最新美国发明专利第2011-09-13期 - 专利汇|PatentHub专利检索|专利查询网|发明专利查询分析

Document	Document Title
US08017271B2	Alkaline electrochemical cell with a blended zinc powder An electrochemical cell with a blended zinc powder is disclosed. The blended zinc powder includes selected portions of a first zinc powder and a second zinc powder. In a preferred embodiment, the first and second powders are divided into groups based on ranges in their particle size distribution. Particle characteristics such as roughness and elongation are used to selected groups of both powders that are combined to produce the blended zinc powder. The blended zinc powders enable battery manufacturers to maximize the cell's run time while minimizing the cost of the zinc.
US08017264B2	Lithium secondary battery with high safety and manufacturing method thereof A lithium secondary battery capable of preventing explosion or firing caused by the increase of inner pressure due to misusage is disclosed. The lithium secondary battery includes an electrode assembly having an anode plate, a cathode plate and a separator, a package having a receiving portion for receiving the electrode assembly and sealed and filled with electrolyte together with the electrode assembly, and an adhesive layer at least partially formed on an outer surface of the package. The lithium secondary battery functions as an explosion-proof safety device for preventing the package from exploding due to abrupt breakage of the package when the package is expanded due to the increase of inner pressure of the battery over a critical value.
US08017254B2	Organic electroluminescence device An organic electroluminescence device of multi-photon emission mode which includes plural light emission layers and at least one charge generation layer between a pair of electrodes, arranged in a film thickness direction thereof, wherein the charge generation layer includes at least one p-doped layer and at least one n-doped layer, and further includes an alkali metal layer and a layer containing a hole transport material between the p-doped layer and the n-doped layer. An organic electroluminescence device of multi-photon emission mode exhibiting little unevenness in luminance even in a large-area format electroluminescence device is provided.
US08017248B2	Fuser member having fluorinated polyimide outer layer A fuser member having a substrate, and thereover, an outer layer including a fluorinated polyimide, and an image forming apparatus including the fuser member, and the fuser member may useful in oil-less fusing systems, and wherein the fluorinated polyimide has the following Formula I wherein Ar represents a fluorinated hydrocarbon group; Rf1 represents a fluorine-containing group and Q is a end group, n is a number of from about 20 to about 1,000 carbons, and o is 0 or 1.
US08017245B2	Composition for preparing organic insulator A composition for preparing an organic insulator, the composition comprising (i) at least one organic-inorganic hybrid material; (ii) at least one organometallic compound and/or organic polymer; and (iii) at least one solvent for dissolving the above two components, so that an organic insulator using the same has a low threshold voltage and driving voltage, and high charge carrier mobility and Ion/Ioff ratio, thereby enhancing insulator characteristics. Further, the preparation of organic insulating film can be carried out by wet process, so that simplification of the process and cut of cost are achieved.
US08017243B2	Coated article with low-E coating having absorbing layer designed to neutralize color at off-axis viewing angles An absorbing layer of a low-E coating is designed to cause the coating to have a more neutral and/or green color at normal and/or certain off-axis viewing angles. In certain example embodiments, the metallic or substantially metallic absorbing layer (e.g., NiCr) is from about 20-30 angstroms (Å) thick; this thickness has been found to unexpectedly provide less red and more neutral coloration for the coated article at certain off-axis viewing angles (e.g., at a 45 degree off-axis viewing angle). In certain example embodiments, the absorbing layer is provided between first and second nitride layers in order to reduce or prevent oxidation thereof during heat treatment thereby permitting predictable coloration to be achieved following the heat treatment. Coated articles according to certain example embodiments of this invention may be used in the context of insulating glass (IG) window units, vehicle windows, other types of windows, or in any other suitable application.
US08017242B2	Antireflection film, polarizing plate and image display An antireflection film is provided and includes: a transparent support; and a low refractive index layer formed by coating a composition on the transparent support. The composition contains a fluorine-containing polymer containing a fluorine-containing vinyl monomer polymerization unit and a hydroxyl group-containing vinyl monomer polymerization unit, a crosslinking agent capable of reacting with a hydroxyl group, and a salt formed from an acid and an organic base, the organic base having a pKa of a conjugate acid thereof of 5.0 to 13.0.
US08017241B2	Sulfonation of conducting polymers and OLED, photovoltaic, and ESD devices Conducting polymer systems for hole injection or transport layer applications including a composition comprising: a water soluble or water dispersible regioregular polythiophene comprising (i) at least one organic substituent, and (ii) at least one sulfonate substituent comprising sulfonate sulfur bonding directly to the polythiophene backbone. The polythiophene can be water soluble, water dispersible, or water swellable. They can be self-doped. The organic substituent can be an alkoxy substituent, or an alkyl substituent. OLED, PLED, SMOLED, PV, and ESD applications can be used.
US08017235B2	Method for manufacturing fine composite particles, apparatus for manufacturing fine composite particles, and fine composite particles In the present invention, the fine particle composite process is carried out with the step of reacting fine core particles and a raw material for coating layer by mixing them and continuously supplying a resulting mixture into a micro flow path. The micro flow path is specified to 1-4000 in Reynolds number. With this arrangement, the present invention ensures, in a technology using a reactor having a micro flow path, accurate control of reaction condition, uniformity of coating amount distribution, easy layer formation, and successive production of fine composite particles.
US08017227B2	Adaptive composite materials Shaped articles with the inherent capability to evolve in response to at least one of external and internal stimuli are described. These articles comprise at least one solid electrolyte with at least one dissolved salt, and at least one interface which involves a solid electrolytes and a conductive solid. Electric potential gradients, generated within the solid electrolyte by at least one of external and internal stimuli, guide and drive the self-healing and adaptation phenomena. The electric potential gradient is generated by at least one of the following effects: (i) direct application of an electric potential across the solid electrolyte; (ii) introduction of interfaces of different electrode potentials between the solid electrolyte and conductive solids; (iii) introduction of an interface between the solid electrolyte and a conductive solid embodying atoms of lower ionization energy than at least one of the atoms forming the ions of the dissolved salt in solid electrolyte; (iv) application of external load and environmental effects which, either directly or when interacting with defects developed in the article during manufacturing and use, generate stress and temperature gradients which, in turn, produce or magnify the potential gradients between the interfaces with solid electrolyte. The mechanisms through which the electric potential gradient generated by different stimuli bring about changes in article performance involve migration of ions and their electrodeposition within the solid electrolyte and at interfaces.
US08017226B2	Hard film-coated member and jig for molding There are provided a hard film-coated member excellent in wear resistance and adhesion, and a jig for molding. The hard film-coated member includes: a base material including an iron base alloy containing Cr; a first film layer formed with a film thickness of 1 to 10 μm on the surface of the base material; and a second film layer formed with a film thickness of 2 to 10 μm on the surface of the first film layer. The first film layer includes Cr1-a-bMaBb(CcN1-c), wherein M is one or more elements selected from W, V, Mo, Nb, Ti, and Al, and a, b, and c each denote the atomic ratio, and satisfy: 0≦a≦0.7; 0≦b≦0.15; 0≦c≦0.5; and 0.3≦1-a-b. The second film layer includes Nb1-d-e-fCrdAleLf(CgN1-g), wherein L is one or more elements selected from Si, Y, and B, and d, e, f, and g each denote the atomic ratio, and satisfy: 0.05≦1-d-e-f≦0.5; 0.05≦d≦0.5; 0.4≦e≦0.7; 0≦f≦0.15; and 0≦g≦0.5.
US08017225B2	Cutting tool made of surface-coated cubic boron nitride-based ultrahigh pressure sintered material A cutting tool made of surface-coated cubic boron nitride-based ultrahigh pressure sintered material, comprising a cutting insert main body formed by ultrahigh pressure sintering of compact composed of titanium nitride, aluminum and/or aluminum oxide, and boron nitride, and a hard coating layer vapor deposited on the main body. The main body has a texture containing cubic boron nitride, titanium nitride and reaction product. The hard coating layer has a lower layer of composite nitride having a composition of [Ti1-XAlX]N, where X is in a range from 0.40 to 0.60 in an atomic ratio, and the upper layer comprises a thin layer A having the composition of [Ti1-XAlX]N, where X is in a range from 0.40 to 0.60 in an atomic ratio, and a thin layer B consisting of a Ti nitride (TiN). The upper layer has a consisting of the thin layer A and a thin layer B layered alternately.
US08017224B2	Solar heat responsive exterior surface covering An exterior surface covering has a colored outer layer that transmits infrared radiation and an inner layer with a thermochromic pigment that absorbs heat at low temperature and reflects at high temperatures. The outer layer conceals the color change of the thermochromic pigment.
US08017219B2	Process for making a mineral battery The present invention provides a process for making a mineral battery using treated powdered polar crystal mineral and a treated liquid as an electrolyte. The polar crystal powder and liquid are either separately or after mixing together subjected to a rotating EMF. The powder-liquid mixture is inserted into a housing and compacted therein to form a mineral battery, along with an anode and a cathode and terminals. The preferred polar crystal mineral is tourmaline. In one embodiment, after the mixture is in the housing it is subjected to a voltage. In one embodiment the mixture is prepared and compacted into the housing and then subjected to a rotating EMF, and may then also be subjected to application of a voltage.
US08017216B2	Member for push button switch and method of manufacturing the same A member for a push button switch that has a small thickness, high durability, and excellent click feeling and can be manufactured at low cost. The member for the push button switch includes one or more key tops, a metal sheet including at least holes that correspond to positions of the key tops, and an elastic sheet that is provided on the metal sheet so as to be positioned on the same side as or opposite side to the key tops. The elastic sheet is fitted into the holes and comes in contact with the key tops at positions of the holes. The elastic sheet includes a urethane film or polycarbonate, and a silicone rubber, which are laminated in a thickness direction of the metal sheet.
US08017214B2	Method for producing honeycomb structure and honeycomb structure A method for producing a honeycomb structure is provided, where a body containing a forming formulation composed of a cordierite forming material and an organic binder is formed into a honeycomb shape to prepare a honeycomb shaped article, and the honeycomb shaped article is fired to obtain a honeycomb structure. The forming formulation includes two or more types of magnesium-containing materials containing at least talc, and a magnesium-containing material except talc has an average particle diameter of 4 μm or less.
US08017212B2	Paper honeycomb core composite panel A paper honeycomb core composite panel includes a face plate, a bottom plate, a paper honeycomb core sandwiched between the face plate and the bottom plate, e pieces of interior spacer disposed between the face plate and the bottom plate and extended entirely or partly around the periphery of the paper honeycomb core, and a edge sealing band which is bonded to the pieces of interior spacer or bonded to the pieces of interior spacer and the paper honeycomb core. The reinforcing frame of the composite panel makes use of the pieces of interior spacer including the pipe pieces or extrusive section material and so on. The edge sealing band or the pieces of interior spacer form the fringe of the composite panel.
US08017211B2	Composition, cured product and article A composition, etc. are provided, which can enhance hardness and afford abrasion resistance even in a thin film as well as excellent antifouling property and durability of the antifouling property.An organic polymer, is provided, which comprises 5 to 30 weight percent of a radical polymerizable monomer having a perfluoroalkyl group, 0.01 to 5 weight percent of α,ω-dimercaptopolysiloxane, 5 to 40 weight percent of a radical polymerizable monomer having a cationic photo polymerizable epoxy group, and 25 to 75 weight percent of the other radical polymerizable monomer copolymerizable therewith, said organic polymer having a structure corresponding to a radical polymerizable copolymer of a mixture of the monomers in which a molar ratio of the mercapto group to the epoxy group is 0.0001 to 0.025, and/or a structure obtained by reacting the epoxy groups of the radical polymerizable copolymer with (meth) acrylic acid.
US08017205B2	Packaged beverage having enhanced carbon dioxide retention, method for packaging a beverage, container for packaging a beverage, and polyester composition A packaged aqueous carbonated beverage comprising a container which replaces at least a portion of CO2 that permeates through the container or closure. The container comprises a polyester composition including a polyester suitable for packaging aqueous carbonated beverages and a carbonating agent. The aqueous carbonated beverage is disposed in the container such that the aqueous carbonated beverage has direct contact with the container and a closure seals the beverage in the container. The carbonating agent reacts with water in the carbonated beverage forming CO2 for replacing at least a portion of CO2 that permeates through the container or closure. A corresponding method of packaging an aqueous carbonated beverage is disclosed.
US08017204B2	Composition suitable for thin-wall injection molded articles Compositions suitable for manufacturing injection molded articles having a minimum wall thickness of from 500 μm to 2.0 mm comprise from: (A) 2 to 15% by weight of a propylene-ethylene copolymer having substantially isotactic propylene sequences; (B) 85 to 98% by weight of a random polypropylene copolymer having from 2.5 to 5.0% by weight units derived from ethylene and a melt flow rate of from 25 to 130 grams/10 minutes (g/10 min); and (C) 500 to 2500 ppm by weight of a nucleator/clarifier additive (based on the weight of the random polypropylene copolymer). Typically, the melt flow rate of the compositions is from 20 to 125 g/10 min, and the propylene-ethylene copolymer comprises at least 75% by weight propylene and has a melt flow rate from 4 to 30 g/10 min.
US08017202B2	Compositions and processes for preparing color filter elements using alkali metal carboxylates The present invention provides compositions derived from a polycarboxylic acid, a polyhydroxy compound, a dye and a basic crosslinking agent. The compositions can be used to prepare cross-linked films that exhibit low solvent-swell characteristics. The cross-linked films can be used to prepare color filter elements via thermal transfer processes.
US08017201B2	Compositions and processes for preparing color filter elements using alkali metal hydroxides The present invention provides compositions derived from a polycarboxylic acid, a polyhydroxy compound, a dye and a basic crosslinking agent. The compositions can be used to prepare cross-linked films that exhibit low solvent-swell characteristics. The cross-linked films can be used to prepare color filter elements via thermal transfer processes.
US08017200B2	Liquid-crystalline medium Disclosed are a liquid-crystalline medium, which contains a compound of formula I and the use thereof for electro-optical purposes, in particular for TN, TFT, IPS or OCB displays.
US08017198B2	Thin film deposition via charged particle-depleted plasma achieved by magnetic confinement A method and apparatus for forming thin film materials via a plasma deposition process in the presence of a magnetic field. A precursor is delivered to a deposition chamber and activated to form a plasma. The plasma may be initiated in the presence of a magnetic field or subjected to a magnetic field after initiation. The plasma includes ionized and neutral species derived from the precursor and the magnetic field manipulates the plasma to effect a reduction in the population of ionized species and an enhancement of the population of neutral species. A thin film material is subsequently formed from the resulting neutral-enriched deposition medium. The method permits formation of thin film materials having a low density of defects. In one embodiment, the thin film material is a photovoltaic material and the suppression of defects leads to an enhancement in photovoltaic efficiency.
US08017196B2	Method for plasma coating an object of elastomeric material A pump piston and/or elements sealing the pump piston, in particular a sealing ring of elastomeric material with an additionally applied coating are/is proposed. To improve the durability characteristics, the pump piston and/or the elements sealing the pump piston have a coating which is formed at least predominantly of halogen-, silicon-, carbon-containing and/or metal-organic monomers. Furthermore, a device and a method for coating an object of elastomeric material utilizing a plasma are proposed.
US08017194B2	Method and material for a thermally crosslinkable random copolymer A structure that comprises a substrate; a cross-linked random free radical copolymer on the substrate; and a self-assembled patterned diblock copolymer film on the random copolymer; wherein the random copolymer is energy neutral with respect to each block of the diblock copolymer film. A method of making the structure is provided.
US08017191B2	Fast dip for reduced wicking in nanolithograhic ink delivery A method of dipping a nanoscopic probe comprising dipping a nanoscopic tip at a dipping rate into an inkwell comprising ink, wherein the dipping rate is configured to be sufficiently faster than a rate of wicking. A nanoscopic probe comprising a nanoscopic tip and an inkwell configured to contain ink, wherein the nanoscopic probe is configured to dip into and retract from the ink at a rate that is sufficiently faster than wicking. Wicking can cause excessive amounts of ink to be deposited on nanoscopic tips, which can lead to contamination of inkwells and other nanoscopic tips.
US08017187B2	Flake pigment mixture and multilayer coating method A flake mixture for spraying onto a surface to be coated, the flake mixture comprising a volatile liquid medium and a flake pigment dispersed within said liquid medium, the weight percentage of flake being between 0.002% and 0.15%. A method is also provided the method comprising the steps of: providing an object having a surface to be coated; preparing the surface to be coated by applying a gloss basecoat layer; curing said basecoat layer; providing a flake mixture, flake mixture comprising a volatile liquid medium and a flake pigment dispersed within said liquid medium, the weight percentage of flake being between 0.0002% and 0.15% spraying onto said surface the flake mixture; curing the flake mixture; applying over said flake layer a lacquer layer; and curing said lacquer layer.
US08017186B2	Film forming method, discharging droplet method and droplet discharging device The present invention provides film forming method and a droplet discharge method for removing bubbles in a pressurizing chamber to prevent defective discharge without disposing a large amount of materials in a droplet discharging device. Before a material is discharged in the droplet discharging device, a step is provided in which reduced pressure is kept in a pressurizing chamber and a material supply portion, which are connected, to remove bubbles that exist in the pressurizing chamber. A flow path connected to the outside such as an opening of a nozzle surface of the pressurizing chamber or a material supply port of the material supply portion is sealed, and pressure in the pressurizing chamber and the material supply portion is reduced from an inlet and outlet connected to the material supply portion with the use of a reduced pressure means such as a pump.
US08017183B2	Organosiloxane materials for selective area deposition of inorganic materials An atomic-layer-deposition process for forming a patterned thin film comprising providing a substrate, applying a deposition inhibitor material to the substrate, wherein the deposition inhibitor material is an organosiloxane compound; and patterning the deposition inhibitor material either after or simultaneously with or introducing applying the deposition inhibitor material to provide selected areas of the substrate effectively not having the deposition inhibitor material. The thin film is substantially deposited only in the selected areas of the substrate not having the deposition inhibitor material.
US08017179B2	Coatings for implantable electrodes A method includes sandblasting an electrode surface, applying a conductive oxide precursor solution to the electrode surface, and heating the electrode for at least 5 minutes at a temperature between 350 degrees C. and 550 degrees C. to convert the precursor solution into an oxide coating. One method includes applying a composite material including a conductive component and a non-conductive component to an electrode and curing the composite material to form a coating on the electrode. One method includes providing a metallic oxide coating on an electrode surface and applying a galvanostatic treatment to the electrode to increase the effective surface area of the metallic oxide coating.
US08017177B2	Method of automatically marking article and automatic marking device A method and device for automatically marking an article are provided, by which the deterioration in the yield can be prevented from occurring and a color of a mark to be formed on the article can be easily changed. A device 1 for automatically marking an electric wire as a device for automatically marking an article marks an outer surface 3a of an electric wire 3. The device 1 includes first and second spouting means 311, 321, encoder 33 and control device 34. The first spouting means 311 spouts a specific amount of a first coloring agent toward the outer surface 3a of the electric wire 3. The second spouting means 312 spouts a specific amount of a second coloring agent toward the outer surface 3a of the electric wire 3. The encoder 33 detects a transfer speed of the electric wire 2 which is transferred in a direction of arrow K. The control device 34 makes the first and second spouting means 311, 312 spout the coloring agent according to a pattern predetermined in advance in response to the transfer speed of the wire 3 detected by the encoder 33.
US08017169B2	Method of manufacture for shelf stable pasteurized cheese shreds Shelf stable cheeses, especially shredded cheeses, and the manufacture thereof. Cheeses of the invention have good melting properties, are microbiologically safe and resistant to the growth of mold and pathogens when stored at room temperature, and can maintain physical integrity when subjected to temperature abuse. The cheese may be comprised of a mixture of salts (e.g., sodium chloride, disodium phosphate, sodium hexametophosphate, sodium alginate, titanium dioxide, sorbic acid, and the like), starch (e.g., waxy maize and the like), water, cheese, and cheese for manufacture.
US08017165B2	Method of reducing oil content in dry distillers grain with solubles Method of reducing residual oil in DDGS by pulverizing and pelletizing the DDGS followed by extraction with an organic solvent.
US08017154B2	Polyamino acid for use as adjuvant Use of a polyamino acid as an adjuvant; an application of a polyamino acid as an adjuvant in the production of a vaccine; a vaccine comprising a polyamino acid as an adjuvant; a biodegradable nanoparticle having a virus antigen immobilized thereon; and a vaccine comprising the biodegradable nanoparticle.
US08017153B2	Dietary supplement composition for blood lipid health A method for enhancing gastrointestinal motility in humans and other mammals comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of a composition having one or more long chain (C24-C36) primary alcohols as policosanols dispersed in one or more food-grade fats or oils, wherein the particle sizes of the alcohols are substantially less than 10 microns.
US08017152B2	Cores and microcapsules suitable for parenteral administration as well as process for their manufacture Process for producing parenterally administrable cores. The cores are intermediates suitable for manufacturing sustained release preparations. Microcapsules incorporating a core and a shell and pharmaceutical compositions incorporating such cores and microcapsules are also provided.
US08017151B2	Amphiphilic polymer-protein conjugates and methods of use thereof Compositions and methods for transporting biologically active proteins and polypeptides, particularly across the blood-brain barrier, are provided.
US08017148B2	Pharmaceutical formulation containing opioid agonist, opioid antagonist and irritant agent Disclosed in certain embodiments is an oral dosage form comprising: a therapeutically effective amount of an opioid analgesic; an opioid antagonist; and an irritant in an effective amount to impart an irritating sensation to an abuser upon administration of the dosage form after tampering.
US08017147B2	Nutritional supplement for the prevention of cardiovascular disease, alzheimer's disease, diabetes, and regulation and reduction of blood sugar and insulin resistance A synergistic mixture (which may be utilized as a food or a drink or a supplement or a drug or a cosmetic or a hygienic product) that is formulated and is capable of improving a person's well being, lowering the risks of cardiovascular and/or Alzheimer's diseases and/or lowering blood sugar using natural and synthetic ingredients. Numerous ratios may be formulated for aroma, color, flavor, flow (viscosity), taste and uniformity. Moreover, ingredients for sugar substitutes, natural preservatives, nano-dispersion, nano-emulsion, nano-encapsulation of ingredients and apparatus for personalized nutrition are also described herein.
US08017146B2	Transdermal delivery system with two superimposed adhesive layers having different affinities to the active substance comprised A device for the transdermal delivery of a pharmacologically active substance has first and second superimposed mutually contacting adhesive layers (2, 3). The first layer (3) is in use brought into contact with the skin. The active substance is dissolved in both layers, the affinity of the first layer for the active substance being between about 1.15 and about 10 times lower than that of the second layer. The percent saturation of the active substance in both the layers is the same and is less than 100%. The first layer has a greater thickness than the second layer. The device is simple and can provide stable delivery over a long period.
US08017144B2	Controlled release polymeric compositions of bone growth promoting compounds The present invention is directed to an improved system for controlled release of a bone growth promoting compound and to a flowable composition for its formation. The flowable composition is composed of a bone growth promoting compound, a thermoplastic polymer and an organic solvent. The flowable composition is capable of forming a biodegradable and/or bioerodible microporous, solid polymer matrix. The matrix is useful as an implant in patients (humans and animals) for delivery of a bone growth promoting compound to certain tissues.
US08017141B2	Coatings of acrylamide-based copolymers An implantable device including conjugate formed of an acrylamide-based copolymer and a bioactive agent is provided.
US08017140B2	Drug-delivery stent formulations for restenosis and vulnerable plaque Drug-delivery stents capable of providing release of two or more drugs such as everolimus and estradiol are provided. The stents can be used for treating a disease such as restenosis and vulnerable plaque.
US08017136B2	Shiny foundation A cosmetic composition is provided comprising: a) a cross-linked organopolysiloxane elastomer; b) a shine agent having the formula R—X—R′ wherein R and R′ are C6-C10 alkyl groups and X is an oxygen atom or a carbonate group.
US08017129B2	Use of thymosin alpha 1 for preparing a medicament for the treatment of stage IV malignant melanoma It is described the use of thymosin alpha in combination with dacarbazine and optionally with Interferon alpha, for preparing a medicament for the treatment of malignant melanoma on stage IV characterized by distant unresectable metastases.
US08017124B2	Use of DMBT1 for capturing sulphate and phosphate group exposing agents Disclosed is the use of DMBT1, or of the nucleic acid encoding it, for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of a patient suffering from a disease caused by an agent, which possesses at least one accessible sulphate and/or at least one accessible phosphate group, uses of DMBT1 as a diagnostic for diagnosing the susceptibility of an individual to sulphate or phosphate groups, as well as methods for diagnosis, prophylaxis or treatment of diseases caused by an agent which possesses at least one accessible sulphate and/or at least one accessible phosphate group.
US08017117B2	Cytotoxicity mediation of cells evidencing surface expression of CD44 This invention relates to the diagnosis and treatment of cancerous diseases, particularly to the mediation of cytotoxicity of tumor cells; and most particularly to the use of cancerous disease modifying antibodies (CDMAB), optionally in combination with one or more chemotherapeutic agents, as a means for initiating the cytotoxic response. The invention further relates to binding assays which utilize the CDMAB of the instant invention.
US08017116B2	Chimeric and humanized antibodies to α5β1 integrin that modulate angiogenesis The present invention provides chimeric and humanized antibodies that specifically recognize α5β1 integrin, and methods for using the antibodies for reducing or inhibiting angiogenesis in a tissue. Also provided are methods of determining therapeutically acceptable doses of the antibodies and pharmaceutical compositions including the same.
US08017115B2	Therapeutical use of anti-myelin associated glycoprotein (MAG) antibodies A method of promoting oligodendrocyte survival in a human suffering from, or at risk of developing, stroke or other neurological diseases utilizes anti-MAG antibodies or functional fragments of such antibodies.
US08017109B2	Endosomolytic poly(acrylate) polymers The present invention is directed to membrane active polymers useful for cellular delivery of compounds. Described are polyconjugates systems that incorporate targeting, anti-opsonization, anti-aggregation, and transfection activities into small biocompatible in vivo delivery conjugates. The use of reversible modification provides for physiologically responsive activity modulation.
US08017104B2	Large stoke shift dye used for optical imaging The present invention relates to a diagnostic contrast agent comprising a water dispersible, near-infrared tricarbocyanine, enamine-functionalized dye having a Stoke shift of greater than 50 and represented by five general formulae. The present invention also relates to a method for making a dye-conjugate utilizing the novel dye and a method of identifying a biological compound using the novel dye conjugate.
US08017101B2	Precipitated calcium carbonate, method for producing the same and filler for loading paper using the same Carbon dioxide containing gas is blown into a calcium hydroxide slurry having a calcium hydroxide concentration of 100 to 400 g/L obtained by wet slaking calcined lime with 4 N hydrochloric acid activity (value at 3 minutes) of 150 to 400 mL to allow them to react until the carbonation rate becomes 50 to 85%, then 1 to 20% by volume of the calcium hydroxide slurry is added, and carbon dioxide containing gas is further blown in to terminate the reaction. The calcium carbonate obtained by this method is precipitated calcium carbonate aggregates having a secondary particle diameter of 1 to 10 μm and consisting of primary particles having a long diameter of 0.5 to 3.0 μm, a short diameter of 0.1 to 1.0 μm and an aspect ratio of 3 or more, has superior characteristics due to a BET specific surface area in the range of 8 to 20 m2/g and a pore volume in the range of 1.5 to 3.5 cm3/g, can be uniformly dispersed in pulp fiber, and thereby can be used to manufacture high bulk paper.
US08017099B2	Method for producing polycrystalline silicon, and facility for producing polycrystalline silicon A method for producing polycrystalline silicon, including: reacting trichlorosilane and hydrogen to produce silicon and a remainder including monosilanes (formula: SiHnCl4-n, wherein n is 0 to 4) containing silicon tetrachloride, and a polymer including at least trisilanes or tetrasilanes; and supplying the remainder and hydrogen to a conversion reactor and heating at a temperature within the range of 600 to 1,400° C. to convert silicon tetrachloride into trichlorosilane and the polymer into monosilanes.
US08017094B2	Rack for analyzer and analyzer comprising such a rack A rack for holding containers containing liquids used in clinical chemistry analyzers. The rack comprises (a) a frame having two or more sections, each section being adapted for receiving a liquid containing component, at least one of the sections of the frame being adapted for receiving a first liquid containing component which is adapted for being removably but tightly mechanically connected to said frame, (b) at least one movable part adapted to be removably coupled to a shaker device, the movable part being adapted for receiving and holding a second liquid containing component, at least one of the sections of the frame being adapted for receiving the movable part and allowing motion of the movable part within predetermined limits.
US08017092B2	Analyzer and reagent container An analyzer enabling the user to hardly breathe in a malodor given off from a reagent when exchanging a reagent container is obtained. This analyzer, connected with a reagent container including a flexible container body storing the reagent, comprises an analyzer body analyzing an analyte with the reagent and reagent transporter having a first end connected to the analyzer body and a second end connected to the reagent container. The reagent transporter includes a first connectional part, detachably connected to the reagent container, having a first switching member forming and blocking a first passage between the analyzer body and the reagent container, while the first switching member blocks the first passage when the first connectional part is separated from the reagent container, and forms the first passage when the first connectional part is connected to the reagent container.
US08017091B2	Beadwhacker A device consisting of a low-RPM motor wherein the motor spins a flat disk, a peg is attached to the disk, a stationary spring armature wherein the peg can activate the stationary spring armature as the disk rotates, and a tube containing beads in a fluid positioned in a top plate wherein the spring armature can contact the tube. This device can further include a soft closed-cell foam top mounted on the top plate wherein the tube is inserted and maintained by the foam in such a way as to allow for slight motion of the tube induced by the contact by the spring armature.
US08017090B2	Apparatus and method for rapid and continuous generation of phosphine gas Phosphine gas is generated by agitating a reaction mixture of a metal phosphide and water with agitation air in a reaction pot of a phosphine gas generator. The resulting phosphine gas is then diluted with dilution air to produce a fumigant phosphine gas which is directly delivered to a commodity for fumigation. The reaction pot does not have any rotating means such as agitators, rotors, or stirrers. The generator provides on-site generation of phosphine gas in a rapid manner improving the fumigation efficiency for a commodity, such as grain, preferably contained within a storage structures, such as a grain silo. The generator has a built in deactivation system for the unused metal phosphide and phosphine gas.
US08017088B2	Fuel reformer A fuel reformer including a first pipe, a second pipe which is disposed in the first pipe, a main heat source, which includes an oxidation catalyst, filling the second pipe adapted to generate thermal energy with a predetermined temperature range through an oxidation reaction of a fuel using the oxidation catalyst; an auxiliary heat source which includes a torch connected to the second pipe to ignite and burn the gaseous fuel, thereby preheating the oxidation catalyst to within a reaction starting temperature range, and a reforming reaction unit which includes a reforming catalyst filling a space between the first and second pipes to generate a reforming gas containing hydrogen through the reforming reaction of the fuel using the reforming catalyst by using the thermal energy generated by the main heat source.
US08017084B1	Ammonia injection grid for a selective catalytic reduction system An ammonia injection grid for a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system that provides uniform distribution of ammonia to the SCR catalyst in NOx reduction systems for heat recovery steam generation systems, packaged boilers, simple cycle catalyst systems and fired heaters for superior operational efficiency. The ammonia injection grid includes an injection tube having at least one nozzle for injecting ammonia into a flow of flue gas. The ammonia injection grid also includes a corrugated turbulence enhancer associated with the injection tube to generate turbulent wake to enhance turbulent mixing.
US08017081B2	System and method for measuring effective temperature inside a sealed container A system and method of measuring the effective temperature inside a sealed container having a headspace is provided. A liquid solvent is added to the container, and a solid compound is added to the liquid solvent to create a saturated solution. Vapor of the saturated solution is allowed to equilibrate in the headspace of the sealed container, and a volume thereof is transferred to a chromatographic column, where chromatographic readings of the equilibrated vapor are taken. A temperature within the sealed container is then calculated based upon the chromatographic readings of the equilibrated vapor, wherein the temperature calculation is based upon the concentrations of the liquid solvent and the solid compound in the equilibrated vapor.
US08017080B2	Liquid state detecting apparatus A liquid state detecting apparatus including a detecting element having a heating resistor which generates heat when energized and being disposed in a liquid container for containing a liquid, the apparatus calculating a first difference between a first corresponding value corresponding to a first resistance of the heating resistor acquired after energization of the heating resistor is started and a second corresponding value corresponding to a second resistance of the heating resistor acquired after the heating resistor is energized for a predetermined detection time and obtaining a first concentration of a particular component included in the liquid, the first concentration being associated with the first difference, the apparatus including: an abnormality determination unit, a determination concentration acquiring unit, a concentration difference calculation unit, and a static state determination unit, all as defined herein.
US08017078B2	Blood cell analyzer, blood cell analyzing method, and computer program product A blood cell analyzer is provided with a first detection unit for electrically detecting blood cells in blood sample; a second detection unit for optically detecting blood cells in blood sample; a volume information obtainer for obtaining volume information of red blood cells based on the electrically detected blood cells; a scattered light intensity information obtainer for obtaining a scattered light intensity of red blood cells based on the optically detected blood cells; a first histogram preparer for preparing a first histogram of the volume information of each of red blood cells; a second histogram preparer for preparing a second histogram of the scattered light intensity information of each of red blood cells; a display unit; and a data processor for preparing a screen for displaying on the display unit, the screen including the first and second histograms.
US08017073B2	High intensity air purifier This document describes a high intensity air purifier (HAIP), a super oxidation purifier, and a controller for controlling operation of any of various purification systems. In some implementations, a HAIP includes an air purifier system coupled within a housing having an air inlet and an air outlet. The air purifier system includes a pre-filter coupled to the air inlet, an axial fan for receiving and forwarding air from the air inlet. The air purifier system further includes a UV reaction chamber having a UV-light source for providing UV light to the forwarded air from the air inlet and a reflective lining to reflect the provided UV light, to provide UV purified air from the UV reaction chamber. The air purifier system further includes a chemical catalyst cartridge for receiving the UV purified air from the UV reaction chamber, for further purifying the UV purified air, and a post filter coupled to the air outlet.
US08017071B2	Corrosion-resistant, cold-formable, machinable, high strength, martensitic stainless steel A corrosion resistant, martensitic steel alloy having very good cold formability is described. The alloy has the following weight percent composition. Carbon0.10-0.40 Manganese0.01-2.0 Silicon 2.0 max. Phosphorus 0.2 max. Sulfur0.030 max. Chromium10-15 Nickel 0.5 max. Molybdenum0.75-4.0 Nitrogen0.02-0.15 Copper1.5-4.0 Titanium0.01 max. Aluminum0.01 max. Niobium + Tantalum0.10 max. Vanadium0.20 max. Zirconiumless than 0.001 Calciumless than 0.001 The balance of the alloy is essentially iron. Nickel and copper are balanced in the alloy such that the ratio Ni/Cu is less than 0.2. A second embodiment of the alloy contains at least about 0.005% sulfur, selenium, or a combination thereof to provide good machinability.
US08017067B2	Method of making a single fire honeycomb structure A method for manufacturing a honeycomb structure comprises providing an aqueous ceramic solution, providing a batch cross-link agent, mixing the agent with the solution, extruding the aqueous ceramic solution containing the cross-link agent into a honeycomb structure, and drying the honeycomb structure via a single drying step thereby forming a hardened, substantially water resistant, honeycomb structure. The method may further comprise addition of a ceramic surfactant to the aqueous ceramic solution, as well as plugging channels within the honeycomb structure with a plugging material comprising an aqueous ceramic solution that includes batch cross-link agents and ceramic surfactants therein. Also disclosed is a green body honeycomb article having a green honeycomb matrix containing a first ceramic batch compound of inorganic constituents, a first batch cross-link agent, and an aqueous vehicle wherein the matrix includes interconnected walls forming open-ended channels and a plugging material located in at least one of the open-ended channels.
US08017063B2	Molds and methods for injection molding preforms This invention relates to methods and apparatus for making articles made of polyester, preferably polyethylene terephthalate (PET), having coated directly to at least one of the surfaces thereof one or more layers of thermoplastic material with good gas-barrier characteristics. In one preferred method and apparatus, preforms are injection molded, barrier-coated immediately thereafter, and remain on a mold portion for a time to speed cooling of the completed preform. Preferably the barrier-coated articles take the form of preforms coated by at least one layer of barrier material and the containers are blow-molded therefrom. Such barrier-coated containers are preferably of the type to hold beverages such as soft drinks, beer or juice. The preferred barrier materials have a lower permeability to oxygen and carbon dioxide than PET as well as key physical properties similar to PET. The materials and methods provide that the barrier layers have good adherence to PET, even during and after the blow molding process to form containers from preforms. Preferred barrier coating materials include poly(hydroxyamino ethers).
US08017061B2	Invention concerning agricultural active substances The invention relates to supports consisting of nanoscalar polymer fibres, polymer tubes or hollow fibres for the application and targeted and/or delayed release of ingredients, in particular, agricultural active ingredients. The invention also relates to a method and a device for the production of supports of this type in a charged or empty state. The method and device use electrospinning technology.
US08017060B2	Process for the preparation of extruded delivery systems The invention describes a process for the preparation of a granular delivery system particularly useful for the controlled release of flavoring or perfuming ingredients. The process includes the steps of forming a concentrated, highly viscous emulsion of the active compound to be encapsulated, blending the latter with a hydrophilic polymer in an extruder and shaping it into a granular free flowing solid at usual storage temperatures. The process of the invention is particularly appropriate for the encapsulation of volatile molecules as it avoids any dehydration step before or after extrusion.
US08017056B2	Salt cores for plastic (injection) molding Water-soluble salt cores are used in molds for the production of hollow moldings by plastic molding.The production of hollow plastic moldings is effected by positioning a water-soluble salt core in a mold, molding a thermoplastic molding material around the salt core and, after solidification of the thermoplastic molding material, washing out the salt core with a water-containing solvent.
US08017053B2	Manufacturing of shaped coolant hoses The present invention relates to a process for manufacturing a shaped article such as tubes, and hoses comprising processing a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic polymer in an extruder apparatus.
US08017052B2	Process of and apparatus for making a shingle, and shingle made thereby A process and apparatus for making a shingle, together with the shingle made thereby, is provided, in which one or more thermoplastic materials are extruded or co-extruded to form an extrudate, with the extrudate being cut into a preliminary shingle shape, which is allowed to dissipate heat, and then is delivered to a compression mold, wherein the preliminary shingle shape is compression molded to substantially its final dimensions and is then discharged from the mold and allowed to cool.
US08017050B2	Water purification membranes with improved fouling resistance The present invention includes methods and compositions for liquid separation and water purification. The present invention includes a purification membrane having a polymer matrix purification membrane that has been treated with dopamine to form a polydopamine coated membrane with a high water flux and a high hydrophilicity.
US08017043B2	Conductive pattern forming ink, conductive pattern, and wiring substrate A conductive pattern forming ink for forming a conductive pattern on a substrate by a droplet discharge method includes: metal particles; an aqueous dispersion medium in which the metal particles are dispersed; xylitol; and a polyglycerol compound having a polyglycerol skeleton. H shown in the following formula (I) is 0.10 to 0.70, and H = OH ⁡ ( A ) Mw ⁡ ( A ) ⁢ X ⁡ ( A ) + OH ⁡ ( B ) Mw ⁡ ( B ) ⁢ X ⁡ ( B ) Formula ⁢ ⁢ ( I ) OH(A) represents an average number of hydroxyl groups in one molecule of the polyglycerol compound, Mw(A) represents a weight-average molecular weight of the polyglycerol compound, X(A) represents a content of the polyglycerol compound in the conductive pattern forming ink in weight percent; and OH(B) represents the number of hydroxyl groups in one molecule of the xylitol, Mw(B) represents a molecular weight of the xylitol, and X(B) represents a content of the xylitol in the conductive pattern forming ink in weight percent.
US08017037B2	Fluorescent substance and light emitting device using the same A fluorescent substance capable of remarkably increasing the luminous intensity of a I-III-VI2 chalcopyrite type compound having a large band gap among chalcopyrite type compounds with manganese as luminescence centers, and being favorably used for a lighting device using a light emitting diode, a light emitting element of a display device or the like, a light emitting device such as fluorescent lamps such as a cold cathode fluorescent lamp and a hot cathode fluorescent lamp, as a fluorescent substance generating fluorescence by ultraviolet excitation, is provided. The fluorescent substance is expressed by composition formula (1) Cu(Al1-xGax)(S1-ySey)2:Mn,Si (1) (wherein x represents a number satisfying 0≦x≦0.4, and y represents a number satisfying 0≦y≦0.4), including manganese as a luminescence center atom.
US08017025B2	Method for producing air gaps using nanotubes A target layer comprising at least one degradable material is deposited on a support. Nanotubes are then formed on the degradable material of the target layer before deposition of an insulating layer is performed. Degradation of the degradable material and elimination of degradation sub-products are then performed by means of the nanotubes passing through the insulating layer thus forming air gaps in the target layer.
US08017024B2	Method for continual preparation of polycrystalline silicon using a fluidized bed reactor There is provided a method for continual preparation of granular polycrystalline silicon using a fluidized bed reactor, enabling a stable, long-term operation of the reactor by effective removal of silicon deposit accumulated on the inner wall of the reactor tube. The method comprises (i) a silicon particle preparation step, wherein silicon deposition occurs on the surface of the silicon particles, while silicon deposit is accumulated on the inner wall of the reactor tube encompassing the reaction zone; (ii) a silicon particle partial discharging step, wherein a part of the silicon particles remaining inside the reactor tube is discharged out of the fluidized bed reactor so that the height of the bed of the silicon particles does not exceed the height of the reaction gas outlet; and (iii) a silicon deposit removal step, wherein the silicon deposit is removed by supplying an etching gas into the reaction zone.
US08017021B1	Sludge processing apparatus and method Material to be processed, such as sludge, is deposited into the trough having an auger operating at a rotational speed and direction so as to force the material received within the trough upstream against a rigid surface for breaking up the sludge. A cutting fluid is added to the trough for diluting the sludge and enhancing a flow of the broken up sludge downstream under a force of gravity, allowing the sludge to enter a chopper, where it is chopped to a desired consistency before being pumped to a desired location. The diluted sludge may be filtered prior to chopping. A hopper and cutter may be used to receive the unprocessed sludge for cutting prior to being deposited into the trough. As a result, sludge in ranges from soft to hard states is converted to a fluid form capable of being pumped.
US08017019B2	Fluidized bed precipitator with optimized solids settling and solids handling features for use in recovering phosphorus from wastewater Improved fluidized bed precipitators (20, 46, 62, 74, 108, 112, 134, 168) especially useful for the treatment of waste waters containing soluble phosphorus are provided, having upright, primary fluidized bed sections (22, 48, 64, 76, 110, 114, 136) and obliquely oriented solids settling sections (28, 54, 68, 120, 144) which enhance the settling of small particles (166) and return thereof to the fluidized bed sections (22, 48, 64, 76, 110, 114, 136). The precipitators (20, 46, 62, 74, 108, 112, 134, 168) may also be equipped with a solids detection/withdrawal assembly (178) made up of one or more pressure transducers (180, 182) operable to determine the pressures within the fluidized bed sections 22, 48, 64, 76, 110, 114, 136) as a measure of bed densities, along with a selectively operable valve (172) which may be opened to periodically remove solids without clogging. The precipitators (20, 46, 62, 74, 108, 112, 134, 168) may be used to control soluble phosphorus levels in single- or multiple lagoon (184, 186) waste water systems.
US08017018B2	Phosphorus removal method A phosphorus removal system is operable to remove phosphorus from an influent. The system includes a first section receiving the influent and discharging a first flow. A first coagulant inlet is positioned upstream of the first section and is in fluid communication with the influent to introduce a first coagulant selected to precipitate phosphorus. A second section receives the first flow and discharges a second flow, and a third section receives the second flow and discharges an effluent. A second coagulant inlet is positioned downstream of the first section and upstream of the third section to introduce a second coagulant selected to precipitate phosphorus.
US08017017B2	Method for producing a target substance using a simulated moving bed chromatography separation system Disclosed is a method for producing a target substance by separating it from a mixture using a simulated moving bed chromatography (SMBC) separation system, which can minimize decreases in separation performance due to interference from a liquid accumulation portion. A material, in which the target substance in the material can be separated using a first SMBC separation system that meets a first condition, is processed to separate and produce the target substance from the material using a second SMBC separation system that meets a second condition, wherein the particle size of a separating agent and fill length of a column tube are both greater, the pressure loss by the column is substantially the same, and the volume ratio of liquid accumulation portions in the endless flow passage of the SMBC separation system is lower.
US08017016B2	Method and apparatus for pervaporation control in chromatographic systems A method for controlling pervaporation through a membrane includes assessing the vapor pressure of each component material of a mobile phase disposed on a retentate side of the membrane, and maintaining a designed environment on a permeate side of the membrane. The environment maintained on the permeate side of the membrane contains partial pressures of selected component materials of the mobile phase at a level substantially equal to or greater than the respective vapor pressures thereof.
US08017011B2	Pleated single phase filter coalescer element and method A filter coalescer element for oil based industrial fuels includes a rigid, porous support tube, and a hydrophobic drainage layer covering the outer surface of the same. A single phase, dual function combination water coalescer and particle filter pleat block is positioned in the support tube, and is formed from a multilayer material having a first porous support layer, a synthetic microfiber layer, a synthetic fiber media layer and a second porous support layer. As the fluid passes through the pleat block, solid particles are physically filtered therefrom, and water is coalesced into droplets which pass from the pleats directly through the support tube and directly into the drainage layer, where the droplets grow into a size sufficient that they fall under gravity to the bottom of the element for collection.
US08017008B2	Water purification filter assembly Disclosed herein is a filter assembly for water purifiers. The filter assembly includes a head having an inlet duct, a control valve, and an outlet duct. A circular cap is provided on the lower portion of the head, and has cylindrical space. A filter cap is mounted to the circular cap. A filter cartridge has a filtering part which is provided with a filter to purify water. A plurality of fastening holes is formed in the outer circumference of the circular cap, and has a step. Locking parts are disposed in the fastening holes to lock the filter cartridge. An elastic member surrounds the circular cap and the outer surfaces of the supports parts, thus elastically supporting the locking parts to the fastening holes. The filter cap has on the outer circumference of the upper portion thereof a plurality of fastening holes into which the locking parts are fitted.
US08017006B2	Storm water filtration apparatus A storm water filtration apparatus, at the curb inlet for a storm drain, which prevents debris and pollutants from entering the storm drain system. Water passes through the filter at an upward angle. The filter does not require replacing for maintenance, and it continues to allow water to flow into the storm drain system even when the filter is full of trash, leaves, debris, and/or other pollutants.
US08017000B2	Process for the conversion of heavy feedstocks such as heavy crude oils and distillation residues Process for the conversion of heavy feedstocks selected from heavy crude oils, distillation residues, heavy oils coming from catalytic treatment, thermal tars, oil sand bitumens, various kinds of coals and other high-boiling feedstocks of a hydrocarbon origin known as black oils, by the combined use of the following three process units: hydroconversion with catalysts in slurry phase (HT), distillation or flash (D), and deasphalting (SDA).
US08016997B2	Method for determination of analyte concentrations and related apparatus A method is provided for determining analyte concentrations, for example glucose concentrations, that utilizes a dynamic determination of the appropriate time for making a glucose measurement, for example when a current versus time curve substantially conforms to a Cottrell decay, or when the current is established in a plateau region. Dynamic determination of the time to take the measurement allows each strip to operate in the shortest appropriate time frame, thereby avoiding using an average measurement time that may be longer than necessary for some strips and too short for others.
US08016994B2	Electrodipping device The invention relates to an electrodipping device comprising, in a known manner, a bath of enamel, and a transport device used, during the continuous method, to dip the workpieces to be coated into the bath of enamel, to move the workpieces through the bath, and remove the same therefrom. Electrodes are arranged in the bath of enamel, along the path of displacement of the workpieces, said electrodes being connected to a voltage source with one pole thereof. The second pole of said voltage source is connected to a contact rail extending along the path of displacement of the workpieces. Each workpiece is provided with a contact device which is in contact with the contact rail. A controllable voltage regulating unit is arranged between each contact device and the corresponding workpiece. A position determination device enables the momentaneous position of each workpiece to be determined. A control system is used to apply a control signal to the corresponding voltage regulating unit in such a way as to maintain each workpiece at a desired voltage in each position of the course thereof through the bath of enamel.
US08016993B2	Electrostatic desalination and water purification An apparatus, system and method for desalination and purification of water where fresh water is extracted from salt water, leaving behind the higher salinity salt water. Salt water is bubbled, aerated, sprayed, or otherwise agitated to cause breaking bubbles along the surface of the salt water. An electric field is applied above the surface of the salt water; fresh water droplets and vapor are released in the process of bubble rupture, pulled away from the surface of the salt water, and collected for consumption. The present invention may also be used to purify fresh water by leaving impurities behind.
US08016985B2	Magnetron sputtering apparatus and method for manufacturing semiconductor device A magnetron sputtering apparatus includes: a target provided in a sputtering chamber; a susceptor opposed to the target; a high-frequency power supply connected to the susceptor; a plate provided outside the sputtering chamber and coaxial with a central axis of the target; a rotary motion mechanism configured to rotate the plate about the central axis; S-pole magnets placed on one side of the plate with their S-pole end directed to the target; and first and second N-pole magnets placed on the one side of the plate with their N-pole end directed to the target. The first N-pole magnets are placed along a circle coaxial with the plate and opposed to an outer peripheral vicinity of the target. The S-pole magnets are placed inside the first N-pole magnets and along a circle coaxial with the plate. The second N-pole magnets are placed inside the S-pole magnets and along a circle coaxial with the plate. Magnetic flux density of the first N-pole magnets and the second N-pole magnets are higher than magnetic flux density of the S-pole magnets.
US08016982B2	Sputtering apparatus and sputtering method The present invention is to provide a sputtering apparatus and a sputtering method, specifically, a magnetron sputtering apparatus having a magnetron electrode capable of generating plasma in a wide region near the surface of a target, and a sputtering method using the apparatus. Thereby, a magnetic field shape enabling to generate plasma in a wide region near the surface of a target is realized, the use efficiency of the target material is increased, and dusts and abnormal electric discharges may be prevented. Magnetic circuit 10 of a magnetron electrode is set as “magnetic circuit 10 in which center perpendicular magnet 101, inside parallel magnet 103, outside parallel magnet 104, and perimeter perpendicular magnet 102 are arranged” from the central part of target 2 toward the perimeter part, and inside parallel magnet 103 is brought close to target 2.
US08016981B2	Method and apparatus for purifying and separating a heavy component concentrate along with obtaining light gas isotopes The claimed method and apparatus relate to cryogenic technology, particularly to purifying and separating by distillation a target heavy component concentrate thereby obtaining target components, e.g., krypton and xenon, and isotopes of light gases such as deuterium, tritium, helium-3. The method includes temperature-stabilizing a target heavy component concentrate flow, a low-boiling target component fraction flow, and a high-boiling target component fraction flow, irradiating the flows with ionizing radiation thereby obtaining light gas isotopes, purifying the flows, concentrating the light gas isotopes in the flows with subsequently extracting thereof, purifying the production flows from nuclides, using xenon as the high-boiling target component of the concentrate and using krypton as the low-boiling target component of the concentrate. The claimed apparatus can be used for implementing the method. The method and apparatus allow for increasing the purity and safety of the production heavy target components, as well as for increasing the economic efficiency.
US08016978B2	Method and apparatus of manufacturing a hygiene paper product Method of manufacturing a hygiene paper product in form of a continuous paper web (W) of sheets partly separated by perforation lines (9) and wound to a log of predetermined longitudinal length, providing a continuous paper web (W), moving the continuous paper web in a direction of its longitudinal extension, providing at least one embossed pattern on the continuous paper web, providing in the area of an embossing station at least one mark (6, 7) onto the continuous paper web, which mark (6, 7) is in register to the embossed pattern, sensing the mark and controlling perforating means for registering the perforation lines (9) with the embossed pattern thereby imparting perforation lines to the continuous paper web in predetermined longitudinal distances, winding up the resulting web to logs, and cutting the log into rolls.
US08016977B2	Dry pond water evaporation system and method of evaporating water Dry pond water evaporation systems and methods are used to evaporate large quantities of water from industrial waste water sources, such as water produced by oil and gas wells. Dry pond systems include a water evaporation system that emits waste water into the air as a fine spray or mist to promote evaporation. Water that falls to the ground and any initially dissolved solids are captured in a water capture depression. Water and solids are transferred from the water capture depression to a water collection pool. Water from the water collection pool is recirculated through the water evaporation system to further concentrate the total dissolved solids (TDS). When the TDS are sufficiently concentrated, they may be harvested, such as by evaporating off the water and recovering salts or minerals as a solid.
US08016974B2	Plasma treatment apparatus In a plasma treatment apparatus for performing plasma treatment by accommodating a substrate in a treatment chamber, a fixed guide 12 and a movable guide 13 made of a ceramic are arrayed in an X direction (in a substrate transporting direction) for guiding both side end portions of the substrate held on a ceramic-made mounting plate 10, and both end portions of the movable guide 13 are supported by supporting members. In this construction, these supporting members are fitted to fixed members 15A and 15B arranged in a Y direction with the mounting plate 10 placed therebetween, such that an interval in the Y direction is adjustable. Consequently, the ceramic-made guide member 13 can be mounted and demounted without directly bolting it, and it is possible to prevent the generation of an abnormal discharge by using as objects multiple product thin-type substrates with different widthwise dimensions.
US08016972B2	Methods and apparatus for application of nested zero waste ear to traveling web The present invention provides a process wherein a rotary knife or die, with one or more cutting edges, turns against and in coordination with a corresponding cylinder to create preferably trapezoidal ears. Ear material is slit into two lanes, one for a left side of a diaper and the other for a right side of a diaper. Fastening tapes are applied to both the right and the left ear webs. The ear material is then die cut with a nested pattern on a synchronized vacuum anvil. The resulting discrete ear pieces however, due to the trapezoidal pattern of the ears, alternate between a correct orientation and an incorrect (reversed) orientation. The reversed ear is required to be rotated 180° into the correct orientation such that the ears and associated tape present a left ear and a right ear on the diaper.
US08016970B2	Method for applying a pre-cured composite strip to a composite component to minimize inconsistencies appearing on a surface of the composite component A method and apparatus for applying a pre-cured composite strip to a composite component. A pre-cured composite strip having a thermoset resin may be placed on a surface of a portion of the composite component where a caul plate seam may be expected. Caul plates may be placed on the composite component after placing the pre-cured composite strip to form the caul plate seam. The composite component may be cured after placing the caul plates on the composite component.
US08016969B2	Process for finishing a wooden board and wooden board produced by the process A process for finishing a wood or wooden board, in particular an MDF or HDF board, with an upper side and an underside. The process includes applying a sealing layer of melamine resin to the upper side of the board and printing a decoration onto the sealing layer. A protective layer is applied of melamine resin to the decoration and the board is pressed under the action of temperature until the protective layer and the sealing layer melt and bond to each other with the inclusion of the decoration printed on.
US08016966B2	Strengthened equipment cases and methods of making same A stackable equipment container includes at least one reinforcement panel made of a composite material attached to the container on an interior surface proximate an arrangement of stackable elements. The panel is attached to the container using spin-weld plugs installed at a high rotation rate. Through the installation of the spin-weld plugs, the panel becomes fused or welded to the container. In one embodiment, the rotation rate of the spin-weld plugs during installation is sufficient to cause the panel and container to locally vulcanize with each other and with the spin-weld plugs. The panel provides the container with increased strength and operates to minimize or eliminate distortion of the stackable elements.
US08016961B2	Gypsum wallboard and method of making same A coalescing additive is used in the manufacturing process for gypsum wallboard. Such an additive increases the surface area and density of the slurry at the paper to core interface by coalescing the foam cells away from the paper core interface. This permits a stronger paper to core bond to form and increases the compressive strength of the gypsum wallboard as compared to standard wallboards made from slurries with reduced water levels.
US08016958B2	High strength aluminum alloy sheet and method of production of same High strength aluminum alloy sheet having superior surface roughening and formability suitable for home electrical appliances and automobile outer panels and other structural materials and a method of production of the same are provided. High strength aluminum alloy sheet having a chemical composition containing Mg: 2.0 to 3.3 mass %, Mn: 0.1 to 0.5 mass %, and Fe: 0.2 to 1.0 mass %, having a balance of unavoidable impurities and Al, and having an Si among the unavoidable impurities of less than 0.20 mass % and having an average circle equivalent diameter of intermetallic compounds of 1 μm or less, having an area ratio of intermetallic compounds of 1.2% or more, having an average diameter of recrystallized grains of 10 μm or less, and having a tensile strength of 220 MPa or more. This is obtained by pouring an aluminum alloy melt having the above chemical composition in a twin belt caster, continuously casting a thin slab of a thickness of 6 to 15 mm at a cooling rate at a position of ¼ the slab thickness of 50 to 200° C./sec and winding it up into a coil, then cold rolling it at a cold reduction of 60 to 98%, final annealing it by a continuous annealing furnace at a heating rate of 100° C./min or more, at a holding temperature of 400 to 520° C. for a holding time of within 5 minutes.
US08016956B2	Ce-based amorphous metallic plastic The present invention concerns a Ce-base amorphous metallic plastics being CeaAlbMc, in which 55≦a≦75, 5≦b≦25, 10≦c≦25, and a+b+c=100; said M is Co, Cu or Ni. Otherwise the metallic plastics could be CedAleCufZg, in which 55≦d≦75, 5≦e≦15, 15≦f≦25, 0.01≦g≦10, and d+e+f+g=100; said Z is one element selected from Co, Fe, Hf, Mg, Mo, Nb, Sc, Ta, Ti, W, Zn and Zr. The metallic plastic could also be CehAliCujNik, in which 55≦h≦75, 5≦i≦15, 15≦j≦25, 0.01≦k<5, and h+i+j+k=100. The Ce-base amorphous metallic plastic has a low glass-transition temperature and a wide super-cooling liquid phase area, therefore possesses a high thermal stability. The material could be deformed, shaped and imprinting worked into desired amorphous alloy articles as thermoplastic plastics at a very low temperature.
US08016955B2	Magnesium based amorphous alloy having improved glass forming ability and ductility Disclosed is a magnesium based amorphous alloy having a good glass forming ability and ductility. The Mg based amorphous alloy has a composition range of Mg100-x-yAxBy where x and y are respectively 2.5≦x≦30, 2.5≦y≦20 in atomic percent. Here, A includes at least one element selected from the group consisting of Cu, Ni, Zn, Al, Ag, and Pd, and B includes at least one element selected from the group consisting of Gd, Y, Ca, and Nd.
US08016954B2	Ultratough high-strength weldable plate steel and method of manufacture thereof A transformation toughened, high-strength steel alloy useful in plate steel applications achieves extreme fracture toughness (Cv & gt; 80 ft-lbs corresponding to KId & equals; 200 ksi.in½) at strength levels of 150-180 ksi yield strength, is weldable and formable. The alloy is characterized by dispersed austenite stabilization for transformation toughening to a weldable, bainitic plate steel and is strengthened by precipitation of M2C carbides in combination with copper and nickel. The desired microstructure is a matrix containing a bainite-martensite mix, BCC copper and M2C carbide particles for strengthening with a fine dispersion of optimum stability austenite for transformation toughening. The bainite-martensite mix is formed by air-cooling from solution treatment temperature and subsequent aging at secondary hardening temperatures to precipitate the toughening and strengthening dispersions.
US08016953B2	High-strength steel material with excellent hydrogen embrittlement resistance The invention provides a steel material with satisfactory hydrogen embrittlement resistance, and particularly it relates to high-strength steel with satisfactory hydrogen embrittlement resistance and a strength of 1200 MPa or greater, as well as a process for production thereof. At least one simple or compound deposit of oxides, carbides or nitrides as hydrogen trap sites which trap hydrogen with a specific trap energy is added to steel, where the mean sizes, number densities, and length-to-thickness ratios (aspect ratio) are in specific ranges. By applying the specific steel components and production process it is possible to obtain high-strength steel with excellent hydrogen embrittlement resistance.
US08016949B2	Process and a device to clean substrates In particular a porous substrate (FS) like a fabric. Process to clean a substrate, comprising a step of subjecting the substrate to an air-water spray (SPR), generated using a spraying means (N) comprising an air passage (OPA) and a water passage (OPW), wherein air is greater than 90% by volume of the spray, the air velocity is greater than 80 m/s and wherein said air passage does not coaxially surround said water passage. Device to clean soiled fabric (FS) comprising a feed water container (CW) and an air compressor (AC) in fluid communication with a spray nozzle (N) comprising an air passage and a water passage, said device being capable of generating an air pressure in the range of 1 to 3 bar (absolute) and an air velocity greater than 80 m/s at the exit of said nozzle; and the air is greater than 90% volume of said spray, and wherein said air passage does not coaxially surround said water passage. An external mix spray nozzle is especially preferred in the device.
US08016943B2	Method for preparing atomistically straight boundary junctions in high temperature superconducting oxides A method for preparing film oxides deposited on a substrate with a resulting grain boundary junction that is atomistically straight. A bicrystal substrate having a straight grain boundary is prepared as a template. The Miller indices h1, k1, h2, k2 of the two grains of the substrate are chosen such that the misorientation angle of the film is equal to arctan k1/h1+arctan k2/h2. The film is grown on the substrate using a layer-by-layer growth mode.
US08016936B2	Methods of calcining particulate material Disclosed herein is a method of calcining particulate material, such as kaolin. The method comprises providing a feed mixture comprising a particulate material, such as hydrous kaolin, wherein at least a portion of the particulate feed is coated with a liquid fuel. The method further comprises heating the particulate feed mixture to calcine the particulate feed and burn the liquid fuel to form a calcined product. The liquid fuel coating can act as a secondary, indirect heat source for calcining. The overall calcining temperatures and/or times can be reduced as a result of adding the liquid fuel.
US08016933B2	Non-sulfurous statuary material and method of manufacturing the same This invention relates to a non-sulfurous statuary material and a method of manufacturing the same, and particularly, to a novel statuary material containing no sulfur, which is capable of substituting for a conventional statuary material containing sulfur as a component of a statuary filling composition, in particular, an industrial statuary material, and to a method of manufacturing the same. In the case where the statuary material according to this invention is used, because it contains no sulfur, unlike conventional statuary material, environmental contamination and the generation of offensive odors due to sulfur are avoided, and furthermore, the use of material having a specific gravity lower than that of sulfur facilitates modeling. The claimed material includes micro wax, petroleum jelly, zinc stearate and starch.
US08016930B2	Magenta ink composition, ink cartridge, and recording system and recorded matter using the same This invention provides a magenta ink composition that, when recorded, is excellent in color development, graininess, and gloss, is less likely to cause clogging in an ink jet recording head, and is excellent in color reproduction in a high-chroma and high-lightness red region. The magenta ink composition has an L* value of not less than 60 and a b* value of not more than −17 when the a* value in CIE standard calculated from a visible absorption spectrum in a not more than 10000-fold diluted aqueous solution is 80.
US08016929B2	Water-based ink for ink-jet recording, ink cartridge and ink-jet recording apparatus A water-based ink includes a dye represented by the general formula (1), water, DPP, and a surfactant represented by the general formula (2). The dye, DPP, and the surfactant are blended so as to satisfy the conditions (A) to (C). (A) an amount of the dye relative to a total amount of the ink (x) is about 0.1 wt % to 1.0 wt % (B) an amount of DPP relative to a total amount of the ink (y) is about 0.5 wt % to 3 wt % (C) in y≧25x/9+2/9 −175x+18y+225z−104≦0 and −100x+18y+225z−66.5≧0 in y≦25x/9+2/9 −275x+54y+225z−112≦0 and −200x+54y+225z−74.5≧0 z: an amount of the surfactant relative to a total amount of the ink (wt %)
US08016917B2	Method and apparatus for pollution control of confined spaces A method of improve the removal of particulate matter, heavy metals, neutralizing acid, and kill microorganism pollutants, known to be in contaminated air volumes of occupied confined spaces, when exposed in close contact under pressure to a mixture of alkaline sorbent materials, having a known synergism between said pollutants using a self propelled fluidized bed reactor and packed bed filter apparatus system to optimize the contact collection efficiency of submicron particles and organic compounds.
US08016910B2	Method for producing liquid pig iron or liquid steel intermediate products from fine-particled material containing iron oxide A method for producing liquid pig iron or liquid steel intermediate products from fine-particled material containing iron oxide. The fine-particled material is prereduced in at least one prereduction stage and reduced in a final reduction stage to sponge iron. The sponge iron is melted in a melt-down gasification zone, with carbon carriers and oxygen-containing gas supplied. A CO- and H2-containing reduction gas is generated and introduced into the final reduction stage, is converted there, is drawn off and introduced into at least one prereduction stage, converted there and drawn off. A first quantity fraction of the fine-particled material containing iron oxide is introduced into a melt-down gasification zone via at least one prereduction stage and one final reduction stage, and a further quantity fraction of the fine-particled material containing iron oxide is introduced into the melt-down gasification zone directly or together with the carbon carriers and the oxygen-containing gas.
US08016904B2	Oil fill cap with air/oil separator An oil fill cap for an internal combustion engine replaces a standard cap and provides separation of air and oil in a separation zone within the cap body. The cap body defines a plurality of passages therethrough, including an upstream passage, and first and second downstream passages meeting at a separation junction. The cap body defines a separation zone at the separation junction and receiving the air/oil mixture from the engine through the upstream passage, and sending separated air to the first downstream passage, and sending separated oil to the second downstream passage.
US08016903B2	Z-filter media pack arrangement; filter cartridge; air cleaner arrangement; and, methods A filter cartridge for use in an air cleaner is provided. The filter cartridge comprises a media pack having a flow end with a framework arrangement thereon. The preferred framework arrangement comprises a frame piece that includes: a seal support; a handle arrangement; and a force transfer arrangement thereon. The seal member is positioned on the framework. An air cleaner arrangement for use with the cartridge is shown. Methods of assembly and service are described.
US08016895B2	Hair treatment composition and methods wherein D is a chromophore; L is a linking group selected from SO2, NHCO, and NHSO2; Q is a hydrogen or halogen atom; and R is selected from C1-C4 alkyl, (CH2)nCOOH, (CH2)nCONH2, (CH2)nSO3H, (CH2)nCOOM, (CH2)nPO3H, (CH2)nOH, (CH2)nSSO3″, (CH2)nNR12, (CH2)nN+R1H2, (CH2)nNHCOR1, PhSSO3″, PhSO3H, PhPO3H, PhNR12, PhN+R13, (CH2)2CH(SH)R1(CH2)3COOH, and n is an integer in the range of 1 to 4 wherein within the same molecule each n is not necessarily the same integer; M is a cation of an alkaline earth metal, alkali metal, NH4+ or NR13+; and R1 is C1-C4 alkyl.
US08016893B2	Gear bearing drive A gear bearing drive provides a compact mechanism that operates as an actuator providing torque and as a joint providing support. The drive includes a gear arrangement integrating an external rotor DC motor within a sun gear. Locking surfaces maintain the components of the drive in alignment and provide support for axial loads and moments. The gear bearing drive has a variety of applications, including as a joint in robotic arms and prosthetic limbs.
US08016891B2	Tibial augment connector An orthopedic augment member and connection to an implant is disclosed. The connection may be formed between the implant, comprising a recess with a ledge formed therein, and the augment member by utilizing a fastener, and a connector, which may be configured and dimensioned to snap-fit into the recess formed in the implant forming an interference fit therebetween. The fastener may further comprise a body member with threads located thereon for matingly engaging a threaded wall defining a recess formed in the augment member, thereby securing the augment member to the recess of the implant.
US08016886B2	Intervertebral disc replacement device An intervertebral stabilizer includes: a first member operable to engage an endplate of a vertebral bone of a spine, the first member having top and bottom surfaces defining a thickness therebetween; a second member spaced apart from the first member and operable to engage an endplate of an adjacent vertebral bone of the spine; a connecting element located substantially between and connecting the first and second members; and the first member having at least one slot extending through a portion thereof through its entire thickness and top and bottom surfaces, creating first and second portions of the first member, wherein the slot imparts compressibility and/or expandability to the intervertebral disc replacement device.
US08016885B2	Cervical motion preservation device A system of reconstruction for a spinal joint is directed to a modular implant assembly that includes an upper part and a lower part. The upper and lower parts each comprise a unitary body having an approximately ninety degree bend defining vertical and horizontal components. Each vertical component has a fastener hole for attaching it to a bone segment using a bone fastener. The horizontal sections each have a complementary contact surfaces in order to transmit compressive load therebetween and to accommodate sliding and pivoting relative movement therebetween. The vertical sections of each of the upper and lower part are offset with respect to a vertical centerline so that successive assemblies bridging more than one adjacent vertebral space can have an upper part and a lower part according to the present invention coexist on a single vertebra in a space-efficient manner wherein the vertical sections nest spatially.
US08016879B2	Drug delivery after biodegradation of the stent scaffolding Disclosed is a stent comprising a bioabsorbable polymeric scaffolding; and a plurality of depots in at least a portion of the scaffolding, wherein the plurality of depots comprise a bioabsorbable material, wherein the degradation rate of all or substantially all of the bioabsorbable polymer of the scaffolding is faster than the degradation rate of all or substantially all of the bioabsorbable material of the depots.
US08016878B2	Bifurcation stent pattern A stent may comprise a plurality of serpentine bands connected by connector struts. The stent may further comprise a side branch cell having a plurality of outwardly deployable petals. Each serpentine band may have an approximate longitudinal axis. A portion of the serpentine bands may be flared in the unexpanded state, wherein a portion of the axis of each flared band is oriented helically about a portion of the stent. The bands may reorient during stent expansion, whereafter the axis of each band is oriented in a circumferential direction.
US08016874B2	Flexible stent with elevated scaffolding properties A stent is disclosed that generates an elevated degree of scaffolding to a bodily vessel while retaining a highly flexible structure. In one embodiment, a stent includes an essentially tubular body formed by a web structure that is configured to expand from a contracted delivery configuration to an expanded deployed configuration and that is composed of a plurality of longitudinally adjacent web rings. Those web rings are formed by a plurality of web elements disposed circumferentially around the longitudinal axis of the stent and adjoined one to the other with a junction bend. Each junction bend in a first web ring is coupled to another junction bend in a neighboring ring with as-shaped connector, and the coupled junction bends are not longitudinally aligned but are instead laterally offset.
US08016871B2	Apparatus and methods for delivery of multiple distributed stents Blood vessels and other body lumens are stented using multiple, discreet stent structures. Stent structures may be balloon expandable or self-expanding and are delivered by a delivery catheter which is repositioned to spaced-apart delivery sights. By coating the stents with particular biologically active substances, hyperplasia within and between the implanted stents can be inhibited. An exemplary delivery catheter comprises a catheter body having both a pusher rod for advancing the stents relative to a sheath and a reciprocatable delivery catheter for implanting the stents.
US08016870B2	Apparatus and methods for delivery of variable length stents Blood vessels and other body lumens are stented using multiple, discrete stent structures, or continuous coiled or mesh stent structures. Stent structures may be a balloon expandable or self-expanding and are delivered by a delivery catheter which is repositioned to spaced-apart delivery sites. By coating the stents with particular biologically active substances, hyperplasia within and between the implanted stents can be inhibited. An exemplary delivery catheter comprises a catheter body having a deployment mechanism for deploying one or more stents of selectable length into the vessel.
US08016868B2	Reflective heat patch A heat patch and method for providing therapy to a body. The heat patch includes a reflective layer and a heat source that is attached to the reflective layer. The reflective layer reflects infrared energy emitted by the body back into the body while the heat source applies heat to the body. The combination of supplying heat and reflecting infrared energy provides effective therapy to people with relatively deep tissue injuries. In another aspect, the heat patch includes an enclosure made from a gas-permeable layer and a reflective layer attached to the gas-permeable layer. A heating composition is sealed inside the enclosure to generate heat when a gas (e.g., air) is received through the gas-permeable layer. The heat generated by the heating composition is easily controlled such that heat patch can be maintained at a temperature well above ambient temperature.
US08016864B2	Anterior implant for the spine Implant for the cervical spine comprising an anterior plate (1) for maintaining a bone graft, bone anchorage screws (6,7,8) for the plate and means (22) for blocking the screws and preventing any migration of the screws, characterized in that the blocking means comprises at least one slide (22) slidably mounted on the plate so as to be applicable on at lease one anchorage screw head (15,16). The slide cooperates with means (33,34) for retaining the slide on the head of the screw. The slide may be formed by a thin platelet (22a) which is provided with lateral flanges (25) and is slidable in a complementary cavity (18) provided in the plate (1) while being flush with the surface of the plate (1). The plate (1) includes ramps (26) for retaining the slide (22) on which the flanges (25) are slidable, the slide (22) being slidable to a position in which it at least partly overlaps the heads of the associated screws (6 or 7) and is locked in position by suitable means.
US08016861B2	Versatile polyaxial connector assembly and method for dynamic stabilization of the spine Versatile polyaxial connector assemblies are provided for a dynamic stabilization system which supports the spine while providing for the preservation of spinal motion. Embodiments of the dynamic stabilization system include versatile polyaxial connectors in addition to bone anchors, a deflection system and a vertical rod system. The bone anchors connect the construct to the spinal anatomy. The deflection system provides dynamic stabilization while reducing the stress exerted upon the bone anchors and spinal anatomy. The vertical rod system spans different levels of the construct. The versatile polyaxial connectors include connectors mounted coaxially and/or offset with the bone anchors to adjustably connect the deflection system, vertical rod system and bone anchors allowing for safe, effective and efficient placement of the construct relative to the spine.
US08016859B2	Dynamic treatment system and method of use A system and method are provided for monitoring the condition of the skeletal system and adjusting a treatment device to provide appropriate treatment in response to the sensed signal. More particularly, in one aspect the present invention is directed to a sensor for detecting changes at a spinal level and a dynamic treatment system adjustable in response to the detected changes.
US08016858B2	Electromechanical driver and remote surgical instrument attachment having computer assisted control capabilities A medical tool comprising an electromechanical driver and a surgical instrument attachment for use in invasive surgery, including a handle coupled to a flexible sheath which is in turn coupled to a surgical attachment. The handle of the driver includes the electromechanical driver and at least one processor element which controls the actions of the electromechanical driver, and therefore the application elements of the surgical attachment, based on information relayed between the processor element and remotely activatable sensor assemblies in the surgical instrument attachment.
US08016857B2	Vascular puncture closure An apparatus for placing a patch over a puncture wound in a blood vessel exteriorly of the vessel includes a device for delivering the patch in a folded form and then expanding the patch from its unfolded configuration while deploying the patch about the region of the vessel puncture.
US08016854B2	Variable thickness embolic filtering devices and methods of manufacturing the same A strut assembly to be used in conjunction with an embolic filtering device has varying strut thicknesses, with the thickness selected based at least in part on the flexing characteristics of the particular portion of the strut assembly. The strut assembly is formed with patterns having flexing portions and stable portions, with the flexing portions contributing to the flexibility of the strut assembly during delivery and recovery in the patient's vasculature. The stable portions remain relatively unflexed and stiff when being delivered or recovered from the patient's vasculature. The stable portions provide strength and increased radiopacity to the strut assembly which is needed when the strut assembly is deployed in the body vessel. The flexing portions act much like a mechanical hinges in providing the needed flexibility to resiliently bend when being delivered through tortuous anatomy of the patient.
US08016851B2	Delivery system and method of delivery for treating obesity A delivery system and method of use thereof for introducing a bundled intragastric bag into a gastric lumen are described. The delivery system includes a pushing mechanism movable between an unexpanded and expanded configuration. The pushing mechanism in its expanded configuration pushes each of the bundles of the bag into the gastric lumen. A suture strand is periodically pulled during the procedure to help create doughnut-shaped bundles. Another suture strand extends between a proximal button and distal button of the deployed assembly to maintain the doughnut-shaped bundle structure.
US08016850B2	Extraluminal balloon dissection The present invention provides balloon dissection apparatus and methods of use in which an elongate balloon is utilized to dissect along a region that follows a naturally existing path alongside a vessel or structure, such as an artery, a vein, a lymphatic vessel, the trachea, the esophagus, or even a nerve bundle.
US08016847B2	Lancet and lancing apparatus The present invention provides a lancet (X1) which includes a case (1) including an internal space (10), and a lancing unit (2) which includes a lancing needle (20) and which is movable within the internal space (10) in an advancing direction from a wait position to an advanced position. The case (1) includes a main body (11) accommodating the lancing unit (2), and a cap (12) which is molded integral with the main body (11) and detachable from the main body (11). The lancing unit (2) includes a cover portion (22) for covering a portion of the lancing needle (20) on the advancing side, for example. The cover portion (22) is detachable together with the cap (12) by exerting a rotational force for rotating the cap (12) and a pulling force for causing relative movement of the cap (12) in the advancing direction for exposing a front end of the lancing needle (20).
US08016845B1	Instrument for guiding the surgical cutting of tissue and method of use An instrument is provided for cutting tissue having a housing, a shaft extending from the housing to a distal end with an opening, and a guide tube extending from the distal end through the opening for receiving a guide wire through the shaft and housing. A movable blade shuttle having a blade is provided at the distal end. The blade shuttle's travel is guided by the guide tube when the blade shuttle and blade is extended from the distal end opening to cut tissue and retracted back through the distal end opening. The housing has a pivotal actuator member mechanically coupled to the blade shuttle to remotely control movement of the blade shuttle at the instrument's distal end. The instrument may be used for longitudinal cutting of tissue at remote sites in the body of a patient to provide incisions of precise depth and length over a controlled path of a guide wire.
US08016844B2	Surgical device for the collection of soft tissue A handheld biopsy device is provided for the collection of soft tissue samples from a surgical patient. In a preferred embodiment, the biopsy device comprises a handpiece, a fluid collection system, and a power transmission source. The handpiece is configured for grasping by a single hand, and being independently manipulatable by hand for movement of the instrument toward and away from the patient. An elongated piercer extends from the distal end of the handpiece. The piercer has a sharpened distal end for entering the tissue and a port located proximal to the sharpened distal end for receiving a portion of tissue mass. An elongated cutter is disposed coaxially relative to a piercer lumen of the piercer. A distal blade of the cutter slides distally past the port of the piercer to severe the tissue portion drawn into the port by vacuum. The cutter is retracted to a most proximal position for removal of the tissue portion from a cutter lumen of the cutter. The handpiece further comprises a holster for detachably connecting a cutter rotational transmission and a cutter axial transmission to the power transmission source.
US08016843B2	Ultrasonic knife An ophthalmologic cutting device having a base support section for attachment with a movement generating device and a tip with a blade section. The blade section preferably has upper and lower edges, and a forward aspiration free edge extending between them, with the upper edge having a shorter longitudinal length compared with the lower edge and where the forward edge slopes down from a distal end of the upper edge to a distal end of the lower edge, and the lower edge presenting a material contact surface that is thinner in thickness than the upper edge. A slope back in the proximal direction of the forward edge of, for example, 10 to 45 degrees with a straight and/or curving forward edge or a combination of a straight and forward edge sections is preferred. Embodiments of the blade include a blade converging in thickness from top to bottom and one having a curved upper forward edge region and one with a lower edge that has a distal straight section and a recessed section positioned proximal of said distal straight section. The forward edge is also preferably defined by longitudinally diverging, opposing side walls.
US08016842B2	Methods for treating vulnerable plaque A system and method for treating a vulnerable plaque. The system includes a catheter and a tissue penetrating device for forming at least one opening in an outer wall of a vessel having a vulnerable plaque. An expansion device exerts force on the vulnerable plaque to force core material through the created opening. The system may also include a pocket forming device for forming a pocket in tissue adjacent the outer wall of the vulnerable plaque. The pocket receives the core material expelled through the opening in the outer wall.
US08016840B2	Endoscopic suturing system An endoscopic treatment device is used with an endoscope. This treatment device includes a transmission member with a flexible structure having a distal end portion to be inserted into a body and can be operated outside the body, a push rod coupled to the distal end portion, and first and second connecting members rotatably coupled to the push rod. The treatment device further includes first and second arm members rotatably coupled to the distal end portion of the connecting member, a holding member rotatably holding the respective arm at a predetermined interval therebetween, and first and second actuating members integrally formed with the arm members and can open/close when the transmission member actuates the first and second connecting members and the first and second arm members through the push rod. This device also includes a needle mounted on at least one of the first and second actuating members.
US08016839B2	Intra-abdominal medical procedures and device Improvements in intra-abdominal surgery include a method for removing large chunks of organic or inorganic material from the abdomen through a natural body opening such as the urethra. The technique may be supplemented by laparoscopic procedures.
US08016837B2	Remotely adjustable tissue displacement device The invention relates to an apparatus for displacing tissue within the body, wherein the apparatus includes two or more attachment members selectively displaceable with respect to each other via a driving member. The driving member preferably is rotatable and is caused to rotate by a magnetic actuator that can be activated by a magnetic field from outside the body.
US08016834B2	Process and device for treating vertebral bodies The invention concerns a process for treating of vertebral body (70) with the following steps: introducing a trocar (10) and a trocar jacket (20) into the vertebral body (70), removing the trocar (10), introducing the same or a different biopsy and cement cannula (30) into the trocar jacket, extracting spongiosa (74) into the biopsy and cement cannula (30), removing the biopsy and cement cannula (30), filling a biopsy and cement cannula (30) with contact cement (60), introducing the biopsy and cement cannula (30) into the trocar jacket (20), and introducing the bone cement (60) into the vertebral body (70) by introduction of a plunger (40) into the biopsy and cement cannula (30). The invention further concerns a device for treatment of vertebral bodies with at least one biopsy and cement cannula, which are fillable with bone cement, and a plunger, which is introducible into the biopsy and cement cannula, in order to expel bone cement out of the biopsy and cement cannula.
US08016833B2	Femoral cutting block A cutting block assembly comprising first and second interlocking blocks for resecting a distal femur. The first block has a first surface for providing a guiding surface for making an anterior chamfer cut on the femur and a second surface for providing a guiding surface for making a posterior chamfer cut on the femur. The second block is adapted to detachably couple to the first block. The second block has a first surface for providing a guiding surface for making an anterior cut on the femur and a second surface for providing a guiding surface for making a posterior cut on the femur. In another embodiment, the cutting block assembly is a four-in-one (4-in-1) cutting block assembly comprising a first block and second block attached to each other to form a first slot for making an anterior chamfer cut and a second slot for making a posterior chamfer cut.
US08016827B2	Apparatus, system, and method for performing an electrosurgical procedure A bipolar forceps includes a housing having a shaft extending therefrom including an end effector assembly at a distal end thereof. The end effector assembly has a wheel assembly opposing a jaw member and having a pair of opposing wheels configured to facilitate movement of the wheel assembly relative to the jaw member. A drive rod is operably coupled at a proximal end to a movable handle and at a distal end to the wheel assembly. The movable handle is movable relative to a stationary handle to move the wheel assembly relative to the jaw member. At least one electrically conductive tissue sealing plate is disposed on each of the wheel assembly and the jaw member and is adapted to connect to an electrosurgical energy source configured to deliver electrosurgical energy to tissue held between the wheel assembly and the jaw member to effect a tissue seal.
US08016826B2	Foam electrode and method of use thereof during tissue resection Assemblies and methods are provided for resecting a portion of tissue to be removed (e.g., unhealthy tissue, such as cancerous tissue) from a portion of the tissue to be retained (e.g., healthy tissue) within a patient is provided. An electrically conductive fluid, such as saline, may be absorbed into a hydrophilic electrode. Electrical energy (e.g., radio frequency (RF) energy) is conveyed to or from the hydrophilic electrode while being moved in proximity to the tissue along a resection line, whereby tissue adjacent to the resection line is coagulated. A resection member, such as a blunt resection member or a resection electrode, which may be on the same device as the hydrophilic electrode, is used to separate the tissue along the resection line to resect the tissue portion to be removed from the tissue portion to be retained.
US08016822B2	Fluid injecting devices and methods and apparatus for maintaining contact between fluid injecting devices and tissue Apparatus and methods for maintaining contact between tissue and a fluid injection device. An apparatus in the form of a suction device for use with a probe that includes at least one energy transmission device and a wettable structure around at least a portion of the energy transmission device includes a suction pod and a connector. The suction pod defines a suction region and includes a suction aperture within the suction region. The connector is configured to secure the probe to the suction device such that at least a portion of the wettable structure is within the suction region in spaced relation to the suction aperture. A support device positioned within the suction region is configured to engage the wettable structure and maintain a predetermined space between the wettable structure and the suction aperture.
US08016821B2	Living body tissue harvesting apparatus In a bipolar cutter for a living body tissue, a groove part is formed in a member that is arranged close to an active electrode, thereby providing a constitution to cut while the blood stanching is ensured since when a heat amount generated by the active electrode is conducted in the member, an excessive heat conduction to the member is efficiently interrupted by a layer of air that is produced due to the groove part and the living tissue is thus provided with more heat.
US08016819B2	Protective cover for a surgical tool A cover that protects a tip of a surgical instrument. The tip can be placed within a housing of the cover. The housing has openings on each end that allow sterilization fluid to flow across the tip during an autoclave procedure. The tip can be placed on a handle of the cover. The handle can be rotated relative to the housing to allow for the easy insertion and removal of the tip from the cover.
US08016817B2	Device for controlling exposure of reservoir contents to surroundings Microchip devices are provided that include a substrate; a plurality of reservoirs in the substrate, each reservoir defining an internal volume; and a reservoir cap positioned on or in each of the reservoirs bounding the internal volume from an external environment, the reservoir cap being formed of a material that undergoes a phase change upon heating, wherein the internal volume can communicate with the external environment upon heating said reservoir cap to cause said reservoir cap to undergo a phase change and rupture.
US08016815B2	Catheter assembly including foldable internal bolster A catheter assembly including a foldable internal bolster. According to one embodiment, the catheter assembly includes a catheter, a first flexible filament and a second flexible filament. The catheter includes a tubular body and a pair of flexible legs. The tubular body is a generally cylindrical member shaped to include a proximal end, a distal end, a longitudinal lumen, a pair of external notches, a first bore extending from the proximal end to one of the notches, and a second bore extending from the proximal end to the other of the notches. Each of the flexible legs has a fixed end and a free end, the fixed end being integrally formed on the distal end of the tubular body. One end of the first filament is fixed to one of the flexible legs, and the opposite end of the first filament is slidably inserted up through the first bore. One end of the second filament is fixed to the other of the flexible legs, and the opposite end of the second filament is slidably inserted up through the second bore. Consequently, by pulling the filaments up through their respective bores, the free ends of the legs may be drawn towards the tubular body to form a pair of loops suitable for use as an internal bolster.
US08016814B2	Guidewires and delivery catheters having fiber optic sensing components and related systems and methods Methods, systems and devices for delivering a diagnostic or therapeutic treatment, substance or device to a target area located within the body of a human or animal subject. A tissue penetrating catheter is positioned within a body lumen near the target area. A hollow penetrator is then advanced from the tissue penetrating catheter and penetrated from the body lumen in which the penetrating catheter is positioned into tissue in the direction of the target area. Thereafter, an elongate optical device (e.g., an optically equipped guidewire or catheter) is advanced through the hollow penetrator and continues to advance through tissue, in the direction of the target area. The elongate optical device is connected to an optical processing device (e.g., a spectrometer) which provides optically determined data (e.g., spectral reflectance, pH, oxygen concentration, temperature) indicating when the elongate optical device has entered the target area. The elongate optical device is then used to facilitate delivery of a diagnostic or therapeutic modality, substance or device into the target area.
US08016812B2	Techniques for delivery of stem cell and related therapies to treat cardiac conditions An exemplary method includes acquiring cardiac electrical activity information, detecting a T wave and, based on the detecting, calling for delivery of matter to the heart where the matter may include one or more of stem cells, progenitor cells, nutrients and drugs. Another exemplary method includes calling for delivery of electrical energy to cells destined for implantation in the body or cells already implanted in the body. Such delivery may be timed according to cardiac electrical activity and/or delivered at an energy level below a capture threshold of neighboring tissue. Various other exemplary technologies are also disclosed.
US08016810B2	Transdermal delivery system for cosmetic agents An intradermal or transdermal delivery system for topical administration of cosmetic agents, particularly water-soluble, poorly water-soluble, or water-insoluble cosmetic agents, in conjunction with an apparatus that generates micro-channels in the skin of a subject, is useful in treating skin conditions such as cellulite, hyper-pigmentation, skin aging, and acne.
US08016805B2	Pull-on disposable diaper A pull-on disposable diaper 1 has, between a waist opening 5 and leg openings 6, a region 71 having a width of 15 to 35 mm in each of a front section A and a rear section B. The region 71, while worn by a wearer, applies a pressure of 1.1 to 2.5 kPa to the wearer's body. With the diaper 1 opened and stretched out, the distance from the longitudinal centerline of the diaper to the widthwise middle of the region 71 in the front section A is 180 to 220 mm, and the distance from the longitudinal centerline of the diaper to the widthwise middle of the region 71 in the rear section B is 180 to 220 mm. A waist portion around the waist opening 5, while worn by a wearer, applies a pressure of 0.3 to 1.5 kPa to the wearer's body.
US08016803B2	Absorbent article with urine-permeable coversheet An absorbent article having a backsheet, an absorbent core, a topsheet, and a genital coversheet. The topsheet has an opening positioned to allow exuded fecal material to pass therethrough when the article is worn by a wearer. The genital coversheet is positioned across a portion of the aperture and covers the wearer's genitals. A void space is formed between the genital coversheet and the absorbent core and a void space is formed between the topsheet and the absorbent core.
US08016799B2	Catheter having a detachable tip A catheter is disclosed that has a detachable tip for delivery of a therapeutic substance to a chronic total occlusion (CTO) within a body vessel. The tip is made from a biodegradable material and includes an active agent dispersed therethrough. The detachable tip pierces into the calcified lesion, detaches from the catheter, and remains embedded within the lesion as the tip degrades, thereby releasing the active agent. The active agent is a therapeutic substance effective to treat of a CTO. The active agent may be a drug, an enzyme, bacteria, or a parasite that degrades or softens the calcified lesion.
US08016798B2	Fluid delivery system and sensing unit therefor A fluid delivery system capable of delivering a precise amount of fluid, such as a fluid required for medical treatment. The delivery system makes use of an inline sensing unit that includes a housing comprising an inlet for receiving a fluid from a fluid source, an outlet for discharging the fluid from the housing, and at least one cavity between the inlet and the outlet. A sensing element and electronic circuitry are disposed within the at least one cavity. The electronic circuitry is adapted to produce an electrical output based on at least one response of the sensing element. The sensing unit is further equipped with a communication element for providing communication between the electronic circuitry and an electronic device remote from the housing.
US08016795B2	Device for oral administration of a medicine An assembly for oral administration of a medicinal product to be reconstituted from an active principle in dry or liquid form and from a diluent, A device including a prefilled syringe with said diluent, able by itself to receive a parenteral injection member is provided. A support including a body of elongate form is fastened to the syringe, the support includes a device for fixing to the syringe and, at its distal end a device for preventing the connecting of the needle to the tip of the syringe. A bottle including the active principle and a system for transferring the diluent to the active principle, then the reconstituted medicinal product from the bottle to the syringe, the transfer system being separate from the support.
US08016794B2	Anchor device and method Some embodiments of an anchor device may include bendable anchor mechanism that is deployable in a subcutaneous layer to releasably secure the anchor device to a patient's body. Certain embodiments of the anchor mechanism may include one or more barbs that flexibly bend in response to an insertion or removal force. As such, the anchor mechanism may be inserted into a subcutaneous layer, and removed from the subcutaneous layer, without the need for a separate actuation device to extend or retract the barbs.
US08016792B2	Universal catheter securement device A universal securing device for holding catheters of various shapes and sizes and the like in place includes a base and cover. The cover may be connected to the base by a hinge which allows the cover to be lifted open or pushed down into a closed position, over a catheter fitting. The base may have locating elements configured and arranged to fit around catheter fittings of various sizes, and the locating elements prevent substantial movement of a catheter fitting and catheter in various dimensions. The cover may include capture elements which act to grip and compress the catheter fitting when the securing device is in a closed position, thus preventing substantial movement of a catheter fitting and catheter in various dimensions. The base may be attached to a patient with an adhesive pad attached to the bottom surface of the base.
US08016788B2	Devices, systems and methods for medicament delivery An apparatus includes a housing, a medicament container and an actuator. The actuator includes a release member and an energy storage member having a first position and a second position. In the first position, the energy storage member has a first potential energy. In the second position the energy storage member has a second potential energy. The energy storage member is configured to convert a portion of the first potential energy into kinetic energy when moved from the first position to the second position to move the medicament container within the housing. The energy storage member has a longitudinal axis offset from a longitudinal axis of the medicament container. The release member is configured to selectively deploy the energy storage member from its first position to its second position.
US08016787B2	Single-use syringe Self-disabling or self-locking single-use syringe of the passive type, i.e., one that is self-locked after first use of the syringe, in such a way that any attempted reuse is prevented, and is characterised in that it comprises at least two rings provided on the internal face of the barrel and having the general shape of a circular crown with a variable internal radius, and in that each of the longitudinal fins of the piston has a height which is different from that of at least one of the other fins, in such a way that the plunger can be inserted tightly through the space defined by the variable internal radius of the barrel rings. In this way resistance to the passage of the piston is minimised, thereby reducing the risk of causing bruises, and with a manufacturing cost substantially similar to that of conventional syringes.
US08016785B2	Gastrojejunal feeding tube A feeding tube apparatus is shown, with self propelled features that provide for placement in the postpyloric region of a patient.
US08016784B1	Deflectable catheter assembly having compression compensation mechanism A deflectable catheter assembly having a compression compensation mechanism is disclosed. The deflectable catheter assembly comprises a catheter shaft having a catheter proximal section and a catheter distal section. A therapeutic tool is disposed within the catheter shaft. A compression compensation mechanism is coupled to the therapeutic tool to compensate for a length change in the catheter shaft such as when the catheter shaft is deflected. The compression compensation mechanism includes a spring moveably disposed between a distal stop and a proximal stop that are attached to the therapeutic tool. A deployment slide is moveably disposed proximate to the spring and between the distal stop and the proximal stop. A catheter handle configured to house the compression compensation mechanism is coupled to the catheter shaft.
US08016782B2	Methods for providing oxygenated blood to venous circulation Methods are disclosed for the providing oxygenated blood to venous circulation. Embodiments include a femoral access approach to the creation of an Aorta-caval fistula at the bifurcation of the Aorta and the Inferior Vena Cava; an apparatus for the creation, modification and maintenance of a fistula; and a method of supplying oxygenated blood to the venous circulation of a patient. The devices, systems and methods can be used to treat patients with one or more numerous ailments including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, congestive heart failure, hypertension, hypotension, respiratory failure, pulmonary arterial hypertension, lung fibrosis and adult respiratory distress syndrome.
US08016776B2	Wearable ambulatory data recorder A wearable ambulatory data recorder that senses physiological parameters of a patient, and stores physiological parameter data for later retrieval, as well as techniques for using such a wearable ambulatory data recorder, are described. The data recorder includes one or more sensors located on or within a housing. The data recorder may include an adhesive layer for attachment to a patient. In some embodiments, the housing may be within a patch, e.g., bandage, which includes the adhesive layer. The housing may be waterproof. Features of the data recorder such as size, waterproofness, and inclusion of an adhesive may allow the data recorder to be unobtrusively worn by a patient during a variety of daily activities. The data recorder may be for single use and thereafter disposable.
US08016775B2	Dual blade lancing test strip An integrated lancing test strip includes a pair of blade members that each have a lancing tip that are configured to lance skin. A pair of spacer members connect the blade members together such that the blade members define an internal capillary. A test strip is positioned along the internal capillary, and the test strip is configured to test analyte levels in the bodily fluid. During use, the lancing tips form one or more incisions in the skin. The fluid from the incisions is drawn via capillary action through the internal capillary and onto the test strip.
US08016770B2	Cognitive function training unit A cognitive function training unit including an eye-target showing unit for showing a movable eye-target on a display disposed in front of the subject's eye, an eye movement measuring unit for measuring a position and/or movement of the subject's eye, and a judgment unit for judging whether or not the subject can fixedly look at or follow the eye-target based on the position and/or the movement of the eye-target shown on the display and the position and/or the movement of the subject's eye measured by the eye movement measuring unit, and the eye-target showing unit shows the eye-target repeatedly while changing the position and/or the movement of the eye-target according to a judgment result of the judgment unit. Therefore, it is possible to show a suitable eye-target according to a symptom of a patient, whereby it is possible to conduct training efficiently.
US08016768B2	Hand sensory assessment device The present invention relates to a hand sensory assessment device capable of point localization, two-point discrimination, vibration, and texture discrimination for assessing and training patients. The device possesses multiples of pins serving as contacting points that are capable of treating multiples points on a patients hand.
US08016765B2	Integrated manual mechanical and electronic sphygmomanometer within a single enclosure The present invention provides a new multi-mode sphygmomanometer which integrates into one enclosure a full manual sphygmomanometer comprising a mechanical cuff pressure measuring and display system, a manual inflation bulb and deflation valve such elements comprising the manual/mechanical aspect of the integrated device. Within the same physical enclosure and integrated with the manual sphygmomanometer the device also comprises an electronic blood pressure measuring and monitoring device comprising electronic sensing of the pressure, electronic indication of the cuff pressure and oscillation or KS amplitudes and logic implemented in a microprocessor that automatically interprets these signals to determine the BP parameters.
US08016761B2	Method and apparatus for automated flow mediated dilation A method and system for use in measuring the endothelial dysfunction in a patient utilizing flow mediated dilation. The system includes both a non-invasive blood pressure monitor and an ultrasound system that communicate with each other to perform the flow mediated dilation. Initially, the ultrasound transducer and blood pressure cuff are positioned on an arm of the patient and the blood pressure cuff is inflated to occlude an artery for an occlusion period. Following the occlusion period, the ultrasound system is automatically signaled to begin determining both the diameter of the artery and the flow rate of blood through the artery without any operator intervention. Based upon the detected characteristics of the artery before and after occlusion, the system can determine the endothelial dysfunction of the patient.
US08016758B2	User interface for medical imaging including improved pan-zoom control An ultrasonic image scanning system for scanning an organic object that includes a display system for displaying a scanned image of the organic object in a plurality of display modes wherein the display system further includes a user input device sensor for sensing a motion of a user input device in at least one of display modes to automatically switch from one display mode to a different display mode. Furthermore, the display system further counts a length of time the user input device staying idle in at least one of the display modes for switching the display mode back to a last display mode at a predefined idle time limit.
US08016757B2	Non-invasive temperature estimation technique for HIFU therapy monitoring using backscattered ultrasound Ultrasound data are collected from a thermal source and a mass of tissue before initiating therapy to measure two parameters of the bio-heat transfer equation (BHTE). The parameters are the thermal diffusivity (K) of the tissue and the magnitude of the thermal source (Q). Once the parameters have been obtained, the BHTE can be calibrated to the specific mass of tissue and the specific thermal source. The calibrated BHTE can be used to generate a temperature dependence curve calibrated to the thermal source and tissue, and spatio-temporal temperature maps, to facilitate pre-therapy planning. During therapy, ultrasound data are collected to determine if Q changes during therapy, and if so, the BHTE is recalibrated using the new Q value, increasing an accuracy of the temperature estimations.
US08016753B2	Endoscope An endoscope including an inserted portion, which is adapted to be inserted into an organ, having a distal portion with a distal surface, a liquid outlet, which is formed in the distal portion, and is adapted to eject liquid therefrom toward an object located in vicinity to the distal portion, and a flow attracting member, which is adapted to attract a flow of the liquid ejected from the liquid outlet, is provided. The flow of the liquid ejected from the liquid outlet is angled by the flow attracting member so that the liquid is directed at a predetermined portion of the object.
US08016752B2	Puncturable catheter A catheter provided with a guidewire catheter lumen having a thin covering that is easily punctured by a guidewire at virtually any desired point along the catheter length. The thin covering may be integral with the catheter shaft, or may be a separate component that covers only the portion of the catheter shaft immediately adjacent the outer portion of the guidewire lumen, or may be a thin tubular construct that surrounds the entire catheter shaft. The covering is preferably relatively translucent, allowing for good visualization of the location of the end of the guidewire to enable puncturing of the covering at the desired location along the length of the catheter shaft. The covering is also preferably tear resistant at puncture sites. The catheter shaft is preferably made of a material having a color that provides good visibility against an operating field, and more preferably is phosphorescent either entirely or in part. Materials suitable for the catheter shaft are polymeric materials well known in the art; the catheter shaft may optionally be provided with metallic stiffening components such as wires or hypotubes along all or part of the catheter length.
US08016750B2	Flexible tubular liner coating system Flexible tubular liner coating systems are described herein. A method for coating and forming the flexible tubular inner liner may comprise, in one example, coating at least a first surface of a flexible elongate strip having a first and a second edge and then bringing the first and second edges of the flexible elongate strip into proximity of one another. Once the edges are brought towards one another, they may be joined such that a flexible tubular liner is formed having the coated first surface formed as an inner surface of the flexible tubular liner. Flexible tubular liner coating systems are described herein. A method for coating and forming the flexible tubular inner liner may comprise, in one example, coating at least a first surface of a flexible elongate strip having a first and a second edge and then bringing the first and second edges of the flexible elongate strip into proximity of one another. Once the edges are brought towards one another, they may be joined such that a flexible tubular liner is formed having the coated first surface formed as an inner surface of the flexible tubular liner.
US08016748B2	Apparatus and methods for coronary sinus access Apparatus and methods for locating morphological features within a body cavity using a catheter including proximal and distal ends, a transparent balloon carried on the distal end, and an optical imaging assembly carried on the distal end for imaging through the balloon. The balloon includes a channel extending therethrough to a lumen extending through the catheter. A guidewire or other localization member is received in the lumen that is extendable through the channel. During use, the catheter is inserted into a right atrium of a heart, and the balloon is expanded and placed against the wall of the heart to locate the coronary sinus. Sufficient force is applied to clear blood between the surface and the wall and clear the field of view of the imaging assembly. The catheter is manipulated to locate the coronary sinus, whereupon the localization member is advanced into the coronary sinus.
US08016746B2	Inflatable penile implant A body implantable penile prosthetic assembly includes a pump and a release mechanism. The pump is connectable to a pressure reservoir and a penile implant, where the pressure reservoir contains a pressurized liquid at a first pressure when implanted. The release mechanism is connectable between the pressure reservoir and the penile implant and is configured to release the pressurized liquid from the pressure reservoir to inflate the penile implant to a second pressure that is less than the first pressure. The pump is operable to transfer the pressurized liquid from the penile implant to the pressure reservoir to deflate the penile implant, and pressurize the pressurized liquid in the pressure reservoir from the second pressure to at least the first pressure.
US08016740B2	Pressure attenuation device A therapeutic device is provided. The therapeutic device can include a flexible housing and can be configured to be positioned within an anatomical structure. The therapeutic device can also include at least one high vapor pressure media having a vapor pressure greater than the pressure within the anatomical structure and a permeability of less than 1 ml/day at body temperature through said outer wall.
US08016735B2	Apparatus for crumpling paper substrates The present subject matter relates generally to an apparatus for crumpling paper substrates. Specifically, the system provides for the crumpling of paper substrates to form fill material to be utilized in product packaging to fill void space and/or to wrap around products thereby allowing for safe transport of the products. The apparatus includes a feeder for feeding sheeting material, a first roller connected to a drive mechanism, a second roller disposed adjacent said first roller wherein said sheeting material travels between the first roller and the second roller and further wherein the second roller pushes said sheeting material against said first roller to engage the sheeting material with the first roller, and a third roller connected to the drive mechanism for directing said sheeting material out of said apparatus.
US08016733B2	Lightweight, small diameter paint roller A novel paint roller “cage” having improved tracking and ease of use is adapted for receiving different length axle shafts of various sizes of paint roller frames. An outer tubular support, upon which a paint roller cover or other paint absorbing material may be mounted, contains a pair of support bearings secured at either end of an inner tubular chassis, with one support bearing at a first end of the outer tubular support, and the other support bearing at approximately its mid point. The two support bearings are connected by an inner tubular chassis, which both maintains the two bearings at a desired axial spacing and also holds the walls and radial bearing surfaces of a bushing chamber that is integrally molded with each support bearing in proper position about a tubular bushing that is adapted to be frictionally secured to the axle shaft. In one embodiment, the outer tubular support has a diameter of about 1″ and a length of about 9″, and can be used with both 6.5″ and 9″ roller frames. The nominal axial clearance between the tubular bushing and the adjacent radial bearing surfaces of the bushing chamber is less than about 0.005″.
US08016730B2	Exercise machine An exercise machine (1) for developing motor abilities and muscular strength, of the type comprising at least one supporting frame (2), at least one flexible cable (4) wound on a plurality of pulleys (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) rotatably supported by the frame (2) and connected to at least one resistant load (7), at least one grip element (5a; 5b; 5c) connected to the cable (4) and designed to be operated by a user in order to perform an exercise, the machine being characterized in that it comprises at least one return device (14), to which the ends (4′, 4″) of the cable (4) are connected, said return device designed to return the cable (4) to the initial configuration after an exercise has been performed.
US08016722B2	Process and device for controlling a gearsift of an automatic gearbox A method for controlling an automatic transmission, which allows changing a gear change and downshifting with minimal interruption of traction while the phase of reduction of the drive torque of the drive motor, the phase interruption of the frictional connection phase in the automatic transmission and the phase of rotational speed adjustment in the transmission input shaft are designed for a suitable target rotational speed such that they at least partially overlap. Upon interruption of the frictional connection in the automatic transmission, the drive motor transmits a drive torque to the input shaft of the automatic transmission, via the main clutch, which adjusts the rotational speed of the input shaft of a transmission to the synchronous speed of the new gear.
US08016713B2	Multi-speed transmissions The transmission has a plurality of members that can be utilized in powertrains to provide at least ten forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio. The transmission includes four planetary gear sets, six torque-transmitting devices, and three fixed interconnections. The powertrain includes an engine and torque converter that is continuously connected to one of the planetary gear members and an output member that is continuously connected with another one of the planetary gear members. The six torque-transmitting devices provide interconnections between various gear members and the transmission housing, and are operated in combinations of three to establish at least ten forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio.
US08016711B2	Multi-speed transmission A transmission is disclosed having an input member, an output member, first, second and third planetary gear sets, a first interconnecting member, a second interconnecting member and six torque-transmitting mechanisms. The torque-transmitting mechanisms are selectively engageable in combinations of at least three to establish at least eight forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio between the input member and the output member. The planetary gear sets each have first, second and third members. The six torque-transmitting mechanisms are selectively engageable to interconnect one of the first, second, and third members with another of the first, second, and third members.
US08016708B2	Multi-speed gearbox An eight-gear transmission comprises an input shaft, an output shaft, four planetary gear sets and five gear shifting elements.
US08016707B2	Machine tool comprising a rotary transmission leadthrough between the driven gear and the spindle A machine tool gear mechanism (1) such as a spindle gear mechanism, transmits torque from an output shaft (3) of the gear mechanism directly to a spindle (6). The mechanism includes a rotary passage (14) as a device for delivering coolants, emulsions, oils or air between the output shaft (3) or the motor and the spindle (6). The rotary passage (14) is integrated in the spindle (6).
US08016702B2	Contoured hand grip constructions for a racquet A handle configuration for a stringed racquet includes a handle shaft having a defined exterior shape and plural mounting apertures, with a butt cap being provided at a base end thereof. A contour assembly has an exterior of designed contour, including an upper protrusion and a lower trigger. The contour assembly is mountable on the racquet handle shaft at a plurality of discrete locations defined by the mounting apertures. The contour assembly has an interior shape conforming to the handle shaft shape to allow the contour assembly to be received on the handle shaft for attachment thereto. One or more mounting elements on the contour assembly align with the handle shaft mounting apertures for attachment of the contour assembly thereto.
US08016701B2	Lacrosse head A lacrosse head includes sidewalls having an open frame construction. The sidewalls include an upper rail and a lower rail, along with a cross member joined with the upper rail and the lower rail. The cross member defines multiple holes corresponding to multiple pocket configurations so that a user can attach a lacrosse net to selected ones of the holes and achieve a desired pocket profile. Optionally, at least one of the upper and lower rails can be void of any string holes. Further optionally, the cross member can branch into one or more secondary members that also define string holes to provide additional pocket profiles. Even further optionally, the holes defined by the cross member can be of polygonal shape.
US08016694B2	Golf club head and golf clubs A golf club head of the wood-type, including: a body defining an interior cavity and including a ball-striking face, a sole, a crown, and a ribbon extending rearwardly from the face; an elongated groove that extends along a portion of the ribbon; a weight slidably disposed in the elongated grove; and a fastener affixed to the weight capable of selectively fixing a location of the weight. Other aspects, features, and embodiments are also claimed and described.
US08016690B2	Golf training device A golf training device having a foot plate, an upright support extending from the foot plate, and a brace associated with the upright support, wherein a golfer may stand upon the foot plate with his buttocks against the brace to provide visual and tactical indication of a departure from the brace during the golfer's swing. In some embodiments of the training device, the brace may be resilient and/or the upright support may rotate. In such cases, the device may include a measurement device to measure the movement of the brace during the golfer's swing. The training device may also include an outrigger with elastic cord for attachment to a golfer to correct a “sway” or “slide” condition. The device may also include indicators to indicate a departure from correct positioning during a golf swing.
US08016682B2	Quick change glass mounting arrangement for gaming cabinet A mounting arrangement for supporting the light-transmitting sheets of material in a gaming cabinet includes an upper retaining structure that secures an upper edge of the sheet, and a lower support surface upon which a lower edge portion of the sheet is disposed. A retaining bracket or the like secures at least the lower portion of the sheet of material to the gaming cabinet.
US08016676B2	Child's car seat assembly enabling access to remote gaming applications and two-way person-to-person communications A child's car seat assembly includes built-in components enabling wireless gaming applications. A child's car seat assembly includes built-in components enabling two-way, person-to-person communications. A child's car seat assembly includes built-in components enabling both wireless gaming applications and two-way, person-to-person communications. The child's car seat assembly of the invention is intended for use with an infant or toddler.
US08016673B2	Game device, game device control method, and information storage medium To provide a game device for allowing a game player to relatively readily control an operation target player character object so as to make a motion according to a moving speed of the moving body object. The present invention relates to a game device for displaying an image obtained by viewing, from a predetermined viewpoint, a virtual three-dimensional space where an operation target player character object and a moving body object representative of a moving body are disposed, and providing a sports game using the moving body. An object control unit (74) controls an operation target player character object so as to change the position and posture thereof in accordance with a moving speed of the moving body object according to a result of determination as to whether or not the positions of the operation target player character object and the moving body object satisfy a predetermined position condition.
US08016671B2	Game apparatus and storage medium storing game program A game apparatus includes two LCDs, and a touch panel is provided in relation to the one LCD. When an action game is started, a game screen is displayed on the other LCD, and a still image (capture screen) obtained by copying the game screen according to a capture operation by a player is displayed on the one LCD. When an enemy object on the capture screen is directed, stroked, and so forth by use of the touch panel, the enemy object on the game screen is frozen or erased.
US08016670B2	Virtual glass for a gaming machine Various virtual glasses for providing visual and audio displays in a gaming machine are disclosed. Such virtual glasses may replace traditional gaming machine displays such as silk-screened glasses and secondary video screens. A virtual glass system comprises at least a host adapted to provide video content, a host storage unit adapted to store video content for the host, and a virtual glass in communication with the host. A standard virtual glass comprises at least a logic device, a storage unit, and a video display device. Multiples of each item may be present in each virtual glass system and/or virtual glass. In particular, the combined capacity of all virtual glass storage units is substantially less than the combined video content capacity of the host storage units. Additional devices can include remote hosts, remote virtual glasses, multiple hosts, networked systems and advanced logic devices capable of providing prioritization and increased functionality.
US08016669B2	Gaming machine During a slot machine game, game effects are also displayed on a liquid crystal panel 39d provided in a reel display window unit 39, and thus the liquid crystal panel 39d serves as a new machine component for performing game effects. Therefore, new effects for the game can be performed on the liquid crystal panel 39d, which facilitates maintaining the novelty of game effects. Furthermore, since the peripheral corner portions in the rear side of the apertures 5c, 6c and 7c formed in the rear holder 39h are removed therefrom, the peripheral portions are prevented from being recognized by the player when a player observes the reels 2-4 behind the liquid crystal panel 39d through the transparent acryl plate 39a. Accordingly, the thickness of the rear holder 39h and the thickness of the entire reel display window unit 39 draw no attention of the player.
US08016667B2	Remote gaming eligibility system and method using RFID tags Systems and methods for verifying the eligibility of players attempting to participate in gaming events are disclosed. Communication objects having RFID tags and closed electrical circuits are individually assigned to and worn by players within a gaming player verification system, which can be administered by a casino desk, hotel concierge, or other operating entity. These RFID tags are adapted to communicate with associated player tracking units attached to gaming machines and other devices via radio frequency waves, and each communication object is adapted to alter its communication pattern in response to any break of its closed electrical circuit. Bracelets, wristwatches or collars can be used as communication objects, such that the removal of such an object from a player cannot be accomplished without breaking the closed electrical circuit contained therein, thereby disabling or de-authenticating the device. A computer server having a player verification program and database may also be used.
US08016665B2	Table game tracking The present invention relates to a system and method for identifying and tracking gaming objects and game states on a gaming table. Through the use of imaging devices and identity and positioning modules gaming objects are detected. An identity and positioning module identifies the value and position of cards on the gaming table. An intelligent position analysis and tracking (IPAT) module performs analysis of the identity and position data of cards and interprets them intelligently for the purpose of tracking game events, game states and general game progression. As a game progresses it changes states. A game tracking module processes data from the IPAT module and keeps track of game events and game states. Ambiguity resolution mechanisms such as backward tracking, forward tracking and multiple state tracking may be used in the process of game tracking. All events on the gaming table are recorded and stored on video and as data for reporting and analysis.
US08016663B2	Method, apparatus and article for random sequence generation and playing card distribution A method, apparatus and article generates a pseudo-random playing card sequence and distributes playing cards according the pseudo-random playing card sequence. For example, the method, apparatus and article generates a pseudo-random playing card sequence and prints playing cards in order of the pseudo-random playing card sequence. Further, the method, apparatus and article generates a pseudo-random playing card sequence based on a house advantage. Yet further, the method, apparatus and article can generate a promotional message on one or more playing cards.
US08016661B2	Gaming system comprising a plurality of slot machines and method for controlling gaming machine A gaming system of the present invention is programmed to execute processes of: changing symbols arranged on a sub display in such a way as to scroll symbols in a lateral direction in a display zone comprising sub displays in the respective slot machines, the sub displays being connected laterally to one another; then stopping the changing of symbols at predetermined timing; and at this stoppage, providing an award on a basis of the symbol arranged on the sub display.
US08016656B2	Apparatus and method for playing poker-style games involving a draw An apparatus and method for enhancing participation in gaming activities that involve replacement items, replacement cards, or other draw-type activity. A player is allowed to hold cards (or other items) of a starting hand/payline. Multiple sets of potential replacement cards are provided, from which the player can select the desired set of replacement cards. The selected set of replacement cards is used to complete the player's hand. Multiple hands may be played concurrently.
US08016653B2	Three dimensional virtual rendering of a live event A method is disclosed for three-dimensional rendering of a live event such as an automobile race over a client device such as a personal computer. Moving and stationary objects at the event may be rendered using computer-generated graphics of the moving and stationary objects and real time positional data giving the position of the moving objects over time. The positional data may be streamed to the client device and displayed in real time or substantially real time.
US08016649B2	Positioning device for the halves of slaughtered animal bodies for optical capture in the cleaving plane A positioning apparatus for animal carcass halves, particularly slaughtered pig halves, arranges a cleaving plane to be aligned in parallel with an imaging plane of a camera. The positioning apparatus includes a rear guide element disposed movably at a level of an upper guide. In a region of an imaging position of a slaughtered pig half, the positioning apparatus includes rollers operating as pressure elements.
US08016647B2	Polishing pad and method thereof A polishing pad and fabricating method thereof includes a polishing pad body and at least a compressibility-aiding stripe. The compressibility-aiding stripe is buried in the polishing pad body and has a larger compressibility than that of the polishing pad body.
US08016641B2	Method for manufacturing a golf club head A method for manufacturing a golf club head having scorelines is disclosed herein. The method includes tumbling a raw cast golf club head in a tumbler containing a rough cut media. The tumbling occurs for at least six hours to create a tumbled golf cub head. The method also includes grinding the tumbled golf club head to clean a perimeter of the tumbled golf club head to create a ground golf club head. The method also includes polishing the ground golf club head to create a polished golf club head. The method also includes finishing the golf club head to create a finished golf club head.
US08016640B2	Clothing The invention relates to a breast support apparatus for use with any garment. The sling or wrap of material is elasticated or “stretchable” and non-slip, for example, being of cotton/polyester. The sling or wrap of material has been shaped as shown with the ends being narrowed to the width of elasticated, connecting strap, the ends being joined to the strap and to one another, for example, by appropriate stitching. The ends of the strap are passed through an opening in metal connecting buckle of the connecting strap. The connecting strap may be used to connect or hook the breast apparatus to an appropriate location on an outer garment.
US08016639B2	Start gate for gravity-driven cars An improved start gate for gravity-driven cars which is itself a gravity-driven compound pendulum. The pendulum includes a horizontal drop member rigidly connected at one end to a start post support rod which in turn supports a plurality of start posts. A trigger lever, when moved either directly or remotely, allows the drop member to fall as in a compound pendulum thereby rotating the start posts and allowing the cars to start. The embodiment teaches that the subsequent initial start post acceleration is approximately twice the car acceleration. The equations of motion are solved showing that the start posts are guaranteed not to interfere with car motion. A major advantage over prior art spring-loaded start gates is that the gate “slap” from stopping overly-forceful spring motion and the associated track jarring and car jostling is eliminated, thereby contributing substantially to a more smooth and fair start.
US08016638B1	Mouth game call A mouth-operated game call comprising at least one sound-making diaphragm, a frame in which an edge portion of the diaphragm is received, and a housing in which the frame is received, wherein the housing is composed at least partially of a cushion or foam material in order to provide improved sealing against the roof of the mouth or denture plate and to relieve discomfort on the tongue by a tab of the call. A member is positioned between the frame and the housing and is shaped to effect a curvature of an outer surface of the housing for sealingly conforming to a contour of a user's palate or upper denture plate. The frame is folded to comprise a pair of upper and lower frame portions between which the diaphragm is received and wherein a tab on the lower frame portion is folded over onto the upper frame portion so that the tab is not in a position to irritate the user's tongue.
US08016637B2	Wild game call apparatus and method A wild game call may include a resonance piece. The resonance piece may include a body, pipes, and a plug that may attach to a mouth piece. Also a wild game call may include a mouth piece attached to the body. Additionally, the mouth piece may include a reed and a neck.Alternatively, a wild game call may include pipes of variable lengths attached to a splitter, which combines two pipe openings into one pipe opening. Also, a front pipe may be attached to the one pipe opening of the splitter. Additionally, a wild game call may include a mouthpiece attached to the front pipe comprising openings for exhaling, a reed; and fasteners to attach the reed to the mouth piece.
US08016630B2	Cathode planes for field emission devices A substrate 200 is provided with conductive cathode tracks and a field electron emission material on the tracks. Septa 201 and pillars 202 are provided as raised elements over the emission material. An electrically insulating layer is formed over the emission material and raised elements 201, 202, such that boundary walls are formed in the insulating layer where it contacts the raised elements. The raised elements 201, 202 are then removed, to leave emitter cells and voids for other components, defined by the boundary walls with the insulating layer. A gate electrode is provided over the insulating layer.
US08016626B2	Marine propulsion system A marine propulsion system that achieves both an acceleration performance and top speed closer to the performance desired by a boat driver includes an engine, propellers rotated by the driving force of the engine, a transmission mechanism arranged to convey the driving force of the engine to the propellers at least after shifting into a low speed reduction gear ratio and into a high speed reduction gear ratio, an acceleration sensor arranged to detect the acceleration of a hull propelled by the rotation of the propellers, and a control section and an ECU arranged to carry out the control for changing the reduction gear ratio of the transmission mechanism. The control section and the ECU are configured to control the transmission mechanism to shift from the low speed reduction gear ratio into the high speed reduction gear ratio based on the acceleration of the hull.
US08016616B2	Electrical connector system High-speed backplane connectors systems for mounting a substrate that are capable of operating at speeds of up to at least 25 Gbps, while in some implementations also providing pin densities of at least 50 pairs of electrical connectors per inch are disclosed. Implementations of the high-speed connector systems may provide ground shields and/or other ground structures that substantially encapsulate electrical connector pairs, which may be differential electrical connector pairs, in a three-dimensional manner throughout a backplane footprint, a backplane connector, and a daughtercard footprint. These encapsulating ground shields and/or ground structures prevent undesirable propagation of non-traverse, longitudinal, and higher-order modes when the high-speed backplane connector systems operates at frequencies up to at least 30 GHz.
US08016606B1	Unstressed connector position assurance device and connector assembly A Connector Position Assurance (CPA) device for ensuring mating of a male header connector with a female housing includes a body portion, a first arm, and a second arm. The first arm is attached to the body portion, extended from the body portion, and includes a locking groove proximate a distal end thereof. The second arm, which includes a locking latch, is spaced apart from the first arm, attached to the body portion, and extended from the body portion. When the CPA device is guided along the female housing, the locking groove and the locking latch lock onto complementary protrusions on the female housing in a pre-lock position, only to be dislodged upon contact of a sloped surface at the distal end of the first arm with the male header connector during insertion of the male header connector into the female housing to proceed to a final-lock position.
US08016602B2	Multicontact connector with an incorporated rotary locking part A connection assembly includes a first multicontact connector housing having at least one blocking element in relief; and a second multicontact connector housing having a housing body extending along a longitudinal axis and a locking cap that is movable relative to the housing body of the second housing between a locked position and an unlocked position. The locking cap pivots about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The second housing includes at least one face that includes a locking zone for locking the locking cap. The locking cap includes at least one blocking ramp and at least one locking tab.
US08016601B2	Cap and connector unit A cap which is made difficult to come off a connector by suppressing deformation of the cap. The cap includes an insertion portion that has a hollow cylindrical shape and is inserted in a shell body of a shell of a receptacle connector, and a cover portion which is continuous with the insertion portion and covers an opening of the shell body. Ribs are formed inside the insertion portion, for suppressing deformation of the insertion portion.
US08016597B2	System and method for interjecting bilateral brain activation into routine activity A method and apparatus are disclosed that automatically interject brain activations into video imaging activities or other activities of daily living. During a video game, for example, an interrupt causes a pause in the game and a commencement of an activity involving but not limited to bilateral portions of the body, the peripheral vision of the game-player, and a visual pursuit-type and saccadic-type action on the video screen. Alternatively, the brain activation can be merged into the content of the video game so as to be generally indistinguishable to the user. Automatic feedback from the system encourages more frequent brain activations when performance is determined to be diminished and less frequent brain activations when performance is determined to be enhanced. The combination of events in the activity is believed to engage the frontal lobes of the brain as well as other brain structures and stimulate brain health.
US08016595B2	Interactive driving simulator, and methods of using same In an interactive driving simulation apparatus for a two-wheeled vehicle, a real-time test drive performance by a student operator around a simulated driving route sequence is recorded. The recorded performance is later replayed for the benefit of the student, to provide real-world simulation, education, and performance evaluation. During the simulated driving, pre-recorded performance evaluation comments are selected and stored, corresponding to the student's specific performance at a traffic driving situation on the driving route sequence. Then, upon displaying of a replay screen image of the simulated driving on a display unit, when a particular traffic driving situation is arrived at, a simulated operating environment of the traffic driving situation and the selected performance evaluation comments are automatically superimposed and displayed together as a replay screen 154.
US08016588B2	Injection molding machine An injection molding machine is provided which prevents, when molding a molding product, a molded part not to be used as a product to be integrally molded together with a molding product to be a product from being uselessly produced and improves production efficiency.A nozzle receiving section 37 configured on a fixed mold 22 side of a cavity C formed of the fixed mold 22 and a movable mold 21 is made to slightly protrude to allow melted resin remaining at the ends of the nozzle receiving section 37 and nozzle 20 to be used as part of a molding product in the next molding cycle and it is thereby possible to prevent, when molding a thin flat molding product such as a compact disk and video disk, melted resin from being uselessly produced as a sprue.
US08016587B2	Stretch rod, apparatus and method for producing hollow bodies A stretch rod used for forming a preform into a hollow body having in its surface a plurality of raised portions and/or recesses relative to the circular cylinder shape, whereby the stretch rod tip can come into contact with the concave, rotationally symmetric inner surface of the preform at a plurality of locations which are separate from one another. Also, a method and an apparatus for forming a preform into a hollow body, which uses such a stretch rod.
US08016585B2	Nanoimprint resin stamper A resin stamper is provided that is intended for use in an optical transfer-based nanostructure transfer apparatus and which is capable of automatic transport and alignment. The resin stamper includes a support member made of a light transmitting material and having mechanical strength, an intermediate layer also made of a light transmitting material, and a patterned resin layer which is also made of a light transmitting material. The support member is larger in size than the intermediate layer and the patterned resin layer. The intermediate layer is more flexible than the patterned resin layer. Also, the patterned resin layer has a pattern of high and low areas formed in a surface thereof that is the obverse of the pattern of high and low areas in a mold.
US08016584B2	Mold for the production of molded concrete bricks, and molded concrete brick using it A mold for the production of molded concrete bricks has mold recess bodies guided in openings in side walls of a mold insert, which openings are adapted to the contours of the recess bodies, in order to produce recesses in a molded concrete brick produced using this mold. The recesses reach all the way to the underside of a brick, and are supported on one or more sections of the edging of the opening. The wall thickness of the mold insert side wall can have a greater wall thickness in the region of the recess bodies. Preferably, the mold includes multiple mold inserts, and recess bodies that are similar in terms of position and movement direction are coupled mechanically with one another in their movement, and can be displaced together via common drive devices.
US08016582B2	Apparatus and method for manufacturing optical elements An apparatus for manufacturing optical elements at wafer level includes a lower mold core, an upper mold core, an aligning plate and an image pick-up device. The lower mold core has a lower alignment mark. The upper mold core has an upper alignment mark. The aligning plate has a first middle alignment mark corresponding to the lower alignment mark and a second middle alignment mark corresponding to the upper alignment mark. The image pick-up device is configured for capturing and analyzing images of the alignment marks to align the lower mold core, the aligning plate and the upper mold core.
US08016576B2	Vehicle transmission with fluid pump having a recirculation circuit The present disclosure relates to a vehicle transmission with fluid pump having a recirculation circuit. The recirculation circuit is configured to direct fluid from an outlet of the pump to an inlet during pump cycling. A method of manufacturing a fluid pump for use in a vehicle transmission is also disclosed.
US08016575B2	Pump for drawing fluid A fluid drawing device (10) comprising a hand pump (11) connected to a fluid reservoir (12). The reservoir (12) has an inlet/outlet orifice (18) through which fluid can be drawn into and expelled from the reservoir (12). The pump (11) comprises a squeeze bulb (13) with an air release valve (14) in its wall and an air intake valve (15). Compressing the bulb (13) releases the air to the atmosphere through the release valve (14), subsequent decompression of the bulb (13) draws air through the intake valve (15) from the reservoir (12) reducing the pressure in it to draw fluid through the orifice (18) into the reservoir (12). Pushing a plunger (24) slidably housed within the reservoir (12) expels the fluid out through the orifice (18).
US08016574B2	Cooling fan for a motor vehicle A cooling fan (1) for a motor vehicle has a fan wheel (4) and a brushless fan motor (2) which is used to drive the fan wheel (4). The fan motor (2) has an internal rotor (3). The fan wheel (4) is directly connected to the internal rotor (3) in order to reduce the size of the type of cooling fan (1) whilst retaining the power output.
US08016569B2	Configuration of a wind turbine nacelle for transportation A nacelle for a wind turbine includes a cover defining an internal volume. The cover has longitudinal sides and opposite end walls. A bedplate is within the cover with the power generation and wind turbine control components mounted on the bedplate. The cover has a widest width dimension along the longitudinal sides intermediate of the end walls that exceeds a pre-defined maximum width for rail transport of the nacelle. Removable caps are configured on the longitudinal sides of the cover at the widest dimension, with the caps having a configuration such that upon removal of the caps, the widest width dimension is less than the predefined maximum width for rail transport.
US08016567B2	Separation resistant aerodynamic article An airfoil disclosed herein comprises a pressure surface 42 exposed to a stream of fluid, a suction surface 40 exposed to the stream of fluid and a passage 56 extending from a passage intake end 60 to a passage discharge end 66. The intake end has an intake opening 62 penetrating the pressure surface for extracting fluid from the fluid stream. The discharge end has a discharge opening 68 penetrating the suction surface upstream of a natural separation point 52. The discharge end is configured to inject the extracted fluid into the fluid stream at a jet angle whose components include at least one of a nonzero streamwise angle α in a prescribed angular range and a nonzero cross-stream angle β.
US08016558B2	Diffusive cooling device A diffusive cooling device includes a plate body, on which a cavity recessed outwardly is formed and an opening is arranged; a web plate jointed at the upper side of the plate body correspondingly; a plurality of passing openings arranged on the web plate to act as air passages; a scroll fan arranged between the plate body and the web plate in corresponding to the opening; a shell body connected to the bottom of the plate body and jointed to the web plate correspondingly to enclose and prop up the plate body therein; and, an air inlet arranged at the front side of the shell body, through which an ambient air is flowed into the shell body by the extracting and thrusting forces of the fan. During operation, airflow is generated along the cavity and extended to corresponding area of web plate to diffusively pass through the plural passing openings to achieve a cooling objective.
US08016557B2	Airfoil diffuser for a centrifugal compressor An airfoil diffuser for a centrifugal compressor formed by a diffuser passage area and a plurality of diffuser blades located within the diffuser passage area. The diffuser passage area is defined between a hub plate and a shroud of the centrifugal compressor. Each of the diffuser blades has a twisted configuration in a stacking direction as taken between the hub plate and an outer portion of the shroud located opposite to the hub plate. As a result of the twisted configuration, the diffuser blade inlet blade angle decreases from the hub plate to the outer portion of the shroud and solidity measurements at leading edges of the diffuser plates vary between a lower solidity value measured at the hub plate of less than 1.0 and a high solidity value measured at the outer portion of the shroud of no less than 1.0.
US08016553B1	Turbine vane with rim cavity seal A turbine rim cavity seal with a variable gap clearance control in a gas turbine engine. A stator vane includes an inner shroud with an inter-stage sealing housing extending inward and separating a front rim cavity from an aft rim cavity. Front and aft rotor disks are located on the sides of the stator vane and include labyrinth seal teeth extending upward to form a seal with an abrasive material supported on the underside of the housing cavity. The abrasive material includes a slanted sealing surface. A hydraulic actuator moves the rotor disks in an axial direction to control the seal gap and regulate the purge air flow into the front rim cavity and leakage flow through the seal into the aft rim cavity. In another embodiment, the sealing surface is stepped as well as slanted.
US08016549B2	Turbine engine alloys and crystalline orientations A method is provided for engineering a single crystal cast gas turbine engine first component for cooperating with a second component. An at least local first operational stress on the first component is determined. The first operational stress has a first direction. A crystal orientation within the component or a physical configuration of the component is selected so that the first operational stress produces a desired engagement of the first component with the second component associated with either a negative Poisson's effect or high Poisson's effect in a second direction. Single crystal or highly textured iron- and nickel-base alloys enable one to use such effect in high temperature and/or corrosive environments.
US08016548B2	Water supply tunnel secondary purpose turbine electric power generator system A water supply tunnel secondary purpose turbine electric power generator system includes: a.) a water supply subsystem with a water source at an elevation that is at least 300 feet above the mean altitude of a community, that includes a gravity fed underground water tunnel being located, at least in part, upstream from the community, and, at least in part, being located under the community. There is a plurality of riser conduits in the community connected to the gravity fed underground water tunnel, delivering water from the water source to the community at a pressure that is at least 100 psi in excess of desired water pressure delivered to community water lines; b.) water valving subsystems connected to each of the riser conduits and one of each including at least one safety valve, to lower water pressure of the delivered water; and, c.) a power generating turbine subsystem, including at least one water driven turbine located in at least one of the water supply subsystem and water valving subsystem.
US08016547B2	Radial inner diameter metering plate A nozzle assembly for directing cooling fluid in a vane comprising a hollow airfoil containing at least two cooling chambers. The chambers are separated by a generally radial rib. A metering plate mount is attached to the rib. A metering plate, having at least one aperture for tuning the cooling fluid flow within the airfoil, is adjacent the metering plate mount.
US08016545B2	Thrust balancing in a centrifugal pump A centrifugal pump includes a casing having an impeller chamber, an inlet, an outlet, and a bearing chamber. A shaft disposed within the casing has an impeller end and a motor end. The impeller is coupled to the impeller end of the shaft and is disposed within the impeller chamber. A bearing is disposed within the bearing portion. The bearing has an inboard end with an inboard-bearing surface and an outboard end with an outboard-bearing surface. The bearing and the shaft have a bearing clearance therebetween. A disc is coupled to the shaft on the impeller end which is spaced apart from the inboard-bearing surface. A seal ring is disposed between the disc and the inboard-bearing surface. The shaft, the seal ring, the disc, and the inboard-bearing surface define a thrust chamber therebetween. The thrust chamber is in fluid communication with the impeller chamber through the bearing clearance so that an axial thrust in an inboard direction is generated by the thrust chamber.
US08016540B2	Boom A pivoted coupling member of a two-piece boom can be shared with standard booms. The boom comprises a first boom having, on the base end side, a pivoted coupling member that is pivotably coupled to a boom support section, and a second boom in which the base end side is pivotably coupled to the distal end side of the first boom and in which an arm is pivotably coupled to the distal end side. In the boom, the lateral width of the main body portion 51 of the second boom (18B) is designed to be smaller in the second region (Y) of the base end side than the first region (X) of the distal end side, the base end side of the second region (Y) of the second boom (18B) in inserted between the left and right side walls (29) of the distal end side of the first boom (18A), and the second boom (18B) is pivotably coupled to the first boom so as to be capable of rotating about the lateral axis.
US08016537B2	Inline-type wafer conveyance device A structure is provided in which a load lock chamber (51) for carrying in an unprocessed wafer from outside and carrying out a processed wafer to outside, a first end conveyance chamber (54a) to be connected to the load lock chamber, at least one intermediate conveyance chamber (54b), a plurality of sets of a pair of process modules (52a, 52b) provided adjacent to each other and capable of independent processing, and a second end conveyance chamber (54c) disposed at the end part on the opposite side of the load lock chamber are connected in series. Each set of process modules (52a, 52b, 52c and 52d) is arranged one by one between the first end conveyance chamber and the intermediate conveyance chamber, between the intermediate conveyance chambers, and between the intermediate conveyance chamber and the second end conveyance chamber, respectively.
US08016534B2	Fastener assembly and manufacturing method therefor A connector includes an elongated hollow body and a nut threaded onto the body. The nut is secured in place by outward expansion of material from the threaded body into a chamfer of the nut.
US08016532B2	Anti-loose lock nut The invention is an anti-loose lock nut which prevents a screw coupling between a bolt 12 and a nut 10 by a coil spring 11 which is mounted in the inner circumferential surface of the nut 10 from loosening, the anti-loose lock nut characterized in that: an extended diameter portion 50 whose inner diameter is wider than the thread 13 of the nut 10 and in the inside of which a spiral groove is not formed, is formed in the inner circumferential surface of the nut 10; an insertion groove 52 into which a bent end portion 51 is fit-coupled is formed in the end of the extended diameter portion 50, in which the end of the coil spring 11 is outwardly bent to form the bent end portion 51; a semicircular curved portion 53 is protrudingly formed in the inner surface of the coil spring 11, and the outer surface of the coil spring 11 is formed of a flat cross-sectional plane; clearance spaces 54 and 55 which are respectively wider by one pitch than a thread pitch P of the bolt 12, are formed in the lengthy width of the extended diameter portion 50 and the insertion groove 52, after the coil spring 11 has been mounted.
US08016521B1	Method for deploying a deepwater mooring spread A method for deploying a deepwater mooring spread from a floating vessel with a bow, stern, hull, deck, and aft crane secured to a port side or a starboard side of the hull having a hold, and a fore crane secured to the port side or starboard side of the hull. To lower heavy suction piles or other structures to almost unlimited water depths, the crane tackle after a depth of approximately 1000 meters is replaced using the polymer lines as a temporary lifting pennant with almost neutral buoyancy and therefore no extra weight is added to the lifting tackle of the crane.
US08016515B2	Recycling asphalt apparatus An apparatus for repaving an asphalt surface is provided. The apparatus includes a base carried on a plurality of wheels, a heater to heat and soften a damaged asphalt surface, a series of blades and a center mill to scarify and break up the heated asphalt surface, and a mixer to receive and recondition the reclaimed asphalt. The center mill may include a plurality of teeth members to break up the asphalt and a plurality of lip members and paddles to lift the broken asphalt and deliver it to the mixer.
US08016514B2	Asphalt repair method A method for patching or repairing a hole in a road surface is defined by filling the hole and the area of the road surface about the hole with an oil-based adhesive, which is used to adhere a quantity of patching asphalt which is placed into the hole and into the area surrounding the hole having the adhesive applied thereto. After the asphalt is compressed or packed into the hole and into the surrounding area above the hole, a layer of sand is then applied thereover, which is, also, subsequently compressed into the asphalt to fill the pores thereof.
US08016513B2	Apparatus for absorbing impact of vehicle collision An apparatus for absorbing the impact of a vehicle collision is disclosed. The apparatus includes a partition moving speed control member (10), which is provided in the frontmost partition, and a guide rod (20), which is inserted into a hole (10a) in the member (10), such that the front end of the guide rod is fastened to rails, and the rear end of the guide rod does not reach the rearmost partition. The apparatus further includes a locking rod (120), which is coupled to the guide rod (20) such that the rear end of the locking rod (120) is placed through the rearmost partition, and a locker, which is provided on the rearmost partition so that, when the vehicle collision occurs, the locking rod freely passes over the locker, but, after the vehicle collision is finished, the locking rod is prevented from being returned to the original position thereof.
US08016508B2	Discharge structure of the cosmetic brush As an inner moving body of a cosmetic brush is pushed, an upper cone type elastic part and a lower cone type elastic part are compressed, thereby opening an inner hole and discharging powder toward a brush. When the inner moving body is released, the inner moving body returns to its original position by the elasticity of a spring inserted around the circumference of a middle member and by expansive force of the upper cone type elastic part and the lower cone type elastic part. An inner hole is closed by a sealing sill formed on circumference of a sealing pin so that powder is not discharging. Thereby, the brush can control the amount of powder to be discharged with the spring inserted around the circumference of a middle member and the expansive force of the upper cone type elastic part and the lower cone type elastic part which are formed on the middle member. In addition, when the supply of powder in the inner moving body is exhausted, the supply of powder can be filled by opening the inner moving body, as assembling and disassembling of the middle member and the inner moving body can be done with ease.
US08016501B2	Printer and printing method When a print tape (8) to be used as the label (25α) of a first sheet desired by one user is printed with no cut and then predetermined conditions, e.g. “time out elapse”, are satisfied, the label (25α) is outputted from a printer (6) in a cut state. When the other user instructs the printer (6) to make another label by auto-cut, the other label is cut and outputted. Even if the one user instructs the printer (6) subsequently to make the label of a second sheet by auto-cut to make a label (25) where the label (25α) of the first sheet is connected with the label of the second sheet intentionally, the label of the second sheet is cut and outputted.
US08016500B2	Flat panel display unit with integrated printer The invention provides for a flat panel display unit. The unit includes a rear cover molding defining an aperture therein, a base portion, arm and mounting plate fast with the rear cover molding to support the display unit in an upright position, and a pagewidth printer with an ink delivery bus operatively accessible via the aperture for receiving an ink cartridge. The unit further includes a chassis defining a chute for receiving print media therein, said chassis supporting a flat panel display, and a front bezel molding operatively fast with the rear cover molding to enclose the printer, chassis and display.
US08016498B2	Image pickup apparatus An image pickup apparatus which is capable of effectively removing dust attached to an optical member due to mounting/removing of a photographic lens in a power-off state, to thereby prevent degradation of image quality. In the image pickup apparatus, when position information of a contact brush that moves in a manner interlocked with mounting/removing of the photographic lens differs immediately after execution of power-on operation from position information obtained immediately after execution of power-off operation, it is determined that photographic lens mounting/removing operation was carried out during power-off, and a camera microcomputer outputs a warning advising cleaning of the optical member.
US08016495B2	Lens, lens module, and camera module having same A lens includes a light incident surface, a light emitting surface opposite to the light incident surface, and a side surface connected between the light incident surface and the light emitting surface. The side surface includes arc-shaped convex surfaces. Each arc-shaped convex surface protrudes in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis of the lens.
US08016493B2	Magnetic coupling and camera platform using magnetic coupling A coupling configured to transmit rotation of a drive shaft to a driven shaft by magnetic force includes a drive portion configured to rotate integrally with the drive shaft, a driven portion configured to rotate integrally with the driven shaft, and a buffer member located in contact with both the drive portion and the driven portion.
US08016490B2	Thin-wall bearing A thin-wall bearing, comprising a retainer (4) formed in a divided type having a plurality of resin plate-like members (5), (5), . . . curved along an inner ring (1) and an outer ring (2). The retainer (4) comprises pockets (6) opening to the axial end part thereof and rollingly holding balls (3). Slit-like through holes (14) extending in the axial direction and opening to the axial end part where the opening parts (7) of the pockets (6) are positioned are formed at the center parts of pillars (10) between the pockets (6) and (6) adjacent to each other. As a result, the thin-wall bearing can have excellent lubricity.
US08016487B2	Walking bearing systems structures and processes A bearing system comprises a support member and a rotational element having a generally cylindrical bearing surface, and a plurality of detents defined upon and extending in from the cylindrical bearing surface, and may include means for rotating the rotational element in relation to the support member. The bearing system also comprises at least three bearing assemblies, each comprising a cam member rotatably mounted to the support member. Each of the cam members comprises a cam surface having a profile that contacts the cylindrical bearing surface and rotates away from a home position when the cam is rotatably positioned to meet one of the bearing regions, and does not contact the cylindrical bearing surface when the cam is rotatably positioned to meet one of the detent regions. Each of the cam members are rotationally biased toward their home position.
US08016486B2	Rolling guiding device A rolling guiding device makes it possible to easily provide a movement block with an endless circulation path for the balls. In one surface of a movement block opposed to a rolling groove of a raceway rail, there is formed a track groove through which balls makes an endless circulation. The track groove is includes a load straight-line groove which allows, between the track groove and the rolling groove of the raceway rail, the balls to roll while bearing a load. It also includes a pair of ball deflection grooves respectively provided at both ends of the load straight-line groove and adapted to release the balls having rolled through the straight-line groove from the load and to change their rolling direction, and a non-load straight-line groove for transferring the ball in a non-load state from one deflection groove to the other ball deflection groove.
US08016481B1	Method and apparatus of measuring temperature The disclosure provides methods and apparatuses of measuring a temperature. A method of measuring a temperature can include generating a time varying signal that varies with time in a known manner, such as having a repeating sawtooth waveform. Further, the method can include generating a first intersecting signal that intersects with the time varying signal at a first time, and generating a second intersecting signal that varies with temperature and intersects with the time varying signal at a second time. Subsequently, the method can construct a pulse signal having a first edge corresponding to the first time and a second edge corresponding to the second time, with the pulse signal having a width corresponding to the temperature.
US08016480B2	Heat flow sensor Heat flow sensor having at least two plates with the heat (thermo) sensitive elements and with holes (openings) for the passage of air flow, so that the tops of both plates with the thermo sensitive elements are placed facing the outer surface of the sensor, so that their openings coincide and the construction provides passage of air through the openings whereby the thermo sensitive elements are located between all the holes of the plates and serially connected on every plate, and then the said sensor (plates) has one common point of connection in the middle of each side so that each sensor has at least three output wires—the total, the output of each plate, and therefore the magnitude and direction of the heat flow, are determined by the difference between the outputs of the two earlier described plates.
US08016476B2	Back light module A backlight module including a frame, a light guide plate, a light source and a flexible printed circuit board is provided. The flexible printed circuit board includes a body, a light source carrying portion and a connecting portion. The body is bent, so a top edge and a bottom edge of the body are respectively disposed at a top side and a bottom side of the frame. The light source carrying portion carries the light source. The connecting portion has a first end and a second end. The first end is connected to a middle region of a bottom side of the light source carrying portion. The second end is connected to the bottom edge. The connecting portion is bent, such that the light source carrying portion is disposed on the top side of the frame and the light source is positioned at a side of the light guide plate.
US08016465B2	Luminous molded part, in particular a decorative part and/or trim part for a vehicle interior The invention relates to a molded part, in particular a decorative part and/or a trim part for a vehicle interior. According to the invention, the molded part comprises at least one excitation source for emitting electromagnetic waves and at least one luminescent material which is excitable or excited by the electromagnetic waves emerging from the excitation source or sources to emit light in the visible range.
US08016464B2	Multifunctional internal lighting device for a motor vehicle The present invention relates to a multifunctional internal lighting device for a motor vehicle. A single internal lighting device comprises various LED-type light sources which are capable of performing at least one first internal lighting function and a second internal lighting function. The various LEDs are distributed into at least two separate sets, a first set being dedicated to the performance of the first internal lighting function and a second set being dedicated to the performance of a second internal lighting function. In particular, it is proposed to use axial emission LEDs or through-emission LEDs and lateral emission LEDs to perform the first function and the second function respectively.
US08016460B2	Converging element for LED A converging element for an LED is described, which is used for converging light rays emitted from a light-emitting chip to enable the light rays to form approximately parallel light rays after passing through the converging element. The converging element for LED includes a cylinder and a first lens. The cylinder is disposed on the light-emitting chip. The first lens is disposed on the other end of the cylinder opposite to the light-emitting chip. The first lens has a first plane and a first curved surface opposite to each other. The first plane of the first lens is attached to the cylinder.
US08016457B2	Workspace lighting system A modular lighting system for lighting a work area is disclosed. The system includes a power supply with power outlets for powering LED fixtures. The power supply preferably operates at or below a fixed power output level, such as to illuminate the work area using less than 0.2 Watts per square foot of energy. The lighting system also includes an occupancy sensor and/or a light level sensor for controlling lighting levels in the work area in response to detection of a person, ambient light levels and/or a combination thereof. The lighting system can also include computer unit with a micro-processor and a memory unit for running software or firmware the executes lighting programs, stores light usage histories and/or provides system reports to a remote computer by a wireless means and/or over a computer network.
US08016456B2	Rotatable reflector support system Disclosed is a system for the support and rotation of a reflector onto a body of a fluorescent luminary. The luminary body has first and second longitudinal ends along an axis. The rotatable reflector support system comprises an elongated reflector having first and second longitudinal ends. The reflector has first and second arch-shaped fittings proximate to the first and second reflector ends, respectively. First and second bases are mounted on the luminary body and are proximate to the first and second ends of the body, respectively. The side of each base faces the lamp, when the lamp is mounted in the luminary, and is shaped to engage a plurality of serial portions of an associated arch-shaped fitting in a manner allowing serial portions of the fitting, when manipulated, to slide along an arch-shaped path transverse to said axis and to hold the fitting in place when the fitting is not manipulated.
US08016449B2	Surface light emitting apparatus emitting laser light A surface light emitting apparatus capable of providing uniform illumination while efficiently using a laser light. The apparatus comprises a light source section that includes at least one light source which emits laser beam; an optical guiding section that guides from an incidence surface of the optical guiding section the laser beam emitted from the light source section and emits the laser beam from a radiation surface of the optical guiding section; and an optical element section that includes at least one beam shaping optical element with a powered surface which converts an intensity distribution of the laser beam emitted from the light source section at the incidence surface of the optical guiding section to a uniform intensity distribution.
US08016448B2	Display device and light-emitting device The display device includes: a display panel that displays an image; and a backlight that is disposed on a back surface of the display panel and emits light from the back surface of the display panel. The backlight includes: an output member that outputs incoming light to the display panel; and a light source that emits light to the output member from a side of the output member. The light source includes: plural board-shaped substrates that each have a light-emitting element mounted on a surface thereof; and a wiring board that is in contact with a side surface of each of the plural board-shaped substrates to hold, in an upright position, the plural board-shaped substrates which are arranged in a line, and that is arranged so that the each light-emitting element faces the side of the output member while the wiring board is electrically connected to the plural board-shaped substrates.
US08016445B2	Planar light emitting element, image display element, and image display device using the same A planar light emitting element is capable of outputting light having high directivity in at least one direction. The planar light emitting element has a light guide plate and first and second low refractive index layers. Light incident on the light guide plate is totally reflected on the interface between the light guide plate and the second low refractive index layer, propagates in the light guide plate, and is output from the light guide plate to the first low refractive index layer through a light output opening section. When a refractive index of the first low refractive index layer is sufficiently smaller than a refractive index of the light guide plate, the light propagates in the light guide plate at a large angle with respect to a light output surface of the light guide plate. When the difference between the refractive indexes of the first and second low refractive index layers is small, a spreading angle of light output to the first low refractive index layer is small. The light having high directivity is reflected on a reflective mirror and output from the planar light emitting element.
US08016438B2	Spherical mirror mount A spherical mounting assembly for mounting an optical element allows for rotational motion of an optical surface of the optical element only. In that regard, an optical surface of the optical element does not translate in any of the three perpendicular translational axes. More importantly, the assembly provides adjustment that may be independently controlled for each of the three mutually perpendicular rotational axes.
US08016437B2	Vehicular door mirror device A vehicular mirror device includes a housing which is comprised of two housing components at least partially opposed to each other, and which is adapted to cover a mirror from the front during traveling of a vehicle. A collar is integrally and projectingly provided on one of the housing components to extend so that it is superposed onto the other housing component at opposed portions of both the housing components, and a plurality of recesses are provided in a juxtaposed manner in a tip end of the collar. This suppresses to the utmost the generation of a wind roar due to traveling wind flowing into between opposed portions of the housing components.
US08016434B2	Method and system for projecting an animated object and concurrently moving the object's projection area through an animation pattern A projection assembly and projection method for accurately reproducing animated and live characters, objects, and effects. The projection assembly uses a high precision robotic mirror system to achieve very high levels of image resolution, brightness, and contrast. The assembly includes a projector receiving an input image stream, and a mirror assembly is positioned proximate to the projector outlet. The mirror assembly uses positionable mirrors to reflect the projected images onto a display surface at positions that define an animation pattern on the display surface for the projected image or character. The assembly includes a motor controller assembly positioning the mirrors based on position data defining the animation pattern. The projected images may be provided in a projection area that is a fraction of the size of the display surface, such that the resolution and output light of the projector are concentrated on the display surface within this projection area.
US08016429B2	Optical projection system and smooth picture device thereof A smooth picture device includes an optical element, a holder, a flexible member, a base and an actuator. The holder supports the optical element. At least one portion of the holder is coupled to the flexible member. The base supports the flexible member. The actuator is coupled to the holder and actuates the holder to vibrate.
US08016426B2	Method and device for projecting a panoramic image with a variable resolution Embodiments include a method and apparatus for projecting a panoramic image, the method including steps of generating an image on an image generation surface, and then projecting the generated image on a projection surface to obtain a panoramic projected image, the points of the generated image being projected on the projection surface according to a non uniform distribution determined as a function of at least one parameter of a set comprising the shape of the generated image, the shape of the projection surface, and the position of an observation point of the projected image, in relation to the projection surface.
US08016425B2	Projector A projector includes: a light source which emits light containing visible light and infrared light; a light time division unit which divides light emitted from the light source into one or more visible lights having different wavelength ranges and one or more infrared lights having different wavelength ranges in a time-division manner; a light modulation element which time-sequentially modulates the plural lights separated by the light time division unit and having different wavelength ranges; and a projection unit which projects and displays the light modulated by the light modulation element on a projection-receiving surface. A plurality of images containing a visible image produced by the one or more visible lights and an infrared image produced by the one or more infrared lights are displayed on the same projection receiving surface.
US08016421B2	Information system and method for providing information using a holographic element An information system and a method for providing information in correlation with light that is incident on an eye includes a holographic element disposed in front of the eye and a device capable of recording optical signals which detects light that is incident on the eye via the holographic element. The device capable of recording optical signals detects light which is diffracted by the holographic element before the light impinges on the eye such that the diffracted light does not enter the eye.
US08016420B2	System and method for illumination and fixation with ophthalmic diagnostic instruments An eye measurement system may include a target that moves transverse to an optical path from the target to eye, so as to relax accommodation of the lens of the eye. The target may move transverse to the optical path on a display. The patient may be fogged while the target moves transverse to the optical path, and the target may become smaller such that the patient perceives the target to be moving away from the patient. A pupil camera may measure eye position that can be correlated with the position of the target on the display to determine that the patient has maintained fixation on the moving target. A visible measurement light beam may be pulsed subsequent to and/or during motion of the target that relaxes accommodation of the eye so as to avoid visual interference of the measurement light beam with the target on the display.
US08016417B2	Eye model An eye model including a front positive lens, a rear positive lens, an aperture stop located between the front and rear positive lenses, and a focal plane located rearward of the rear positive lens, wherein the front positive lens has a meniscus shape having an outer surface radius equal to a radius of a human eye, and wherein the rear positive lens has a rear surface having a radius equal to a distance from the aperture stop to the rear surface.
US08016415B2	Eyewear incorporating lenses with electronically variable optical properties An electro-optic eyewear assembly having a frame with opposed ends, a pair of temples, and a hinge mechanically interconnecting each temple to a corresponding end of the frame. Each temple moveable between a wearing position and a storage position and at least one electro-optic lens carried by the frame and a control circuit carried by at least one of the temples. The electrical connection between the control circuit and the at least one electro-optic lens being made by moving one of the temples into physical contact with the frame when the temple carrying the control circuit is moved to a wearing position.
US08016412B2	Image recording apparatus and method of producing image recording apparatus An image recording apparatus has an apparatus body; a display unit; a first axis, a first bearing, a second axis and a second bearing which support the display unit pivotably to the apparatus body; a separate part which is formed unintegrally from the apparatus body, to which the first axis or the first bearing is attached, and which has a key; and an engaging part which is provided to the apparatus body and which extends along a surface of the apparatus body, and which is formed with a receiving part formed for receiving the key; wherein the key has been engaged with the receiving part. Accordingly, the separate part is firmly and tightly fixed to the apparatus body, and the display unit is pivotally supported to the apparatus body in a firm and tight manner.
US08016407B2	Printer with an exposure head A printer having an exposure head including an exposure head housing have side walls. The printer also includes a plurality of reflectors disposed in the exposure head housing, the plurality of reflectors including a plurality of elliptical reflectors and a plurality of planar reflectors. A lamp is disposed in the exposure head housing so as to be at least partially surrounded by the plurality of reflectors so that radiation emitted by the lamp during an operation of the printer is directed by the reflectors onto a printed image plane printable with photocurable ink.
US08016405B2	Ink-jet recording apparatus The ink-jet recording apparatus has an ink passage into which a water based ink or a preservation solution is filled. The ink passage employs a rubber member formed from a rubber which is formed of a butyl rubber polymer, a rubber polymer vulcanizable with an organic peroxide, and an organic peroxide. The water-based ink has a dynamic surface tension at a lifetime of 100 ms of about 35 mN/m to about 45 mN/m as measured by means of a maximum bubble pressure method at a measurement temperature of 25° C. The preservation solution has a dynamic surface tension at a lifetime of 100 ms of about 30 mN/m to about 35 mN/m as measured by means of the maximum bubble pressure method at a measurement temperature of 25° C.
US08016401B2	Control system for printing apparatus and information processing apparatus An appropriate maintenance such as appropriate registration adjustment can be executed even if a status for the maintenance cannot be acquired from a printing apparatus. Specifically, if a status cannot be acquired from the printer, a printer driver refers to a history of number of past instructions for registration adjustment stored in a host computer to determine whether simplified registration adjustment or detailed registration adjustment is to be executed. If the printer driver does not detect any record of executed registration adjustment, that is, if the printer driver detects that no registration adjustment has been executed, then it determines that the simplified registration adjustment is to be executed. If the printer driver detects any record of executed registration adjustment, it determines that the detailed registration adjustment is to be executed. Thus, the invention enables the correct guidance and the corresponding appropriate registration adjustment even if the status cannot be acquired.
US08016398B2	Liquid ejection apparatus and method for supplying liquid in liquid ejection apparatus A printer has a carriage on which a recording head and pumps are mounted. An air supply device and ink cartridges are provided in a frame of the printer. The pumps are connected to the air supply device with an air supply tube. Each pump is connected to corresponding one of the ink cartridges with an ink supply tube. Based on actuation of a drive mechanism of the air supply device, air is supplied from the air supply device to the pumps. Based on changes in the pressure of the air, each pump draws ink from the corresponding ink cartridge and supplies the ink to the recording head. This permits the carriage to reciprocate in a reliable manner.
US08016397B2	Liquid supply device and liquid ejecting apparatus A liquid supply device includes a liquid supply path for supplying liquid from an upstream, liquid supply side toward a downstream side where the liquid is consumed. A defoaming chamber in the middle of the liquid supply path causes bubbles to escape from the liquid. A decompression chamber adjacent to the defoaming chamber has a partition wall interposed therebetween and is decompressed to have lower pressure than the defoaming chamber. The partition wall allows gas to permeate therethrough by decompression of the decompression chamber and regulates permeation of liquid. The partition wall is formed by a separate member from a decompression chamber forming member that forms the decompression chamber. The partition wall forms a part of an inner surface of the liquid supply path, and the liquid supply path passes along the inside of a wall portion of the decompression chamber in the decompression chamber forming member.
US08016390B2	Liquid discharging head and inkjet head A liquid discharging head includes a flow path unit having a common liquid flow path; an individual liquid flow path; and a plurality of plates that are stacked to form the common liquid flow path and the individual liquid flow path. The plurality of plates includes at least four manifold plates that include partial plates and support members, wherein the at least four manifold plates comprise: a first manifold plate that includes a first partial plate and a first support member that supports the first partial plate; a second manifold plate that includes a second partial plate and a second support member that is adjacent to the first support member in a direction in which the common liquid path extends, the second support member supporting the second partial plate; and at least one manifold plate that is interposed between the first manifold plate and the second manifold plate.
US08016389B2	Printhead IC with staggered nozzle firing pulses An inkjet printer comprising: an array of nozzles arranged into rows, each row of nozzles is divided into a series of groups; and, drive circuitry for sending a drive pulse to each of the nozzles individually such that they eject a drop of printing fluid; wherein, the drive circuitry delays sending the drive pulses to one of the groups relative to at least one of the other groups.
US08016387B2	Ink jet head An ink jet head includes a head chip having driving walls made up of piezoelectric device, ink channels that eject ink, air channels that do not eject ink, driving electrodes formed inside of the of the channels, at least one common electrode that conducts with the driving electrodes of the air channels, and connection electrodes that conduct with the driving electrodes of the ink channels separately, wherein the ink channels and the air channels are alternatingly arranged in parallel and form channel rows arranged in parallels, and a nozzle plate joined to a front surface of the head chip and has a plurality of nozzles, wherein individual connection electrodes of any adjacent two channel rows formed at a side of an edge of the head chip are lead out and aligned at the edge of the head chip.
US08016386B2	Ink jet printing apparatus In an ink jet printing apparatus using many types of inks to execute bidirectional printing, if ejection opening rows for yellow, magenta, and cyan inks are symmetrically arranged, ejection opening rows for a black ink are arranged adjacent to the most inside ejection opening rows for the yellow ink. Thus, a difference in color between forward scanning and backward scanning is determined by a difference in coloring between the black ink and the yellow ink. In this case, a possible color drift attributed to bidirectional printing can be suppressed by selecting the inks so that the difference in coloring between the black ink and the yellow ink is smaller than that between the black ink and the other color inks.
US08016385B2	Printer and printing method A printer including a feeding unit configured to perform repeated feeding of a medium for a predetermined feeding distance in a predetermined feeding direction, a print head configured to print on a printing surface of the medium in a printing zone set each time the feeding unit performs a feeding of the medium for the feeding distance, and a printing pass setting unit configured to set the printing zone containing a plurality of printing passes. The printing pass setting unit sets the printing passes such that boundaries between the printing passes extend diagonally relative to a width direction of the medium that is perpendicular to the feeding direction. The printing pass setting unit can set the printing passes such that the boundaries between the printing passes extend in waveform in the width direction with oscillation of the waveform being in the feeding direction.
US08016384B2	Image forming apparatus An image forming apparatus includes at least one recording head module including a plurality of heads, a branch member, and a base member. Each of the heads includes a plurality of nozzle arrays, and discharges liquid droplets onto a sheet. The branch member is provided on the heads to extend in a direction in which the heads are arranged, and forms a common channel for distributing and supplying liquid to the heads. The base member has an L-shaped cross section along a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the heads are arranged, and has a first surface for holding the heads arranged thereon in an array and a second surface. An end portion of the first surface not connected to the second surface does not project more than a corresponding end portion of at least one of the heads and the branch member.
US08016381B2	Liquid ejecting apparatus and method of controlling same When a predetermined time T1ref has elapsed from performance of a previous cleaning, all nozzles in a nozzle row as an inspection target are driven at a drive frequency of a maximum frequency so that an air bubble in a filter chamber is crushed against a filter by increasing the flow rate in the filter chamber of an ink needle which connects an ink cartridge and a head, and a nozzle inspection to determine whether or not a nozzle defect is occurred is performed repeatedly until the nozzle defect occurs at a predetermined time interval T2ref (every week, for example) and, when the nozzle defect occurs, cleaning for ejecting the air bubble in the filter chamber to the outside is performed.
US08016380B2	High precision feed particularly useful for UV ink jet printing on vinyl An apparatus (30, 40, 50) and a method of ink jet printing are disclosed that use a system for feeding a substrate longitudinally relative to a support area and a system for moving a printhead parallel to the direction of substrate feed. Indexing between transverse scan rows of a printhead (20) is carried out initially by the substrate feed system (16) and the actual feed distance is measured using an encoder or other substrate position measurement device (26). A controller (25) determines the amount of any error that occurs between the actual and the desired feed distances. The controller (25) then sends signals to move the printhead (20) to compensate for any error in the feed system feed. Compensating adjustments are then made to the next subsequent substrate indexing step so that the printhead tends to move back toward its home or zeroed position with its next correction and does not walk away from this home position as a result of cumulative movements. For printers that have bridges (17) moveable relative to the machine frame (11) on which the printhead (20) is carried, printhead motion is achieved by moving the bridge, for example, by actuating a linear servo bridge motion system (31). For fixed bridge roll-to-roll printers, the printhead (20) can be caused to shift longitudinally on the bridge (17) to make the correcting movements.
US08016374B2	Pull-out slide for drawers and drawer A pull-out slide for drawers can include a cabinet member, a drawer member, with a unit which defines the closed position of the slide and/or the drawer, and which acts on the slide and/or the drawer and whereby a depth adjustment of the slide and the drawer is planned for. A holding device can be present, that engages the unit intermittently whereby the holding device and/or the unit is depth adjustable on the slide and/or height and/or side adjustable. A drawer can comprise a pull-out slide described herein.
US08016366B2	Differential brake control and weighted average wheel speed for brake control system A differential brake control system is provided for a vehicle having first and second wheels on respective sides of a vertical axis of the vehicle. The system includes processing logic for computing a wheel brake command based on an input brake command indicative of a desired amount of braking. In addition, the system includes differential logic for adjusting the wheel brake command by first and second amounts to produce first wheel and second wheel brake commands, respectively, the first amount being different from the second amount.
US08016364B2	Toothbrush and process for producing the same The invention relates to a toothbrush with a neck piece and a brush body, comprising a head piece connected thereto, conventional bristles and at least one soft elastic cleaning element. According to the invention, the conventional bristles are mounted on a support element made from hard plastic. The above is connected to the brush body by means of a recess on the head piece which matches the support element. The at least one cleaning element is arranged on the head piece and directly connected to the brush body. The invention further relates to a method for production of such a toothbrush.
US08016360B2	Adjustable arm rest for chair An adjustable armrest assembly for a chair includes a mounting member connected to the chair. The mounting member has an upper base. A first horizontal slide element is slidably mounted to the upper base and is adjustably slidable in a first direction with respect to the upper base. The first slide element is restrained after adjustment with respect to the upper base by frictional engagement between the upper base and the first slide element. A second horizontal slide element for slidably mounting to the first slide element is slidable in an arcuate path crossing the first direction. The second slide element is restrained after adjustment with respect to the first slide element by frictional engagement between the second slide element and the first slide element.
US08016356B2	Gears and coupling apparatus using the gears Tooth shapes of gears are formed such that a meshing line given by meshing of an inner gear and an outer gear provided in a state of meshing with each other for enabling transmission of a power is configured as a spiral mesh line.
US08016350B2	Vehicle seat for reducing the risk of spinal and head injuries of personnel in combat vehicles A vehicle seat for use in military vehicles provides increased protection for a helmeted or unhelmeted combatant soldier. The seat includes a seat portion having a layer of high impact energy absorbing material. A back support portion adjoined to the rear of the seat portion extends upwardly for supporting the rearward side of the seated soldier. The back portion has a lower section for supporting the thorax and lower back, and two overlying sections which are positionable for supporting and restraining rearward movement of the helmeted or unhelmeted head and the neck. The overlying sections are moveable toward and away from the soldier and together define a surface and contour which interacts with the seated soldier during rear end impact to maintain the pre-collision shape of the soldier's supported spinal curves, to aid in avoidance of whiplash and similar injuries. Swivelable side portions actuated by sensors flank the sides of the soldier for further protection.
US08016348B2	Reciprocating seating unit with power actuator A reciprocating and reclining seating unit includes: a base unit with a first bearing surface; a generally horizontally-disposed seat positioned above the base; a generally upright backrest positioned above the base and substantially rearward of the seat; an extendable ottoman; a reclining mechanism attached to the seat, the backrest, the ottoman and the base unit, the reclining mechanism comprising a plurality of pivotally interconnected links; a reciprocating mechanism attached to the base unit and the reclining mechanism, the reciprocating mechanism being configured to enable the seat, backrest and reclining mechanism to reciprocate relative to the base unit along a longitudinal path responsive to a longitudinally-directed force; and a power actuating unit attached to the reclining mechanism.
US08016347B2	Front structure of automobile hood In a front structure of a vehicle hood, a dent preventive reinforcement is connected to an outer panel and an inner panel. The dent preventive reinforcement is formed as a plate-shaped member that is disposed in the vehicle widthwise direction between the panels while vertically extending with respect to both of the panels. Respectively formed in vertical wall portions of the dent preventive reinforcement are stress-focusing portions to which stress can be concentrated. When an impact load is applied to an outer surface of the outer panel from outside of a vehicle body, the vertical wall portions of the dent preventive reinforcement is bent at the stress-focusing portions, so that the impact load can be absorbed.
US08016345B1	Operator cab having inwardly folding access door An operator cab for a skid steer vehicle is equipped with an inwardly folding front access door that can be locked in either a fully closed position or a fully open position. A pair of over-centered cylinders assists with closing and opening of the front access door. A lever, located in the operator cab, may be used to unlock the door from either its fully open position or its fully closed position. The skid steer vehicle may be operated effectively when the front access door is locked in the fully open position.
US08016344B2	Vehicle impact absorbing member Provided is a shock absorber for a vehicle, which, when it is crushed, can break and open a part of the wall thereof earlier than the time of the break of an explosion inducing section, to thereby exclude the effect of the air being present inside a hollow portion and exhibit stable shock-absorbing capability and also maintain a satisfactory shock-absorbing capability over a wide range of temperature from a high temperature to a low temperature independently of the temperature of the open air. A shock absorber (1) is a hollow structure integrally molded through blow molding. The shock absorber (1) has at least one explosion inducing section (12). The explosion inducing section (12) comprises a protruded ridge (13) in a notch form formed on the surface of the wall of the shock absorber (1). The shock absorber (1) comprises a thermoplastic polymer alloy of a polyolefin type resin and an amorphous resin.
US08016339B2	Vehicle equipped with floor mat for loading platform A floor mat for a loading platform placed on an upper surface of a floor of the loading platform of a vehicle. The floor mat is provided with a plurality of retaining holes formed near an edge of the floor surface and through which at least one load securing tool is inserted.
US08016337B2	Pick-up style utility vehicle with expandable cargo bed A pick-up style utility vehicle according to the present invention has a front seat, a rear seat, and a cargo bed in this order from front. The cargo bed is changeable between an expanded state in which the cargo bed is expanded forward to a rear riding space in front of the cargo bed and a non-expanded state not occupying the rear riding space. The rear seat forms side panels of the expandable portions of the cargo bed in the expanded state.
US08016334B2	Bale lifting device for the handling of bales of fibrous material A bale lifting device for the lifting, moving, and handling of cargo and/or bales of fibrous material such as hay. The bale lifting device having a pair of generally facing hydraulic cylinders configured for moving a pair of forks from a close inner position to a spaced apart outer position.
US08016333B2	Load hook arrangement A load hook arrangement includes a carrying element for the load, which is pivotable between a dosed position and an open position, a first blocking element, which is pivotable between a blocking position for blocking the carrying element in its dosed position and a releasing position for allowing the carrying element to pivot into its open position, and a pivoting mechanism for pivoting the carrying element into its open position, wherein the load hook arrangement further includes a second blocking element, for blocking the carrying element in its closed position. This second blocking element can be in particular a magnet brake acting on the pivoting mechanism. Furthermore, the load hook arrangement can include a third blocking element for blocking the movement of the first blocking element. This third blocking element can be in particular an eccentric.
US08016331B2	Energy absorber with sidewall stabilizer ribs A vehicle bumper system includes an elongated reinforcement beam for mounting to a vehicle frame and an energy absorber abutting a front surface of the reinforcement beam. The energy absorber includes longitudinally-elongated hollow crush lobes configured to crush and absorb energy upon a vehicle crash, the crush lobes including interconnected top, bottom, side and front walls. At least one opposing pair of the walls, such as the top and bottom walls, are elongated parallel a length of the beam to define enlarged areas that are generally unsupported, but the one pair of walls further include a plurality of spaced external ribs extending perpendicular to the length for stabilizing the enlarged areas.
US08016327B2	Bifurcated latching system A bifurcated latching system for securing together first and second portions of an aircraft, the bifurcated latching system comprising a pin latch assembly and a pawl latch assembly. The pin latch assembly comprises a pin latch receptacle and a pin in mating engagement. The pawl latch assembly comprises a pawl latch receptacle and a pawl latch pin in mating engagement. The pawl latch assembly further comprises one or more pawls configured to releasably secure the matting engagement of the pawl latch receptacle and the pawl latch pin.
US08016324B2	Two-element tandem flexible joint A flexible joint has an extension mounted to a housing for relative angular displacement. Two or more annular elastomeric flex elements are stacked in a co-axial fashion and joined mechanically to mount the extension to the housing so that the flex elements react in parallel to angular and axial displacements of the extension with respect to the housing so that tensile load upon the extension places each of the flex elements in compression to split and share the tensile load among the flex elements in proportion to their relative axial stiffnesses. Therefore, for a given housing size or footprint, the overall load capacity is increased, and the lifetime of the flexible joint is increased for a given load capacity. The flex elements may have a common center of rotation, and the flex elements may be disposed either on the same side of the center of rotation or on opposite sides.
US08016312B2	Wheeled motorcycle center stand A wheeled center stand for motorcycles. The center stand incorporates a spine rotatably attached to a frame, and at least one leg rigidly attached to the spine. The frame is attached to a motorcycle frame cross-member. At least one wheel is rotatably mounted to an extreme of a leg opposite the spine. The center stand may be extended and retracted conventionally, using a foot lever mounted to one of the legs. The wheels may be swiveling wheels or non-swiveling wheels. In the preferred embodiment, each non-swiveling wheel was mounted at a 20 degree offset relative to a stand centerline. When extended, a motorcycle to which the wheeled center stand is mounted may be rotated relative to a surface upon which it rests, such as a garage floor, with a minimum of effort. Nut plates are also taught which facilitate the mounting of the stand to a motorcycle frame cross-member.
US08016307B2	Fender supporting structure of two-wheeled motor vehicle A fender supporting structure of a two-wheeled motor vehicle capable of securing the rigidity of a mounting portion of a front fender and the rigidity of the entire front fender is provided, without enlarging the outer shape of the front fender more than necessary. In a fender supporting structure of a two-wheeled motor vehicle including a fender formed in an arc shape along the shape of a wheel, and a fender supporting member on which the fender is mounted from under the fender supporting member so as to cover an area above the wheel, at least two mounting surfaces at different levels in height are formed on the fender, at least two mounting surfaces at different levels in height are formed on the fender supporting member, and the fender is joined to the fender supporting member with these mounting surfaces.
US08016302B1	Human-powered tricycle system A frame has rear, upper and front components. A rear wheel and two laterally spaced spindles with wheels are supported by the front frame component. A steering assembly includes a steering shaft, a handle bar and horizontal steering rods. The steering shaft has an upper end, a lower end and a central extent. The shaft is rotatably supported in the front frame component. The handle bar is coupled to the upper end of the steering shaft. The horizontal steering rods pivotally couple the lower end of the steering shaft to the steering rods. In this manner steering purposes is facilitated. A suspension assembly includes an upper and lower wishbone subassemblies. Each wishbone subassembly has front and rear wishbone arms. Two outboard carriers are provided. The carriers are adapted to function as parallelograms while riding.
US08016301B2	Stretcher foot pedal arrangement A patient support apparatus includes a frame, a plurality of casters coupled to the frame, and a push handle that is coupled to the frame and that is gripable to maneuver the patient support apparatus along a floor. The patient support apparatus also has a brake handle that is coupled to the push handle and that is movable to brake at least one of the casters. A pedal arrangement for the patient support apparatus is also disclosed. The pedal arrangement includes first and second side pedals and a center pedal supported by the first and second side pedals.
US08016300B2	Mobile cart having a retractable-wheel base system A mobile cart for carrying a plurality of fluid canisters. The cart includes a platform configured to support the fluid canisters. The cart also includes a base having a base body and a plurality of wheels movably connected to the base body so that the wheels can be selectively moved with respect to the base body between an extended position and a retracted position. In the extended position, the plurality of wheels extends from the base body so the cart can roll, on the plurality of wheels, over the support surface supporting the cart. In the retracted position, the plurality of wheels is retracted relative to the base body so that the cart cannot roll, on the plurality of wheels, over the support surface.
US08016299B2	Apparatus for shifting the center of gravity of a vehicle having three wheels or more An apparatus for shifting the center of gravity of a vehicle having three wheels or more is provided. The apparatus includes: a movable frame having a certain shape and movably fixed, at one side, to a vehicle body in such a manner that a portion or all of the frame is movable to the left/right side relative to the driving direction of the vehicle body; and a control unit for controlling the left/right movement of the frame to shift the center of gravity of the vehicle body as needed, the control unit including: a cylindrical rotation body in which a portion of the inside thereof including the center of rotation is open; a rotation bar coaxially coupled to the center of rotation of the rotation body to rotate with the rotation body along with the rotation of the rotation body; a first link member rotatably coupled, at its one end, to the rotation bar included inside the rotation body; and second link members crossed each other, each second link member having opposite ends wherein one end is rotatably coupled to the other end of the first link member, and the other end is rotatably coupled to the upper portion of the frame, whereby the center of gravity is shifted and restored more easily, effectively, and precisely, and upon stopping, the movement of the vehicle body is precisely controlled.
US08016298B2	Chuck for flexible manufacturing The invention relates to a chuck for flexible manufacturing, said chuck comprising a chuck body, a central draw head guided axially in a central hole of the chuck body and connected to inner jaws radially guided in the chuck body through a straight-wedge mechanism, and outer jaws also radially guided in the chuck body and adapted to be equipped with chuck jaws for chucking a work-piece and to be engaged with coupling heads through rack teeth. The coupling heads are built in the inner jaws and guided axially therein, wherein said coupling heads comprise a double locking coupling device. The first locking stage of said coupling device includes wedge-shaped control members fixed to a control ring, whereas the second locking stage includes an additional locking member directly connected to the control ring. The chuck body is in the form of a one-piece unit, wherein the control ring is encased by the chuck body and the rear centering disc so that the control ring can be rotated there-between. and the locking member of the second locking stage is in the form of a cylindrical stud-shaped lock guided in an axial hole of the control ring, said lock being connected, in its locked state, through its front surface, to an axially guided push-rod, wherein said push-rod is arranged in an entirely closed hole of the chuck body.
US08016296B2	Metal laminate gasket A metal laminate gasket includes a first metal plate having a folded portion at a peripheral of a combustion chamber hole, a second metal plate provided in the folded portion, a third metal plate provided in the folded portion and having an extension portion extending outwardly from the folded portion, a fourth metal plate provided on a folded side of the first metal plate and partially overlapping a part of the extension portion of the third metal plate, and a fifth metal plate provided on the folded side of the first metal plate so that the fifth metal plate does not overlap the third metal plate. A bead is provided on at least one of the second and third metal plates and situated inside the folded portion. A total thickness of the metal laminate gasket declines in a stepwise fashion from the folded portion.
US08016293B2	Contaminant exclusion seal A seal assembly for sealing a space between a rotating shaft and a housing. In this regard, the seal assembly includes a rotating component connected to the shaft, and a stationary component connected to the housing. A first seal is connected to the rotating component and a second seal is connected to the stationary component. The first seal includes at least one dispersion member that generates a fluid disturbance in a region adjacent the space during rotation of the rotating component. In this manner, any contaminants that may be prone to enter the space are dispersed away from the space and prevented from entering.
US08016288B1	Table game for exercising and fun A new and novel design and improvements of an existing table game with paddles and opposite players. These improvements provide for a significantly superior game in the areas of no jarring to the players, less manufacturing cost, prevention of damaging the game while is being played, easier assembly, packaging, shipping and handling. These innovations include side paddle openings, new two piece construction, new straight line apex of playing surface and new ball tray system. These new and significant improvements provide for the existing game to be manufactured at a fraction of the cost and weight while significantly improving playability.
US08016287B2	Sheet stacking device and image forming device A sheet stacking device for stacking conveyed sheets includes a stacking surface on which the sheets are stacked; a plurality of projections that project from the stacking surface. Wherein, the projections extend generally in a travel direction of the sheets, which is a direction in which the sheets travel when entering the sheet stacking device, the projections include outer projections and inner projections, the inner projections are located between the inner projections, and a projecting height of the inner projections from the stacking surface is greater than that of the outer projections.
US08016286B2	Method and apparatus for driving a fan wheel A method and an apparatus for driving a fan wheel of a web-fed printing press is disclosed. The fan wheel is driven, at least in a predetermined time period (tv-tD) in the production cycle, at a fan wheel speed, which in addition to a rotary drive speed component is comprised of an oscillating speed component.
US08016283B2	Recording sheet feeder and image forming apparatus providing easy maintenance with simple structure In a recording sheet feeder, a recording sheet tray moving mechanism moves a recording sheet tray between an upper position, at which an uppermost recording sheet of a plurality of recording sheets loaded on the recording sheet tray contacts a feed roller, and a lower position, at which the uppermost recording sheet separates from the feed roller. A first eccentric cam and a second eccentric cam rotate to press down the recording sheet tray. A driving force switch member drives the recording sheet tray moving mechanism when a driver rotates in a first direction, and rotates a feed roller driving shaft mounted with the feed roller when the driver rotates in a second direction.
US08016281B1	Mail-processing machine In the case of a mail-processing machine having a conveying path (1) which contains a circulating conveying chain and conveys onto a handling station (5), easy changeover to a variety of processing tasks and good adaptability to constricted space conditions are achieved in that, by a switchable actuating arrangement, manipulator fingers (19) articulated on a manipulator hand (13), in the handling station (5), can be switched both into the operating position both for the forward stroke of the manipulator hand and for the return stroke of the manipulator hand and into the return position both for the return stroke of the manipulator hand and for the forward stroke of the manipulator hand. Free through-passage-channel areas (32, 33) for sheet like article and sets thereof which are to be processed further or are to be inserted into envelopes are provided in the handling station, not only with regard to the direction (F) from the feeding conveying chain and to a laterally adjacent first processing arrangement but also in the opposite direction perpendicular to the feed direction of the first conveying chain.
US08016278B2	Cam actuated clamp A clamp including an upper body including a proximal end, a distal end, and an upper fulcrum, the upper fulcrum being positioned between the proximal end and the distal end of the upper body, wherein the distal end of the upper body includes an upper jaw, a lower body including a proximal end, a distal end, and a lower fulcrum, the lower fulcrum being positioned between the proximal end and the distal end of the lower body, wherein the distal end of the lower body includes a lower jaw, an edge pusher having an upper projection pivotally engaged with the upper fulcrum and a lower projection pivotally engaged with the lower fulcrum, an actuating lever pivotally connected to the upper body, the actuating lever including a cam lobe moveable relative to the lower body to displace the proximal end of the lower body away from the proximal end of the upper body, and a biasing element positioned to bias the upper jaw away from the lower jaw.
US08016271B2	Gaseous effluent treatment apparatus The invention relates to an apparatus for the treatment of gaseous effluents, such as those originating from the production of semi-conductors involving contact with a liquid. The inventive apparatus consists of: a gas/liquid contact chamber which can receive a liquid in the lower part thereof and which is topped with a gas cover, said chamber comprising means for introducing a gas to be treated and means for releasing residual gases following treatment involving contact with the liquid; turbine-type gas/liquid contacting means comprising one or more stages which ensure improved contact between the gas and the liquid, the upper part of said means being equipped with an opening for drawing the gas situated in the gas cover above the liquid; and, preferably, means for measuring the pH of the liquid.
US08016267B2	Wire puller and conduit adapter An improved wire puller uses a first and second position-able arms and may include an adapter and adapter bracket to allow for easier pulling of wire through conduit. The wire puller allows for easier set up and use and provides increased pulling force over existing wire pullers.
US08016265B2	Valve assembly having a unitary valve sleeve A valve assembly preferably including a housing having a recess and a flange face and a valve sleeve disposed within the recess. The sleeve preferably includes an annulus having an outer surface and an inner surface that defines a passageway about a central axis, the outer and inner surfaces being radially spaced from one another to define a wall. The wall has a first end portion and a second end portion axially spaced from the first end portion, and homogenous material properties from the first end portion to the second end portion. Preferably, the first end portion defines a lip for supporting the annulus in the recess and further defines a first chamber that encases at least a portion of a first support member. The second end portion preferably defines a flange portion along the outer surface for engaging the flange and further defines a second chamber that encases at least a portion of a second support member.
US08016263B2	Ejector valve machine A fast opening, stand alone pressure relief valve (200) for providing pressure relief for a vessel in which the valve (200) is installed. The valve has an ejector (216) and a sleeve structure (210) in which the ejector (216) moves. The ejector (216) is constructed of a material that will expand outward slightly upon pressurization to increase friction between staging glands (202) provided on the sleeve structure (210) and buckling glands (206) provided on the ejector (216). Also, as pressure on the ejector (216) increases, the buckling rings (206) deform slightly allowing them to release their grip on the staging glands (202) and move past them. Once the buckling rings (206) move past the staging glands (202), the pressurized ejector (216) quickly moves to its open position, i.e. opening within 2 and 3 milliseconds, thereby releasing the pressure on the vessel.
US08016261B2	Safety air valve of a receiving bag A safety air valve of a receiving bag includes an upper valve body, a valve seat and a valve gate. The upper valve body is installed inside the receiving bag. A first thread is formed at the protrusion stayed closely to the interior of the receiving bag. The first thread penetrates out the receiving bag; and a first main air channel is formed in the bottom of the first thread penetrating into the receiving bag so as to form a stepped valve opening on the top of the first main air channel. A second thread is formed at the valve seat corresponding to the first thread of the upper valve body. The second thread is screwed into the first thread and is positioned at the outer side of the receiving bag. The second thread has a press body corresponding to a first main air channel of the upper valve body.
US08016260B2	Metering assembly and method of dispensing fluid A metering assembly includes a fluidic chip and metering chambers. Selectable outlet valves communicate with each metering chamber to provide a discrete dispensed volume. The valves may be commonly controlled and may be formed as multi-level valves. The valves may be grouped into common substrate valve clusters. Purge channels communicate with the metering chambers and controlled purge valves allow reverse flow wash fluid to wash the metering chamber. Pressure ports are employed to actuate the valves. A method of dispensing a fluid from the fluidic chip includes a) selectively filling (or filling) the metering chambers with a selected fluid; and b) outputting (or selectively outputting) the fluid to output locations. The total output volume of fluid dispensed from each metering chamber may be accumulated. The process may be repeated until the accumulated volume equals the desired volume and may be repeated for another fluid from a plurality of different fluids.
US08016255B2	Portable electronic device and magnetic fixation board therefor The present invention discloses a portable electronic device and magnetic fixation board therefor. The magnetic fixation board is disposed on a surface of a wall or a casing of an electrical product. The portable electronic device has at least one first magnetic element and the magnetic fixation board has at least one second magnetic element. The second and the first magnetic elements magnetically attract each other and the portable electronic device is attached to the magnetic fixation board. Based on the attraction interaction between the first magnetic element of the portable electronic device and the second magnetic element of the magnetic fixation board, when the portable electronic device is standing idle, users can directly locate the portable electronic device on the magnetic fixation board in the attraction mode and arrange the portable electronic device conveniently, thereby improving the impressions of using electrical products.
US08016254B2	Piezoelectric actuated gimbal A gimbal is described and which includes a fixed base member defining an axis of rotation; a second member concentrically oriented relative to the axis of rotation; a linear actuator oriented in immediate, adjoining force transmitting relation relative to the base member or to the second member, and which applies force along a linear axis which is tangential to the axis of rotation so as to cause the second member to rotate coaxially relative to the fixed base member; and an object of interest mounted to the second member such that the object of interest is selectively moved relative to the base member about the axis of rotation.
US08016248B2	Aircraft wing spoiler arrangement An aircraft wing comprising an upper surface; and two or more spoilers pivotally attached to the upper surface, wherein at least two adjacent ones of the spoilers are separated by a gap, and wherein the width of the gap is: greater than 1 cm; and sufficiently small to choke the flow of air through the gap such that for at least one flight regime with the adjacent spoilers deployed, the average air flow speed through the gap is less than 10% of the true air speed. The reduced size of the spoilers reduces the spanwise wing loading and the spoiler hinge moment, while providing a net aerodynamic effect (in terms of destroying lift over the wing) similar to that of a conventional spoiler array with no gaps.
US08016246B2	Plasma actuator system and method for use with a weapons bay on a high speed mobile platform A system and method for controlling a freestream air flow over a surface of an airborne mobile platform, for example an aircraft. In one implementation the system includes a plurality of plasma actuators used on an undersurface of a fuselage of an aircraft upstream of a weapons bay of the aircraft. When the plasma actuators are energized an induced flow is created adjacent the actuators. The induced flow operates to deflect the shear layer created when the freestream air flow moves over the weapons bay (while the bay doors are open), away from the weapons bay. This significantly reduces the oscillating acoustic pressure waves that would normally be produced if the shear layer turns into the weapons bay. The system and method significantly reduces acoustic noise inside the weapons bay and improves separation of ordnance from the weapons bay.
US08016245B2	Dynamic bumps for drag reduction at transonic-supersonic speeds A system for reducing overall drag of a mobile platform includes a surface on which an airflow forms a boundary layer and a generally normal shockwave. The airflow is at a first velocity that is one of transonic and supersonic. An oscillating jet injects and extracts a jet flow through the surface. The jet flow is at a second velocity that is substantially less than the first velocity. A recirculation region is upstream of the normal shockwave and is disposed at least partially in the boundary layer. The recirculation region is established at least by the oscillating jet. A generally oblique wave is established by the recirculation region and weakens the normal shockwave to reduce the overall drag experienced by the surface.
US08016244B2	Active systems and methods for controlling an airfoil vortex Active systems and methods for controlling aircraft vortices are disclosed. An apparatus in accordance with one embodiment is directed to an aircraft system that includes an airfoil having first and second oppositely facing flow surfaces and a tip. The system can further include a vortex dissipation device carried by the airfoil, with the vortex dissipation device including an orifice positioned to direct a flow of fluid outwardly from the tip, an actuator operatively coupled to the fluid flow orifice and positioned to change a manner in which flow is directed outwardly from the tip, and a controller operatively coupled to the actuator to direct the operation of the actuator. The vortex dissipation device can be activated to accelerate the rate at which vortices (e.g., wing tip vortices) dissipate after they are generated, for example, by alternately pulsing flow inwardly and outwardly through the fluid flow orifice.
US08016243B2	Aircraft backup control A method is disclosed for controlling an aircraft when the hydraulic system of the aircraft has been compromised. The method may include resealing at least one gain vector of a digital fly-by-wire, lower-order, full-state feedback control in at least one axis. The gain(s) may then used by a digital control to modulate engine thrust. In this manner, engine thrust modulation may be used for stabilization and control of control-configured aircraft without requiring a substantial change in piloting technique.
US08016240B2	Satellites and satellite fleet implementation methods and apparatus A method for implementing a satellite fleet includes launching a group of satellites within a launch vehicle. In an embodiment, the satellites are structurally connected together through satellite outer load paths. After separation from the launch vehicle, nodal separation between the satellites is established by allowing one or more of the satellites to drift at one or more orbits having apogee altitudes below an operational orbit apogee altitude. A satellite is maintained in an ecliptic normal attitude during its operational life, in an embodiment. The satellite's orbit is efficiently maintained by a combination of axial, radial, and canted thrusters, in an embodiment. Satellite embodiments include a payload subsystem, a bus subsystem, an outer load path support structure, antenna assembly orientation mechanisms, an attitude control subsystem adapted to maintain the satellite in the ecliptic normal attitude, and an orbit maintenance/propulsion subsystem adapted to maintain the satellite's orbit.
US08016239B2	Safety pre-impact deceleration system for vehicles A safety pre-impact deceleration system for a variety of conveyances includes a parachute structure formed from air bags inflated with gas. Alternatively, the parachute structure includes a canopy with orifices. Air spaces in the parachute structure or orifices in the canopy have adjustable and selective dimensions to control the operational parameters of the vehicle. The system includes sensors and rapid exposure rate cameras with continuous loop recording to measure operational parameters of the vehicle and to predict possible collision. Once a collision condition is detected, audio/video images are stored on storage media. The air bags are deployed and inflated. In addition to air bags constituting the parachute structure, a plurality of air bags are provided to be deployed external the vehicle to aid in a safe landing.
US08016236B2	Method and apparatus for attaching a wing to a body A method and apparatus for assembling an aircraft. A wing spar fitting is connected to a spar in a wing for the aircraft. A body frame fitting is connected to a frame in a body for the aircraft. The locations and orientations of the body frame fitting and the wing spar fitting allow for the body frame fitting to be attached to the wing spar fitting when the wing is positioned for attachment to the body of the aircraft. The wing is positioned with respect to the body of the aircraft for attachment to the body. The body frame fitting and the wing spar fitting are attached to each other with a set of fasteners after the body frame fitting is aligned to the wing spar fitting without penetrating any sealed areas in the wing, wherein the wing is attached to the body by a mechanical joint that is formed by the body frame fitting and the wing spar fitting.
US08016230B2	Fastner-free primary structural joint for sandwich panels Techniques for providing fastener-free primary structural joint for sandwich panels are disclosed. In one embodiment, a technique includes positioning a first panel having a first edge portion proximate a second panel having a second edge portion such that the first and second edge portions cooperatively form an interior recess on an interior side of the first and second panels, applying adhesive to at least one of the recessed interior side of the panel assembly and a plug configured to occupy the interior recess, inserting the plug into the interior recess, the plug including a cap that extends beyond the interior recess and overlaps adjacent portions of the first and second panels, applying adhesive to at least one of a splice and an exterior side opposite from the interior side, and attaching the splice on the exterior side.
US08016229B2	Retracting air cushioned landing system for air vehicles A hybrid air vehicle is disclosed in which a cover is provided for a plurality of air cushioned landing pads to reduce drag when airborne. The pad is inflatable to provide an air cushioned during touchdown and deflatable during flight of the air vehicle. The cover can include a first cover portion and a second cover portion. A first cover roller of the first cover portion and a matching second cover roller of the second cover portion abut to cover the corresponding pad. The first cover roller and the second cover roller, which are separate and free from a physical linkage there between, are separable in an eyelid fashion to expose the corresponding pad. A separation gap between the first cover roller and the second cover roller is increased or decreased by roller straps to cover or expose the corresponding pad.
US08016228B2	Combined fuel cell aircraft auxiliary power unit and environmental control system Combined aircraft hybrid fuel cell auxiliary power unit and environmental control system and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes chemically converting a portion of combustible fuel into electrical energy. An unutilized portion of fuel emitted by the chemical conversion of combustible fuel is combusted to thermal power. The heated gas is used to drive a power recovery turbine connected to a drive shaft. A source of input oxidizing gas is compressed and is used to help chemically convert the combustible fuel into electrical energy. The heated gas is used to mechanically drive the power recovery turbine which is coupled to a generator to produce electrical energy.
US08016221B2	Apparatus, system, and method for dynamic tape stick and tape break detection An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for dynamic tape stick and tape break detection. A first counter increments a first count and resets a second count in response to a sensor pulse from a first sensor of a first tape servo. A second counter increments the second count and resets the first count in response to a sensor pulse from a second sensor of a second tape servo. A detection module detects either the first count or the second count exceeding an error threshold.
US08016211B2	Pintle-controlled propulsion system with external ring actuator A propulsion system with a divergent-convergent nozzle is provided with variable thrust by a pintle whose position relative to the nozzle throat is controlled by an actuator that includes a rotor that external to, and encircling, the nozzle, and that is coupled to either the pintle or to the nozzle shell by a linkage that translates the rotary movement of the rotor into linear movement of either the pintle or the shell.
US08016209B2	Liquid droplet plug and spray system The present invention concerns a liquid droplet spray system for atomizing a liquid substance, comprising: a support having a central aperture (27), a liquid droplet spray device in which a space is provided, the space being arranged to receive the liquid substance, and including a nozzle body (28) covering the space such that the liquid substance may exit the space of the device by traversing the nozzle body (28) and the system by traversing the central aperture (27) of the support, a reservoir (33) for containing the liquid substance.
US08016199B2	Illumination devices for image acquisition systems An apparatus for imaging a symbol associated with an object which includes a housing and an imaging module connected to the housing, where the imaging module includes at least one lens for creating an image of the symbol. The imaging module further has a sensor for sensing the image. An electroluminescent light sheet is connected to the housing, and the electroluminescent light sheet provides at least one of dark field illumination and bright field illumination.
US08016197B2	Code reading device, code reading program storage medium and code reading method A code reading device includes an acquisition section, a derivation section and a correction section. The acquisition section reads a two-dimensional code image and acquires image information representing the two-dimensional code image. The derivation section derives an image characteristic quantity representing a ratio between a number of white pixels and a number of black pixels for a pre-specified region of the image information acquired by the acquisition section. The correction section, on the basis of a result of comparison of the image characteristic quantity derived by the derivation section with a reference value corresponding to the pre-specified region, applies correction to the image information to bring the image characteristic quantity closer to the reference value.
US08016193B2	Transaction product with storage chamber A transaction product includes a housing and an account identifier. The housing includes a first member, which defines a primary panel and a side wall extending around the primary panel to define a storage chamber, and a second member slidably coupled with the first member. The second member is configured to slide relative to the first member between an open position and a closed position. In the closed position, the second member covers the storage chamber, and in the open position, the storage chamber is readily accessible. The second member slides relative to the first member between the open position and the closed position in a direction substantially perpendicular to an extension of the side wall from the primary panel of the first member. The account identifier links the housing to an account or record and is machine readable. Other cards, products, assemblies and associated methods are also disclosed.
US08016185B2	Money transfer service with authentication A bank (or merchant) hosts and operates an online money transfer service (or “portal”). A sender logs into the portal and enters payment card and money transfer details and then submits the transaction. An authentication window appears displaying the sender's transaction details and the sender is prompted to enter his or her password. Upon successful authentication, the bank seeks authorization from the card issuer. Upon successful authorization, the bank credits the recipient's local bank account or existing payment card. The recipient can also receive a check, a draft, a prepaid card or cash. The money transfer service is used both cross-border and domestic to effect person-to-person money transfer. The money transfer service uses the “Verified by Visa” authentication service and VisaNet for authorization. Messages over VisaNet are used to deliver funds to a recipient.
US08016184B2	Method for manufacturing electronic component module A method for manufacturing an electronic component module is performed such that a shield layer can be formed as a thin film and an electronic component can be effectively shielded. A collective substrate including a plurality of electronic component modules including a plurality of electronic components is batch-sealed with a resin. A cut section is formed from a top surface of the sealed resin to a position that reaches a grounding electrode arranged in the substrate at a boundary section of the electronic component module so as to expose the grounding electrode. A conductive paste is applied on side surfaces and the top surface. Then, a conductive thin film is formed by spin coating, and the electronic component module is cut.
US08016178B2	Surgical stapling apparatus A loading unit for use with a surgical stapling apparatus is provided and includes a tool assembly having a cartridge assembly and an anvil assembly that are movable in relation to one another; a surgical buttress releasably secured to a tissue contacting surface of the anvil assembly and/or the cartridge assembly, wherein each surgical buttress is secured to the anvil assembly and/or the cartridge assembly by at least one anchor; a release assembly associated with the anvil assembly and/or the cartridge assembly; and a drive assembly slidably translatable through the tool assembly between proximal and distal positions, wherein the drive assembly actuates the release assembly to thereby release the anchor to free the surgical buttress from the anvil assembly and/or the cartridge assembly.
US08016175B2	Attachment for stitching tool The attachment for a stitching tool is an attachment that enables a manually operated stitching tool to convert to a power-operated stitching tool. The attachment includes an ergonomically designed handle mounted on a base, which base is provided with an opening at one end thereof. The opening is designed to receive the grasping portions of a manually operated, conventional stitching tool. Mechanisms in the base engage the grasping portions of the stitching tool to mechanically manipulate the grasping portions. The mechanisms are powered by an electric motor. Controls are provided on the handle for operating the electric motor.
US08016172B1	Storage rack assembly for vehicle A storage rack assembly in kit form is particularly adapted for use on a vehicle and includes a small number of different types of components to simplify shipping, assembly and installation by a purchaser. The storage rack includes side, front and back generally flat panels connected together to form a generally rectangular structure. Opposed side panels are connected to opposed ends of plural elongated cross members which are arranged in a spaced manner along the length of the rectangular structure and are aligned in a common plane to form a flat support bed in the storage rack. Plural telescoping support/mounting members are each connected to a respective cross member to allow for varying the storage rack's width depending on vehicle size and are adapted for secure attachment to the vehicle. Incorporating additional interfitting side panels and cross members allows for increasing the storage rack's length.
US08016166B2	Coffee and tea dosing system A doser for dispensing a predetermined dose of material. The doser may include an agitation device, with the material stored in the agitation device, and a dosing block cooperating with the agitation system.
US08016162B2	Condiment bottle A bottle formed of a food-grade plastic material, such as clear polyethylene terephthalate includes a frustoconical neck portion, a shoulder region, a base region, and a sidewall portion have opposed grip-enhancing surfaces, and elastically deformable pressure panels. A cap for the container may include a valve to control product leakage, and may be sized to allow inversion of the bottle. A generally trapezoidal tab of the cap moves between a closed position covering a cap orifice and an open position outside the plane of the cap.
US08016161B2	Package and dispensing system A package (10) for the storage and dispensing of a plurality of materials includes a first and a second longitudinally juxtaposed barrels (11, 12). Each barrel (11, 12) having a first and a second end (20, 21). Each first and second barrels (11, 12) having a quantity of at least one of the materials initially contained therein, and each barrel having an open end (20) and a dispensing end (21). A sealing plunger (40) disposed in each barrel (11, 12) such that the material in each barrel (11, 12) is initially positioned between the dispensing end (21) of the barrels (11, 12) and the respective ones of the sealing plungers (40). A snap cap (23) is contiguously formed to initially close each of the dispensing ends (21) of the barrels (11, 12), such that the snap cap (23) may be broken from the barrels (11, 12) to thereby forming a secondary open end (22) at the dispensing end (21) of the barrels (11, 12), thereby facilitating the material contained in each barrel (11, 12) to flow through and be dispensed.
US08016160B2	Refrigerator related technology A refrigerator includes a dispenser to dispense water or ice, a door handle positioned below the dispenser, and a tray mounted to the door handle in a position to receive at least some water or ice dispensed from the dispenser. The tray coupled to the door handle attached to the door may receive excess or residue water or ice dispensed from the dispenser without deterioration of the exterior appearance of the door.
US08016159B2	Twist open closure having inclined frangible membrane A closure for a container having an opening includes a base cap and an overcap that form a chamber adjacent the opening which is sealed from the contents of the container by a frangible membrane having an inclined line of weakness and by a hinge member having a pocket extending downward adjacent lower and upper terminuses of the line of weakness. The overcap includes a cutting member received within the pocket that severs the line of weakness upon substantial rotation of the overcap with respect to the base cap. A pushing member may cooperate with a cam member to deflect open the membrane upon severance. The pocket may include a stop for the cutting member. The base cap may include a cylindrical structure having an upwardly inwardly projection member to form a seal with an thickened upper portion of the overcap skirt to protect against penetration into the chamber.
US08016151B2	Fluid controlled containment berm system A fluid controlled containment berm system for automatically forming a containment berm to contain hazardous liquid spills involving a vehicle. The fluid controlled containment berm system includes a liner including a floor and a sidewall, a buoyant member attached to an upper portion of the liner, and a pair of diffuser members attached between the floor and the sidewall.
US08016146B2	Spill resistant caps and container systems A spill resistant cap for a container, such as a commercially available water or other beverage bottle, includes a cap body that forms a mating fit with the container and a spout having liquid dispense holes that allow fluid to flow out of the container. A removable valve is sized to fit within the cap body. The valve includes a valve mechanism that opens in response to a pressure differential applied across the valve face, such as the mouth suction applied to the spout when a person attempts to drink from the container, allowing fluid to flow through the valve and through the liquid dispense holes in the spout.
US08016145B2	Collapsible bulk container A stackable collapsible container for flowable materials. The container has a flexible outer skin and rigid support, having a top frame and bottom frame connected by poles. The top frame and bottom frame are designed for mating engagement when the containers are stacked, as well as for mating engagement when the containers are broken down for transport. The top frame and bottom frame are provided with similar perimeters to prevent undesired movement and contact between adjacent top frame when the containers are filled and transported.
US08016144B2	Wood joint for a barrelhead A wood joint is disclosed which comprises a first heading having a first profile comprising an upper socket, a lower socket, and a flat section intermediate the sockets, a second heading having a second profile comprising an upper socket, a lower socket, and a flat section intermediate the sockets, and a spline member having a pair of tongue portions with each of the tongue portions having an upper lobe and a lower lobe, the spline member for fitting within the first profile and the second profile.
US08016143B2	Stopper with an obstuctor for a can and method for the production of said stopper The invention relates to a stopper, provided with an obstructor (1), for a can. Said stopper comprises a cap (3) provided with a central opening (5) and an annular skirt (7), and an annular shaft (17) extending around the opening, in addition to a capsule (19) which is detachably fixed, by means of a tear element (23), to a free edge (25) of the shaft opposite the opening. The tear element joining the shaft to the capsule is placed in an entrance area at an angle in the free edge of the shaft. At least one sealing lip (37) is disposed on the inner surface of the shaft, and the cap, skirt and capsule of the stopper are molded in a single piece without any welding or the addition of another component or detachable part. The invention also relates to a method for the production of said stopper by offset injection in a region which is outside the cap.
US08016141B2	Locking cross bar A cross bar forming a support surface between parallel deck beams of rack-type storage systems to create storage shelves, the cross bars being lockable and readily removable and reusable.
US08016140B2	Combination shelf whose support boards can be increased A combination shelf includes a plurality of upright posts, a plurality of mounting sleeves each detachably mounted on the respective upright post, at least one mounting frame mounted between the upright posts and detachably locked onto the mounting sleeves, a plurality of mounting brackets each detachably mounted on the respective upright post, and a plurality of support boards mounted between the upright posts and supported by the mounting frame and the mounting brackets. Thus, the mounting brackets are detachably mounted on the upright posts to support the support boards so that the support boards are selectively mounted between the upright posts, and the number of the support boards can be adjusted freely and randomly according to a user's practical requirement.
US08016139B2	Glide system with adjustable dividers and modular floor members A variable shelf organizer glide system for merchandising products therefrom capable of being assembled to accommodate any shelf length and width and any product dimension including a plurality of cooperatively engageable adjustable floor members having a plurality of transverse projection members associated with each respective track rib, the transverse projection members extending laterally across only a portion of the respective longitudinal slots formed between adjacent track ribs, and a plurality of adjustable divider members, each divider member being selectively engageable with the transverse projection members to form any number of segregated product channels for arranging products therebetween. Each floor member includes frangible break-away portions for adjusting the overall length thereof, and each divider member includes a frangible break-away front product stop member as well as a plurality of frangible break-away rear portions for likewise controlling the overall length of each divider member.
US08016135B2	Product display support systems and methods A display support system for supporting product for retail display from an appliance defining a magnetically attractable display surface, a door surface, and a magnetically attractable upper surface and comprising a door arranged to allow access to an interior of the appliance through the door surface. The display support system comprises an accessory, a structure comprising a front portion and a rear portion, and a magnetic portion. The accessory is adapted to support the product for retail display. The front portion is adapted to support the accessory such that the accessory extends from the display surface of the appliance. The rear portion rigidly is connected to the front portion and extends along and engages the upper surface of the appliance to bear downward loads on the front portion. The magnetic portion magnetically secures the structure relative to the appliance and inhibits movement of the front portion away from the display surface.
US08016132B2	Side-entry stemmed glassware rack A side-entry stemmed glassware rack for storing and displaying stemmed glassware. Stemmed glassware is hung in the conventional, inverted manner except that the base of the glassware is inserted into a main track of the rack the via an intersecting side track rather than only from one or both ends of the main track.
US08016130B2	Tool rack This invention discloses a set of tool rack which can particularly place multiple wrenches. It is mainly comprised of a main frame, a front cover panel and two locking members. The main frame includes an axial rod, a connecting plate and two side plates. The axial rod provides the openings of the wrenches to hold on. Each side plate includes a guiding slot and a locking hole. The guiding slot starts from the rear end of the side plate, extended around the axis of the axial rod, and then ends to the front end of the side plate. Between the two side plates are multiple receiving recesses for the shanks of the wrenches to be engaged. The front cover panel includes a cover plate and two curved side plates having protruding columns inserted over the guiding slot so that the cover plate is moveable along the guiding slots.
US08016122B2	Pot or pan lid with a draining function and a large area view A culinary vessel lid in the form of a cover that is adapted for covering the vessel and that includes a transparent covering part, a metal covering part provided with through openings intended for draining foods and a silicone retaining ring.
US08016117B2	System and method for eliminating emissions from an air classification device An air classification device for separation of solids comprising an input system, a first solid separator system, an output system, and an emission containing system. The emission containing system employs supplemental air lines, a supplemental air source, and high-velocity air knives to create negative air pressure at any opening in the device. The negative air pressure induces air to move into the device and prevents polluted air from escaping the device at the openings.
US08016111B2	Reusable shopping bag assembly A reusable shopping bag assembly includes handle structure for use with a plurality of reusable shopping bags. The handle structure includes a handle frame with a pair of tubular sleeves extending therefrom in spaced relation to support a plurality of the reusable shopping bags having sleeve receiving holes therethrough and a pair of caps connected to the frame by cords and removably positioned on the sleeves the retain the bags thereon. The sleeves are spaced apart and bores therethrough are sized and shaped to enable the handle structure with a plurality of reusable shopping bags thereon to be positioned on a rack holding store bags to facilitate placement of merchandise in the reusable bags.
US08016109B2	Package box, cushion and plate material A package box including an outer box and at least two cushions disposed symmetrically in the outer box is provided. The cushion includes a rectangular bottom plate, two short side plates, a partition plate, a concave structure and a box structure. The short side plates are connected perpendicularly with the short sides of the bottom plate respectively. The partition plate divides the cushion into a first rectangular sub-body and a second rectangular sub-body. The concave structure forms a container space caved in the first rectangular sub-body to contain a first article therein. The box structure on the second rectangular sub-body can be opened or closed to contain a second article in the second rectangular sub-body.
US08016106B2	Rigid transparent tackle box with vertical storage for large-scale lures A storage system comprises a bottom, a plurality of sides, a cover and a plurality of vertical dividers. The sides are fixed to the bottom and the cover is located to have open and closed positions with respect to the sides, opposite the bottom. The vertical dividers are arranged in first and second transverse orientations between the sides, forming vertical storage units for hanging lures. A plurality of ventilation and drainage holes are formed in the bottom panel, and the top and at least two of the sides are transparent to visible light. Each of the bottom, sides, and cover is formed of an impact-resistant thermoplastic having a thickness of at least 4 mm, such that the cover supports a weight of at least 220 lbs when in the closed position.
US08016104B2	Two-compartment container having depressible flexible dome for rupturing layer between compartments A two-compartment container in which the first compartment has an upper layer and a lower layer and contains a first component that is to be added to the second compartment. Above the first compartment is a dome that is bowed upward and is flexible. Depressing the dome by pushing downward on it causes the lower layer of the first compartment to be ruptured without cutting or rupturing the upper layer, releasing the first component into the second compartment.
US08016101B2	Belt junction conveyor A change-over mechanism causing a main support frame and a sub support frame to rotate is made up of a drive motor, a rotating body, and coupling rods. One end of the coupling rod is coupled to the rotating body, and the other end thereof is coupled to the main support frame. One end of the coupling rod is coupled to the rotating body, and the other end thereof is coupled to the sub support frame. When a belt junction conveyor is changed over between a first and a second transfer states, one of the coupling rods is pushed out and the other one is pulled by the rotating body rotating by an activation of the drive motor, so that the main and the sub support frames are rotated in the opposite direction from each other, and a direction of transport of products by an endless belt is changed over.
US08016099B2	Device for transporting freight A device for transporting freight, especially freight containers in the cargo compartments of aircraft, especially to a power drive unit (PDU) having a drive roller (3) received in a frame (1) wherein the at least one drive roller (3) carrying the drive roll (4) placed thereon is mounted so as to be pivoted relative to the frame for the purpose of replacing the drive roll (4).
US08016097B2	Escalator linear belt handrail drive An escalator handrail drive arrangement includes a drive belt (26) mounted within a drive housing (35). Pressure rollers (30) are mounted in pairs and pivotally attached to the drive housing. The pressure rollers bias a handrail (22) against the drive belt. The pressure roller arrangements are mounted at each axial end. A spring (44) biases the pressure roller arrangements against the handrail, with the spring being centered along the axial length of the pressure rollers. This spring is preferably mounted within the drive housing such that no additional space is required outwardly of the drive and roller arrangement to accommodate the spring.
US08016096B2	Vehicle conveyor with maintenance support device A conveyor for a construction vehicle includes a frame removably connectable with the vehicle. The frame includes front and rear ends, first and second sides extending between the two ends, and upper and lower surfaces extending between the front and rear ends. An endless belt is disposed generally about the frame and at least one support member is connected with the frame. The support member has a first, vertical portion connected with the frame first side and a second, horizontal portion extending generally beneath the frame lower surface and being disposable upon a base surface. The support member is configured to retain the entire frame and the belt spaced generally above the base surface so as to facilitate removal of the belt from the frame and alternatively facilitate installation of the belt upon the frame. The support member may include an L-shaped bended bar.
US08016094B2	Centrifugal clutch and straddle type vehicle including the centrifugal clutch To centrifugal clutch with reduced size, which facilitates reduced width of a straddle type vehicle, includes a clutch housing on which an outer plate is mounted, and a clutch boss on which an inner plate is mounted. A roller weight is provided between the clutch housing and a rightmost outer plate. A cam surface formed on the clutch housing guides the roller weight in a direction such that the outer plate and the inner plate are press-fitted together when the roller weight moves outward in a radial direction of a secondary sheave shaft. A cam surface formed on the rightmost outer plate guides the roller weight outward in the radial direction and toward the cam surface with respect to an axial direction when the roller weight moves outward in the radial direction of the secondary sheave shaft.
US08016093B2	Electronically-controlled hydraulically-actuated coupling A power transmission device includes a rotatable input member, a rotatable output member, a clutch assembly to selectively transfer torque between the input member and the output member, and a controller for controlling the clutch assembly. The controller controls the clutch assembly based at least partly on a torque request.
US08016092B2	Magneto-rheological clutch and wheel transmission apparatuses and methods Magneto-rheological clutch and wheel transmission apparatuses and methods are provided. According to one aspect, a magneto-rheological clutch system can include first and second drive members and first and second driven members. A first gap can be present between the first drive and first driven members. A second gap can be present between the second drive and second driven members. A drive wheel and a snow blower impeller can be connected to the first and second driven member, respectively. First and second MR fluids can be disposed in the first and second gaps, respectively. A first magnetic field can be applied to the first MR fluid for engaging the drive wheel. A second magnetic field can be applied to the second MR fluid for engaging the snow blower impeller. The provided apparatuses and methods can also be applied to mower blades and wheels.
US08016091B2	Solid stop leaf spring A piston plate stop for a torque converter including: a flexible connection element with a first end and a second end, the first end arranged to connect to a piston plate for the torque converter, the second end arranged to rotationally connect to a cover for the torque converter and a stop disposed on the flexible connection element. The stop is arranged to restrict axial movement of the piston plate. In some aspects, the flexible connection element is arranged to rotationally connect the cover and the piston plate. A torque converter including a piston plate; a cover; and at least one flexible connection element rotationally connecting the piston plate and the cover. The flexible connection element has a tab that is positioned to limit axial displacement of the piston plate away from the cover.
US08016089B1	Combination suitcase and chair apparatus The combination suitcase and chair apparatus provides a suitcase typical in appearance to many others. However, somewhat hidden within the suitcase are the four legs and the section leg that provide for the apparatus to be used as a chair. The four legs telescope and provide for the first section to be the adjustable height chair bottom. The section leg pivots and telescopes from the second section such that the second section is an adjustably angled chair back. The section leg is removably covered by a flap substantially like the flaps that cover the four legs of the first section. Importantly, both the first section and second section have a removable cushioned mat. The mats provide cushioned comfort and also provide for covering the cavity within each section. The cavities are used as would be those in a typical suitcase.
US08016083B2	Disk brake A pad spring located at the entrance side in the rotational direction of a disk is provided with guide plate portions, radially urging portions that urge a pair of friction pads radially outward of the disk, and circumferentially urging portions that urge the friction pads in the rotational direction of the disk. Each radially urging portion has a projection bent radially inward of the disk. Each guide plate portion has a space portion that allows the projection to abut against the radially inner wall surface of the associated pad guide when the radially urging portion is displaced radially inward of the disk so as to approach the guide plate portion. The circumferentially urging portions are wide plate-shaped members bent from the guide plate portions.
US08016082B2	Disc brake operating mechanism An actuating lever of a brake caliper of a vehicle includes a cam surface operable against a single tappet and reacting against a caliper bridge. The actuating lever includes a wear adjuster arm which exerts a turning moment on the actuating lever. The turning moment is resisted by a small stub axle pivotable in a plain bearing of the brake caliper.
US08016080B2	Lifting platform with a torsion bar A lift device of platform type for miscellaneous loads, in particular for motor vehicles, comprising a pair of vertical uprights (2) to rest on the floor, a load carrying platform (4) slidable along said uprights (2), a drive system for said platform comprising actuators associated with the two uprights (2), and a torsion bar (6) applied to said platform to ensure that this latter is also horizontal when an unbalanced load is present, characterised in that at least one sprocket wheel (14) is applied to said torsion bar (6) and cooperates with a stop pawl (16) elastically engaging the teeth of said sprocket wheel (14) and disengageable from it during the descent phase of said platform (4).
US08016078B2	Electrician's ladder and method A stepladder having a front side, a rear side and a top. The stepladder can include a conduit holder attached to the front side for holding conduit. The stepladder can include a first wire spool holder attached to the front side and a second wire spool holder attached to the rear side though which a conduit having a wire spool extends. The stepladder can include a hacksaw hook attached to the front side. A method for cutting a conduit. A method for using a hacksaw. A method for obtaining wire.
US08016076B2	Flip ladder with tray and method A climbing apparatus that rests on a surface includes a flip ladder that can move between a straight configuration and a stepladder configuration. The apparatus includes a tray having a plane attached to the flip ladder that moves with the flip ladder between the straight configuration where the tray plane is essentially parallel with the ladder in a stowed position and a stepladder configuration where the tray plane is essentially parallel with the surface in an open position. A method for climbing includes the steps of moving a flip ladder between a straight configuration and a stepladder configuration. There is the step of moving a tray having a plane attached to the flip ladder from a stowed position where the tray plane is essentially parallel with the ladder to an opened position where the tray plane is essentially parallel with the surface. There is the step of moving the flip ladder from the stepladder configuration to the straight configuration which causes the tray to move automatically into the stowed position.
US08016074B2	Work platform A platform for an aerial lift enables unobstructed access to a work area adjacent the platform. The platform includes a floor structure with front and rear sides and ends, and a safety rail disposed along at least the front side. The safety rail includes an entry gate. A lift gate is pivotably attached to the safety rail and pivotable between a closed position and an open position. The lift gate includes a gate rail extending along the rear side of the floor structure and a pair of lift rails connected between the gate rail and the safety rail. The gate rail is pivotable relative to the lift rails between an extended position and a retracted position. In this manner, the lift gate can be raised without the gate rail impacting the work surface.
US08016073B2	Carabiner with automatic locking A carabiner comprises a locking part elastically biased to a locked position for automatic locking of the pivoting gate in the closed position. The locking part is associated with an actuating ring coaxially surrounding the gate and used only when opening of the carabiner is performed for the gate to pivot to the unlocked position. The first end of the fixed body comprises a ramp to automatically unlock the locking part before the gate reaches the end of closing travel.
US08016068B2	System and method for load balancing in a tandem wheel arrangement A tandem drive arrangement includes one or more independently driven wheels (118) that are arranged in a tandem configuration along a beam (120). The beam (120) is rotatably connected to a frame (102) of a machine (100). The tandem drive arrangement further includes an actuator (206) operating to selectively impart a rotating moment to the beam (102). The rotating moment tends to rotate the beam (120) in one direction and counteracts a torque imbalance resulting from operation of motors (128) rotating one or more independently driven wheels (118) connected to the beam (120).
US08016066B1	Pedestrian air bag An apparatus (10) helps to protect a pedestrian from impacts with a vehicle (12) that has a windshield (24) and a hood (32) covering an engine compartment (30). The apparatus (10) includes an air bag (14) that is inflatable away from the engine compartment (30) through a space (342) between the hood (32) and the windshield (24) from a stored condition to a deployed condition positioned adjacent the windshield (24). A housing (60) stores the air bag (14) in a deflated and stowed condition in the engine compartment (30). A deflector (260) has a portion connected to the housing (60) and a portion for being connected to the vehicle hood (32). The deflector (260) is adapted to deflect the air bag (14) during inflation and direct the air bag (14) to clear the vehicle hood (32) and to deploy through the space (342) between the hood (32) and the windshield (24).
US08016065B2	Split chaincase with fixed axles A tool carrier, such as a compact loader, has a main frame formed as a transmission housing that is all welded construction. The transmission housing has drives from motors and drive shafts on each side of the transmission housing. The drives are in enclosed chain cases forming integral parts of the transmission housing. The drive shafts span the power drive cases and are supported on bearings on both ends. The drives in each of the power drive cases drive front and rear axles of the compact loader. Axle tubes also are welded in place on the transmission housing. The rear portions of the transmission housing have support arm castings supported in and closing the ends of the power drive cases. The support arm castings provide support for mounting lift arms for the compact loader.
US08016062B2	Moving body A moving body is equipped with fuel cells structured to have multiple corners. The fuel cells have a fuel gas exhaust port formed to discharge a fuel gas, which is subjected to an electrochemical reaction at anodes of the fuel cells, out of the fuel cells. The fuel cells are arranged to be inclined to a horizontal plane to position a front side of the fuel cells in a forward direction of the moving body higher than an opposite side of the fuel cells in the forward direction of the moving body and are provided to locate a specific corner closest to the fuel gas exhaust port of the fuel cells among the multiple corners as a lowermost point. This arrangement enables water produced at the anodes of the fuel cells to be efficiently discharged from the fuel cells by taking advantage of the gravity, while the moving body moves on a slope.
US08016059B2	Gage insert A hard formation drill bit that includes a plurality of gage cutting elements disposed on the at least one roller cone, wherein at least one of the plurality of gage cutting elements includes a cutting portion. The cutting portion includes a partially spherical leading edge and an obtuse relieved trailing edge, wherein a volume of the partially spherical leading edge is greater than a volume of the obtuse relieved tailing edge. Also, a method of drilling a formation that includes such a drill bit. Also included is an insert and a method of manufacturing a gage cutting element.
US08016054B2	Polycrystalline diamond abrasive elements A polycrystalline diamond abrasive element, particularly a cutting element, comprises a table of polycrystalline diamond bonded to a substrate, particularly a cemented carbide substrate, along a non-planar interface. The polycrystalline diamond abrasive element is characterised by the nonplanar interface having a cruciform configuration, the polycrystalline diamond having a high wear-resistance, and the polycrystalline diamond having a region adjacent the working surface lean in catalysing material and a region rich in catalysing material. The polycrystalline diamond cutters have improved wear resistance, impact strength and cutter life than prior art cutters.
US08016052B2	Thrust bearing assembly A thrust bearing assembly comprising a rotating bearing runner and a stationary bearing carrier, the carrier defining a plurality of thrust pad sites annularly around the carrier, with a thrust pad disposed at a site and with the carrier constraining movement of the thrust pad in a direction generally radial to the longitudinal axis of the runner while allowing the thrust pad to move in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis. An embodiment comprises a rotating bearing runner having a wear resistant face and a stationary bearing carrier defining cavities disposed annularly around the carrier. A deflection element (e.g., Belleville washer) is disposed in a cavity and a pad is disposed over the deflection element. The pad is at least partially disposed within the cavity. The wear resistant face contacts the pad. Another embodiment rigidly connects pads disposed on opposite sides of a stationary bearing carrier.
US08016050B2	Methods and apparatuses for estimating drill bit cutting effectiveness A drill bit for drilling a subterranean formation includes a plurality of cutting elements and a shank extending from a bit body. A set of accelerometers disposed in the drill bit include a radial accelerometer and a tangential accelerometer. An annular chamber is formed within the shank. A data evaluation module is disposed in the annular chamber and includes a processor, a memory, and a communication port. The data evaluation module is configured for performing a bit acceleration analysis. The analysis includes sampling acceleration information from the radial accelerometer and the tangential accelerometer over an analysis period and storing the acceleration information in the memory to generate an acceleration history. The acceleration history is analyzed to determine a cutting effectiveness of the cutting elements responsive to changes in the acceleration history. The cutting effectiveness is reported through the communication port.
US08016043B2	Marker assembly having breakaway feature An agricultural implement has a marker assembly that is pivotable in a generally rearward direction when the marker assembly collides with a relatively massive field obstruction. The interconnection of the marker assembly to a central frame of the implement allows the aforementioned pivoting to reduce damage to the central frame and/or the marker assembly during such collisions.
US08016039B2	Method of reducing water influx into gas wells A method of reducing water influx into a wellbore, wherein the wellbore is in fluid communication with a subterranean formation such as a gas producing formation or gas reservoir. The method particularly places a gelant in a desired position down the wellbore and into the formation in order to thereby reduce the influx of water and enhance the resulting gas production. The method includes the steps of first introducing a gelant into the wellbore and second introducing a temporarily stable foam into the wellbore in order to overdisplace the gelant from the wellbore and into the formation.
US08016035B2	Chemical injection check valve incorporated into a tubing retrievable safety valve Disclosed herein is a safety valve with a chemical injection configuration. The device includes a hydraulic fluid pressure operated piston at the housing. The device further includes a flow tube in operable communication with the piston and a chemical injection configuration disposed within the housing. Further disclosed herein is a method of maintaining the operation of a safety valve by injecting chemical fluid through a configuration within the safety valve.Still further disclosed herein is check valve. The check valve includes a seal, a dart having a closed head and sealable against the seal, one or more flutes on the dart, and a spring applying a biasing force to the dart to a sealing position, that force being overcomeable by a fluid pressure acting in a direction opposing the spring force.
US08016034B2	Methods of fluid placement and diversion in subterranean formations Improved methods of placing and/or diverting treatment fluids in subterranean formations are provided. In one embodiment, the methods comprise: introducing a diverting material into a subterranean formation penetrated by a well bore to reduce or prevent the flow of fluid into a first portion of the subterranean formation; introducing a first fluid into a second portion of the subterranean formation having a higher fluid flow resistance than the first portion of the subterranean formation; allowing the diverting material to be removed from the subterranean formation after at least a portion of the first fluid has been introduced into the second portion of the subterranean formation; and introducing a second fluid into the first portion of the subterranean formation.
US08016029B2	Apparatus for flexibly restraining service loops in an oil derrick to prevent entangling of the loops An apparatus for flexibly restraining service loops in an oil derrick to prevent entangling of the loops, comprising a plurality of identical apparatus wherein each apparatus is positioned at different longitudinal level to restrain the service loops. Each apparatus is comprised of a plurality of interlocking units, wherein each unit is comprised of a central steel ring which is adhesively bonded to a braid of a service loop penetrating therethrough and exteriorly affixed to first and second interconnecting rings. A first flexible cable and second flexible cable connect the respective first and second interconnecting rings of the units of each apparatus. Therefore, the service loops are flexibly restrained to have a uniform path and bend radius when they travel longitudinally during operation of an oil well drilling machine, which results in reduction of damage of the service loops.
US08016028B2	Apparatus for flexibly restraining service loops in an oil derrick to prevent entangling of the loops An apparatus for flexibly restraining service loops in an oil derrick to prevent entangling of the loops, comprising a plurality of identical apparatus wherein each apparatus is positioned at different longitudinal level to restrain the service loops. Each apparatus is comprised of a plurality of interlocking units, wherein each unit is comprised of a central steel ring which is adhesively bonded to a braid of a service loop penetrating therethrough and exteriorly affixed to first and second interconnecting rings. A first flexible cable and second flexible cable connect the respective first and second interconnecting rings of the units of each apparatus. Therefore, the service loops are flexibly restrained to have a uniform path and bend radius when they travel longitudinally during operation of an oil well drilling machine, which results in reduction of damage of the service loops.
US08016027B2	Apparatus for driving rotating down hole pumps An apparatus for rotating down hole pumps has a right angle gear box driving a hollow output shaft. The output shaft is oriented to the vertical and supports and rotates the drive string of a down hole rotary pump. A clamp on the drive string rests on the upper end of the hollow shaft and engages the hollow shaft with a key and keyway arrangement. The hollow shaft of the right angle gearbox is sized to accommodate the drive string, including rod boxes, so that the entire drive string can be pulled through the hollow shaft without dismantling or removing the apparatus.
US08016026B2	Actuator for downhole tools An apparatus, method, and system for actuating a wellbore tool includes a body having a chamber in which a movable member is disposed. The movable member may connect to a selected wellbore tool. Within the chamber is a controllable fluid that substantially prevents relative movement between the body and the movable member when exposed to an applied magnetic field. A generator applies the magnetic field to the fluid and may change the applied magnetic field in response to a first control signal to release the movable member from the body. A driver displaces the movable member relative to the body once the movable member is released from the body.
US08016024B2	Loop heat pipe with flat evaportor having a wick with an internal chamber A loop heat pipe with flat evaporator includes an evaporation section, a condensation section, and a transportation section connected between the evaporation section and the condensation section. The evaporation section includes a heat source, an enclosed containment structure, and a capillary structure. The enclosed containment structure is positionable on the heat source and forms an enclosed containment space which receives a working fluid and has a bottom in which a channel structure is formed and further forms a liquid inlet and a gas outlet in a circumferential wall thereof the container to respectively connect a liquid passage and a gas passage so that when the working fluid is heated by the heat source to become vapor, the vapor moves through the gas outlet and the gas passage to a condensing device provided in the condensation section where the vapor is cooled and converted back to the liquid form of the working fluid that is then guided through the liquid passage back to the enclosed containment space for next cycle.
US08016022B2	Systems and methods for passive thermal management using phase change material Systems and methods for passive thermal management using phase change material are provided. In one embodiment, a thermal management method is provided. The method comprises securing an electronics assembly to a mounting surface using a thermally insulative support structure; insulating a phase change material within the support structure; and melting the phase change material to reduce heat transfer from an external environment to the electronics assembly during a high temperature transient thermal condition.
US08016021B2	Casting steel strip with low surface roughness and low porosity A method of producing cast steel strip having low surface roughness and low porosity by casting with molten steel having a total oxygen content of at least about 70 ppm and a free oxygen content between 20 and 60 ppm, and a temperature that allows a majority of any oxide inclusions to be in a liquidus state. The total oxygen content may be at least 100 ppm and the free oxygen content between 30 and 50 ppm. The steel strip produced by the method may have a per unit area density of at least about 120 oxide inclusions per square millimeter to a depth of about 2 microns from the strip surface.
US08016016B2	Trough shade system and method A trough shade system and method of use provide improved support for a roller tube and shade material. The roller tube and wound shade material are located within a support cradle to minimize unwanted deflection by the roller tube and associated wrinkling and deformation of the shade material. Various mechanisms allow the roller tube a limited range of movement within the support cradle. The system is suitable for shading larger areas than other shading systems which rely on roller tubes with fixed supports at the ends.
US08016013B2	Pull bar screen apparatus and system A pull bar screen apparatus and system in which screen is mechanically attached directly to a pull bar. Weld-less friction-lock cold-joining of screen and pull bar provides an improved pull-bar screen apparatus used in retractable pull screens. The pull bar screen apparatus and system remove the need for attaching a vinyl strip to the screen. Instead, the screen is flattened to retain its form and structural integrity. On one elongated end of the screen, an upper and lower lock bar are placed on either side of the screen. Corrugated ridges in the lock bars pinch the screen and hold it in place. A lock bar casing is placed under pressure around the upper and lower lock bars which hold the lock bars in position and thereby retain the screen.
US08016009B2	Method and apparatus for sealing a glass package An apparatus for sealing a substrate assembly by applying a force to the assembly while simultaneously exposing the substrate assembly, and in particular a sealing material disposed between two substrates of the substrate assembly, to an irradiating beam of electromagnetic energy. The beam heats, cures and/or melts the sealing material, depending upon the sealing material to form the seal. The force is applied by directing a flow of fluid against the substrate assembly, and beneficially improves contact between the substrates of the substrate assembly and the sealing material during the sealing process, therefore assisting in achieving a hermetic seal between the substrates.
US08016008B2	Auto lamination cassette apparatus An apparatus for preparing a cassette spool. The apparatus includes: a supply reel for supplying and unrolling tape material on original backing paper; at least one cutting member for cutting unrolled tape material while on original backing paper; at least one removing member for removing uncut unrolled tape material from original backing paper; an identification member for identifying on unrolled original backing paper a start of unrolled cut tape material; and a cassette spool for rolling up unrolled cut tape material on original backing paper. In further embodiments, methods are provided for preparing a cassette spool with cut tape material on original backing paper.
US08016006B2	Tire for heavy vehicles A tire having a radial carcass reinforcement comprising a crown reinforcement formed of at least two working crown layers of inextensible reinforcement elements, which are crossed from one ply to the other, forming angles of between 10° and 45° with the circumferential direction, which itself is topped radially by a tread, said tread being joined to two beads by means of two sidewalls and the axially widest working crown layer being radially internal to the other working crown layers. The tire comprises additionally in each shoulder at least one layer of reinforcement elements which are parallel to each other in the layer and are oriented circumferentially, the axially inner end of said additional layer being radially adjacent to the edge of a working crown layer, at least part of said additional layer being radially and/or axially adjacent to the edge of the axially widest working crown layer and the axially outer end of said additional layer being radially internal to the axially widest working crown layer.
US08016004B2	More silent and robust electric pencil sharpener A pencil sharpener for sharpening a pencil includes a central gear including an aperture along an axis of the central gear for receiving an end portion of the pencil. A first gear rotates the central gear and a strap joined to the central gear secures the pencil when the central gear is rotated. A shaft is in communication with the first gear where when the central gear is rotated the shaft is rotated. A cutting blade is in communication with the shaft where when the shaft is rotated the cutting blade cuts the end portion of the pencil at an angle to form a point.
US08016002B2	Sealing/pump-up device A sealing/pump-up device for tire that not only ensures the storability of sealing agent but also realizes rapid supply of sealing agent into a pneumatic tire. By insertion of insert part (60A) of jig (60) in jig insertion aperture (42) of sealing device (10), aluminum seal (30) is burst through by means of boring member (50) to thereby drive the same in the container. As the distal end of the insert part (60A) locates in the vicinity of upper wall surface within liquid agent container (18), a compressor unit is operated to thereby supply compressed air into the liquid agent container (18). As the end portion of first passage (62) provided in the jig (60) lies in a position superior to the liquid surface of sealing agent (32), the compressed air realizes rapid supply of the sealing agent (32) into a pneumatic tire without surfacing in the form of bubbles through the sealing agent (32).
US08015999B2	Weaving machines and three-dimensional woven fabrics A weaving machine for weaving a three-dimensional distance woven fabric including two outer fabrics and inter-yarns connected with the outer fabrics is provided. The weaving machine includes a warp let-off mechanism, heald frames, a picking mechanism, a beating-up mechanism, a yarn raising mechanism, and a take-up mechanism. The warp let-off mechanism includes at least two warp beams for providing and transferring warps. A plurality of vertically arranged heald wires are supported by each of the heald frames, wherein each of the heald wires has a heald eye for the warps passing through. The warps are driven and divided into two warp layers by the heald frames such that a shed is formed between the two warp layers. The picking mechanism transfers wefts to pass through the shed. The yarn raising mechanism is suitable for passing through the shed and raising parts of the warps functioning as the inter-yarns.
US08015998B2	Method for patching or sealing leaks in fluid systems A method for patching or sealing leaks in fluid systems and, in an exemplary application, to a method of patching or sealing leaks in sub-sea hydraulic control lines, leaks in sub-surface or sub-sea safety valves, O-ring leaks of any type, leaks in hydraulic line fittings, tubing thread connection leaks, casing thread connection leaks, glycol hydraulic system leaks, well-head and sub-sea well-head leaks, hanger leaks, and leaks in other types of related down-hole equipment. A pressure- or shear-fibrillatable substance, such as an aqueous fluoropolymer dispersion, a fluoropolymer fine powder, or any other fluoropolymer which is derived from a dispersion polymerization process, is added to a fluid system such as a hydraulic control line, and pressure is then applied to the system. In one embodiment, an aqueous dispersion of polytetrafluoroethylene (“PTFE”) particles having a particle size between 0.01 and 10 microns is used. Under the applied pressure and, in one embodiment, under cycling of the pressure, the fluororpolymer particles in the dispersion are forced through the leak site with resulting shear force, causing fibrillation of the individual fluororpolymer particles with resulting intertwining and coalescing of the individual fluororpolymer fibrils at the leak site, wherein the fluororpolymer fibrils form a dense, intertwined and coalesced matrix, impacting and embedding the fibrils within the leak site to effectively seal the leak.
US08015997B2	Valve for a pneumatic hand tool A valve body has a channel extending along an axis and an inlet port open to the channel. A sleeve, received about the valve body, overlies the inlet port and is rotatable about the axis relative the body. A nozzle projects radially outward from the sleeve. The nozzle is rotatable with the sleeve into a range of positions in which the nozzle communicates with the inlet port through the sleeve.
US08015993B2	Heatable hydrogen pressure regulator A compressed hydrogen tank system that includes a heatable hydrogen pressure regulator. Hydrogen is removed from the compressed tank through a suitable pipe where the pressure drop of the hydrogen is controlled by the pressure regulator. The high pressure side of the regulator is typically at a relatively low temperature as the hydrogen is being removed from the tank, and the low pressure side of the regulator is typically at a relatively high temperature as the hydrogen is removed from the tank. A heat source is provided to heat the pipe on the high pressure side of the regulator to prevent the hydrogen from becoming cold as the hydrogen is being removed from the tank, thus preventing the temperature of the hydrogen within the tank from decreasing.
US08015992B2	Z valve The present invention provides a valve that controls a flow of gas or solid objects through a pipe, and particularly a z-valve used in an elevated rail transportation system. The valve includes vanes hinged to a valve stem that fold into a z-shape and retract into the valve body when the valve is open. A valve cap positioned at the top of the valve stem matches the contour of the inner surface of the pipe, allowing unobstructed flow. When the valve is closed, the valve stem is elevated into the interior of the pipe and the valve cap rotates 90° to match the contour at the top, providing a seal. The vanes extend from the z-shape to completely block a cross-section of the pipe, stopping the flow. The flow may be modulated by varying the extension of the vanes to allow a portion of the flow to pass the valve.
US08015988B2	Rechargeable battery arrangement for electrical system of shading device A rechargeable power source, which is detachably coupled with a shading device to electrically connect with an electrical arrangement thereof, includes a rechargeable battery unit having a battery terminal arranged to contact with the electrical terminal of the electrical arrangement, and a locking arrangement which contains a releasable locker to detachably couple the rechargeable battery unit with the shading device and to ensure the battery terminal being contact with an electrical terminal of the electrical arrangement so as to electrically connect the rechargeable battery unit with the electrical arrangement. Therefore, the electrical arrangement of the shading device is powered by the rechargeable battery unit to eliminate the power extension to the external power source.
US08015987B2	Vibration-type cleaning device for contact lenses A vibration-type cleaning device for contact lenses comprises an adaptor that is provided with a support part thereon for supporting a contact lens case and a base that is provided under the bottom of the adaptor. The base is connected with the adapter via a positioning element so that the base can be attached to or detached from the adaptor. The base is provided with a vibrator therein and the vibrator is connected with a power source. Consequently, the vibrator can be driven under the control of a user to vibrate the contact lens solution and the contact lenses in the contact lens case and the cleaning effect of the contact lenses in the contact lens solution can be enhanced through vibration.
US08015984B2	Substrate processing apparatus including a drying mechanism using a fluid mixture of purified water and a volatile organic solvent Disclosed is a substrate processing apparatus for cleaning and drying a substrate such as a semiconductor wafer. This substrate processing apparatus includes a liquid processing unit for processing a substrate by immersing the substrate in stored purified water, a drying unit arranged above the liquid processing unit and configured to dry the substrate, a substrate transfer apparatus for transferring the substrate between the liquid processing unit and drying unit, a fluid supply mechanism for supplying a fluid mixture containing vapor or mist of purified water and vapor or mist of a volatile organic solvent to the drying unit, and a controller for controlling the supply of the fluid mixture.
US08015981B2	Stencils and gauging device for aesthetically pleasing eyebrow shaping A novel gauging device and associated stencils facilitate the shaping of eyebrows according to a Golden Ratio standard. The gauging device is adapted to be placed over a woman's face and maintained in a fixed position relative to her eyes and nose. A nosepiece and knobs are adjusted such that a lower end of a guide rod may be rotated about various points relative to the nose and held in predetermined angles relative to the nose and eyes, possibly supported magnetically on a lower track adjacent the nostrils and an upper track above the eyebrows. An eyebrow stencil is held in a desired position relative to the previously positioned guide rod, which facilitates convenient application and symmetrical shaping, preferably with frictional clamps for permitting the stencil to be shifted in place so that a particular portion of the stencil is properly aligned with the guide rod after the guide rod has been aligned with an appropriate Golden Ratio marking on the stencil. Each stencil may be provided with more than one set of such markings to accommodate not only different eyebrows of different sizes, but also to adjust the eyebrow's ideal Golden Ratio “High Point” to complement facial proportions (preferably represented by a single Facial Ratio Value or “FRV” that takes into account several different measured ratios) that deviate substantially from an ideal Golden Ratio. A slim tab between the upper and the lower edges of the stencil cut-out preferably provides a convenient reference mark for the “High Point” of the unadjusted cut-out.
US08015976B2	Knife lockout mechanisms for surgical instrument A cartridge assembly for use with a surgical stapling instrument is disclosed. The cartridge assembly includes a channel, a cover, a staple cartridge and a knife. The channel includes a protrusion thereon. The cover is configured for mechanical engagement with the channel and includes a blocking member and a surface defining a plane. At least a portion of the blocking member is configured to move away from the plane upon contact with the protrusion. The staple cartridge is configured for mechanical engagement with the cover. The blocking member is configured to substantially prevent distal translation of the knife after the knife has been translated proximally past a predetermined position.
US08015972B2	System, device and process for remotely controlling a medical device A system for controlling medical devices, wherein this system can comprise a device having at least one wireless or cellular based communication module. The module can be in the form of a GPRS module associated with a SIM card, or a CDMA module. The SIM card can be adapted such that it contains additional memory for storing a program for controlling the device or the system. Multiple cellular communication modules can also be installed in this system. Additional communication modules such as wireless modules including but not limited to Bluetooth, IRDA, RF, or any other wireless module can also be incorporated into the system. Wired modules can also be used, for example these wired modules can be RS-232 modules, USB, Serial adapters, phone and fax modem. Other modules can include audio modules such as speaker and microphone jacks, and video modules such as a camera for processing video readings. All of these components can be installed on a first side of a motherboard, which is disposed inside of a housing. The other side of the motherboard can have particular functional elements installed thereon. These functional elements can include a flow meter, and/or a electromechanical valve. All of these components can be controlled by one or more processor coupled to the motherboard. When this device is coupled to an ordinary PAP machine, such as a CPAP machine, it can be used to turn an ordinary PAP machine into an auto-adjust PAP machine or a BiPAP machine.
US08015971B2	Method and apparatus for humidification of breathable gas with profiled delivery A method and apparatus for delivering breathable gas to a user includes a humidifying unit that is controllable to humidify the gas in accordance with a variable humidity profile such that the gas is delivered to the user at variable humidity levels, e.g., during a treatment session.
US08015969B2	Semi-automatic emergency medication dose nebulizer A conventional respiratory nebulizer has an emergency medication dose storage system delivering the stored medication dose directly to the nebulizing chamber with a single impulse of manual force to a simple mechanical delivery system, thereby making the nebulizer useable in two steps: (a) opening the medication capsule with a simple opening action; and (b) inhaling the nebulized medication. The nebulizer can be operated without disassembling the nebulizer housing so as to expose the nebulizing chamber and without manually opening the liquid medication container and, without spillage and without manual pouring of the liquid medication directly into the nebulizing chamber, and without reassembling the nebulizer housing before positioning the inhaler mouthpiece in the mouth so as to inhale the nebulized medication. The delivery system includes a pressure burstable seal at one end of the capsule, which is burst by the application of force against the opposite end of the capsule.
US08015965B2	Fuel vapor storage canister, fuel vapor adsorbent for canister, and method of producing fuel vapor adsorbent A fuel vapor storage canister for adsorbing fuel vapor evaporated from a fuel tank of an automotive vehicle. The fuel vapor storage canister includes a casing provided with charge and purge ports at its first end and an atmospheric port at its second end. At least first and second fuel vapor adsorbent layers are respectively located near the first and second ends of the casing. In this arrangement, the first fuel vapor adsorbent layer is larger in cross-sectional area perpendicular to flow direction of fuel vapor than the second fuel vapor adsorbent layer. The first and second fuel vapor adsorbent layers respectively include first and second granular fuel vapor adsorbents. The first granular fuel vapor adsorbent has a microporous structure, while the second granular fuel vapor adsorbent has a macroporous structure.
US08015964B2	Selective displacement control of multi-plunger fuel pump A pump for a combustion engine is disclosed. The pump may have at least one pumping member movable through a plurality of displacement strokes during a single engine cycle. The pump may also have a controller in communication with the pumping member. The controller may be configured to selectively reduce an amount of fluid displaced during at least one, but less than all of the plurality of displacement strokes. The reduction may be initiated in response to a demand for the displaced fluid.
US08015960B2	Vibration-damping control apparatus and method for internal combustion engine An apparatus and method of controlling vibration-damping for a vehicular internal combustion engine. The combustion is temporarily stopped in some cylinders among a plurality of cylinders, and the engine is operated by the remaining cylinders. Then, a variable valve mechanism which varies a valve lift amount of at least one of intake and exhaust valves of each cylinder is controlled, to decrease the valve lift amount of at least one of the intake and exhaust valves of each cylinder in which the combustion is temporarily stopped. Further, a rotating electric machine having at least one of functions of an electric motor and a generator is controlled, to apply torque to an output shaft of the engine thereby suppressing torque variation in the output shaft at the time when the combustion is temporarily stopped in some cylinders, so that the torque variation due to uneven explosion intervals is reduced.
US08015956B2	Piston assembly for barrel engine A barrel engine includes a central drive shaft and a cam plate interconnected to the drive shaft. The barrel engine includes a plurality of cylinders each having a longitudinal axis that is generally parallel with the drive shaft. The axes of the cylinders are arranged in a generally circular manner about the drive shaft. A pair of guide rods are provided, which correspond to each cylinder of the engine. Each guide rod has an axis generally parallel with the axes of the cylinders. The barrel engine includes a plurality of piston assemblies. Each piston assembly includes a piston head slidably coupled to one of the cylinders for reciprocal movement along the axis of the cylinder. Each piston assembly also includes a guide block slidably coupled to a respective pair of guide rods for guiding the piston head during reciprocal movement along the axis of the cylinder.
US08015954B2	Cooling fan arrangement at a vehicle A radiator fan arrangement for a vehicle which is powered by a combustion engine. The radiator fan arrangement includes at least one cooling element for cooling a medium, and a first radiator fan for continuously generating a forced air flow through at least one first region of the cooling element in order to cool the medium during operation of the combustion engine. The radiator fan arrangement also includes at least one extra radiator fan for being activated to generate an increased air flow through at least one second region of said cooling element in situations where the first radiator fan cannot provide sufficient air flow to cool as necessary the medium in the cooling element.
US08015953B2	Electric cooling fan control based on known vehicle load conditions A method of controlling a cooling fan for an engine of a vehicle may entail determining an engine coolant temperature, providing a normal load operation mode for the cooling fan and a high load operation mode for the cooling fan, determining whether a tow-haul operation is selected within the vehicle, determining a vehicle load of the vehicle by detecting whether a towing load sensor is activated or not activated, determining whether a vehicle load threshold is reached based upon activation of the towing load sensor, and operating the cooling fan. Operating the cooling fan may be based on the coolant temperature and one of the normal load operation mode and the high load operation mode. Operating the cooling fan in the normal load operation mode may mean reducing a cooling fan operation frequency and decreasing a cooling fan operation percentage over a predetermined coolant temperature range.
US08015952B2	Engine fuel reformer monitoring Systems and methods for monitoring a fuel reformer which reforms ethanol into a reformate gas comprising H2, CO, and CH4 for fueling an engine are provided. Degradation of the fuel reformer may be indicated based on an amount of ethanol injected into the fuel reformer and an amount of at least one of H2, CO, and CH4 produced by the fuel reformer.
US08015950B2	Single can-type composite heat source machine A single can-type composite heat source machine including a single can body including a first combustion section having a first burner and a hot water supplying first main heat exchanger located above the first burner, and a second combustion section having a second burner and a second main heat exchanger located above the second burner and used for a purpose other than hot water supply. The first combustion section and the second combustion section are partitioned from each other by a partition wall and juxtaposed in a lateral direction. The machine includes a first auxiliary heat exchanger and a second auxiliary heat exchanger both of a latent heat recovery type connected to upstream sides of the first main heat exchanger and the second main heat exchanger, respectively. An exhaust system can be miniaturized and simplified in spite of provision of the auxiliary heat exchangers.
US08015949B2	Device and method for catching excrement Excrement catching device for a quadruped is disclosed, comprising a harness and a receptacle-holder connected to the harness, wherein the connection between the harness and the receptacle holder is configured to respond to the gravitational force acting on the receptacle-holder by allowing movement of the receptacle-holder between a loosen neutral position when the quadruped stands or walks and an excrement-catching position when the quadruped pose being its customary position to defecate. Excrement catching method is disclosed accordingly, comprising configuring a device to be responsive to gravitational force by taking an operative position for catching excrement automatically when the quadruped takes a particular pose.
US08015943B1	Travel bowl assembly for people A travel bowl assembly for traveling in a vehicle including a bowl member divided into a snack section and a cup holder section. A cup holder, cup holder insert extends downward from a bottom of the bowl member. The cup holder insert can be integrated or removably attached to the bowl. A pliant adapter can be integrated or removably attached to the cup holder insert. The pliant adapter utilizes flexible winglets for compensating between dimensional differences between the cup holder insert and a receiving cup holder. The pliant adapter is formed having a tapered sleeve for sliding the adapter onto a tapered sidewall of the cup holder insert. A lid can be provided, sealing the snack section of the bowl.
US08015942B2	Heated pet bed An outdoor heated pet bed has a low wattage heating wire. A foil packet encloses the low wattage heating wire. A foam layer is placed adjacent to one side of the foil packet. A weather resistant cover encloses the foam layer and the foil packet.
US08015937B2	Continuous feed tablet coating system A system for coating tablets and other small articles is provided. The system is comprised of an elongate housing containing a drum journalled for rotation about a horizontal axis. The drum has two open ends that receive and discharge a supply of tablets respectively. The drum is rotated about the axis by a drive means to tumble the tablets and advance the tablets through the drum. The system also includes a system for delivering a selected amount of coating to the tablets while they are being tumbled and a feeder for continually feeding tablets at a first end of the housing. The system employs a weir plate for maintaining a depth of tablets within the drum and for controlling the time that the tablets remain in the drum. Finally, the system has a tablet discharge region for receiving tablets for discharge.
US08015932B2	Method and apparatus for operating a fuel flexible furnace to reduce pollutants in emissions A fuel flexible furnace, including a main combustion zone, a reburn zone downstream from the main combustion zone, and a delivery system operably coupled to supplies of biomass and coal and configured to deliver the biomass and the coal as ingredients of first and reburn fuels to the main combustion zone and the reburn zone, with each fuel including flexible quantities of the biomass and/or the coal. The flexible quantities are variable with the furnace in an operating condition.
US08015926B2	Chair for a chair lift and chair lift Tracks are arranged on the floor of the entry region of a station of the chair lift, the tracks running below and in accordance with the path of movement of the seats of the chair and having a substantially equal width with the corresponding seats. The seat part and/or the backrest of a seat differ/differs with regard to the graphical design from the seat part and/or backrest of an adjacent seat. It is therefore made clear to the passengers, in particular children, how the seat division on the chair has been conceived by the manufacturer and where to stand in the entry region in order to be correctly seated on an approaching seat. If the graphical design of the tracks is identical to the graphical design of the corresponding seat, the effect of the chair according to the invention is reinforced by the unambiguous visual association between the track and seat.
US08015925B2	Air bus transportation system A transportation system includes a vehicle having wings, a propulsion system, a lifting gear coupling the vehicle to an undercarriage, and a guidance assembly movably connecting the undercarriage to guide rails. The wings generate aerodynamic lift when the vehicle exceeds a first speed. The lifting gear supports a load of the vehicle in a first position in relation to the undercarriage when the vehicle travels at less than the first speed, allows the vehicle to lift to a second position in relation to the undercarriage as the vehicle accelerates beyond the first speed, and maintains the vehicle in the second position when the vehicle exceeds the first speed. The guidance assembly shiftingly engages the guide rails through rollers that are in rolling contact with the guide rails when the vehicle is in the first position and are displaced from the guide rails when the vehicle is in the second position.
US08015924B1	Linear cellular bomb case A warhead consisting of a relatively thin metal shell casing and interior open linear cells which run throughout its length manufactured by electrical discharge machining and slip fitting.
US08015921B2	Electronic blasting capsule An electronic blasting capsule which includes a housing which contains a propellant, a fuse, a sensor for detecting the position of the housing in a capsule delivery path, an energy arrangement for obtaining energy from an external energy source, and a controller, responsive to the sensor and the energy arrangement, for firing the fuse to initiate the propellant.
US08015919B2	Security printing using a diffraction grating There is provided an apparatus and a method of printing a diffraction grating. In particular, the present invention relates to diffraction gratings applied to a substrate (1), such as a hologram.
US08015918B2	Cleaning apparatus A cleaning apparatus includes a first liquid supply unit, second cylinder, cleaning unit, third cylinder, second liquid supply unit, first cleaning liquid supply unit, and controller. The first liquid supply unit supplies a transfer liquid to a first cylinder. The second cylinder performs transfer to one surface of a transfer target body with the transfer liquid transferred from the first cylinder. The cleaning unit cleans the circumferential surface of the second cylinder in contact with it. The third cylinder is arranged to oppose the second cylinder and performs transfer to the other surface of the transfer target body. The second liquid supply unit supplies the transfer liquid to the third cylinder. The first cleaning liquid supply unit supplies a cleaning liquid to at least one of the first cylinder and the third cylinder. The controller controls the control unit to clean the second cylinder while the second cylinder is in contact with the first cylinder and the third cylinder.
US08015911B2	Electronic firing rate controller for remote operation of an automatic firing weapon An electronic apparatus for controlling a firing rate of an automatic firing weapon having an actuator operating a trigger mechanism of the weapon, the weapon exhibiting a natural free-running firing rate when triggered. An output driver element provides a drive signal for the actuator, a first single pulse generator element having a single pulse output coupled to an input of the driver element and generating a single pulse of a duration shorter than a time period of the natural free-running firing rate in response to a single pulse generator element input, and a pulse train generator element having a single pulse output coupled to an input of the first single pulse generator element and providing the first single pulse generator element a train of pulses spaced in time a spacing period exceeding the time period of the natural free-running firing rate in response to a pulse train generator element input.
US08015910B1	Convertible ballistic structure with articulated panels A convertible ballistic structure has a threat side and a protected side. The ballistic structure includes a body panel assembly, and at least one movable side panel assembly adjacent the body panel assembly. Means are provided for articulating the side panel assembly relative to the body panel assembly, whereby the ballistic structure is convertible between a contracted condition and an expanded condition. In the contracted condition, the side panel assembly extends rearwardly from the body panel assembly and outwardly from the protected side of the ballistic structure. In the expanded condition, the side panel assembly extends outwardly substantially coplanar to the body panel assembly.
US08015907B2	Projectile launcher An apparatus for launching a projectile, such as a paintball. The apparatus uses energy generated from the combustion of fuel to propel a projectile out of the apparatus.
US08015906B2	Actuator with actuating pin An actuator includes a piston having an actuating pin, a squib, and a cylinder case. The cylinder case has a peripheral wall part that covers the circumference of the piston and a ceiling wall part having a through hole which allows an actuating pin to protrude from the through hole. The actuator is configured to make the a piston move backward along with the actuating pin by ejecting a driving gas generated from the squib to a space between the ceiling wall part and the piston during actuation. A sealing ring which is relatively movable with respect to the actuating pin while maintaining the state of sealing up a gap between the actuating pin and the through hole, is provided at an inner face side of the ceiling wall part.
US08015905B2	Non-lethal electrical discharge weapon having a bottom loaded cartridge The present invention comprises a pistol-shaped Taser™-type weapon wherein the cartridge containing a pair of the wire-tethered darts is loaded into the cartridge receiving chamber from beneath the weapon, that is, in an upward movement of the cartridge with the weapon pointed toward the target. This type of loading is referred to herein as a “bottom loading” mechanism or system. The bottom loading mechanism of the present invention has significant advantages over conventional cartridge loading designs. One advantage is reduced reload time.
US08015897B2	Vibration damper A damper for shafts includes an elastomeric ring having a plurality of holes therethrough and an inertia ring having two portions such that the portions encapsulate the elastomeric ring and secure the elastomeric ring in a position. The inertia ring includes openings corresponding to the plurality of holes in the elastomeric ring. A first housing portion configured to receive first fasteners through a first set of openings in the elastomeric ring and the inertia ring to secure the first housing portion to a second housing portion. The first and second housing portions form a surface to receive an inner portion of the elastomeric ring such that the inertia ring floats on the elastomeric ring without the inertia ring contacting the first and second housing portions.
US08015896B2	Arrangement for operating at least one shift fork in a transmission An arrangement for actuating at least one shift fork (1) in a transmission of a vehicle. The arrangement has at least one actuating device (3), which is mounted on a shift rail (8), that actuates the shift fork (1) to undergo an at least axially directed shifting movement such that either a one-directional spring deflection of a two-directional spring deflection of the shift fork (1) is provided, and such spring deflected action is provided by at least one bent spring (12).
US08015893B2	Retainer for parking gear pivot A motor vehicle transmission includes a housing, a parking gear and a retainer. The housing has a support wall. The parking gear is pivotally coupled to the support wall of the housing by a pivot pin. The pivot pin has an end that protrudes outwardly from the support wall. The retainer has a proximal end fixedly secured to the support wall and a distal end contacting the end of the pivot pin to retain the pivot pin in the support wall. The retainer is elastically deformed upon securing the proximal end to the support wall and continuously axially biasing the pivot pin toward the housing. Additionally, the distal end is shaped to retain the end of the pivot pin, thereby axially constraining the pivot pin relative to the housing and, at the same time, preventing rotation of the retainer about the fastener.
US08015890B2	Linear actuator A linear actuator includes a reversible electric motor which drives a spindle via a reduction gear with several stages and an activation element connected with it, and an overload clutch in connection with the first stage or one of the first stages in the reduction gear. This is advantageous in terms of structure and load and greater flexibility is achieved in the construction of the structure.
US08015884B1	Method and means of measuring the flow rate of particulate matter A flow meter used in relation to a hopper mounted to a frame and a transfer tube connected to an in communication with the hopper. Both the hopper and the transfer tube have gates that are connected to actuators for selectively opening and closing the gates. A sensor is mounted to the frame adjacent the transfer tube. Mounted below and in communication with the transfer tube is the flow meter. The flow meter has a curved chute and a load beam that measure the inertial force of material acting upon the curved chute over time.
US08015881B2	Pressure sensor A pressure sensor includes: a housing; an attachment portion coupled to the housing and having a pressure input orifice; a diaphragm sealing the pressure input orifice of the attachment portion and having a first surface that is a pressure receiving surface; and a pressure sensitive unit having a detecting axis in a direction in which a force is detected. In the sensor, an end of the pressure sensitive unit is connected to a central area of a second surface of the diaphragm, another end of the pressure sensitive unit is connected to the housing, and the detecting axis is approximately orthogonal to the pressure receiving surface.
US08015879B2	Orientation aware sensor A sensor for detecting a parameter of an object includes a probe, a first sensing member for detecting the parameter of an object to be sensed and a second sensing member for determining an orientation of the probe relative to the object to be sensed. The second sensing member communicates the orientation of the probe to a data acquisition device to minimize data analysis errors associated with inaccurate orientation information.
US08015878B2	Fiber optics sound detector An optical sound detection system including: a laser source to generate a laser beam; an optical fiber; an optical sensor aligned to detect a detected portion of a diffraction pattern formed by the laser light emitted from the output coupling port of the optical fiber; and a signal processor to process the signal produced by the optical sensor. The optical fiber includes: a core that includes a photoelastically active material; an input coupling port optically coupled to the laser source to couple the laser beam into the core of the optical fiber; and an output coupling port from which the laser light is emitted after propagating through the core. The optical sensor is adapted to produce a signal corresponding to the detected portion of the diffraction pattern.
US08015877B2	Imaging an anomaly using backscattered waves A method for generating an image of an anomaly may include generating a pulse wave into a structure being evaluated from each of a plurality of sensors and collecting any scattered wave data caused by the pulse wave impacting an anomaly. The scattered wave data may be collected by the same sensor that generated the pulse wave or by a different sensor. The method may also include identifying any backscattered wave data from a distal edge or border of any anomaly relative to a location of the sensor collecting the scattered wave data. The method may additionally include processing the backscattered wave data from each of the sensors collecting the scattered wave data to generate a two dimensional image of any anomaly. The method may further include presenting the two dimensional image of any anomaly.
US08015874B2	Inertia force sensor An inertial force sensor is provided in which each of switches is connected in parallel with each of resistors of low-pass filter and high-pass filter, respectively, and capacitor of high-pass filter can be boost charged by making switches on without mediate resistors.
US08015872B2	Surface acoustic wave based humidity sensor apparatus with integrated signal conditioning A SAW-based humidity sensor apparatus with integrated signal conditioning on the same substrate. A micro-electronic circuit can be processed at a silicon substrate to obtain on-chip signal conditioning internally and the silicon substrate can be covered with a protective layer of, for example, silicon nitride. Surface acoustic wave media (e.g., a ZnO film) can be coated on top of the protective layer. A humidity sensitive film and two sets of interdigital transducers can then be deposited on the surface acoustic wave media. The humidity sensitive film absorbs moisture and changes the receiving frequency at the two sets of interdigital transducers. The output from the two sets of interdigital transducers can be processed by the micro-electronic circuit, which eliminates common mode noise and generates an output signal proportional to the humidity value tested.
US08015869B2	Methods and apparatus to perform pressure testing of geological formations Example methods and apparatus to perform pressure testing of geological formations are disclosed. A disclosed example method comprises positioning a testing tool in a wellbore formed in the geological formation, sealing a sample interval around the testing tool, sealing a first guard interval around the testing tool and adjacent to the sample interval, reducing a first pressure in the sample interval, reducing a second pressure in the first guard interval, maintaining a volume of a first chamber fluidly coupled to the sample interval during a time interval, and measuring a plurality of pressure data for a fluid captured in the first chamber during the time interval.
US08015868B2	Formation evaluation using estimated borehole tool position Caliper measurements made during rotation of an imager on a logging string are processed to estimate the location of the imager, and size and shape of the borehole. A piecewise elliptical fitting procedure may be used. These estimates may be used to correct measurements made by a standoff-sensitive formation evaluation sensor such as a neutron porosity tool. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
US08015866B2	Liquid detection unit, and liquid container Disclosed is a liquid detection unit having a liquid detection chamber, a detection portion including a detection space communicating with the liquid detection chamber via a through hole of a detection portion installation member and a piezoelectric sensor which detects remaining vibrations, and a movable member including a detection space sealing surface which is urged by an urging member and thus comes to abut against one surface of a detection portion installation member. The liquid detection chamber includes an abutting surface abutting against a second sealing surface being in contact with a first sealing surface of the movable member and the detection portion installation member. When a distance between the first sealing surface of the movable member to the detection space sealing surface is defined as L1 and a distance between the second sealing surface of the liquid detection chamber to the abutting surface is defined as L2, the relationship L1>L2 is satisfied.
US08015864B2	Digital tire pressure gauge with bleed valve A digital tire pressure gauge has a housing having a first and a second end. A port at the first end of the housing is adapted to engage with and open a needle valve of a tire valve stem. The gauge also includes a pressure sensor and a processor in electronic communication with the pressure sensor. A bleed valve is disposed in the housing and a bleed lever is in contact engagement with the bleed valve. When the port is coupled to the tire valve stem, in a first operational mode, the bleed valve is closed and an air pressure measurement is obtained. In a second operational mode, pressing the bleed lever causes the bleed valve to open and to allow air to be bled out from the tire via the pressure gauge.
US08015861B2	Article and method for stabilizing a rock chip An article and method for stabilizing a rock chip. The article in one embodiment of the invention includes a laminar rock chip substantially surrounded by and imbedded within a plug having a solid material, the plug forming a top planar surface and a bottom planar surface substantially parallel with the top planar surface, the laminar rock chip forming a contact surface portion exposed at the top planar surface of the plug, a laminar plane of the laminar rock chip being substantially perpendicular with the top planar surface.
US08015856B2	Gas chromatograph with improved thermal maintenance and process operation using microprocessor control A gas chromatograph controlled by a pair of microprocessors to have improved thermal maintenance and process operation. The microprocessors are operable to run independently of each other, with one microprocessor controlling heaters and other control devices and the other microprocessor running a graphical user interface. The two microprocessors are separated by a gas chromatograph assembly that includes one or more separation columns.
US08015854B2	Mechanism for feeding blanks to be threaded into a thread rolling machine The present invention relates to means for feeding blanks into the thread rolling part of a thread rolling machine in accurate timing and accurate position. A transport screw for transporting blanks e.g. in a thread rolling machine is disclosed, said transport screw comprises a transport helix for transporting a blank along said transport screw when said transport screw rotates, said transport screw further comprises a feeding area being a widening of said transport helix, whereby said feeding area can receive and feed said blank into said transport helix upon rotation of said transport screw. Further, a method of feeding blanks into a transport screw and a feeding system comprising a transport screw, a blank height adjustment mechanism and a blank alignment mechanism are disclosed.
US08015853B2	Crimping tool construction with angularly disposed jaw head assembly By constructing clamping jaws, which are employed for applying the desired force to the rings to be crimped, and mounting the clamping jaws in a plane which is substantially perpendicular to the plane in which the handle members are positioned or constructing the clamping jaws for arcuate movement relative to the handle members, an easily employed, force generating, crimping tool assembly is achieved wherein the clamping jaws cooperatively associated with the handle members are positioned at a fixed angle relative to the handle members, or are constructed for being arcuately pivotable relative to the handle members. The crimping tool assembly is able to provide the desired crimping forces to rings mounted in areas in which access is virtually impossible to achieve using prior art tool assemblies. Alternatively, if desired, the clamping jaws may be mounted to the handle members at any desired fixed angle.
US08015845B2	Glass tube processing method In a glass processing method according to the invention, in the case of performing chemical vapor deposition or diameter shrinkage of a substrate glass tube G by relatively moving a heating furnace 20 comprising a heating element 21 for annularly enclosing the circumference of the substrate glass tube in a longitudinal direction of the substrate glass tube G with respect to the substrate glass tube G in which an outer diameter is 30 mm or more and a wall thickness is 3 mm or more and is less than 15 mm and an ovality of the outer diameter is 1.0% or less using a glass processing apparatus 1, a temperature of at least one of the heating element 21 and the substrate glass tube G is measured and the amount of heat generation of the heating element 21 is adjusted based on the measured temperature.
US08015842B2	Method of making a float glass subsequently convertible into a glass ceramic A method for making a float glass convertible into a glass ceramic, by which a largely crystal fault-free glass can be produced. In this method the glass is cooled from a temperature (TKGmax), at which a crystal growth rate is at a maximum value (KGmax), to another temperature (TUEG), at which practically no more crystal growth occurs, with a cooling rate, KR, in ° C. min−1 according to: KR UEG KG max ≥ Δ ⁢ ⁢ T UEG KG max 100 · KG max , wherein ΔT=TKGmax−TUEG, and KGmax=maximum crystal growth rate in μm min−1. The float glass has a thickness below an equilibrium thickness, a net width of at least 1 m and has no more than 50 crystals with a size of more than 50 μm, especially no crystals with a size of more than 10 μm, per kilogram of glass within the net width.
US08015836B2	Heat pump system A heat pump system has a single heat source unit connected to at least one load unit to heat water to a high temperature. A hot water supply system 100 (heat pump system) includes a heat source unit 10 provided with a first compressor 11, a four-way selector valve 12 and a heat source heat exchanger 13, and a load unit 50 provided with a first flow controller 51, a first load heat exchanger 52, a second compressor 53, a second load heat exchanger 54, and a second flow controller 55. A main circuit A is formed by connecting the first compressor 11, the four-way selector valve 12, the heat source heat exchanger 13, the first flow controller 51 and the first load heat exchanger 52 with a liquid pipe 1 and a gas pipe 2 sequentially. A load refrigerant circuit B is formed by connecting the second compressor 53, the second load heat exchanger 54, the second flow controller 55, and the first load heat exchanger 52 with a load refrigerant pipe line 56 sequentially.
US08015833B2	Automotive climate system and method of controlling same An automotive climate control system includes an evaporator, a variable speed compressor and a controller. The controller is configured to periodically alter a previous target evaporator temperature at a selected rate to generate a current target evaporator temperature, select a target compressor speed based on a difference between an actual evaporator temperature and the current target evaporator temperature, and command the compressor to operate at the target compressor speed.
US08015829B2	Combustor A gas turbine engine combustor has forward bulkhead extending between inboard and outboard walls and cooperating therewith to define a combustor interior volume or combustion chamber. At least one of the walls has an exterior shell and an interior shell including a number of panels. Each panel has interior and exterior surfaces and a perimeter having leading and trailing edges and first and second lateral edges. A number of cooling passageways have inlets on the panel exterior surface and outlets on the panel interior surface. The shell has a plurality of holes for directing air to a space between the shell and heat shield and adapted for preferentially directing said air toward leading edge portions of first stage vanes of a turbine section.
US08015826B2	Engine brake for part load CO reduction Aspects of the invention relate to a system and method for operating a turbine engine assembly. The turbine engine assembly has a turbine engine having a compressor section, a combustor section and a turbine section. The combustor section has a lower T_PZ limit and the turbine engine has a design load. The assembly further includes at least one air bleed line from the compressor and at least one valve for controlling air flow through the bleed line. Control structure is provided for opening the valve to allow bleed air to flow through the bleed line when an operating load is less than the design load. The flow rate through the bleed line is increased as the operating load is decreased, reducing the power delivered by the turbine assembly while maintaining the T_PZ above a lower T_PZ limit. A method for operating a turbine engine assembly is also disclosed.
US08015822B2	Method for controlling an exhaust gas recirculation system The present invention takes the form of a method and system that may reduce the level of SOx emissions by recirculating a portion of the exhaust of at least one turbomachine; the portion of exhaust may be mixed with the inlet air prior to re-entering the turbomachine. The present invention may incorporate an inlet bleed heat system to reduce the likelihood of the liquid products forming from SOx emissions. Here, a method may maintain a temperature of the inlet fluid above a condensation temperature.
US08015821B2	Apparatus and method for a gas turbine entrainment system This invention relates to an apparatus for an entrainment system of a vortex burning combustion chamber or a vortex burning inter-turbine burner in a gas turbine. The entrainment system rapidly and thoroughly mixes hot combustion gases with non-combustion gases to reduce the gas temperature before entering a turbine. The entrainment system includes a plurality of helical vanes forming trenches and resulting in a highly helical flow path. The highly helical flow path provides an increased residence time for mixing of the combustion gases and non-combustion gases. Radial cavities in the helical vanes, canted vane angles and varying geometries further facilitate mixing while reducing losses. This invention also includes a method of mixing combustion and non-combustion gases in an entrainment system.
US08015820B2	Gas turbine engine exhaust component and manufacturing method of same A gas turbine exhaust component, such as an exhaust nozzle, is provided that includes circumferential ribs arranged along a longitudinal axis. Longitudinal strakes are supported by the circumferential ribs and arranged about the longitudinal axis. Fastening elements are used to secure the longitudinal strakes to one another to provide a desired exhaust component contour. In one example, fastening elements are used to secure the longitudinal strakes to the circumferential ribs using a bracket. The longitudinal strakes are preformed into the desired exhaust component contour, using low cost forming methods. The longitudinal strakes are formed to fit the circumferential ribs and provide the desired exhaust component contour. The longitudinal strakes are secured to one another to maintain the desired exhaust component contour. The longitudinal strakes may be provided by a low cost steel, in one example.
US08015818B2	Cooled transition duct for a gas turbine engine A transition duct (30) for a gas turbine engine (2) having improved cooling and reduced stress levels. The transition duct may be formed of two panels ((36, 38) joined together with welds (40) disposed remote from the bent corner regions (34) of the panels. Cooling channels (32) extending longitudinally in the direction of flow of the hot combustion gas carried by the duct are formed within each panel, including the corner regions. Because the entire annular width (W) of the transition duct is cooled, the gap (G) separating adjacent ducts around the inlet to the turbine (4) may be reduced when compared to prior art designs. Two-panel construction with welds remote from the corner regions is facilitated by maintaining the minimum bend radius in the corners (R2) and in the direction of flow (R4) to be greater than in prior art designs.
US08015816B2	Apparatus for discouraging fuel from entering the heat shield air cavity of a fuel injector A gas turbine fuel injector includes a nozzle body having a radially inner wall proximate to an internal air path and a radially outer wall. An insulative gap is defined between the radially inner and outer walls. The inner and outer walls are adapted and configured for relative axial movement at a first interface. An inhibitor ring is disposed proximate a downstream end of the inner wall for discouraging fuel from entering the insulative gap. A second interface is formed between the downstream end of the inner wall and an upstream end of the inhibitor ring to accommodate relative axial movement of the inner and outer walls.
US08015814B2	Turbine engine having folded annular jet combustor A combustor for a turbine engine is disclosed. The combustor may have a can-like dilution zone, a primary combustion zone, and a secondary combustion zone. The primary combustion zone may be disposed radially about the can-like dilution zone. The secondary combustion zone may be disposed at an end of the can-like dilution zone to fluidly communicate the primary combustion zone and the can-like dilution zone.
US08015813B2	Fuel injector for injecting fuel into a turbomachine combustion chamber A fuel injector for injecting fuel into a turbomachine combustion chamber, the injector presenting an injector nose for connection to an injection system fastened to the end wall of said combustion chamber, the injector nose comprising: a first channel for passing a flow of an air/fuel pre-mixture towards the combustion chamber, the first channel opening out into the center of the injector nose via an outlet opening for the air/fuel pre-mixture; an electrical insulator surrounding said outlet opening for the air/fuel pre-mixture; a plasma generator system disposed inside said electrical insulation and downstream from said outlet opening for the air/fuel pre-mixture in order to control ignition and combustion of the air/fuel pre-mixture; a second channel for passing a flow of fuel towards the combustion chamber, the second channel opening out outside said electrical insulation; and a third channel for passing a flow of fuel towards the combustion chamber, this third channel opening out outside the second channel.
US08015812B1	Power conversion systems Power generation systems and methods are provided with features directed to various innovations including ones relating to the conversion of concentrated solar and biomass energy to electricity, load-shifting of electrical power supply systems, gas turbine devices and cycles, and power plant control systems.
US08015810B2	Control of turbocharger lubrication for hybrid electric vehicle A lubrication control system includes an accumulator to store oil. The accumulator can be filled with oil during operation of an engine. A control valve can be selectively operated to allow oil stored in the accumulator to flow to a turbocharger. At least one control module can control operation of a hybrid electric vehicle and determine an operating condition of the engine and command the control valve to open and close based on the operating condition.
US08015808B2	Power plant with energy recovery from fuel storage Power plant systems and processes are described that enable recovery of at least a portion of the fuel storage energy associated with a storage system for supplying fuel to the power plant systems. A first embodiment of an energy-recovery power plant system includes at least one fuel storage container and at least one expander that can receive fuel from the fuel storage container at a first pressure and provide the fuel to the power plant at a second pressure that is lower than the first pressure. A second embodiment of an energy-recovery power plant system includes a first conduit fluidly coupling the fuel storage container and the power plant for delivering fuel from the fuel storage container to the power plant and at least one regenerative thermodynamic cycle engine thermally coupled to the first conduit such that heat may be exchanged between the fuel and a working fluid for the regenerative thermodynamic cycle engine.
US08015793B2	Fuel heating via exhaust gas extraction A method and system for heating fuel for a gas turbine engine by using excess heat energy in the engine exhaust gas to heat the fuel and returning the cooled exhaust gas back to the engine exhaust gas stream upstream of an emissions sensor is disclosed. The method and system comprises providing a heat exchanger having an exhaust gas passage and a fuel passage, extracting high temperature exhaust gas from the engine exhaust gas stream and passing the high temperature exhaust gas through the exhaust gas passage. Fuel is passed through the fuel passage where excess heat energy in the high temperature exhaust gas is used to heat the fuel. The temperature of the heated fuel is controlled by controlling the flow of the high temperature exhaust gas through the exhaust gas passage.
US08015789B2	Anti-icing apparatus and method for aero-engine nose cone An aero-engine nose cone anti-icing system (10) using a rotating heat pipe (12) is provided to replace the current method of blowing hot compressor bleed air over the nose cone surface. Heat is transferred from a hot source (36) within the engine (22) to the nose cone (18) through a rotating heat pipe (12) along the central shaft (16). A condenser (20) and evaporator (14) are provided which are adapted to the heat transfer requirements and space constraints in the engine (22).
US08015782B2	Case packer Cigarette cartons are boxed by a case packer comprising a frame mounted on a base, a feed unit supplying collapsed box blanks, a station at which the boxes are packed, a feed unit by which the cartons are directed along a path running perpendicular to a feed path followed by the blanks, also first and second folding and closing assemblies by which the top end face and the bottom end face of the erected box are formed. The machine base affords a plurality of mounting points arranged symmetrically on either side of a vertical median plane, passing longitudinally through the base, so that the position of the feed unit can be reversed in mirror image relative to the median plane, as also can the positions of the first folding and closing assembly and the second folding and closing assembly.
US08015779B2	Portioning and packaging apparatus and method A portioning and packaging apparatus and a portioning and packaging method. The portioning and packaging apparatus has a conveyor device for filling material which has a pump for producing a continuous volume flow, a filling tube which is connected to the conveyor device and which provides a supply of a tubular packaging case such that it can be pulled off the filling tube with the filling material which is expelled through the filling tube, a closure device which is arranged downstream of the filling tube and which locally constricts the filled packaging case to provide a tube end plait portion during the filling operation and closes a closure element around the tube end plait portion. The closure device also has a control device which produces a control signal for the constriction and closure operations on the basis of a selected portion size and the continuous volume flow and outputs it to a drive of the closure device.
US08015777B2	Method for filling capsule body with tablet and device for filling capsule with tablet by using that filling method A plurality of flat tablets are held in containing holes (211) by pinching the circumferential edge of the flat tablet (t) at the lowermost position at the lower end of the containing hole, and then pinching state of the tablet (t) at the lowermost position is released thus dropping the plurality of flat tablets (t) under a flat state into a capsule body (m) arranged below. The capsule body can be surely filled with a predetermined number of flat tablets under a flat state by preventing occurrence of flat tablets under a standing state effectively.
US08015773B2	Fastener with stepped head for composite decking A fastener with a head having a stepped configuration in assist in drawing down a composite material about a fastener to reduce flagging.
US08015770B2	Roof membrane and roof system using the membrane to simulate a standing seam metal roof A roof membrane is disclosed, for use in simulating a standing seam metal roof when applied to a roof surface and a roof system is also provided, that employs the roof membrane, disposed between longitudinal, but spaced-apart, generally parallel roof battens. Underlayments of various constructions are also provided, beneath the membrane, as an option. Caps are provided for upstanding legs of the roof battens.
US08015768B2	Insulation panel A subject of the invention is the lining panel with insulation. The panel is a thin, cuboidal block made of a porous insulation material with internal protruding elements on two adjacent sides and frontal undercuts on the remaining sides, having parallel horizontal protruding elements on the external surface, where the distance between the two adjacent protruding elements is a standardised width of ceramic tiles and it has the developed surfaces between the protruding elements (4.) and round pressed forms evenly distributed in rows (5.), with dimensions corresponding to edges of expansion bolts, and in the centres thereof the forms contain deeper aligning pressed forms (6). The panel is made of the expanded polyurethane resin or of a rigid structural foam having an increased hardness.
US08015754B2	Containerized access control unit A portable container is provided which comprises a passing room(s) allowing entry into a second area into a first area, the passing room having at least two openings with a walkway in-between. Barrier device(s) can be located in the walkway but not connected to the first or second opening. A control room(s) can also be provided, the control room being connected to the passing room(s).
US08015752B2	Child safety gate apparatus, systems, and methods A child safety gate apparatus, system, and method comprises a barrier that is securable in a passageway and comprises at least one pair of correlated magnets capable of being aligned such that an attractive force secures or locks the gate.
US08015749B2	Bouquet of flowers presentation device The invention relates to a conical device for presenting individual bouquets of flowers, said device being characterized in that it comprises a regulatable closing system consisting of complementary (3) nesting male and female three-dimensional geometrical structures, the undercut outer side of the male three-dimensional geometrical structures (6) coming into contact with the undercut inner side of the female three-dimensional geometrical structures (7).
US08015748B2	Collapsible trap A collapsible trap (10) particularly suitable as a crab pot for trapping crabs. The collapsible trap (10) comprises a frame structure (13) having a central axis and pliant material such as netting (15) attached to the frame structure (13). A haul line (11) is connected to the frame structure (13). The frame structure (13) comprises a plurality of elongate frame elements (31). The frame structure (13) is moveable between a retracted condition in which the frame elements (31) extend generally parallel to central axis and an extended condition in which the frame elements (31) extend outwardly of the central axis giving form and shape to the netting (15) to provide an enclosure (17) defining an entrapment zone (19). When the frame structure (13) is in the retracted condition, the netting (15) can be wrapped about the frame structure (13) to assume a compact condition for storage and transportation. In one arrangement, the enclosure (17) is configured as a cage having several entry openings (27) through which crabs can enter the enclosure (17), and an access way (81) incorporating an opening (83) for retrieval of crabs trapped within the enclosure (17).
US08015743B2	Laser emitter mounting system for large caliber guns A system and method for mounting large caliber guns with a laser emitter is disclosed. The laser emitter mounting system includes an elongated tubular member for insertion into a gun chamber. The elongated tubular member is compressively secured within the gun bore. A mounting surface for a laser emitter and a breech assembly detachably engaged with the elongated tubular member by an anti-roll plate.
US08015742B2	Firearm with an ergonomic reloading control group A firearm includes a receiver, a lower receiver, a magazine supported by a magazine catch, a grip, a bolt and a bolt-slide, and a slide catch lever. The bolt and bolt-slide are moveable during the firing procedure of a shot. The slide catch lever automatically blocks the bolt-slide when the magazine is empty. The firearm also includes a moveable ergonomic control group that includes a control button to eject the magazine and activate the slide catch lever. The moveable ergonomic control group also includes a vertical rod, which extends above from the button as far as the slide catch lever. The moveable ergonomic control group is manually activated by the user with the same hand holding the grip.

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