1, the LPC disposed about a central vertical axis of the system; Further included is a double acting reciprocatable piston (DAP) having an integral lower portion (PI) and an integral upper integral portion (P2), each portion having a bottom radial surface area, the radial surface area of P1 greater than that of P2, an outer peripheral edge of the P1 in fluid-tight slidable continuous contact with an inner complemental surface of LPC, DAP further including an elongate axial channel, co-axial with the vertical axis of the system, the channel extending an entire axial length of the DAP. Also included is an upper piston chamber (UPC) disposed in vertical axial alignment with the system axis and without fluid communication with the LPC, an inner surface of the UPC in fluid-tight slidable continuous contact with a complemental peripheral edge of the P2 of the DAP. The system also includes a valve (V2) within the axial channel of the DAP, the valve effecting closure of the channel during each upstroke of the DAP and opening of the axial channel during each downstroke; and a fluid exit port in fluid communication with the UPC disposed above a greatest extent of upward travel of the DAP, the port permitting release, to an ambient atmosphere, during upward axial displacement of the DAP, of pressurized fluid injected through the axial channel into the UPC during downward axial displacement of the DAP when the valve V2 is open, whereby a ratio of pressure of the fluid in the UPC relative to that in the LPC is generally determined by the ratio of the lower radial surface area of P1 to that of P2.
US08997467B2
A machine includes an engine having a coolant system, an electrical system, and an exhaust system. A diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) injector provides DEF into the exhaust system. The DEF injector includes a housing that forms a coolant passage therethrough. The coolant passage is adapted to accommodate a flow of coolant through the coolant passage for cooling the DEF injector. A DEF pump is arranged to provide DEF to the DEF injector from a reservoir during operation of the engine. A power management module is associated with the electrical system, the DEF injector and the DEF pump. An auxiliary power unit is associated with the power management module and is configured to remain active after the engine electrical system has been deactivated. The power management module is configured to cause a purge of the DEF from the DEF injector when the engine is shut down.
US08997457B2
Embodiments for controlling an exhaust back-pressure valve are provided. In one example, a method for operating an engine comprises closing an exhaust back-pressure valve in response to a component temperature, and adjusting intake and/or exhaust valve operation in response to closing the exhaust back-pressure valve to reduce cylinder internal exhaust gas recirculation (EGR). In this way, combustion stability may be maintained while the exhaust back-pressure valve is closed.
US08997454B2
An embodiment of the invention is a technique to suppress noise in a jet engine. A substantially annular fan nozzle of a separate-flow turbofan engine includes a flow boundary surface and an outlet to discharge fan air into atmosphere. At least one vane extends substantially radially from the flow boundary surface to vector at least a portion of the fan air toward a direction where noise suppression is desired. The-vane is situated in proximity of the outlet and has a span substantially greater than a thickness of a local boundary layer of the fan air.
US08997446B2
A decelerator apparatus for mounting at the end of a pneumatic or gravity-fed fruit harvesting or delivery tube. The decelerator comprises a housing with a moving decelerator body aligned with a fruit-receiving inlet connected to the delivery tube. The decelerator body, for example a padded rotating wheel, moves at a speed slower than the speed at which the fruit is delivered into the housing, includes multiple depressions or indentations for receiving and separating fruit, and further defines a compressive deceleration path that moves the fruit in a compressive but protective fit toward a housing exit, releasing the fruit after the fruit has been decelerated to the speed of the moving body.
US08997439B2
A film clamping and cutting device of stretch wrapping machines is revealed. A film clamping and cutting unit and a drag set used as an auxiliary are disposed on a turntable. The drag set includes a rotatable block which is connected to an assembly wheel of the film clamping and cutting unit. The rotatable block is connected to a shaft clipped in a clip space formed between a drag plate and a clip. An elastic body is assembled between the drag plate and the clip. By way of the drag plate, the clip and the elastic body, the shaft connected to the rotatable block is not released from the clip space until a film clamping and cutting rod and a clamp reach certain positions. Thus a connection rod disposed on the rotatable block drives the clamp to clip film timely so as to clamp and cut the film precisely.
US08997431B2
Deck systems, deck system components making up the deck systems, and methods of assembling and disassembling deck system components and the deck systems are described herein. A box-frame can be assembled from box-frame segments, angle clips, and fasteners. A box-frame can be supported by posts attached to the box-frame using post brackets and fasteners. Joist assemblies can be assembled using joist segments, joist spacers, and fasteners. Joist assemblies can be positioned within the box-frame. The joist assemblies can be secured to box-frame segments or another joist assembly using roll-lock tabs and roll-lock tab receivers and locking tabs and locking tab retainers that part of extrusions making up the box-frame segments, joist spacers, or joist segments. Deck boards can be secured to the joist assemblies using deck screws or deck clips. The post brackets can accommodate support posts below deck boards and railing posts extending above deck boards.
US08997428B2
The present invention relates to a new tension link drill floor level connection system for use on a drilling rig, as may be used in subterranean exploration. The present invention provides a tension link assembly for resisting separating forces incurred between sections of the substructure. In particular, the tension link assembly may be located at the drill floor level for resisting the separating forces imparted by “splayed” or wide leg mast structures that tend to separate substructure side boxes from the substructure center section. The present invention may be comprised of a first link element and a second link element with a tension link being connectable over the first and second link elements to resist separation between sections of the substructure. A latch mechanism may be utilized to prevent upward movement of the tension side boxes or center section relative to the drill floor or to one another.
US08997419B1
A flooring system includes polymeric modular floor tiles and at least one polymeric expansion joint. The modular floor tiles are affixed to each other, and to first and second expansion bodies of the expansion joint, by mating first and second connectors. The first and second expansion bodies each have interdigitated fingers and channels that extend underneath the expansion body web. The fingers of one expansion body slide in and out of the channels in the other, accommodating the thermal expansion and contraction of the modular floor tiles proximately or remotely joined to the expansion joint.
US08997407B2
A building structure comprises a roof having a top surface and the top surface adapted to store shipping containers. At least one floor is positioned beneath the roof, and at least one shipping container handling equipment is mounted on the top surface. The shipping container handling equipment is adapted to move the shipping containers onto and off of the roof.
US08997402B2
The disclosure discloses a door device including a panel, a pivoting arm module, and a door. The pivoting arm module includes a holder and a panel-pivoting arm. The holder is located in a doorway of the panel and fixed to the panel. The holder has an entrance and an accommodating trough. The panel-pivoting arm is slidably accommodated in the accommodating trough and can present a received status or an ejected status relative to the holder. The door is pivotally connected to the panel-pivoting arm. When the panel-pivoting arm presents the received status, the door abuts against the panel and closes the doorway, and the appearance surface of the door is flush with that of the panel. When the panel-pivoting arm presents the ejected status, the door leaves the panel and can rotate relative to the panel-pivoting arm to open the doorway.
US08997389B2
A picture frame and hanger combination features a reel for winding and unwinding of the cord, a locking mechanism to lock the cord in any of a number of partially unwound states of different length, and a frame bordering a picture opening for receiving a picture in a position facing outward from the picture opening to a front side of the frame. The frame has a hollow cavity positioned and sized to accommodate the reel and locking mechanism, which may be combined into a single unit, in positions at least partially recessed in the frame and concealed from the front side thereof. The recessing of the reel into the frame avoids bulky installation on the rear of the frame that may otherwise prevent the frame from lying closely against the wall or other upright surface behind the picture frame.
US08997377B2
A clothes treatment apparatus and a method for controlling a clothes treatment apparatus are provided. The clothes treatment apparatus may include a drying duct, a first blower fan located in the drying duct that circulates interior air within the drying duct, and a filter located in the drying duct. The method may include sensing clogging of the filter, and switching a flow of air passing through the filter from a first direction to an opposite second direction if clogging of the filter is sensed. The method may further include a washing cycle for washing clothes, and a drying cycle for drying the clothes. An implementation time of the washing cycle may be less than an implementation time of the drying cycle.
US08997369B2
A micrometer drive configuration for a handheld micrometer comprises: a frame; a spindle; a linear displacement sensor that senses a displacement of the spindle; a threaded spindle drive having a relatively coarse thread pitch, wherein the threaded spindle drive is attached to a spindle drive gear; a planetary drive gear that mates to the spindle drive gear; a ring gear surrounding and mating to the planetary drive gear; and a thimble generally surrounding the spindle drive gear, the planetary drive gear, and the ring gear. The thimble is coupled to drive the spindle drive gear through the planetary drive gear, and the planetary drive gear is sized and mounted such that the spindle drive gear turns faster than the thimble.
US08997361B2
A laser measurement system operates to measure portions of a vehicle, such as a vehicle frame. The measurements are used, for example, to determine if the portions of the vehicle are bent or damaged. The measurement system includes a laser scanner and at least one target assembly that can be connected to a point of the vehicle. The laser scanner emits a laser beam that is detected by the target. Time and laser position information detected by the target are used to determine the location of the target, as well as the location of the point of the vehicle. The location of the point is then compared to an original location of the point to determine if damage has occurred.
US08997360B2
An alignment device allows hinges from an old door being replaced to be transferred to a new door in the corresponding position to ensure that the new door is properly aligned in the door frame. The tool has an elongate channel that is placed next to the door in the height direction. A stopper aligns a comparable tool with a top edge of the door having its hinges removed. Brackets secure the channel to the door and ensure that the channel is parallel to the door. Once the tool is fixed relative to the door, the hinges can be attached to the channel. After the hinges are attached to the channel, they are removed from the existing door. The tool can now use to install hinges on a new door at a remote time or place from the hinges.
US08997359B2
A handheld cable cutter is provided with two handles, a stationary cutting blade, and a rotatable cutting blade pivotally connected to the stationary cutting blade. One of the handles is movable such that movement of the movable handle toward and away from the other, stationary handle drives the rotatable cutting blade toward the stationary cutting blade. The stationary handle includes an enlarged, integral stabilizing base which rests upon a support surface when the movable handle is actuated to cut a cable.
US08997350B2
The invention relates to a device for mounting and/or dismantling a component (10), in particular a rotor blade of a wind turbine (20) comprising a tower head (21). Said device comprises at least one guide element (30) that stretches between the tower head (21) and the ground (40) and has at least one supporting device (60) that is essentially fixed in the air, supporting at least a partial load of the weight of the component (10) during the transport of the latter (10) between the ground (40) and the wind turbine (20). At least one guy (70) leads from the supporting device (60) to the component (10), whereby the length of said guy between the supporting device (60) and the component (10) can be modified.
US08997341B2
It is an object of the invention to provide a method for producing a substrate for mounting a semiconductor chip, that can reduce bridging and allows excellent wire bondability and solder connection reliability to be obtained, even when forming fine-pitch wirings. The method for producing a substrate for mounting a semiconductor chip according to the invention comprises a resist-forming step in which a resist is formed on the first copper layer of a stack comprising an inner board with an inner layer circuit on the surface and a first copper layer formed on the inner board separated by an insulating layer at the sections other than those that are to constitute a conductor circuit, a conductor circuit-forming step in which a second copper layer is formed by electrolytic copper plating on the first copper layer to obtain a conductor circuit, a nickel layer-forming step in which a nickel layer is formed by electrolytic nickel plating on at least part of the conductor circuit, a resist removal step in which the resist is removed, an etching step in which the first copper layer is removed by etching, and a gold layer-forming step in which a gold layer is formed by electroless gold plating on at least part of the conductor circuit.
US08997340B2
A method of manufacturing an insulating sheet, the method including providing a reinforcement material having a thermoplastic resin layer stacked thereon; stacking the thermoplastic resin layer stacked on the reinforcement material over a core substrate; and hot pressing the reinforcement material and the thermoplastic resin layer onto the core substrate.
US08997328B2
The invention relates to a method, wherein a line connector (1), in particular a plug connector, by a fastening device (2) is fastened to a line (3) for liquid and/or gaseous media, wherein during or after the fastening of the line connector (1) to the line (3), a blocking body (4) already present on the line connector (1) and/or on the line (3) is removed from the line connector (1) and/or from the line (3) by means of the fastening device (2), wherein the blocking body (4) prevents a mating connector (5) from being connected to the line connector (1) as long as the blocking body is present on the line connector (1) and/or on the line (3).
US08997324B2
A compact tube clamping device for inspecting an electric resistance welded tube quality. A lifting/lowering base including a tube support body is provided onto a fixed base. Clamp claws sandwich the tube support body. A claw drive body lifting/lowering independently of the lifting/lowering base is provided in the lifting/lowering base. Opposite side portions of the claw drive body are connected to opposite clamp claws by links to turn the opposite clamp claws in closing directions by lowering with respect to the lifting/lowering base. A first drive mechanism for the lifting/lowering base and a second drive body for lifting/lowering the claw drive body are provided to the fixed base. A lowering stroke of the claw drive body necessary for closing operations of the clamp claws is partially born by lifting of the lifting/lowering base in transferring the tube, thereby suppressing the lowering stroke of the claw drive body.
US08997317B2
In the case of a fall protection connector for connecting a strap to a load-fastening point for a person to be protected against falling, wherein the fall protection connector has a tubular band, at the ends of which respective connecting elements are arranged, wherein a length-variable element is arranged in the tubular band, the arrangement has been brought about in such a manner that the tubular band is formed from an elastic material.
US08997309B2
A surface cleaning apparatus comprises an air flow passage extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet and a suction motor. The surface cleaning apparatus may also comprise a cyclone chamber provided in the air flow passage. The cyclone chamber may comprise a cyclone air inlet, a cyclone air outlet and a dirt outlet. The surface cleaning apparatus may comprise a dirt collection chamber having a dirt inlet, a dirt collection chamber first end, an opposed dirt collection chamber second end and a longitudinally extending sidewall. Various design improvements are provided.
US08997305B1
A mopping assembly includes a mop bucket having a basket and an interior track formed on an inner surface thereof and a mop having a mop head configured to engage the basket. The basket engages the track on an interior surface of the bucket, so that the basket transitions within an interior portion of the bucket in a vertical direction along the longitudinal axis of the bucket, and the track includes a stop having a notch portion, and wherein the basket is configured to access the notch portion via one or more access paths.
US08997304B2
A windscreen wiper device for cleaning a windshield of a vehicle is provided. The windscreen wiper device includes a longitudinally extending wiper strip and at least one carrier element in engagement with the wiper strip for operatively supporting and biasing the wiper strip into a predetermined configuration. A base is non-removably coupled to the at least one carrier element and has an opening that extends therethrough to provide access to the at least one carrier element through the base. A connection device is removably secured directly to the at least one carrier element through the opening of the base for attachment with a wiper arm.
US08997290B2
Provided is a method for washing laundry in a washing machine, wherein the washing machine includes a tub and a drum disposed inside the tub, the method comprising: supplying wash water into the tub; rotating the drum such that the laundry is attached the drum and spraying the wash water changed to whirling water into the drum; and draining the wash water from the tub.
US08997288B2
Disclosed herein is a method of controlling drainage of wash water remaining in a washing machine. The method includes draining wash water from a tub to an outside of the washing machine, supplying wash water into the washing machine after the draining wash water, and re-draining the wash water to the outside of the washing machine after the supplying wash water.
US08997282B2
A method for governing care of a person includes determining the importance of a candidate activity (84) relative to the importance of patient sleep continuity (104) and, if the candidate activity is more important than sleep continuity, carrying out the activity or indicating the acceptability of carrying out the activity (106) and, if the candidate activity is not more important than sleep continuity, refraining from carrying out the activity or indicating the unacceptability of carrying out the activity (108). A system for patient care governance comprises a decision engine (80) for determining the importance of the candidate activity relative to the importance of sleep continuity, and a controller (92) responsive to the decision engine for issuing a command to carry out the activity or indicate the acceptability of carrying out the activity (106), refrain from carrying out the activity or indicate the unacceptability of carrying out the activity (108).
US08997281B2
This disclosure relates to operating table top assemblies and related devices. In some aspects, an operating table top coupling assembly includes a receiver assembly and a hook assembly. The receiver assembly includes first and second spaced walls that define a central recess therebetween. The hook assembly includes an elongate hook member attached to or integrally formed with a housing that is configured to be at least partially disposed within the central recess of the receiver assembly.
US08997276B2
The present invention provides a patient lift for transferring a person from a hospital bed to another patient support structure. The patient lift includes a mast, a boom, a stabilizer leg, and a coupler leg adapted to couple to the hospital bed. The boom is mounted to the top of the mast, and extends outwardly from a central vertical axis of said mast. In one aspect, the boom may rotate independently of the stabilizer leg about the central vertical axis while above the hospital bed and while within an angular distance of a side of the hospital bed. Once the boom moves past the angular distance, the boom and stabilizer leg may begin to rotate together about the central vertical axis. In another aspect, the boom is capable of being positioned in a stowed position above a footboard of the hospital bed.
US08997273B2
A seating unit that includes a foldable bed includes: a base with an internal cavity; a foldable bed that includes a plurality of sections, wherein in a folded position, the bed sections are folded relative to each other and stored within the base cavity, and in an unfolded position, the bed sections are generally horizontally disposed and in serial alignment with each other, with a first bed section being positioned forwardly of the base; a bed folding mechanism that is attached to the base and the bed sections that controls the movement of the bed between the folded and unfolded positions; a foldable leg attached to the first bed section, and a leg folding mechanism attached to the leg and the first bed section configured to extend the leg downwardly from the first bed section when the bed is in the unfolded position, and to fold the leg under the first bed section when the bed is in the folded position, the leg being pivotable about an axis that is parallel with the forward direction.
US08997272B2
A water outlet structure has a housing with an outlet and an opening. An inner pipe body is assembled into the housing via an assembly portion and connected to the outlet. An assembly ring flange is extended from the rear end of the inner pipe body, A locating ring inserted rotarily onto the rear end of the inner pipe body has a circumferential wall and a penetrating portion, so that said water pipe could pass through the penetrating portion, allowing its outlet end to be inserted into the inner pipe body. A leakproofing member is set between the water pipe and the locating ring or inner pipe body. A turn-lock locator is set correspondingly to the circumferential wall of the locating ring and the assembly ring flange of the inner pipe body, such that the locating ring and the inner pipe body can be rotarily locked and positioned.
US08997271B2
A lavatory system including a countertop and a first hand washing station is provided. The first hand washing station includes a basin supported by the countertop and a faucet supported by the countertop. The lavatory system also includes a hand dryer including a housing supported by the countertop. The housing defines a cavity in which a user's hands are inserted during drying, and a motor configured to generate blown air which is supplied to the cavity. The housing is located such that the user's hands may be inserted into the cavity without the user leaving the first hand washing station.
US09003549B2
A third party provides an analysis of an analog signal property derived from an electronic device. A data set describing an analog signal property is obtained. The data set is derived from at least one measurement on the signal. A permission set based on data received from a supplier entity is maintained. A consumer entity having permissions are permitted access to information computed from the data set. A consumer input from the consumer entity is received. The consumer input represents a request for the analysis result. A determination is made based on permissions that the consumer entity is permitted access to the computed information. An analysis result from the data set is computed after receiving the consumer input. The analysis result is provided to the consumer entity. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.
US09003548B2
A method and system of encrypting and decrypting documents and recipient rights.
US09003546B2
Secure deletion of a storage device includes monitoring the storage device, determining whether a predetermined condition occurs, and accessing the storage device when it is determined that the predetermined condition occurs. Further, deleted information to be securely wiped is identified in accordance with a predetermined unified policy for a virtual environment comprising the storage device. Alternatively, information being deleted is intercepted when it is determined that the information being deleted satisfies a predetermined condition. The identified or intercepted deleted information is securely wiped from the storage device by filling a portion of the storage device associated with the deleted information with zero bytes before the deleted information is marked as deleted. The secured wiping of deleted information may occur in accordance with a predetermined enterprise-wide policy.
US09003539B2
A software computing based environment for providing secured authentication of media downloaded from a network or loaded from a media player includes two peer-mode operating virtual machines. The low-level virtual machine provides decoding and decryption functions whereas the high-level virtual machine provides application level functions such as user interface, input/output.
US09003536B2
Methods and apparatus for network security content-checking, in particular simplifying the critical element of a content-checker so that it can be trusted and implemented in hardware logic. A method comprises determining whether a digitally encoded document contains any embedded documents; content-checking, by means of at least one hard-ware-implemented content-checker, at least one of the embedded documents separately from those parts of the digitally encoded document within which it was embedded; and releasing a version of the digitally encoded document responsive to the content-checking.
US09003531B2
Computer-implemented process and apparatus for screening data for malware. Received data stored in at least one data store includes at least: (i) a first protected item of data containing contents that are generally inaccessible without specific access credential information, and (ii) specific access credential information corresponding to the first protected item of data. The received data is analyzed to detect any protected items of data therein based on predetermined protected data item identification criteria and to detect any access credential information contained therein based on predetermined access credential identification criteria. In response to a detection of the specific access credential information in the at least one data store, the specific access credential information is stored in the at least one data store in a grouping arrangement with other access credential information. In response to a detection of the first protected item of data, use the specific access credential information is stored in the grouping arrangement to facilitate access to the first protected item of data by a malware screening process to extract its content. The malware screening process is executed to scan the content extracted from the first protected data item to detect a presence of malware.
US09003527B2
The wireless activity in a geographic area containing LAN connection ports is monitored using one or more sensor devices, called sniffers. By analyzing said wireless activity, one or more APs that are operating in said geographic area are identified. The active APs so identified are classified into three categories, namely “authorized” APs (those that are allowed by network administrator), “unauthorized” APs (those that are not allowed by the network administrator, but are still connected to the LAN of interest) and “external” APs (those that are not allowed by network administrator but are not connected to the LAN of interest, for example APs connected to the neighbor's LAN) by conducting one or more tests. The sniffers detect any wireless station attempting to connect to or communicating with the one or more identified unauthorized APs. Upon identifying unauthorized AP and/or intruding wireless station an indication is transferred to the prevention process.
US09003526B2
An intrusion detection device (61) for monitoring one or more target devices and detecting malicious software operating on one of the one or more target devices. The intrusion detection device has an interface arrangement (61, 10) comprising one or more interfaces (6110) for receiving inward bound traffic destined for the one or more target devices and outward bound traffic originating from the one or more target devices. The intrusion detection device (61) also includes categorization means (6140) for categorizing incoming service requests destined for one of the one or more target devices as either harmless or potentially suspicious; monitoring means (6150) operable, in respect of each incoming service request identified as being potentially suspicious, to monitor the behavior of the associated target device for behavior indicative of the target device operating as a proxy server; and a notifier (6160) for generating a notification in the event that the monitored behavior is indicative of the device acting as a proxy server.
US09003513B1
Aspects of the subject technology relate to a compliance station including a test breakout board coupled to a computing device and a trusted platform module, wherein the test breakout board is configured to allow signaling to pass between the computing device and the trusted platform module and a test controller interface coupled to the test breakout board. In certain aspects, the test controller interface is configured to provide signaling to the trusted platform module and to receive signaling from the trusted platform module. A method and computer-readable medium are also provided.
US09003504B2
Methods and systems for authenticating a remote user across heterogeneous authentication systems are disclosed. One method includes receiving domain user credentials at a first heterogeneous authentication system, and transmitting the domain user credentials from the first heterogeneous authentication system to an authentication interface associated with a second heterogeneous authentication system. The method also includes transmitting the domain user credentials from the second heterogeneous authentication system to a centralized authentication system, and receiving at the authentication interface a validation message from the centralized authentication system, thereby authenticating the user. The method further includes determining a local username at the authentication interface based on the domain user credentials. The method includes using the local username to authenticate the user within the first heterogeneous authentication system.
US09003500B2
A user uploads content such as files containing audio, video, graphical, data, points of interest, and other information from a user device such as a personal computer to a central server over the internet. Upon determining that a trigger event has occurred, communication and processing circuitry in a vehicle device automatically download the previously uploaded content over the interne and a short-range wireless network and store the content for use by a device such as an audio/visual/navigation unit. Examples of a trigger event include proximity to a short-range wireless communication network coupled to the internet, presence within a geofence, turning off a vehicle's engine, or detecting an SMS wake-up message while the vehicle device's main processor, transceivers not used for SMS, and auxiliary circuitry are in sleep mode. The short-range wireless network can be a vehicle owner's home network, or a commercial wi-fi hot spot, or subscription wireless service.
US09003499B2
An improved system and method for defining an event based upon an object location and a user-defined zone and managing the conveyance of object location event information among computing devices where object location events are defined in terms of a condition based upon a relationship between user-defined zone information and object location information. One or more location information sources are associated with an object to provide the object location information. One or more user-defined zones are defined on a map and one or more object location events are defined. The occurrence of an object location event produces object location event information that is conveyed to users based on user identification codes. Accessibility to object location information, zone information, and object location event information is based upon an object location information access code, a zone information access code, and an object location event information access code, respectively.
US09003495B2
To facilitate recording of data received from a non-trusted source entity, a trusted source entity, for example a user terminal or a user interface, sends to an operational center an authorization message authorizing the non-trusted source entity to send specific information messages. In response to the authorization message, the operational center creates an automatically verifiable authorization condition. When an information message arrives to the operational center, it checks, whether the message fulfills the condition, and if yes, records the data.
US09003490B2
A server receives a consumer request from a client to access a product repository that is coupled to the server. The consumer request comprises an entitlement certificate and a uniform resource locator (URL). The server identifies at least one extended attribute object identifier in the entitlement certificate to determine whether the client is authorized to access the product repository. The at least one extended attribute object identifier has a corresponding URL in the entitlement certificate that specifies a location of the product repository that the client is authorized to access. The server grants the client access to the product repository based on a determination that the URL in the consumer request matches a URL in the entitlement certificate.
US09003489B2
A method is provided in one example and includes communicating an access request to a network element, the access request is associated with network authentication relating to a subscriber. The method also includes receiving an access response that includes a profile associated with the subscriber. The profile can include a group attribute that defines the subscriber as being part of a group of subscribers sharing a network data plan, which defines a data allotment assigned to the group over a specified time interval. In more detailed embodiments, a unique data string sent by an Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting element is received, where the unique data string identifies a full set of subscribers belonging to the group. Data underutilization of a first subscriber is offset by data overutilization of a second subscriber, where a summation of the data underutilization and the data overutilization do not exceed the data allotment assigned.
US09003487B2
A communication device has memory for storing a client application module, a server application module, and an operating system module which are executable by one or more processors. The client application module submits a request and, in response, the server application module causes the request to be processed with use of the operating system module. One or more client process handles of a client stack of the client application module are provided in a current process base of the operating system module. For the request, one or more permission settings associated with the one or more client process handles as well as one or more permission settings associated with the one or more server process handles are checked.
US09003482B2
A receiving device includes: an output unit configured to output content broadcast from a transmitting device; an application execution unit configured to execute an application; a security policy acquiring unit configured to acquire security policy level data sent from the transmitting device with respect to the application, the security policy level data indicating a sorted level of the application; a policy level acquiring unit configured to acquire policy level data sent from the transmitting device with respect to currently broadcast content, the policy level data indicating a sorted level of the currently broadcast content; a determining unit configured to determine whether or not the application is an application to be controlled, based on the policy level data acquired by the policy level acquiring unit and the security policy data of the application acquired by the security policy acquiring unit; and an application control unit configured to instruct the application execution unit to control the application determined to be the application to be controlled.
US09003480B2
A client computer extracts contextual information associated with a file that is created. The client computer generates scores for the file by utilizing the contextual information that is extracted. The client computer assigns a value to the file, based on an aggregation of the scores that are generated. The client computer monitors activities on the client computer, wherein the activities trigger an event on the client computer. The client computer determines whether the event is in violation of one or more computer security policies on a server computer, wherein the one or more computer security policies require work-related files to be deleted or encrypted. The client computer classifies the file as personal data or work-related business data. The client computer secures the file, if the file is classified as work-related business data.
US09003478B2
Framework for conditionally attaching web service policies to a policy subject (e.g., a web service client or service endpoint) at subject runtime. In one set of embodiments, a constraint expression can be defined that specifies one or more runtime conditions under which a policy should be attached to a policy subject. The constraint expression can be associated with the policy and the policy subject via policy attachment metadata. The constraint expression can then be evaluated at runtime of the policy subject to determine whether attachment of the policy to the policy subject should occur. If the evaluation indicates that the policy should be attached, the attached policy can be processed at the policy subject (e.g., enforced or advertised) as appropriate. Using these techniques, the policy subject can be configured to dynamically exhibit different behaviors based on its runtime context.
US09003468B2
An automatic performance device includes a performance data receiving unit that receives performance data transmitted from a storage device without passing through a moving image distribution server, the storage device configured to store the performance data having a combination of performance information and time information, the time information indicating the time when the performance indicated by the performance information was carried out; a synchronization signal receiving unit that receives a synchronization signal by using an audio signal transmission path for an audio via the moving image distribution server; and a reproducing unit that reproduces the performance information of the performance data in synchronization with a video distributed at the time when the synchronization signal is distributed, at the timing corresponding to the time indicated by the time information and the time indicated by the synchronization signal.
US09003467B2
The present invention relates to a method for controlling downloading of video segments or segmented video stream to a subscriber client unit, and a subscriber client unit adapted to perform said method. One object of the invention is to guarantee seamless playback and the optimal server load. Said object is by a method and a subscriber client unit that is controlled by a segment selector (SSA) and a server bandwidth control (SBC) algorithm.
US09003463B2
Segmentation messages indicative of locations of upcoming events, such as the start and end of programs and program portions, and/or rights related to the programs and program portions, are used by cable systems and the like to store programs and program portions for later retrieval and transmission to customers on request. Storage, retrieval and management of programming is thereby facilitated. Methods and systems are disclosed.
US09003455B2
Methods and apparatus are described for providing digital content to televisions or other devices having media playback capabilities over a network infrastructure using virtual set top boxes (VSTBs).
US09003447B2
A system and method for customizing communication in a social television framework is described. The method includes retrieving a current context data set corresponding to multiple users, wherein the current context data set includes a user profile component and a media content component. A customized mark set is determined based on an analysis of the current context data set, and at least one of the marks in the customized mark set is sent to a client end device to be experienced by at least one of the users.
US09003444B2
A virtual channel table for broadcasting protocol and a method for broadcasting by using the virtual channel table includes identification information identifying and permitting discrimination of active and inactive channels contained in the virtual channel table. At a receiver, the virtual channel table transmitted from the transmitting side is parsed, thereby determining whether the current received channel is an active or inactive channel.
