| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08673158B2 |
Process for cleaning wastewaters from melamine plants
The invention relates to a method for purifying wastewaters of melamine systems. The method is characterized in that triazine-containing wastewater is subjected to a thermal pretreatment stage, whereupon the vapors are condensed from the gas phase of the thermal pretreatment stage, and the liquid phase of the thermal pretreatment stage is subjected to a thermal hydrolysis stage while NH3 is isolated from the obtained liquid phase containing H2O, CO2, and NH3. The inventive method makes it possible to compensate varying wastewater qualities, thus allowing the melamine system and wastewater station to be operated in a constant and safe fashion. Furthermore, the strain on the subsequent thermal hydrolysis stage is relieved with the aid of the thermal pretreatment stage of the inventive method. |
| US08673154B2 |
Tunable electrical field for aggregating microorganisms
Described herein are systems, methods, and apparatuses for aggregating microorganism in an aqueous suspension. In particular, are systems, methods, and apparatuses that apply an electrical field to an aqueous suspension comprising microorganisms as the aqueous suspension follows a flow path to cause aggregation of the microorganisms. The electrical field may be continuous or pulsed. In some embodiments, the flow path for the aqueous suspension may vary. In some embodiments, the cross-sectional area of the electrical field may be tuned. |
| US08673146B2 |
Push filter with floating key lock
A filter assembly for fluid filtration having a push-activated lock and release mechanism. A push filter design activates a floating key lock upon insertion and extraction, where the filter key may be used simultaneously as a lock and as an identifier for particular filter attributes. The filter base may be situated inline, and in fluid communication, with influent and effluent piping, such as within a refrigerator. The filter housing assembly may be attached to, and removed from, the filter base by a push-actuated release. Upon insertion, the filter key shifts the filter lock longitudinally to receive interlocking segments. Upon extraction, the same axial push shifts the filter lock further to align the interlocking fingers within gaps that allow for easy extraction. The specific key lock design allows a user to identify and match certain filter configurations received by the mechanical support, and reject other filter configurations. |
| US08673145B2 |
System for treating faeces
An apparatus for the treatment of faeces, includes a tank (200) for housing faeces that has been subjected to treatment. There is a process vessel (202) in which the faeces is treated and which is located inside the tank (200) having an inlet (204) for feeding faeces into the process vessel (202). A rotary device (300) is provided for stirring the faeces in the process vessel (202) and for introducing oxygen into the faeces, which is operable in two modes of operation at different speeds of rotation. A partitioning member (212) separates the interior of the process vessel in a lower (216) and an upper (218) portion, while at the same time allowing communication between the lower and upper portions. The rotary device (300) is arranged to at least cause a suction of material mainly from the lower compartment in a first mode of operation and into the rotary device. |
| US08673136B2 |
Smart filter
According to one embodiment, a filter may comprise a housing, a filter medium positioned within the housing, the filter medium having an operational life related to an amount of fluid passed through the filter medium, and a one-bit memory element coupled to the housing, the one-bit memory having a first state that indicates that the operational life of the filter medium has not expired and having a second state that indicates that the operational life of the filter medium has expired. The one-bit memory element may be illustratively embodied as a fusible link. |
| US08673133B2 |
Process, method, and system for removing heavy metals from fluids
Trace element levels of heavy metals such as mercury in crude oil are reduced by contacting the crude oil with an iodine source, generating a water soluble heavy metal complex for subsequent removal from the crude oil. In one embodiment, the iodine source is generated in-situ in an oxidation-reduction reaction, by adding the crude oil to an iodine species having a charge and a reductant or an oxidant depending on the charge of the iodine species. In one embodiment with an iodine species having a positive charge and a reducing reagent, a complexing agent is also added to the crude oil to extract the heavy metal complex into the water phase to form water soluble heavy metal complexes which can be separated from the crude oil, for a treated crude oil having reduced levels of heavy metals. |
| US08673130B2 |
Method for efficiently operating an ebbulated bed reactor and an efficient ebbulated bed reactor
A hydroprocessing method and system involves introducing heavy oil and well-dispersed metal sulfide catalyst particles, or a catalyst precursor capable of forming the well-dispersed metal sulfide catalyst particles in situ within the heavy oil, into a hydroprocessing reactor. The well-dispersed or in situ metal sulfide catalyst particles are formed by 1) premixing a catalyst precursor with a hydrocarbon diluent to form a precursor mixture, 2) mixing the precursor mixture with heavy oil to form a conditioned feedstock, and 3) heating the conditioned feedstock to decompose the catalyst precursor and cause or allow metal from the precursor to react with sulfur in the heavy oil to form the well-dispersed or in situ metal sulfide catalyst particles. The well-dispersed or in situ metal sulfide catalyst particles catalyze beneficial upgrading reactions between the heavy oil and hydrogen and eliminates or reduces formation of coke precursors and sediment. |
| US08673128B2 |
Gas sensor element, gas sensor, and production method thereof
A gas sensor element includes an insulating ceramic base, a solid electrolyte body, and a heating element. The solid electrolyte body is disposed in an opening of the insulating ceramic base and has a measuring electrode affixed to one of major surfaces thereof and a reference electrode affixed to the other major surface. The measuring electrode is exposed to gas to be measured. The reference electrode is exposed to a reference gas. The heating element works to activate the solid electrolyte body and is mounted on one of opposed surfaces of the insulating ceramic base on the same side as the major surface of the solid electrolyte body on which the reference electrode is disposed. Specifically, the insulating ceramic base is located between the solid electrolyte body and the heating element, thereby ensuring a desired degree of electric insulation between the heating element and the reference electrode. |
| US08673124B2 |
Magnet unit and magnetron sputtering apparatus
The present invention provides a magnet unit and a magnetron sputtering apparatus which can suppress the consumption amount of a target by efficiently consuming the target and can easily cause erosion on the target to progress uniformly regardless whether the target size is small or large and whether the target is made of magnetic material or not. A magnet unit according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a member configured to be provided with a predetermined magnet, an internal magnet unit which is provided for the member and includes n magnet elements extending radially in the surface of the member from a predetermined position of the member in at least n (n: positive integer equal to or larger than 3) directions, the n magnet elements having one polarity on a side opposite to the member, and an external magnet unit which is provided for the member so as to surround the internal magnet unit along the shape of the internal magnet unit, the external magnet unit having the other polarity on a side opposite to the member. |
| US08673111B2 |
Plasma processing chamber for bevel edge processing
A process chamber includes a wafer support to mount a wafer to be processed in the process chamber, with the wafer having an annular edge exclusion area. A first electrically grounded ring extends in an annular path radially outward of the edge exclusion area and is electrically isolated from the wafer support. A second electrode is configured with a center area opposite to the wafer support. A second electrically grounded ring extends in an annular path radially outward of the second electrode and the edge exclusion area. The second electrically grounded ring is electrically isolated from the center area. An annular mount section has a DC bias ring, and the DC bias ring opposes the edge exclusion area when the wafer is present. A DC control circuit is provided for applying a DC voltage to the DC bias ring. |
| US08673110B2 |
Solution supplying unit and substrate treating apparatus having the same
A solution supplying unit includes a body, a first supplying tube and a second supplying tube. The body includes a chamber having a substantially circular cross-section to receive a solution and an out-flowing part connected to the chamber to flow out the solution. The first supplying tube is disposed at a side of the body, tangentially connected to the chamber, and supplying a first solution into the chamber to rotate the first solution in the chamber. The second supplying tube has an end portion, and supplying a second solution into the chamber to mix the first solution with the second solution. The end portion is formed through the body and is adjacent to a central axis of the body. |
| US08673108B2 |
Curable epoxy resin-based adhesive compositions
This invention relates to compositions useful as adhesives and more particularly to the preparation of epoxy-based adhesive composition with improved impact resistance and good adhesion to oily metal substrates. |
| US08673105B2 |
Method of manufacturing translucent rigid substrate laminate and translucent rigid substrate bonding apparatus
Provided is a method of manufacturing a translucent rigid substrate laminate to improve a positional precision while increasing production efficiency. Further, a translucent rigid substrate bonding apparatus contributing to improvement of the positional precision while increasing production efficiency of a plate-shaped product is provided. In the method of manufacturing the translucent rigid substrate laminate and the translucent rigid substrate bonding apparatus according to the present invention, when translucent rigid substrates are bonded in a predetermined positional relationship by interposing a photo-curable fixing agent therebetween, only the fixing agent present on an outer boundary portion of both translucent rigid substrates is cured for provisional fastening. |
| US08673104B2 |
Fabricating method of liquid crystal display device
A method of fabricating an LCD device is discussed. The method according to an embodiment includes combining a first substrate having thin film transistors with a second substrate having black matrices and color filters using a sealant. Also, the method includes: forming an absorbent layer which is positioned to overlap with an edge of the sealant and burned by a laser; curing the sealant partially covered with the absorbent layer by irradiating UV light; burning the absorbent layer using a laser beam; and cutting the sealant through the burnt absorbent layer and the second substrate opposite to the absorbent layer using a scriber. |
| US08673100B2 |
Strip lined catheters and methods for constructing and processing strip lined catheters
Apparatus and methods are provided for making one or more tubular components of medical catheters or other tubular bodies using a strip of polymer material including a length, a width, and a first surface including a lubricious or other coating or surface modification. The strip is directed adjacent an elongate mandrel, such as beading, such that the length of the strip extends along the mandrel and the coating is disposed towards the mandrel. The strip is rolled at least partially around the mandrel such that the coating or surface modification is disposed inwardly towards the mandrel, and one or more strip-constrainment members are wrapped around the rolled strip. The directing, rolling, and wrapping steps may be substantially continuous to create one or more strip-mandrel-constrainment member subassemblies. |
| US08673098B2 |
Method and apparatus for stretching segmented stretchable film and application of the segmented film to a moving web
An elastic material is cut, set to a product pitch, stretched a desired amount and applied to a moving target web to create a product with a desired amount of elasticity over a desired area. A vacuum wheel with an aggressive vacuum pattern is used for securing and stretching the stretchable film, the same type of wheel also capable of being used as a trim removal device. |
| US08673094B2 |
Case hardening steel and manufacturing method thereof
A case hardening steel includes by mass %, C: 0.1% to 0.5%, Si: 0.01% to 1.5%, Mn: 0.3% to 1.8%, S: 0.001% to 0.15%, Cr: 0.4% to 2.0%, Ti: 0.05% to 0.2%, Al: limited to 0.2% or less, N: limited to 0.0050% or less, P: limited to 0.025% or less, O: limited to 0.0025% or less, and the balance of Fe and inevitable impurities, wherein the number d of sulfide having an equivalent circle diameter more than 5 μm per 1 mm2 and a mass percentage [S] of S satisfy: d≦500×[S]+1. |
| US08673093B2 |
High-strength thin steel sheet
The present invention is the thin steel sheet containing C, Si, Mn, P, S, Al, Mo, Ti, B, and N wherein a value Z calculated by the equation described below is 2.0-6.0, an area ratio against all the structure is 1% or above for retained austenite and 80% or above for total of bainitic ferrite and martensite, a mean axis ratio of the retained austenite crystal grain is 5 or above, and tensile strength is 980 MPa or above where Value Z=9×[C]+[Mn]+3×[Mo]+490×[B]+7×[Mo]/{100×([B]+0.001),and the thin steel sheet has 980 MPa or above tensile strength and enhanced hydrogen embrittlement resistance properties. |
| US08673092B2 |
Outer member of constant speed universal joint
An outer member of a constant velocity universal joint suppresses occurrences of cracking in a joining portion and has stable quality. The outer member includes a cup section having track grooves formed therein, and a shaft section having one end coupled to a bottom portion of the cup section. By joining members having different carbon contents and performing induction hardening on the members, a hardening heat-affected portion affected by the induction hardening, a hardening heat-unaffected portion unaffected by the induction hardening, a joining heat-affected portion affected by heat generated during the joining, and a joining heat-unaffected portion unaffected by the heat generated during the joining are formed. A martensitic structure is eliminated from the hardening heat-unaffected portion of the high carbon content member and is the joining heat-affected portion at an end portion including a joining end surface that is to be joined to the low carbon content member. |
| US08673089B2 |
Aldimine cleaning composition for reactive polyurethane compositions
Methods of using an aldimine of formula (I) as cleaning agent or ingredient of a cleaning agent composition for reactive polyurethane compositions, especially for reactive polyurethane hot melt adhesives. It has been found that such cleaning agents can greatly reduce the quantity of wastes and in particular mixtures of blocked and nonblocked reactive polyurethane compositions can be used without problem for gluing, without the gluing being negatively influenced in its properties, especially its thermal stability. |
| US08673082B2 |
Crucible and deposition apparatus
A crucible (50) of the present invention includes: an opening (55a) from which vapor deposition particles are injected toward a film formation substrate on which a film is to be formed; a focal point member (54a), provided so as to face the opening (55a), which reflects vapor deposition particles injected from the opening (55a); and a revolution paraboloid (55b) which reflects, toward the film formation substrate, vapor deposition particles which have been reflected by the focal point member (54a). |
| US08673080B2 |
Temperature controlled showerhead
A temperature controlled showerhead for chemical vapor deposition (CVD) chambers enhances heat dissipation to enable accurate temperature control with an electric heater. Heat dissipates by conduction through a showerhead stem and fluid passageway and radiation from a back plate. A temperature control system includes one or more temperature controlled showerheads in a CVD chamber with fluid passageways serially connected to a heat exchanger. |
| US08673078B2 |
Take-up vacuum processing apparatus
A take-up vacuum processing apparatus includes a chamber, a roller-shaped first electrode rotatably disposed within the chamber, a gas supply unit including a second electrode, and a third electrode. The first electrode causes the flexible processing target to travel by rotating. The third electrode is connected to an alternating-current source and does not contact the first electrode. An alternating-current voltage of the alternating-current source is applied between the third electrode and the first electrode. The chamber includes a divider plate for separating the chamber into a first room in which the second electrode is arranged and a second room in which the third electrode is arranged. Pressures of the first and second rooms are individually adjusted, such that plasma can be generated between the first electrode and the second electrode, and such that anomalous discharge is not generated between the first electrode and the third electrode. |
| US08673075B2 |
Procedure for in-situ determination of thermal gradients at the crystal growth front
A method and apparatus for growing a semiconductor crystal include pulling the semiconductor crystal from melt at a pull speed and modulating the pull speed by combining a periodic pull speed with an average speed. The modulation of the pull speed allows in-situ determination of characteristic temperature gradients in the melt and in the crystal during crystal formation. The temperature gradients may be used to control relevant process parameters that affect morphological stability or intrinsic material properties in the finished crystal such as for instance the target pull speed of the crystal or the melt gap, which determines the thermal gradient in the crystal during growth. |
| US08673069B2 |
Processing bituminous mixtures for paving at reduced temperatures
Bituminous paving mixtures containing lubricating agents or additives may be prepared at hot mix temperatures and cooled, paved and compacted at temperatures 10-55° C. lower than the hot mix temperatures. The increased temperature range between the hot mix temperatures and the paving and compacting temperatures is facilitated by the improved compacting properties of the paving mixture when it includes the lubricating agents or additives. |
| US08673068B2 |
Device for inactivating and finely filtering viruses and microorganisms in a flow of air
This device for inactivating and finely filtering viruses and microorganisms in a flow of air is intended for cleaning air or gas. The device includes a high voltage power supply (4) and the following components arranged in series in the direction of flow: a unit (1) for pre-treating a flow of air, a two-section inactivation chamber (2) and a precipitator (3). The pre-treating unit (1) consists of oppositely charged conductive filtering elements (7, 7′). The first conductive filtering element (7) in the direction of flow is in the form of a cylindrical electrode (6) and a plate (9) which is made of a current conductive, highly porous material and is positioned at a distance from the free end face of the cylindrical electrode (6). A needle electrode (8), electrically associated with the plate (9), is adjacent to said plate. The base of the cylindrical electrode is in the form of a plate (7) which is made of a conductive, porous and permeable material and is adjacent to a plate (5) made of a dielectric, highly porous permeable material. The needle electrode is disposed coaxially with the cylindrical electrode and the point of the needle electrode is oriented towards the dielectric plate. The cylindrical and needle electrodes are connected to opposite poles of the power supply. The device makes it possible to increase the operational efficiency of the device. |
| US08673067B2 |
Immobilized fluid membranes for gas separation
Provided herein are immobilized liquid membranes for gas separation, methods of preparing such membranes and uses thereof. In one example, the immobilized membrane includes a porous metallic host matrix and an immobilized liquid fluid (such as a silicone oil) that is immobilized within one or more pores included within the porous metallic host matrix. The immobilized liquid membrane is capable of selective permeation of one type of molecule (such as oxygen) over another type of molecule (such as water). In some examples, the selective membrane is incorporated into a device to supply oxygen from ambient air to the device for electrochemical reactions, and at the same time, to block water penetration and electrolyte loss from the device. |
| US08673063B2 |
Inlet air extractor for a particulate loader and transfer apparatus
A particulate loader separation device including a particulate and air inlet for receiving a flow of air and particulate. A separation chamber for separating the air and the particulate is connected to the particulate and air inlet. An air outlet is connected to a suction mechanism for providing suction to the separation chamber. A particulate outlet is connected to a particulate conveyor for conveying the particulate from the separation chamber. An inlet air extractor is connected to the particulate and air inlet and is connected to one of the suction mechanism and a second suction mechanism. The inlet air extractor is connected to the particulate and air inlet at a predetermined location thereof such that in operation a portion of the air of the flow of air and particulate is extracted prior entering the separation chamber. |
| US08673051B2 |
Manufacturing and applications of metal powders and alloys
The present invention is directed to a method of manufacture of metal or alloy powders that uses liquid phase reduction of a metal halide, or a mixture of metal halides, to produce a metal particle coated in salts produced as a reaction byproduct. The reaction conditions can be chosen to select a range of metal particle sizes, and the salt coating prevents oxidation (or reaction with other atmospheric gases) and permits a range of applications hitherto difficult to achieve using metal powders. |
| US08673050B2 |
Conductive material, conductive paste, circuit board, and semiconductor device
A conductive material includes a first metal part whose main ingredient is a first metal; a second metal part formed on the first metal part and whose main ingredient is a second metal, the second metal having a melting point lower than a melting point of the first metal, which second metal can form a metallic compound with the first metal; and a third metal part whose main ingredient is a third metal, which third metal can make a eutectic reaction with the second metal. |
| US08673045B2 |
Cordierite aluminum magnesium titanate compositions and ceramic articles comprising same
Disclosed are ceramic bodies comprised of composite cordierite aluminum magnesium titanate ceramic compositions and methods for the manufacture of same. |
| US08673038B2 |
Gas cleaning separator
The present invention relates to a separator and more specifically, but not exclusively, to a centrifugal separator for the cleaning of a gaseous fluid. A centrifugal separator is provided as comprising a housing defining an inner space, and a rotor assembly for imparting a rotary motion onto a mixture of substances to be separated. The rotor assembly is located in said inner space and is rotatable about an axis relative to the housing. The rotor assembly comprises an inlet for receiving said mixture of substances, an outlet from which said substances are ejected from the rotor assembly during use, and a flow path for providing fluid communication between the inlet and outlet, wherein the outlet is positioned more radially outward from said axis than the inlet. |
| US08673028B2 |
Method of producing biodiesel from a wet biomass
A method of producing a biodiesel from a wet biomass is provided. The method includes providing the wet biomass that includes water and biomass solids. The method also includes heating the wet biomass at a first temperature and a first pressure for a time period ranging from 10 to 480 minutes to form an aqueous solution and a solid agglomerate containing a hydrolyzed lipid component. The method also includes step of transesterifying the hydrolyzed lipid component to form biodiesel. |
| US08673027B2 |
One-step conversion of solid lignin to liquid products
The present invention refers to a method of converting a lignin material into a liquid product and the liquid product obtainable by the method. |
| US08673024B2 |
Shading composition
The present invention provides a laundry treatment composition comprising a cationic phenazine dye. |
| US08673019B2 |
Use of anti-inflammatory compounds with allograft tissue implantation
Methods and compositions are provided for reduction of inflammation and improved allograft/host tissue integration comprising placing at least one anti-inflammatory compound onto a site of the defect and placing a graft structure onto the site of the defect. |
| US08673017B2 |
Process for the preparation of a biomimetic bone substitute and its uses
The object of the present invention is a process for obtaining a bone substitute of given chemical and physical characteristics and entirely similar to those of the mineral portion of natural bone tissue. The process substitutes Ca ions with Mg ions in a porous matrix; the process comprises a phase of contacting the matrix with a saline aqueous solution containing an effective quantity of Mg ions at a pressure greater than or equal to 1 bar. |
| US08673016B2 |
Devices and methods for tissue engineering
A resorbable tissue scaffold fabricated from bioactive glass fiber forms a rigid three-dimensional porous matrix having a bioactive composition. Porosity in the form of interconnected pore space is provided by the space between the bioactive glass fiber in the porous matrix. Strength of the bioresorbable matrix is provided by bioactive glass that fuses and bonds the bioactive glass fiber into the rigid three-dimensional matrix. The resorbable tissue scaffold supports tissue in-growth to provide osteoconductivity as a resorbable tissue scaffold, used for the repair of damaged and/or diseased bone tissue. |
| US08673013B2 |
Devices and methods for inter-vertebral orthopedic device placement
Disclosed are methods and devices for implanting an orthopedic device between skeletal segments, such as vertebrae, using limited surgical dissection. The implanted devices are used to adjust and maintain the spatial relationships of adjacent bones. The implanted device can be, for example, an artificial disc, a fusion cage or any other appropriate device for implantation between skeletal segments. |
| US08673009B2 |
Spinal prosthesis and facet joint prosthesis
A lumbar disc prosthesis is provided including a first member with a vertebral disc contact surface and a recessed portion on an opposing surface thereof; a second member with a vertebral disc contact surface and a protruding portion on an opposing surface thereof. The protruding portion of the second member engages with the recessed portion of the first member in use. A facet joint prosthesis is provided, including a first member for attachment to a first posterior lumbar disc in use and a second member for attachment to a second posterior lumbar disc in use, where at least a part of the first member is telescopically mounted in at least a part of the second member in use. |
| US08673006B2 |
Spinal implant
The present invention is a spinal implant that can be inserted into a surgically created cavity of one or more regions of the mammalian spine. Universal corner posts and one or more lateral universal posts are connected with a series of trapezoidal wedge-like braces. The series of braces includes a centralized brace, a first set of braces extending in a first direction away from the centralized brace and a second set of braces extending in a second direction away from the centralized brace. Embodiments of the current cage also include first and second lateral brakes and an end cap. |
| US08673004B2 |
Method for inserting an interbody spinal fusion implant having an anatomically conformed trailing end
An interbody spinal fusion implant adapted for placement at least in part across an intervertebral space formed across a disc space between two adjacent vertebral bodies and for penetrating engagement into each of those vertebral bodies, the implant having a trailing end adapted to sit upon and not protrude from the anterolateral peripheral rim of bone of the vertebral body. |
| US08673002B2 |
Medical tools for facilitating keratoplasty and related methods
Systems, devices and methods for performing small incision DLEK include providing a corneal transplantation donor tissue graft; then forming the tissue graft into an implantable configuration using the flexible substrate. Related medical kits and tools for forming a compact or rolled donor tissue graft are also described. |
| US08673001B2 |
Methods for controlling the internal circumference of an anatomic orifice or lumen
A method for controlling the circumference of internal anatomic passages corrects physiologic dysfunctions resulting from a structural orifice or lumen which is either too large or too small. Implants are disclosed which employ various means for adjusting and maintaining the size of an orifice to which they are attached. Systems permit the implants to be implanted using minimally invasive procedures and permit final adjustments to the circumference of the implants after the resumption of normal flow of anatomic fluids in situ. Methods are disclosed for using the implants to treat heart valve abnormalities, gastroesophageal abnormalities, anal incontinence, and the like. |
| US08672994B2 |
Prosthesis for treating vascular bifurcations
A stepped balloon catheter prosthesis deployment system is disclosed for placement of a prosthesis across an Os opening from a main body lumen to a branch body lumen. The prosthesis comprises a radially expansible support at one end, a circumferentially extending link at the other end and at least one frond extending axially therebetween. The prosthesis is configured to be deployed from a stepped diameter balloon with the support in the branch body lumen, with the circumferentially extending link in the main lumen and the frond extendable across the Os. |
| US08672990B2 |
Fiber mesh controlled expansion balloon catheter
A medical device having a catheter shaft having a distal portion and a proximal portion, a medical balloon co-axially mounted on the distal portion of the catheter shaft and a tubular mesh wrapped around the balloon, wherein the mesh strengthens and reinforced the balloon and may be manipulation to dictate the shape of the balloon and to squeeze the balloon down onto the catheter shaft during deflation of the balloon. |
| US08672988B2 |
Method and device for local cooling within an organ using an intravascular device
A method is disclosed for cooling a limited portion of a body organ by placing a cooling device into a blood vessel within a target organ; and activating the cooling device to cool tissue proximate the cooling device to a temperature below +34 degrees Centigrade. The blood vessel can be a vein or an artery and the cooling device can be a fixed diameter catheter or it can include a balloon. More particularly, the method of cooling can provide a method for treating injured ischemic and infarcted tissue by placing a device capable of passage through the vasculature into a target organ, wherein the device is capable of providing sufficient thermal exchange at a working region thereof to cool adjacent tissue; and activating the device to cool adjacent tissue to a temperature in the range of 0 degrees Centigrade to +36 degrees Centigrade. The method can further include placement of a second device capable of passage through the vasculature into the target organ, wherein the second device is capable of at least partially removing a blockage from a blood vessel. |
| US08672986B2 |
Device for temporarily splinting toes
A device for temporarily splinting toes, especially for the treatment of hammertoes and other defective positions of toes, consisting of a tube composed of a bio-absorbable material and a guide wire. The tube has an inner diameter of d, whereas the guide wire has an external diameter D, such that D |
| US08672977B2 |
Device and method for spinous process distraction
An implant for maintaining a given minimum inter-spinous-process spacing includes an implant body with a number of segments hingedly interconnected so as to assume a straightened state for delivery along a conduit and a curved deployed state. An elongated tightening element is anchored at the distal segment of the implant body and passes along a channel extending along the implant body. Tension applied to the tightening element biases the implant body from the straightened state to the curved deployed state. Preferably, when the tightening element is deflected to reach the curved deployed state, a locking arrangement locks the tightening element relative to the implant body, thereby retaining the implant in the curved deployed state. A distal portion of the implant body is preferably formed with a set of lateral projections to inhibit withdrawal of the distal portion between adjacent spinous processes after deployment. |
| US08672976B2 |
Intervertebral implant devices and methods for insertion thereof
An implant device is provided that is configured for implantation at multiple locations between adjacent vertebrae. The implant device comprises an implant body, a first portion of the implant body, and a second portion of the implant body adjustably interconnected with the first portion. The implant body has a compact orientation and an extended orientation to allow the implant body to be shifted from one orientation to the other orientation for being positioned in any one of areas between the spinous processes of the adjacent vertebrae, between laminar regions of the adjacent vertebrae, spanning an opening in the annulus between the adjacent vertebrae, and in the intervertebral space between the adjacent vertebrae. |
| US08672974B2 |
Spine distraction implant and method
A spine distraction implant alleviates pain associated with spinal stenosis and facet arthropathy by expanding the volume in the spine canal and/or neural foramen. The implant provides a spinal extension stop while allowing freedom of spinal flexion. |
| US08672973B2 |
Facet replacement/spacing and flexible spinal stabilization
Spinal stabilization devices for addressing back pain originating in the facet joints and the spinous processes of the vertebrae. One embodiment of the present invention includes a substantially T-shaped facet implant for insertion between the facets of two successive vertebrae after a desired amount of the articulating surfaces have been resected. The long and flat portion of the T-shaped facet implant is inserted in between the facets and then the wings of the T-shape, also called fixation tabs, are secured to the spine to secure the facet implant into place. The T-shape implant may also be a part of a spinal stabilization system that includes a facet implant, a spinous process spacer, and a flexible connecting member securing the same. |
| US08672963B2 |
Lancet device
The present invention relates to a lancet device, by which a lancet can be displaced along a piercing path for generating a piercing wound in a skin surface, in particular to obtain bodily fluid for diagnostic purposes, comprising a lancet drive having drive means to generate a drive force for a piercing movement of the lancet along the piercing path in the direction toward the skin surface. According to the present invention, the lancet drive comprises a magnet, by which a magnetic retention force oriented opposite to the drive force may be generated, and the lancet drive also comprises triggering means, by which the retention force may be reduced enough that the lancet is accelerated in the direction toward the skin surface under the effect of the drive force generated by the drive means. The present invention also relates to a method for generating a piercing wound, in which the drive spring is held in a tensioned state using a magnetic retention force oriented opposite to the drive force before the triggering of a piercing wound. |
| US08672962B2 |
Permanent magnet lancing device
A lancing device and a method for using the lancing device includes a plunger mechanism having a permanent magnet housed therein. The lancing device includes a movable element having at least one attracting object and at least one repelling object. The attracting object attracts the permanent magnet to move the plunger into a retracted position. The repelling object repels the permanent magnet to move the plunger into a lancing position to pierce the skin of a test subject. The use of the permanent magnet in the plunger mechanism reduces or eliminates multiple punctures due to plunger bounce or oscillation that can occur while a body fluid sample is being drawn. |
| US08672959B2 |
Curved clamp arm for use with ultrasonic surgical instruments
The present invention relates to ultrasonic surgical clamping instruments and, more particularly, to a curved clamp arm for use with ultrasonic surgical instruments that have an ultrasonically actuated blade that, in one case, is ultrasonically actuated to have motion in substantially a single plane. The curved clamp arm opens and closes with respect to the blade and also has a plane of curvature that is parallel to the plane of motion of the blade when the clamp arm is in the closed position, and not parallel to the plane of motion of the blade when the clamp arm is in the open position. |
| US08672955B2 |
Medical suturing device
The present invention provides a medical suturing device structured with a retrieval puncturing needle formed with through-hole; a retrieval member able to be inserted through through-hole; an insertion puncture needle formed with through-hole; a hollow tube that can be inserted through insertion through-hole, and the distal tip of which is formed into a deformable bent portion; and a suture that can be inserted through the inside of hollow tube. The retrieval member is structured with an annular engagement member that can be deformed into a straight shape, a rod member that is connected to annular engagement member, and a grip that is provided with a mark. The mark is furnished on hollow tube, such that when retrieval puncturing needle and insertion puncture needle are in a condition where mark and mark are facing each other, the upper supporter and lower supporter can be detachably attached. |
| US08672954B2 |
Piercing implement particularly useful as a medical implement for piercing body tissue, and method of using such implement for applying a suture to the body tissue
An implement, particularly useful as a medical implement for applying a suture to a body tissue, includes a handle and shaft formed with a pair of channels extending from the proximal end of the handle through the distal end of the shaft and through a pair of jaws carried at the distal end of the shaft. The pair of channels converge towards each other to a cross-over point, and then diverging away from each other where existing at the distal end of the shaft. The channels are dimensioned to enable a piercing instrument to be passed first through one of the channels to pierce the body with a first bore, and then through the other of the channels to pierce the body with the second bore, such that the two bores have entry ends precisely spaced a predetermined distance from each other, and exit ends precisely spaced a larger predetermined distance from each other. |
| US08672947B2 |
Method and apparatus for distracting a joint, including the provision and use of a novel fluid joint spacer
A fluid joint spacer comprising a body having means for receiving a pressurized fluid from an external source and applying that pressurized fluid against a joint element so as to create a flowing fluid bearing within the joint. |
| US08672944B2 |
System and method for performing spinal surgery
Systems and methods for surgical spinal correction are disclosed. A system including a plurality of bone screws, spinal rods, manipulators, and/or transverse couplers is disclosed for the manipulation of the spinal column is disclosed. A method of achieving, in a single action, manipulation and/or rotation of the spinal column using the disclosed system is disclosed. Also disclosed is a method of conducting spinal surgery to correct spinal deformities wherein spinal rods are pre-bent in a physiological sagittal plane prior to attachment of the vertebrae using bone screws. |
| US08672943B2 |
Surgical saw blade device and system
A saw blade assembly for use with a driver having an oscillatory drive member comprises an elongate sheath and an elongate monolithic blade. The sheath's proximal end is removably mountable on the driver. The sheath has an open interior which receives the blade. The blade's proximal end is pivotably mounted to the sheath's proximal end. The blade's distal cutting end extends out of the sheath's distal end and is transverse to the blade's central longitudinal axis. When cutting bone, the drive member pivots the blade's cutting end back and forth in an arc about a pivot point at the blade's proximal end while the driver holds the sheath stationary to protect surrounding tissues from the motions of the remainder of the blade. The long pivot radius between the proximal pivot point and the distal cutting end contributes to minimizing the angle of engagement of the cutting end to the bone. |
| US08672936B2 |
Systems and methods for assessing tissue contact
Systems and methods are disclosed for assessing tissue contact, e.g., for mapping tissue ablation or other procedures. An exemplary tissue contact sensing system comprises a flexible tip device. At least one piezoelectric sensor is housed within the flexible tip device. The at least one piezoelectric sensor is responsive to contact stress of the flexible tip device by generating electrical signals corresponding to the amount of contact stress. An output device is electrically connected to the at least one piezoelectric sensor. The output device receives the electrical signals for assessing tissue contact by the flexible tip device. Methods for assembling and using the flexible tip device are also disclosed. |
| US08672931B2 |
Cryosurgical device with metered dose
A cryosurgical device and system is provided comprising a pressurized container, a metered valve that regulates the retrieval of a coolant solution stored in the pressurized container and regulates the volume of coolant solution dispensed with each actuation of the device, an actuator that engages the metered valve when engaged, and directs the coolant solution to an extension tube, which directs the coolant solution away from the pressurized container, and an applicator head configuring an open-ended enclosure attached to a distal end of the extension tube. |
| US08672921B2 |
Flexible hollow shaft for a medical instrument
A flexible shaft to be received in a curved shank of a medical instrument has a hollow shaft having a wall with cuttings therein such that said hollow shaft can also transmit rotary forces in a curved state. Said hollow shaft has a proximal end for coupling to a drive mechanism of a medical instrument and a distal end on which a tool is arranged. In view of tension relief a body extending through an inside of said hollow shaft from said distal end to said proximal end is provided, said body is flexible but is axially inextensible and axially incompressible. In terms of pressure relief said distal end of said hollow shaft is provided with a limit stop which interacts with a limit stop on said medical instrument in such a way that a compression of said hollow shaft beyond a certain extend is blocked. |
| US08672917B2 |
Pressure monitoring to control delivery of therapeutic agent
A method for adjusting delivery of a therapeutic fluid to a patient suffering from or at risk of pulmonary arterial hypertension includes introducing the therapeutic fluid to a patient via a catheter at a predetermined rate. The catheter is positioned to deliver the fluid to the right ventricle or the pulmonary artery. The catheter a one-way valve configured to allow the fluid to flow from the catheter to the target location. The method further includes monitoring pressure of the target location by monitoring internal catheter pressure, and adjusting the rate at which the therapeutic fluid is introduced to the catheter based on the monitored pressure. The rate at which the fluid is introduced to the catheter is increased if internal catheter pressure increases, and the rate at which the fluid is introduced to the catheter is decreased if the internal catheter pressure decreases. |
| US08672912B2 |
Absorbent article with improved fit
An absorbent article includes a chassis extending about a longitudinal axis and having a topsheet, a backsheet and an absorbent structure disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. The chassis has a first transverse axis dividing the absorbent structure into a front body panel terminating in a front waist region and a rear body panel terminating in a rear waist region. The rear waist region has a first elastic region. The chassis is delimited by opposed longitudinal edges and opposed transverse edges. In the rear waist region, the absorbent structure terminates at a first distance from the transverse edge and the first elastic region extends substantially parallel to the transverse edge and spaced therefrom by a second distance and spaced from the absorbent structure by a third distance. The third distance is greater than said second distance or substantially equal thereto. |
| US08672911B2 |
Body adhering absorbent article
A feminine care absorbent article includes an absorbent structure configured for disposition adjacent a female wearer's vaginal region to absorb bodily fluids discharged by the wearer. A shell is provided for supporting the absorbent structure at the vaginal region. The shell has a body-facing surface and a garment-facing surface. The body-facing surface has an adhesive thereon for adhering the shell directly to the wearer's body. The adhesive has a non-uniform adhesive pattern. |
| US08672907B2 |
Drainable ostomy pouch
A drainable ostomy pouch is disclosed having generally parallel sidewalls of flexible sheet material joined along their edges to define a chamber therebetween and having a downwardly extending neck portion terminating in a discharge opening for draining the contents from the chamber. The neck portion of the pouch has first and second transversely extending curved spring members associated therewith and is closed by folding the neck portion upwardly. The first curved spring member is located nearer the discharge opening than the second curved spring member and each of the curved spring members is curved smoothly and outwardly relative to the neck portion. The curved spring members are located relative to one another so the first curved spring member nearer the discharge opening nests with the second curved spring member when the neck portion has been folded upwardly and can be secured using a two-part fastening system during use of the drainable ostomy pouch. |
| US08672905B2 |
Wound care article for extraction and control of wound fluids
The subject of the invention is a wound care article for extraction and control of wound fluids, comprising at least one first fluid-absorbing structure (1; 10; 36), which is surrounded by a liquid-permeable, first enclosure (2),and a liquid-permeable, second enclosure (3) comprising two enclosing surfaces (13.1, 13.2). The wound care article is thus characterized in that the first enclosure (2) is covered or supported on at least one of its flat sides (4.1, 4.2) by at least one fluid-absorbing material layer (6.1, 6.2; 6.3), which is arranged (FIG. 1a) between the first enclosure (2) and one of the enclosing surfaces (13.1, 13.2) of the second enclosure (3). |
| US08672903B2 |
Abdominal wound dressing
An abdominal wound dressing and methods of use are described that enable the application of negative pressure to the wound site in a healing manner while also limiting the formation of adhesions that would prevent the removal of the dressing. The dressing comprises a layer of porous foam material enclosed by sheets of elastomeric material punctuated by a number of appropriately placed holes. Multiple layers of porous foam may also be used. A suction tube connector is provided on an upper surface of a layer of foam for connection to a negative pressure source. At least one layer of foam is enclosed in elastomeric material and is placed in direct contact with the tissue within the open wound. Fluids are drawn by negative pressure through the holes positioned in the elastomeric envelope and through the foam. |
| US08672894B2 |
Protection device for a needle
The invention relates to a protection device (10) for a needle of an assembly or of an injection device having a hub portion provided with a needle, the said protection device (10) comprising: an outer casing (20) formed of a first material; and an inner casing (30) formed of a second material different from the said first material and defining a cavity (32) for receiving in a sealing way at least the hub portion, said cavity (32) having an inner wall (34); attachment means (40) defined in the said cavity (32) to removably engage and secure said protection device (10) at least along a sealing line to the injection device; the protection device being characterized in that it further comprises aspiration limiting means (40, 50) for limiting the deformation of said cavity (32) when said protection device (10) is separated from the assembly or the injection device. |
| US08672893B2 |
Syringe with rotatable element, aspiration systems including the syringe, and associated methods
A syringe includes a barrel and a rotatable element on the barrel; for example at a proximal location along the length of the barrel. The rotatable element rotates at least partially around the barrel. When a handle is associated with the rotatable element, the barrel may rotate as the handle is held substantially stationary or the handle may be rotated while the barrel and any peripheral device secured thereto remain substantially stationary. When handles are associated with a rotatable element that may be removed from a barrel, a barrel that is disassembled from the rotatable element may be replaced with another barrel of the same or a different configuration. The barrel and plunger may be configured to cause the barrel to rotate as the plunger moves along the length of the barrel. Methods of using a syringe with a rotatable element on a barrel thereof are also disclosed. |
| US08672891B1 |
IV line clasp
The present invention is an IV line clasp that has a contoured recessed channel provided in a head that is designed to receive and hold the IV equipment securely and has adjustable cotton straps attached on either side of the head that secure together on their ends via hook and loop fasteners to hold the IV in place on the patient's body without the use of tape. |
| US08672888B2 |
Access device
A device may include a hollow needle, a dilator mounted coaxially on the needle, and a sheath mounted coaxially on the dilator. The dilator may be slideably displaceable relative to the sheath. |
| US08672887B2 |
Needle array assembly and method for delivering therapeutic agents
A fluid delivery device includes an array of needles, each in fluid communication with a respective reservoir. Respective actuators are coupled so as to be operable to drive fluid from the reservoirs via needle ports. Each needle can have a plurality of ports, and the ports can be arranged to deliver a substantially equal amount of fluid at any given location along its length. A driver is coupled to the actuators to selectively control the rate, volume, and direction of flow of fluid through the needles. The device can simultaneously deliver a plurality of fluid agents along respective axes in solid tissue in vivo. If thereafter resected, the tissue can be sectioned for evaluation of an effect of each agent on the tissue, and based on the evaluation, candidate agents selected or deselected for clinical trials or therapy, and subjects selected or deselected for clinical trials or therapeutic treatment. |
| US08672885B2 |
Fluid dispensing device
A compact fluid dispenser for use in controllably dispensing fluid medicaments, such as antibiotics, blood clotting agents, analgesics, and like medicinal agents from collapsible containers at a uniform rate. The dispenser includes a novel stored energy source that is provided in the form of a compressible-expandable member that functions to continuously and uniformly expel fluid from the device reservoir. The apparatus further includes a novel fluid flow control assembly that precisely controls the flow of the medicament solutions from the device reservoir to the patient. |
| US08672877B2 |
Nursing systems
A nursing system includes a fluid delivery module mounted to a portion of a human body. The fluid delivery module is coupled to a fluid source via a channel. A feeding recipient latches-on to a portion of the delivery module to draw fluid from the fluid source, thereby simulating conventional breastfeeding. |
| US08672876B2 |
Fluid delivery system and flow control therefor
A fluid delivery system having a closed-loop control process for delivering a medical fluid to a patient. A fluid infusion system includes a pump for delivering a fluid to a patient via an administration tube. A flow sensor associated with the administration tube provides an indication of the actual flow rate of fluid in the administration tube. Such a flow sensor may comprise a positive displacement flow sensor constructed using micro-fabrication and/or micro-molding techniques. A reader reads the actual flow rate signal and provides an indication to a controller for controlling the pump. The flow rate information can also be used for providing status information, such as the existence of a blockage in the fluid delivery system. |
| US08672873B2 |
Medicine delivery device having detachable pressure sensing unit
A fluid medicament delivery device includes a patient attachment unit and a separate indicator unit. The patient attachment unit includes a housing and a fluid channel located therein, wherein at least a portion of the fluid channel includes a flexible member substantially coterminous with the housing. The separate indicator unit is adapted to be detachably coupled to the housing of the patient attachment unit and includes a first sensing element for contacting the flexible member when the indicator unit is coupled to the housing to sense a flexure of the flexible member. |
| US08672868B2 |
Method and apparatus for monitoring and optimizing blood circulation generated by a pump
In a method for the automatic control of blood pumps, an optimization of the blood flow is achieved by periodic speed interventions and flow changes thereby occurring, using a formed differential variable and a control algorithm. In addition, the location of possible flow resistances on the venous or arterial side can be ascertained. |
| US08672864B2 |
Body support for spanning a hinge joint of the body comprising an elastically stretchable framework
A body support for spanning a hinge joint of the body comprises an elastically stretchable framework. The framework includes an integrally molded network of interconnected elastomeric segments. A first subset of the interconnected, elastomeric segments extends along a perimeter of the framework, and a second subset of the interconnected, elastomeric segments located within the perimeter of the framework bounds and defines a plurality of permanent openings in the framework. One of the plurality of permanent openings comprises an alignment opening. None of the interconnected, elastomeric segments of the first subset are part of the second subset. |
| US08672863B2 |
Device and method for examining a body lumen
A system and method for indicating transferability of a non-dissolvable target in-vivo device through the GI tract are described. The in vivo system includes a dissolvable in-vivo device which has two operational phases; an initial phase in which the device is of initial dimensions and a final phase in which the device is of final dimensions. In the initial phase the device can pass freely through a normally configured body lumen whereas it may not be able to pass freely through an abnormally configured lumen. In the final phase the device can pass freely through a body lumen even if it is abnormally configured. |
| US08672861B2 |
Cervical cell tissue self-sampling device
A device, a kit, and a method of use thereof, for self-administration and collection of cervical cell tissue samples such as for Pap smear testing. The device comprises an insertion tube, within which is carried a movable cervical aligning tool with an aligning probe, and a cellular sampling tool with a cellular adhesion surface. The aligning probe and cellular adhesion surface can be selectively movable relative to the insertion tube to improve accuracy of the testing and user safety. |
| US08672857B2 |
Galectin-3 and cardiac resynchronization therapy
The present invention relates to materials and methods for monitoring and predicting a heart failure patient's physiological response to cardiac resynchronization therapy. More specifically, the present invention relates to the endogenous protein galectin-3 and its use in monitoring progression of disease in a patient undergoing cardiac resynchronization therapy, and as a predictor of response to cardiac resynchronization therapy. |
| US08672854B2 |
System for calibrating a PTT-based blood pressure measurement using arm height
The invention provides a system and method for measuring vital signs (e.g. SYS, DIA, SpO2, heart rate, and respiratory rate) and motion (e.g. activity level, posture, degree of motion, and arm height) from a patient. The system features: (i) first and second sensors configured to independently generate time-dependent waveforms indicative of one or more contractile properties of the patient's heart; and (ii) at least three motion-detecting sensors positioned on the forearm, upper arm, and a body location other than the forearm or upper arm of the patient. Each motion-detecting sensor generates at least one time-dependent motion waveform indicative of motion of the location on the patient's body to which it is affixed. A processing component, typically worn on the patient's body and featuring a microprocessor, receives the time-dependent waveforms generated by the different sensors and processes them to determine: (i) a pulse transit time calculated using a time difference between features in two separate time-dependent waveforms, (ii) a blood pressure value calculated from the time difference, and (iii) a motion parameter calculated from at least one motion waveform. |
| US08672850B1 |
Focusing of a two-dimensional array to perform four-dimensional imaging
Certain embodiments of the present technology provide systems and methods for focusing a two dimensional phased array to perform four dimensional ultrasonic imaging. For example, certain embodiments of the present technology provide an ultrasonic imaging system comprising: a transducer configured to emit ultrasonic beams and detect reflected ultrasonic beams; a transmitter configured to transmit a first ultrasonic beam using a first focusing function and transmit a second ultrasonic beam that has a quadrature relationship to the first ultrasonic beam using a second focusing function; a receiver configured to acquire a first acoustic line based on a reflected first ultrasonic beam using a first focusing function and acquire a second acoustic line based on a reflected second ultrasonic beam using a second focusing function; and a beamformer configured to combine acoustic lines acquired by a receiver to create a beam pattern. |
| US08672849B2 |
Method and apparatus for ultrasonic detection and imaging of hemodynamic information, particularly venous blood flow information
A method for ultrasonic detection and imaging of hemodynamic information includes the steps of transmitting ultrasonic pulses into a body, which are generated by an array of electro-acoustic transducers arranged in a predetermined order and design; receiving reflected pulses with an array of receiving electro-acoustic transducers, which generate receive signals upon stimulation of the reflected pulses, the succession of pulses transmitted to or received from the body being focused along one or more scan lines; generating a Doppler frequency shift signal resulting from the reflection of pulses transmitted by a blood flow into a vessel intersected by the scan line, in a point and along the scan line, or along a direction of propagation of a pulse; determining the direction of blood flow velocity from the average frequency value of Doppler shift frequencies; and displaying the direction of blood flow velocity by graphical and/or chromatic representation differentiating opposite directions. |
| US08672847B2 |
Ultrasound diagnostic apparatus and method
An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus comprises: a detector for detecting a direction of radial expansion/contraction of a vascular wall associated with a heartbeat in a long-axis image of the vascular wall based on amplitude information of reception signals outputted from an ultrasound probe when a first ultrasonic beam is transmitted and received to and from a blood vessel of a subject through the ultrasound probe by a transmitter/receiver; a controller for controlling the transmitter/receiver so as to transmit and receive a second ultrasonic beam parallel to the detected vascular wall expansion/contraction direction through the ultrasound probe; a tracker for tracking a movement of the vascular wall using amplitude information and phase information of the reception signals outputted from the ultrasound probe when the second ultrasonic beam is transmitted and received; and a calculator for calculating elastic characteristics of the vascular wall based on the tracked vascular wall movement. |
| US08672841B2 |
Device for use in a surgical procedure on a human eye
Presented is a device for use in a surgical procedure on an eye. The device includes an elongated member that includes a first elongated portion, a second elongated portion, and hook portion. The first elongated portion includes a proximal end and a distal end. The second elongated portion includes a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end of the second elongated portion is coupled to the distal end of the first elongated portion. The second elongated portion extends from the first elongated portion at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the first elongated portion. The hook portion includes a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end of the hook portion is coupled to the distal end of the second elongated member. |
| US08672839B2 |
Surgical access apparatus and method
An access system comprises an access device. The access device is adapted to be disposed within an opening in a body wall. The access device has an external flange adapted to be disposed external to the body wall and an internal flange adapted to be disposed internal to the body wall. Holes extend through the access device between an external surface and an internal surface of the access device. The holes span the thickness of the body wall between a location external to the body wall and a location internal to the body wall. The access device is formed of an elastomeric material adapted to conform to surfaces of instruments inserted through the holes to form instrument seals along at least a portion of a length spanning the thickness of the body wall. The elastomeric material is compressible and adapted to form a seal with the body wall. |
| US08672835B2 |
Propellable apparatus and related methods
Propellable apparatus, assemblies and related methods including a self-enclosed member are disclosed. The self-enclosed member can include an inner surface at least partially defining an enclosed region, and an outer surface that turns outwardly to engage a cavity or lumen wall in addition to turning inward to at least partially encompass a central region defining a longitudinal path. The apparatus can include an internal drive mechanism engageable with the outer surface of the self-enclosed member to provide relative movement between the self-enclosed member and the cavity or lumen wall. A tapered member, positioned on the apparatus adjacent an end of the self-enclosed member, can provide a size transition between an outer surface portion of the self-enclosed member and an outer surface of a payload insertable within the central region. In some examples, one or more reinforcing members can be integrated within the self-enclosed member for increased durability and rotational use. |
| US08672830B2 |
Implantable restriction system with release mechanism
An apparatus for regulating the functioning of a patient's organ or duct includes an elongated member having a first end and a second end. A fastener is disposed on the first end of the elongated member. The fastener is configured to engage the second end of the elongated member so that the elongated member forms a loop around the organ or duct. A tension element is disposed for movement within the elongated member. A drive element is associated with and engaging the tension element for causing the tension element to control the tension applied by the elongated member against a patient's body organ or duct. A release mechanism is provided for the tension element. |
| US08672828B2 |
Tack device with shield
A slotted shield for a surgical tack, including a body adapted to engage a tack head. The shield has at least one slot having a width, defined by the body. Optionally, the shield is mounted on a tack head on which said shield is mounted. |
| US08672826B2 |
Vivo stimulation of cellular material
The present invention relates to the in vivo stimulation of cellular material. In particular, the present invention relates to a method for stimulating cells and tissue in vivo comprising the step of applying to said cells and tissue an electrobiomimetic stimulus, wherein the growth characteristics of said cells and tissue are enhanced as compared to cells and tissue not receiving said stimulus. |
| US08672824B2 |
Process and equipment for folding a pant type diaper
A method and apparatus for folding and engaging side panels of a training pant are provided. The training pant comprises a leading portion, a trailing portion, a central portion, and a first pair of side panels and a second pair of side panels attached to the central portion. The central portion of the training pant is folded about a transverse axis to form a folded training pant. Portions of the first pair of side panels and second pair of side panels are engaged while the central portion of the folded training pant is received by at least one recessed seat. The at least one recessed seat is located on at least one of a first belt and a second belt of a conveyance system. |
| US08672822B2 |
Carton, carton blank and associated methodology
A carton blank may be formed having at least one score line therein. A second layer of material may overlay at least a portion of the first layer, including the score line, thus defining an overlaid score area. The overlaid score area may include at least a portion in which the second layer is not adhered to the first layer. |
| US08672819B2 |
Tilt device
In the course of a machining of a workpiece with a tool, a drive spindle with a tilt table secured thereto of a tilt device provided on a work table of a machining center is rotated by a direct drive motor to control the relative angular position between the tool and the workpiece, and within a predetermined period of time in the course of a machining, the direct drive motor is rotated at a high speed with a spindle head and the work table of the machining center kept away to rotate the drive spindle and hence, the tilt table at a high speed, so that chips and cutting lubricant can be shaken from the workpiece and the tilt table. |
| US08672817B2 |
Exercise system using exercise resistance cables
An exercise chair for an exercise system. The exercise system is of a type that utilizes an exercise resistance cable apparatus of a type that includes an exercise resistance cable having a first end being connectable to an exercise chair, and; a handgrip connected to a second end of the exercise resistance cable. The exercise chair includes: a) a chair frame; b) a first force directing means securely attached to the chair frame at a first selected location at approximately shoulder height level at the left side of the chair frame; c) a second force directing means securely attached to the chair frame at a second selected location at approximately shoulder height level at the right side of the chair frame; d) a third force directing means securely attached to the chair frame at a third selected location at approximately ankle height level at the right side of the chair frame; e) a fourth force directing means securely attached to the chair frame at a fourth selected location at approximately ankle height level at the left side of the chair frame; and, f) means for connecting the first end of a resistance cable to a selected position on the chair frame. The first, second, third and fourth force directing means provide a redirection of force applied by a user at the shoulder and ankle height levels for a selectable exercise using resistance cables. |
| US08672814B2 |
Seat back mounting system
A mounting member is adapted for joining a seat back to a frame. The mounting member includes a base and an extension projecting from the base along an axis in absence of external forces to the extension. The extension has an end distant from the base that is connectable to the seat back and that is resiliently linearly movable in directions substantially perpendicular to the axis 360° about the axis. |
| US08672813B2 |
Rebounding arena construction systems
A trampoline arena system having a reduced non-reboundable area includes a mattress, an outer support element substantially surrounding and connected to an outer edge of the mattress, and an inner support element providing support to the mattress at a location interior from the outer edge of the mattress. The inner support element may be completely and contiguously surrounded by the mattress. The trampoline arena system may include first and second support members in a parallel spaced relationship, a first mattress joined to the first support member by a first plurality of springs such that at least one of the first mattress and the first plurality springs passes under the second support member, and a second mattress joined to the second support member by a second plurality of springs such that at least one of the second mattress and the second plurality of springs passes under the first support member. |
| US08672809B2 |
Engine control apparatus
An engine control apparatus capable of performing engine automatic stop includes an engine automatic stop inhibition means configured to inhibit the engine automatic stop after engine restart conditions are satisfied and the engine is restarted until a vehicle speed exceeds a predetermined speed, a brake operation detection means configured to detect a presence of increase of the amount of a brake operation in a state of the brake operation being performed after the vehicle has been stopped, and an engine stop control means configured to release inhibition of the engine automatic stop to allow the engine to be automatically stopped, if the brake operation detection means detects presence of increase of the amount of the brake operation while the engine automatic stop is inhibited by the engine automatic stop inhibition means. |
| US08672804B2 |
Hybrid vehicle driving system
In a hybrid vehicle in which power of electric motor is transmitted to a counter shaft 14 only via a lock mechanism 61 which is provided on a first main shaft 11 so as to make up an odd-numbered gear or a first gear change shifter 51, when the vehicle is being driven by selecting a given even-numbered gear, a pre-shifting to an odd-numbered gear which is lower than the given even-numbered gear is implemented by the lock mechanism 61 or the first gear change shifter 51. By so doing, not only can good driveability be provided with the assistance of the electric motor, but also a more efficient regeneration can be implemented. |
| US08672801B2 |
Mounting system for a planetary gear train in a gas turbine engine
A mounting system for a planetary gear train in a gas turbine engine comprises a support strut, a deflection flange and a deflection limiter. The support strut extends between a stationary engine case and a rotating engine shaft that provides input to the planetary gear train in the gas turbine engine. The deflection flange extends from a rotating output component of the planetary gear train. The deflection limiter is connected to the support strut and engages the deflection flange when the gear train becomes radially displaced. |
| US08672799B2 |
Rotary units, rotary mechanisms, and related applications
The invention relates to rotary units and rotary mechanisms that are suitable for use in numerous applications. Rotary units typically include rotational components that are configured to rotate. In some embodiments, for example, multiple rotary units are assembled in rotary mechanisms such that neighboring pairs of rotational components counter-rotate or contra-rotate relative to one another during operation of the rotary mechanisms. Rotational components generally include one or more implements that are structured to perform or effect one or more types of work as the rotational components rotate relative to one another in a given rotary mechanism. In certain embodiments, implements are configured to rotate and/or to effect the movement of other components as rotational components rotate. |
| US08672797B2 |
Power train for wind turbine
A geared power train (100) for use in a wind turbine application to maximize a step-up ratio within a radial space that is defined by the planetary gearing system ring gear size. The geared power train (100) is configured as a split-compound planetary gearing system with a closed-carrier flex-pin planetary system in a high-torque stage (Stage 1) for receiving driving torque via an input shaft (IN) from a wind turbine, and an open-carrier flex-pin planetary system in a low-torque stage (Stage 2) coupled to the high-torque stage (Stage 1) for delivering the driving torque to an electrical generator via an output shaft (OUT). |
| US08672795B1 |
Multistage transmission
A multistage transmission in planetary design is proposed, comprising a basic transmission (8) and a group transmission (9) downstream of the basic transmission (8), wherein the basic transmission (8) comprises three planetary gear set (P1, P2, P3), at least six rotatable shafts (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) and at least five shift elements (A, B, D, E, F), the selected engagement of which results in different transmission ratios between the input drive and the output drive, wherein the group transmission (9) has a minus planetary gear set (P4), the sun gear of which is connected to the output shaft (2) of the basic transmission (8), the ring gear of which can be coupled to the housing (G) via a first shift element (K1), and the carrier of which is connected to the output shaft (7) of the multistage transmission, which can be releasably connected to the ring gear via a second shift element (K2), and wherein the basic transmission (8) and the group transmission (9) are disposed in a common housing (G). |
| US08672793B2 |
Drive device for motor vehicles
The invention relates to a drive device for motor vehicles with at least one longitudinal output or transverse output differential gear, with an input shaft, and with a means for controlled torque distribution to the two output shafts. A quick-response, structurally advantageous drive device is thus achieved in that the differential gear is a self-locking differential gear and in that a speed-regulation drive, which changes the differential-side speed of 1:1 in the plus or minus direction based on dynamic performance parameters, is integrated into one of the output shafts, or in that speed-regulation drives, which alternately change the differential-side speed of 1:1 in the plus direction or in the negative direction based on dynamic performance parameters, are integrated into two output shafts. |
| US08672792B2 |
Speed increasing/decreasing apparatus
A first rotary shaft and a second rotary are rotatable around a rotation axis. The second rotary shaft has a cylindrical supporting part that covers an end section of the first rotary shaft. A case supports the first and second rotary shafts. A first rolling bearing is disposed between the first rotary shaft and the case and rotatably supports the first rotary shaft. A second rolling bearing is disposed between the supporting part and the first rotary shaft and supports the first rotary shaft and the second rotary shaft such that they are rotatable relative to each other. A transmission part of the second rotary shaft transmits to the second rolling bearing a preload force that pushes the second rotary shaft to the first rotary shaft side. A load-receiving part of the case receives the preload force transmitted from the second rolling bearing to the first rolling bearing. |
| US08672785B2 |
Blade tensioner and bracket for blade tensioner including pocket pivot feature
A blade-type chain tensioner includes a bracket that includes a main wall, a ramp projecting from the main wall, and a pivot pocket including an internal concave pivot surface. A tensioner blade assembly is operatively connected to the bracket. The tensioner blade assembly includes a polymeric shoe and a spring connected to the shoe. The shoe includes a free end supported on the ramp, a pivot end engaged with the pivot pocket, and a central body that extends between the free end and the pivot end. The pivot end of the shoe includes a pivot barrel including an external convex pivot surface. The pivot barrel is engaged with the pivot pocket and the external pivot surface of the pivot barrel is slidably abutted with the internal pivot surface of the pivot pocket such that the pivot barrel is reciprocally angularly movable in the pivot pocket. |
| US08672779B1 |
System and method for swing analyses
A swing analyzer is disclosed. The swing analyzer may be used to analyze the swing an object such as a golf club. The swing analyzer accounts for individual differences between users and/or sensors to improve performance. The swing analyzer includes a motion sensor that is attachable to the object. The motion sensor communicates wirelessly with a terminal device. The terminal device includes a swing analysis unit for performing swing analysis based on sensor data output from the motion sensor. The swing analyzer determines a target line based on position of the motion sensor while a user is at the address posture before a swing. The target line is used as a reference to provide swing analysis. |
| US08672770B2 |
Stand up swing apparatus
A recreational amusement stand-up swing apparatus consisting of a singular bracing member anchored to a stationary overhead object. A coupling link element, akin to a swivel-eye carbiner, for the bracing member to attach thereto, further providing a member for the apparatus to be convieniently removed from the bracing member by way of a side gate portion, and further providing a member for unrestricted spinning rotation by way of a swivel mechanism. An extension spring providing vertical bouncing member, comprising upper and lower connecting portions attached between the coupling link and a connecting agent centrally located on a line separator element. A line element comprising right and left arm portions equidistantly extending through the line separator and further comprising stopping agents thereon. The right and left arm portions respectively attaching to right and left supporting bands located atop a rigid platform element and further providing space for a user's feet to be insertably placed therebetween. The right and left arm portions furthermore including line tightener elements thereon for the purpose of adjusting the height of the apparatus relative to the ground. |
| US08672769B2 |
Supporting system for a mast
A supporting system for a mast, for example for a swing carousel, includes stabilizing vehicles which each include a chassis, sets of wheels for moving the stabilizing vehicle, coupling elements near one end of the chassis, and at least one stabilizing arm which is displaceable between an inoperative position in which the stabilizing arm is swung in and a swung-out position in which the stabilizing arm extends outwards with respect to the chassis. At their free ends, the stabilizing arms each have a support for stabilizing the stabilizing vehicle on the ground in the swung-out position of the stabilizing arm. A base is provided for the mast, which base includes complementary coupling elements situated opposite one another, one complementary coupling element of which is coupled to the coupling element of a stabilizing vehicle and the other complementary coupling element of which is coupled to the coupling element of another stabilizing vehicle. |
| US08672768B2 |
Air bearing shaft for ram air fan
An air bearing for a ram air fan includes a shaft having a first end portion that defines a cap end, a second end portion that defines a thrust shaft receiving end, and an intermediate portion extending between the first and second end portions. The cap end includes a cap pilot bore and the thrust shaft receiving end includes a thrust shaft pilot section. The thrust shaft pilot section has an outer diameter of between about 1.6032-inches (about 40.7212 mm) and about 1.6002-inches (about 40.6450 mm). |
| US08672767B2 |
Portable electronic device
A portable electronic device 100 includes a horizontally long casing, both ends of which are gripped by a user's both hands, respectively. The device further includes a LCD fit into the front face of the casing 10. Outwardly projecting bulges are respectively formed at both sides of the rear face of the casing where fingers of the user gripping the casing 10 placed. Since the fingers and palms are naturally flexed to fit to the dome-like bulges 42L, 42R, the portable electronic device 100 fits comfortably in the user's hands. The operability is hard to be degraded even if the device is vibrated strongly during a game play with the device. |
| US08672761B2 |
Hand held controller with pressure controls
A hand held controller includes a controller body, and a control module having a pressure sensitive control, wherein the pressure sensitive control includes a pressing steering control for rotatably control a directional movement of at least one playable object by player's finger and a pressing pedal control for adjustably controlling a speed movement of the playable object by another finger of the player in responsive to a pressure on the pressure sensitive control. Therefore, the hand held controller simulates the real racing techniques to enhance the reality of the video game. |
| US08672760B2 |
Game apparatus and storage medium storing game program
A game apparatus comprises an obtaining means, a gravity direction calculating means, a first movement direction calculating means, and a game processing means. The obtaining means successively obtains acceleration data. The gravity direction calculating means calculates a gravity direction based on values of a plurality of pieces of acceleration data obtained during a predetermined period, where an orientation of an input device is used as a reference. The first movement direction calculating means calculates a first movement direction which is a movement direction of the input device, based on the values of the plurality of pieces of acceleration data obtained during the predetermined period, where the orientation of the input device is used as a reference. The game processing means executes a game process based on the first movement direction and the gravity direction. |
| US08672759B2 |
Gaming peripheral including releasably engageable release element
A gaming peripheral for use during play of an electronic video game includes a releasably engageable release element which disengages in accordance with game play. Disengagement of the release element is selectably controllable and based on receipt of an electronic trigger signal transmitted from a gaming console on which the game is being played. The release element is engaged by a player applying a manual force to the peripheral. |
| US08672758B2 |
Steering column game controller
The invention relates to a video game controller (1) having a rotatable actuator (2) with respect to a frame (3), so as to simulate at least one simulated vehicle steering column rotation control. According to the invention, said actuator (2) is translatably mounted with respect to said fixed frame (3), on a predetermined movement range, using an assembly of two sliding parts (4, 5) with one or both sliding with respect to the other, one of said sliding parts (4, 5) being rigidly connected to said actuator (2) and the other to said fixed frame (3), a first of said sliding parts (4) comprising at least one slot (F), accessible by an opening (41) in which one penetrating portion (51) of the second of said sliding parts (5) moves along one separate axis of the rotation movement axis of said actuator (2), the translation movement of said actuator (2) being generated by electromagnetic means controlled by an electrical signal, the first of said sliding parts comprising at least one winding and the second of said sliding parts comprising a magnet. |
| US08672754B2 |
System and method for number of players determined using facial recognition
There is provided a system and method for determining a number of players present using facial recognition. There is provided a method comprising capturing an image of the players present, and determining the number of players present based on the image. In this manner, players may more easily configure game settings, whereas spectators may be presented a more engaging experience. |
| US08672753B2 |
Video game including effects for providing different experiences of the same video game world and a storage medium storing software for the video game
In a video game, various effects are used to convey the experience of a game world of different kinds of game characters and game objects. For example, if a game character is a dog, a visual effect may be used to convey a dog's red-green color blindness. If a game character is a mouse, another visual effect may be used convey a mouse's blurry vision. |
| US08672749B2 |
Apparatus, systems and methods for facilitating a negative credit balance of a gaming device
Apparatus, systems and methods for a gaming device operable to support a negative credit balance. For example, in some embodiments, a gaming device may be configured to: (i) determine a current credit balance, (ii) determine a wager amount, (iii) determine whether the wager amount would result in a negative balance of credits, (iv) determine if it is permissible to allow a negative balance of credits, and if so (v) adjust a current balance such that is equal to the negative balance, and (vi) display an indication of the negative credit balance. |
| US08672747B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing a time based award
A method is provided for providing payments at a gaming device, where the payments may occur at predictable times and are of predictable amounts. In one or more embodiments, a gaming device may provide a guaranteed payment every hour on the hour, so long as a player meets one or more criteria. Criteria may include a total amount wagered, a total number of handle pulls completed, or a total amount of time spent at a gaming device. One or more embodiments provide a method for withholding value from a player in order that the value may delivered later in the form of a guaranteed payment. One or more embodiments provide a method whereby multiple gaming devices may provide payments simultaneously, thereby creating mutually reinforcing sounds and visual displays. |
| US08672745B2 |
Gaming machine
The present invention is a gaming machine including a display, which shows a plurality of cells indicating a plurality of symbols, and a controller, which selects a cell in a cell-selecting stage provided between a primary game and a secondary game on the display, controls the plurality of symbols in the secondary game and gives a predetermined function to the selected cell in the secondary game and where the selected cells or columns can change position on display during game play but the quantity of selected cells remain fixed for all free spin games of a secondary game. |
| US08672743B2 |
Facilitating play of a gaming device in accordance with a contract
According to some embodiments, systems, methods, and/or articles of manufacture are associated with determining an identifier associated with a player of a gaming device, determining information indicative of historical game play of the player, and determining, based at least upon the information indicative of the historical game play of the player and the identifier associated with the player, whether the player qualifies for a benefit pursuant to a gaming contract. Some embodiments are directed to receiving an indication of a gaming contract insurance claim associated with a gaming contract of a player, determining information indicative of a subset of historical game play of the player, and determining whether to provide a benefit to the player pursuant to the gaming contract. |
| US08672741B2 |
State-based power-ups
Disclosed herein are techniques and equipment for providing state-based power-ups to a wagering game player. The state-based power-ups may be reused by the player until a game outcome condition is not met. |
| US08672737B2 |
Slot machine with insurance payout proportional to average bet amount
A gaming machine of the present invention is arranged so that, in a base game in which unit games can be repeatedly run, bet values on the respective unit games are accumulatively stored in the bet value memory, how many unit games are run is counted, an average of the bet values is calculated based on the bet value accumulatively stored in the bet value memory when a predetermined condition is met in the base game, and a payout calculated by multiplying the average by a predetermined value is awarded. |
| US08672734B2 |
Extraction fan assembly including a damper that closes firmly when the fan is not running and reduces the pressure drop when the fan is running at full speed
An extraction fan has a housing mounted in a wall with an outlet duct extending through the wall to an outlet opening outside the wall. A damper flap is mounted on the fan suspended by a hinge at an upper edge so as to extend in a closed position across the opening and is movable to an open position under forward air flow from the fan, and tightly closes against a resilient deformable seal when the fan is shut off. A spring biasing cam applies inwards force to the damper flap to bias the damper flap into the closed position, and an outwards force also to bias the damper flap into the fully open position. The mounting plate includes a hood having a top wall extending over the top of the damper flap and a down-turned front flange extending parallel to the damper flap to a bottom edge. |
| US08672733B2 |
Ventilation airflow rate control
Airflow rates within a ventilation system are controlled using motor speed or torque and motor electric current or pressure. Fan speed or torque may be varied to compensate for differing restriction in ductwork, and may provide a constant airflow rate over a range of varying airflow restriction. Air handlers or air conditioning units may be mass produced in common configurations, and installed in different buildings or structures with different ductwork configurations. Methods operate a fan motor at a present speed or torque, sample speed or torque, sample current of the fan motor or pressure within the ventilation system, calculate a present airflow rate within the ventilation system, calculate a new input setting using the present airflow rate and a target airflow rate, change the speed or torque to the new input setting, and repeat these steps to converge on the target airflow rate, often avoiding overshoot. |
| US08672728B2 |
Female breast pad
A female breast pad comprises a rounded, concave cup portion configured to cover a female breast and a side portion, contiguous therewith, that is configured to extend laterally to one side away from the cup portion. The pad includes an elevated protrusion on its inner surface, located in an area between the cup portion and the outer edge of the side portion which is farthest from the cup portion. This protrusion as well as the lateral extension of the side portion inhibit the pad from sliding toward the center of the wearer during use. |
| US08672710B2 |
Gasket with fingers for RJ45 cable connector
An electromagnetic gasket comprises a sheet having a plurality of resilient fingers on an outer peripheral. The fingers are bent outward and at least four resilient prongs are bent inward to form a passageway that is sized and dimensioned to receive an RJ45 connector. When the RJ45 connector is inserted through the passageway, the resilient prongs are adapted to urge against top, bottom, and two side surfaces of the shell of the RJ45 connector in such a manner to prevent the gasket from disengaging from the RJ45 connector. The plurality of resilient fingers extend outward and beyond the top, bottom, and two side surfaces of the shell of the RJ45 connector and are adapted to urge against a surface of a faceplate. |
| US08672706B2 |
Connector assembly
The present invention provides a connector assembly having a small size and preventing a contact between a bolt fastener and a detection member. The connector assembly includes a connector having an inner chamber with an opening and a plurality of connector terminals, a connector receptacle having a plurality of connector receptacle terminals securable together with the connector terminals and a first detection member, and a cover for covering the opening and having a second detection member. When the opening of the inner chamber is covered with the cover, the first detection member and the second detection member are connected together and detect that the cover is covered. The first detection member is disposed between the adjacent connector receptacle terminals. An end surface of the first housing is positioned inwardly of the inner chamber with respect to a surface of a connector electrical contact portion. |
| US08672705B2 |
Enclosure assembly for a connector, strain relief element and method
The invention relates to a enclosure assembly for at least one connector, including an enclosure, the enclosure having a connector volume configured to receive the connector and an opening at least at a rearward end, a strain relief element being adapted to receive a cable, the strain relief element being provided with a relief portion at one end, the relief portion being configured to support the cable elastically, and with a fastening portion, the fastening portion in a mounted state being arranged at least partially within the opening and affixing the strain relief element to the enclosure. To create an enclosure which is easy to mount and assures a reliable anchorage of the cable within the enclosure, in a pre-mounted state, the enclosure and the strain relief element are adapted to be slid relative to each other in a forward direction (F) up to a forward position, and in that in the forward position the enclosure is automatically engaged in a friction lock with the fastening portion. |
| US08672704B2 |
Electrical connector having crimp-mounted electrical terminals
In accordance with one embodiment, an electrical connector includes a connector housing, and at least one electrical terminal supported by the connector housing. The electrical terminal defines a mating portion and a mounting portion, the mounting portion carrying a crimp member having crimp teeth configured to pierce through a flex cable when crimped so as to mount the flat flex cable to the mounting portion of the electrical terminal. |
| US08672701B2 |
Cable connection device
A cable connection device is described for electroconductive connection of a preferably multiwire cable, comprising a forcing nut, a receiving device and a contact carrier. The cable is guided through the forcing nut and through an opening of the receiving device, which comprises a wire receiving element. A stripped wire section of the cable can be positioned radially to the longitudinal axis of the cable connection device, on the wire receiving element, and the forcing nut can be screwed onto the contact carrier so that the forcing nut engages around the receiving device, the wire receiving element is directed towards the contact carrier and the receiving device can be pushed towards the contact carrier by the screwing nut. The cable has a compact structure and can be very easily and/or rapidly connected to a cable, and/or produced very economically on the basis of its simple construction and few individual parts. |
| US08672700B2 |
Connector assembly
The present invention provides a connector assembly allowing attachment of a connector to a connector receptacle with a limited attachment space. The connector assembly includes the connector having a terminal and a connector housing, the connector receptacle having a case and a terminal portion, and a fastening member. The terminal has an electrical contact portion with a hole. The connector housing has a column portion for receiving the electrical contact portion with the hole aligned in an insertion direction of the connector. The terminal portion has a connection portion to be superposed with the electrical contact portion and has a second hole to be communicated with the hole. The case has a housing portion for supporting the connection portion so that the second hole of the connection portion is aligned with the insertion direction of the connector. The electrical contact portion and the connection portion are fastened together with the fastening member passed through the communicated hole and the second hole. |
| US08672698B2 |
Card connector
The invention provides a connector including a housing, contacts, and an actuator. The housing includes a first depression and second depressions. The second depressions include bottom surfaces. The contacts include hooks to be disposed within the first depression. The actuator includes bosses, received in the second depressions, and a shaft, received in the first depression. The bosses each include an axial center and first and second contact portions. The distance between the axial center and the first contact portion is smaller than the distance between the axial center and the second contact portion. When the actuator is in an upright position, the first contact portions are on the bottom surfaces and the shaft is on the lower side of the hooks. When the actuator rotates to a lying position, the bosses rotate along the bottom surfaces and the shaft move to the upper side to be engaged with the hooks. |
| US08672697B2 |
Connector
A connector to be detachably fitted with a connecting object such as a flexible printed circuit board or flexible flat cable, includes a plurality of contacts each having a contact portion adapted to contact the connecting object, a housing arranging and holding therein the contacts and having a fitting opening into which the connecting object is inserted, and a pivoting member rotatably or pivotally mounted on the housing. According to the invention, an auxiliary member having an engaging unit for engaging the pivoting member is mounted on the pivoting member at its predetermined position. With the aid of the auxiliary member, the pivoting member can be easily rotated or pivotally moved. |
| US08672695B2 |
Electrical cord with tamper resistant mechanism
An electrical cord including a plug on a first end and at least one socket on a second end opposite the first end, a protective shutter assembly disposed within the at least one socket, the shutter assembly including a first and second shutter members positioned proximate the cover assembly and each of the first and second shutter members is at least partially aligned with separate cover openings in the cover assembly and being configured to move from a closed position to an open position in response to engaging at least one plug blade, a third shutter member positioned behind the first shutter member, a fourth shutter member positioned behind the second shutter member, and wherein the first and second shutter members pivot from the closed position to the open position and the third and fourth shutter members slide from the closed position to the open position. |
| US08672691B2 |
Connector
The invention provides a connector including a body having insulation properties and a terminal group arranged in a row in a first direction of the body. The terminal group includes a pair of first signal terminals, a second signal terminal, and a ground terminal. The first signal terminals extend in a second direction and are adjacent to each other in the first direction. The second signal terminal extends in the second direction. The ground terminal extends in the second direction and is disposed between one of the first signal terminals and the second signal terminal. A widthwise dimension in the first direction of the ground terminal is less than twice that of each of the first signal terminals. A thicknesswise dimension of at least a part of the ground terminal in a third direction is larger than that of each of the first and second signal terminals. |
| US08672689B2 |
Electrical connector assembly
An electrical connector assembly is provided with an insulating housing, a PCB, and an FFC. The insulating housing includes a plurality of terminals and two side extensions The FFC and the terminals are electrically connected together by the PCB. A plurality of contacts of the PCB are provided on a top surface of the PCB. A space is defined by the extensions and two rearward inclined members on both sides of the insulating housing respectively with each rearward inclined member joining the insulating housing and the extension. The PCB is disposed in the space. |
| US08672686B2 |
Methods, media, and systems for computer-based learning
Methods, systems, and media for computer-based learning are provided. In some embodiments, methods for leaching a student in a computer-based learning environment are provided, the methods comprising: identifying a concept to be taught to the student; accessing a learning profile for the student, wherein the learning profile identifies at least one category of content as being more successful than other categories in teaching the student; selecting content based on the student learning profile, the concept to be taught, and a categorization of the content; and presenting the content to the student. |
| US08672683B2 |
Computer-based abacus training system
A computer-based abacus training system is provided. The system can include a simulated abacus display, means for outputting problems to be solved by a user, means for accepting input from the user, and means for checking the user's solution. Display can be of a simulated abacus, simulated hand movements, or both. Conversion between text-form and abacus-form representations can be included. |
| US08672679B2 |
Dental tool
A dental tool includes a working head 3 rotatable about a rotational axis 1 and attached to a shaft 2, which working head is provided with cutting edges 4, 5. Cutting edges 4 of a first toothing are formed about a complete periphery of the working head 3, cutting edges 5 of a second toothing are formed additionally at sector-type partial regions of the working head 3, and sector-type regions are provided at a front face 6 of the working head 3, in which the cutting edges 4, 5 of the first and second toothing end alternatingly in the circumferential direction. |
| US08672678B2 |
Powder jet device for applying dental material
A nozzle head (5) for a powder jet device (1), for use in applying dental material, comprises a first fluid flow path (8) for delivering a powder/fluid mixture to a first discharge nozzle (8A). A second fluid flow path (6) is provided for delivering a liquid to a second discharge nozzle (6A) located adjacent the first discharge nozzle (8A), so that the materials discharged by the first and second discharge nozzles combine at a desired location to form a dental composition. A nozzle-clearing member (10) is located inside the nozzle head and is movable to remove powder material from the first discharge nozzle when the flow of powder/fluid mixture to the nozzle ceases. |
| US08672677B1 |
Dental tray
A dental tray for use in taking an impression of a person's teeth is provided. More particularly, the dental tray includes a first section having a longitudinal axis and a second section sized and shaped so as to be mounted at least partially within the first section. The first and second sections are sized and shaped so as to define a trough therebetween for receiving an impression-taking material. The second section is adapted to move relative to the first section in a first direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the first section. The second section has at least one member movable in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction in response to the movement of the second section in the first direction. |
| US08672676B2 |
Archwire assembly with stops
An archwire assembly comprises an archwire with a crimpable sleeve adapted to slidably move along the archwire so as to be positioned between two adjacent brackets of orthodontic braces. The archwire assembly further includes a stop applied to the archwire and adapted to limit the movement of the sleeve along the archwire. The stop may include removable stops where the sleeve is movable along the archwire between the stops. The removable stops may be movable along the archwire with the application of a sufficient force. The stop may also include a friction-creating substance applied to either the sleeve or the archwire such that it takes a sufficient force to move the sleeve along the archwire. The stop may also include a partially crimped sleeve applied to the archwire such that it takes a sufficient force to move the sleeve along the archwire. |
| US08672667B2 |
Electrically insulative structure having holes for feedthroughs
Forming feedthrough device comprising an electrically insulative structure having holes extending there through. The holes have disposed therein conductive members around which the electrically insulative structure is hermetically sealed. |
| US08672664B2 |
Apparatus for molding cooked rice
Provided is a food molding apparatus which performs all steps from forming to conveyance and storage in one housing and which is small in size and inexpensive. A conveyance section 500 which holds a formed cooked rice product (a rice ball 10) by use of holding arms 510 is provided, within a housing, with an X-axis moving unit 570 which moves the formed cooked rice product in an X-axis direction and a Z-axis moving unit 550 which moves the formed cooked rice product in a Z-axis direction. A storage section 600 provided with a tray 610 on which the rice ball 10 is to be placed is further provided, within the housing, a Y-axis moving unit 630 which moves the tray 610 in a Y-axis direction, whereby the rice balls 10 are spread over on the tray 610. |
| US08672660B2 |
Devices and methods for regulating extruder ceramic batch material
A plate suitable for positioning with an extruder apparatus is provided in which the plate includes at least one temperature sensor. The plate is upstream of the die located at or near the end of the extruder apparatus. The sensor(s) allow for the simultaneous measurement of batch material temperatures at multiple spatial locations across the face of the plate. The temperature sensors associated with the plate can be used to identify spatial and temporal temperature patterns within the batch flow. |
| US08672654B2 |
Shaft mounted counterweight, method and scroll compressor incorporating same
A counterweight mounted to a drive shaft in a scroll compressor is provided. The drive shaft has a central annular segment generally concentric about the central axis and an eccentric annular segment offset from the central axis that can be used for driving the movable scroll compressor body. A counterweight engages the eccentric and also engages the annular segment for location and mounting of the counterweight to the shaft. |
| US08672653B2 |
Fuel pump with an improved damping device for a direct injection system
A fuel pump for a direct injection system having: at least one pumping chamber; a piston which is mounted sliding inside the pumping chamber in order to vary cyclically the volume of the pumping chamber; an intake duct connected to the pumping chamber and regulated by an inlet valve; a delivery duct connected to the pumping chamber and regulated by a one-way delivery valve which allows exclusively a fuel flow outgoing from the pumping chamber; and a damping device, which is placed along the intake duct upstream of the inlet valve, and comprises at least one elastically deformable damping body that has internally a closed chamber filled with pressurized gas and composed of two metal plates cup shaped and welded together at their annular edges by an annular weld without interruptions. |
| US08672650B2 |
Cooling fan
A cooling fan includes a housing and a motor. The housing includes a support portion, a cover portion and a lateral wall portion. The lateral wall portion is disposed between the cover portion and the support portion, and the lateral wall portion, support portion and the cover portion define a compartment, with the lateral wall portion having at least one lateral air inlet and at least one lateral air outlet penetrating through the lateral wall portion and communicating with the compartment. The motor is mounted inside the compartment of the housing and contains a stator and a impeller, with the impeller rotatably mounting to the stator. The motor further contains a hub with a top and a plurality of blades, with the top facing the cover portion, with the top and the cover portion delimiting a lateral flow path in the compartment, and with each blade being contained in the lateral flow path. |
| US08672644B2 |
Supersonic ejector package
A supersonic ejector assembly may include a housing manufactured from a solid piece of material, a first ejector assembly positioned in a first bore formed in the housing and secured therein by a first input side flange positioned over an input end of the first bore and an output side flange positioned over an output end of the first bore, and a second ejector assembly positioned in a second bore formed in the housing and secured therein by a second input side flange positioned over an input end of the second bore, the second bore terminating into the first bore proximate a suction input of the first ejector assembly. |
| US08672643B2 |
Method and system for anode gas recirculation in fuel cells
One of the main objects in providing optimal mass exchange for fuel cells, especially mobile fuel cells, is anode gas supply to fuel cell stack based on stoichiometric characteristics depending on variable loads and anode gas recirculation. External loads may vary in wide range and arbitrary change, thus complicate the optimal mass exchange in fuel cell stack. A new original technology is disclosed for anode gas supply using a multi-stage ejector. This technology, an ejector design and control system allow increasing fuel cell efficiency with quick loads changing from minimal to maximal as well as at cold start. |
| US08672640B2 |
Fan rotation speed control system and method
A fan rotation speed control system for controlling rotation speed of a fan is provided. The system has: a fan rotation speed controller, coupled to the fan, for receiving a signal value to produce a driving voltage to the fan and detecting an actual rotation speed of the fan; and a master controller, coupled to the fan rotation speed controller, for providing the signal value and recalculating the signal value by comparing the actual rotation speed with a target rotation speed. |
| US08672637B2 |
Air turbine starter turbine blade airfoil
A blade profile section for an Air Turbine Starter includes an airfoil which defines an airfoil profile section through a leading edge and a trailing edge. The airfoil profile section is defined by a set of X-coordinates and Y-coordinates defined in any of Table I, Table II, Table III or Table IV scaled by a desired factor. The X-coordinate is the tangential direction, the Y-coordinate is the axial direction, and the Z-coordinate is a radial direction between an airfoil root and an airfoil tip. |
| US08672634B2 |
Electroformed conforming rubstrip
A disk made of a first material has a groove in which a blade made of a second material is retained. A strip is placed between the blade and the disk to minimize rubbing damage to the blade and the disk and an insulating material is place between the rub strip and the blade for minimizing damaging responses of the blade to galvanic forces created by rubbing of the first material and the second material. |
| US08672626B2 |
Engine assembled seal
A system for creating a seal between a damper and a platform of a turbine engine component includes a turbine engine component having an airfoil portion, a platform, and a fir tree for joining the turbine engine component to a rotor, a damper located in an area beneath the platform, a seal having a sealing surface which seats against an underside of the platform, which seal has a seal retention feature which bends into contact with an underside of the damper, and which seal with the seal retention feature has a center of gravity which allows the seal retention feature to bend up as result of rotational movement of the rotor. A method for creating the seal is also described. |
| US08672625B2 |
Wind turbine with monitoring sensors
A vibration-resistant wind turbine and process for operation is provided. The wind turbine has a rotor with at least two blades, each of which includes an inclinometer arrangement with at least two axes, and an evaluating unit. The evaluating unit determines the bending and/or twisting of the blade relative to the longitudinal axis of the blade on the basis of signals from the inclinometer arrangement for each blade during operation. Each rotor blade further has at least one liquid tank which is capable of receiving or transferring liquid from or to a liquid reservoir via a transfer mechanism in response to the determined bending and/or twisting of the rotor blades to reduce vibration caused by imbalances, thereby extending the service life of the wind turbine. |
| US08672621B2 |
Welded structural flats on cases to eliminate nozzles
A casing assembly for a compressor where traditional inlet and discharge nozzles are replaced with a mounting surface created from weld filler or weld material applied to the outside surface of a casing. The weld material and a portion of the outside surface of the casing are cooperatively milled to create a generally planar or flat surface having a casing conduit centrally-disposed therein. A flange may then be coupled to the flat surface for the inlet or discharge of a process gas. |
| US08672616B2 |
Guide blade carrier
A stator blade carrier, particularly for a gas turbine, is provided. The stator blade carrier includes a number of axial segments and is intended to attain a particularly high degree of operational reliability and long service life. To this end, two neighboring axial segments are connected to a number of tie rods, each enclosed by a support tube, wherein a spherical disk is arranged on at least one end of the respective support tube and mounted in a conical socket supported on the respective axial segment. |
| US08672615B2 |
Diagonal fan
A diagonal fan has a diagonal fan impeller (1) which is fastened to a rotor (2) of an external rotor motor (3) and which is arranged between a front plate (5), which has an in particular central inflow opening (6), and a motor bracket (4). The motor bracket (4) is connected to the front plate (5) via a plurality of peripherally arranged spacers (21). Here, the front plate (5) and the motor bracket (4) are formed as plastic or metal injection molded parts. The spacers (21) are formed, as plastic or metal injection parts, in one piece with the front plate (5) or with the motor bracket (4). |
| US08672614B1 |
Exhaust fan systems
Exhaust apparatus for exhausting “dirty” exhaust gases accept a core flow of such exhaust gases and combine that with an annularly-surrounding “rooftop” flow of ambient air for diluting the exhaust gases as well as expelling the diluted flow in a forcibly expelled plume in order to ensure that the “effective” expulsion distance of the expelled diluted flow is at least the physical length of the exhaust apparatus plus the gains gotten from efflux velocity and flowrate. |
| US08672610B2 |
Unit assembly system for an exhaust-gas turbocharger
The invention relates to a unit assembly system for the manufacture of exhaust-gas turbochargers (1) for internal combustion engines, of motor vehicles in particular, wherein the respective exhaust-gas turbocharger (1) has at least one hydrodynamic axial plain bearing (6) for supporting axial forces of a turbine wheel and/or of a compressor wheel (5) on a housing (7), said axial plain bearing having with regard to an axis of rotation (3) of a shaft (2) supporting the turbine wheel and/or the compressor wheel (5) a plurality of wedge-shaped bearing segments (9) distributed in the circumferential direction, which bearing segments work together with at least one level, annular thrust surface (10, 11) that extends transversely to the axis of rotation (3).In order to be able to realize in as economical a manner as possible different exhaust-gas turbocharger types that differ from one another by differing loads of the at least one axial bearing (6), the unit assembly system comprises different thrust elements (18, 19) having the respective thrust surface (10, 11), which thrust elements differ from one another by having thrust surfaces (10, 11) of different sizes. |
| US08672606B2 |
Gas turbine engine and system for servicing a gas turbine engine
A gas turbine engine includes a compressor having first annular connection structure at a forward end portion of an air inlet housing of the compressor. The gas turbine engine may also include intake ducting having second annular connection structure adjacent a central passage of the intake ducting. The first annular connection structure and the second annular connection structure may form at least part of an interface between the air inlet housing and the intake ducting during operation of the gas turbine engine. The first and second annular connection structures may have shapes allowing the first annular connection structure to be moved through and beyond the second annular connection structure in a forward direction, the forward direction being opposite a direction of compressed air flow in the compressor during operation. |
| US08672605B2 |
Semiconductor wafer handling and transport
Modular wafer transport and handling facilities are combined in a variety of ways deliver greater levels of flexibility, utility, efficiency, and functionality in a vacuum semiconductor processing system. Various processing and other modules may be interconnected with tunnel-and-cart transportation systems to extend the distance and versatility of the vacuum environment. Other improvements such as bypass thermal adjusters, buffering aligners, batch processing, multifunction modules, low particle vents, cluster processing cells, and the like are incorporated to expand functionality and improve processing efficiency. |
| US08672604B2 |
Industrial robot
An industrial robot includes a hand on which a workpiece is placed, an arm that takes out the hand from a predetermined position of the workpiece and supplies the hand, an up-down moving mechanism connected to the arm by a support member, a pedestal provided at a lower portion of the up-down moving mechanism, and a pendulum stopper provided on a base on which the pedestal turns. |
| US08672597B2 |
Fastener
A fastener in combination with a substrate wherein the fastener is affixed to the substrate in a manner that does not damage the substrate. The fastener comprises a barrel having an interior, an exterior, a first end portion, a second end portion, and an intermediate portion. The first end portion of the barrel includes a flange. The exterior of the barrel proximate the flange includes a gripping portion with a spline having at least 12 teeth. The interior of the barrel proximate the second end portion of the barrel includes a counterbore. The interior of the barrel proximate the intermediate portion is threaded. The second end portion of the barrel is flared. The substrate includes a cylindrically shaped bore extending therethrough. The barrel of the fastener partially resides in the bore of the substrate and the 12-toothed spline on the exterior of the barrel of the fastener engages the bore of the substrate and surrounding material with minimal deformation. |
| US08672596B2 |
System and method for attaching a stud to a surface
Systems, methods and apparatus for applying a stud are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an applicator for temporarily holding a fastener that includes a base and shaft against a contact surface includes a generally planar body having a lower surface, an upper surface, and a receptacle. The receptacle is configured to releasably receive at least a portion of the shaft of the fastener. The applicator further includes at least two legs extending from the body, each leg being movable between a relaxed position and a contact or applied position. |
| US08672594B1 |
Hauling apparatus, system, and method of use
Provided are hauling apparatus, systems, and methods adapted to securely transport on a standard flatbed trailer or other structure a plurality of objects up to several feet across having open center portions and curved outer surfaces and weighing up to thousands of pounds each, such as metal coils. A first apparatus is adapted to be removably attached to a standard flatbed trailer or the like, and includes an abutment structure extending upward from a longitudinally extending base that may include specially angled support structures adapted to securely carry the curved cargo. The abutment structure is connected to a movable abutting apparatus by a tensioner structure that passes through the open center portions of the objects without touching those objects. The objects are then secured to the hauling apparatus by tightening the tensioner structure, which causes the objects to be compressed between the abutment structure and movable abutting apparatus. |
| US08672591B2 |
Pressure-medium-controlled countersinking tool
A pressure medium controlled countersinking tool with one or more chip-removing knives, which can be activated by feeding in a pressure medium, in which for activation of at least one knife this is flowed in by a control medium. |
| US08672589B2 |
Hob
A hob having a helically curved tooth profile. A plurality of segments covering only a limited angle range are attached to a base body for forming the tooth profile. The segments abut each other in the circumferential direction of the base body, and the segments form rows in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the base body. The segments each comprise a segment foot and a segment profile disposed diagonally thereon. The diagonal arrangement of the segment profile forms a coiled slope of the helically curved tooth profile in each segment and the tooth profile can be built up simply by arranging the segments in rows in the circumferential and the longitudinal directions. |
| US08672587B2 |
Method and apparatus for driving a pile into a substrate
A pile guide (10) for supporting a pile as it is driven into a substrate, comprising: a base frame (12) having a planar substrate-engaging surface (14) and a pile guide member (16) configured to guide a pile in a predetermined direction therethrough as it is driven into a substrate (18), the pile guide member (16) being mounted on the base frame (12) via a plurality of support members (20) extending therebetween; characterised in that at least one of the plurality of support members (20) has an adjustable length, with length adjustment of the or each support member (20) enabling the predetermined direction to be varied relative to the planar substrate-engaging surface (14) of the base frame (12). |
| US08672584B2 |
Drainage beads
Polystyrene drainage beads having optimized shapes to provide increased specific gravity and void volume at a given bulk density. Expanded forms of such drainage beads may be used as a geosynthetic aggregate in pre-assembled drainage units. Such pre-assembled drainage units may be used as foundation drains, septic drainage fields, or for other applications. |
| US08672581B2 |
Road construction machine, as well as method for controlling the distance of a road construction machine moved on a ground surface
A road construction machine comprising height adjustment devices which adjust the position of the plane of the machine frame in accordance with control signals, where the leveling device measures the distance of the ground surface to the machine frame and controls the height adjustment devices so the machine frame is movable at an adjusted orthogonal distance to the surface; a transmitter is arranged at the machine frame in a rigid fashion, and a receiver is movable, parallel to and synchronously with the machine frame, or vice versa, where the transmitter emits a measuring beam representative of a reference plane, the measuring beam being detectable by the receiver and representing either a plane extending parallel to the machine frame or a plane extending parallel to the ground surface, where the current distance of the machine frame to the current reference location is measurable from the detected position of the reference plane. |
| US08672580B1 |
Apparatus and method for imprinting a curved pathway in concrete
This invention relates to an apparatus for simulating the appearance of individually laid materials, such as bricks or cobblestones, in a curved pattern in a concrete surface. The apparatus includes a flexible spine with a plurality of ribs extending from a surface of the flexible spine. The apparatus further includes a texture mat for imprinting a pattern, for example a brick surface, a stone surface or a wood grain surface, into the concrete surface. This invention also relates to a method of using of the apparatus for simulating the appearance of individually laid materials in the concrete surface. |
| US08672578B2 |
Luminescent paving stone in the form of an artificial stone or natural stone
The invention relates to a luminescent paving stone in the form of an artificial stone or a natural stone, having at least one self-sufficient luminescent element (22) and a stone body (20). The stone body (20) comprises at least one recess (24) extending from a top side (54) to a bottom side (56) and designed for receiving a luminescent element (22). The luminescent element (22) receives electrical components (36), in particular a photovoltaic cell (38), a charge store (40), a control device (42), and a luminous element (44), and has a length no greater than the depth of the recess (24). The recess (24) has a perforated wall, and a peripheral gap (58) is formed between the perforated wall and the side wall, in which an adhesive mass (26) is present. |
| US08672573B2 |
Water-saver cleaning device
A cleaning device to be connected with a water hose, the cleaning device comprising a water inlet at a first end for receiving the water hose, an outlet assembly having a brush located at a first end thereof, a cleaning mixture reservoir in fluid communication with the outlet assembly, and a flow selection assembly operatively coupled to the water inlet, the outlet assembly and the cleaning mixture reservoir, the flow selection assembly comprising a switch assembly for switching between a water and cleaning mixture dispensing mode wherein the water inlet is in fluid communication with the cleaning mixture reservoir and the outlet assembly and the water is dispensed at a first given flow rate and a cleaning mode wherein the water inlet is in fluid communication with the outlet assembly and the water is dispensed at a second given flow rate greater than the first given flow rate. |
| US08672567B2 |
Printer apparatus
A printing apparatus 100 includes a detecting unit, which detects that a core part at a center portion of a recording medium 202, in a rolled state, has reached a predetermined position accompanying the consumption of the recording medium 202 in a recording medium accommodating unit 301 accommodating the recording medium 202, when the printer apparatus 100 is in an installed state; and further includes a moving mechanism that moves the detecting unit to a position whereby the detecting function of the detecting unit is deactivated. |
| US08672560B2 |
Hermaphroditic optical fiber ferrule
The invention pertains to an optical coupling method and apparatus in which the connectors are hermaphroditic and each connector comprises a ferrule that provides (1) the coarse alignment of the fibers, (2) the fine alignment of the fibers, and (3) the releasable latching of two such ferrules to each other. Hence, two such ferrules can be used to connect optical fibers without the need for connector housings. The ferrule of this system includes an alignment protrusion and a complementary alignment hole on the front face of the ferrule for providing the fine alignment. Coarse alignment is provided by longitudinally-directed protrusions extending forwardly of the front face, and recesses in the ferrule that are complementary to the protrusion such that two such ferrules can be mated to each other with the protrusions of one such ferrule fitting snugly within the recesses of the other such ferrule. A releasable latching mechanism is provided on one or more of the protrusions and its complementary recess, such as a bump on one of the protrusion and recess and a mating divot on the other. |
| US08672552B2 |
Bearing assemblies
In an embodiment, a bearing assembly includes superhard bearing elements distributed circumferentially about an axis. At least one of the superhard bearing elements may include a first arcuate end portion, a second arcuate end portion, a first substantially planar face, a second substantially planar face, and a bearing surface. The first and second arcuate end portions may be generally opposite each other. The first substantially planar face may extend between the first and second arcuate end portions. The second substantially planar face may be generally opposite the first substantially planar face. The first substantially planar face may have a length greater than a length of the second substantially planar face. The bearing surface may extend between the first arcuate end portion, the second arcuate end portion, the first substantially planar face, and the second substantially planar face. The bearing assembly includes a support ring that carries the superhard bearing elements. |
| US08672550B1 |
Cooling-enhanced bearing assemblies, apparatuses, and motor assemblies using the same
Cooling-enhanced bearing assemblies, apparatuses, and motor assemblies using the same are disclosed. In an embodiment, a bearing assembly may include a plurality of superhard bearing elements distributed circumferentially about an axis. Each of the superhard bearing elements may have a bearing surface. The bearing assembly may further include a support ring that carries the plurality of superhard bearing elements. The support ring may include at least an upper surface, an inner surface, and an outer surface. A plurality of cooling features may be arranged on at least one of the upper surface, the inner surface, or the outer surface of the support ring. |
| US08672548B2 |
Fluid dynamic bearing device and manufacturing method therefor
To increase fixation strength of a bearing sleeve with respect to a bottomed cylindrical housing, a fluid dynamic bearing device (1) is provided with a bottomed cylindrical housing (7), a bearing sleeve (8) fixed to an inner periphery thereof, and a shaft member (2) inserted along an inner periphery of the bearing sleeve (8). An adhesive pool (11) is provided between an inner peripheral surface (7a2) of a smaller diameter portion (7a) of the housing (7) and an outer peripheral surface (8d) of the bearing sleeve (8), which are opposed to each other. Further, an inner peripheral chamfer (7f) continuous with the adhesive pool (11) is provided on an inner peripheral portion of the housing (7), and a first tapered space (12) formed between the inner peripheral chamfer (7f) and the bearing sleeve (8) is sealed with an adhesive (13). |
| US08672546B2 |
Device with attached storage pouch
An article, such as a bag, with an attached storage pouch or pocket is disclosed. The pouch can be directly attached to the article through an attachment, placing the pouch within close proximity, or coincident with a portion of the article. The pouch can be made from an elastic, flexible material. The pouch can be attached in an inverted state to an article. A user can place a portion of his hand in the pouch, compress the article with both hands, and then invert the pouch while encapsulating the compressed article in the pouch. The pouch can have a flap attached to the pouch. The flap can be used to close the opening of the pouch. |
| US08672544B2 |
Method and apparatus for water storage and transport
A method and apparatus for water storage and transport uses a container constructed from one of more flexible plastic sheets. A number of chambers for holding water are formed within the container. Each chamber is separated from an adjacent chamber by a web of the flexible plastic sheet. The web of the flexible plastic sheet is perforated to allow adjacent chambers to be separated from one another. In use, the water in the chambers may be liquid or frozen. |
| US08672541B2 |
Temperature sensor
A temperature sensor (100) includes a heat-sensitive element (21) having a thermistor sintered-body (22), an insulating support (31), an insulation sheath (41) and a housing tube (11). The insulating support (31) is in contact with the rear end of the heat-sensitive element (21) and the insulation sheath (41) is in contact with the rear end of the insulating support (31). The housing tube (11) accommodates the heat-sensitive element (21), the insulating support (31) and the insulation sheath (41). The housing tube (11) includes a sheath accommodation portion (14) which accommodates the insulation sheath (41) and a distal accommodation portion (13). The distal accommodation portion (13) is located toward the distal end of the housing tube (11) with respect to the sheath accommodation portion (14), is smaller in outside diameter than the sheath accommodation portion (14), and accommodates at least half of the insulating support (31) as measured from the axially distal end of the insulating support (31). |
| US08672535B2 |
Spiral-spring balance wheel regulating member
This spiral-spring and balance wheel regulating member includes a shaft mounted pivotably on the frame of a timepiece. The spiral spring includes at least one blade, whose inner end is designed to be fixed to the pivot shaft and whose outer end is made in one piece with a member (2) for connection to the frame, the rigidity of this connecting member being substantially greater than that of the spiral. The connecting member (2), on one hand, and the frame (9) or a member (6) for the angular positioning of the regulating member on the frame, on the other hand, both have respective bearing surfaces which are at least partially complementary, and these complementary bearing surfaces are joined. |
| US08672534B2 |
Integrated mixing and cleaning beverage assembly and method thereof
An integrated beverage dispensing and cleaning system comprising: at least one blender module which blends and/or mixes ice, at least one other ingredient, and/or at least one mixin within a beverage container, thereby producing the beverage; and a cleaning assembly integrated with the blender module, wherein, upon removal of the beverage container from the blender module, a cleaning mode is initiated. |
| US08672532B2 |
Microfluidic methods
This invention provides microfluidic devices that comprise a fluidics layer having microfluidic channels and one or more regulating layers that regulate the movement of fluid in the channels. The microfluidic devices can be used to mix one or more fluids. At least a portion of the fluidics layer can be isolated from the regulating layer, for example in the form of a shelf. Such isolated portions can be used as areas in which the temperature of liquids is controlled. Also provided are instruments including thermal control devices into which the microfluidic device is engaged so that the thermal control device controls temperature in the isolated portion, and a movable magnetic assembly including magnets with shields so that a focused magnetic field can be applied to or withdrawn from the isolated portion or any other portion of the microfluidic device. Also provided are methods of mixing fluids. The methods include stacking a plurality of alternating boluses of different liquids in a microfluidic channel, and moving the stacked boluses through the channel. In another method, the boluses are moved into a diaphragm valve having a volume able to accommodate several boluses, and then pumping the liquids out of the valve. |
| US08672527B2 |
Luminous light apparatus
A luminous light apparatus includes a housing structure formed with a cradle and a light source, a luminous body movable between a first position removably held by the cradle, and a second position removed with respect to the cradle, the luminous body light coupled for exposure to light from the light source in the first position of the luminous body held by the cradle, and the luminous body to emit visible light for some time after exposure of the luminous body to light from the light source. |
| US08672526B2 |
Cooling and heat dissipation system for automotive lamp
A cooling and heat dissipation system for an automotive lamp applicable to an engine system. Cool air outside the car body enters the car body through actuation of an engine apparatus, and the cool air is introduced into the lamp base heat dissipating space of the automotive lamp base through the air filter housing, so as to conduct heat energy generated by the illuminant into the engine within the car body. |
| US08672521B1 |
Digitized photograph in translucent medium
An image display and a method of making the same. The image display has a translucent medium that has a maximum thickness and at least one area of thinner thickness than the maximum thickness that is used to depict an image. To assist in viewing the image, a light is placed behind a translucent panel, from which the image is made, to provide a more defined image than would be viewable without backlighting. The translucent panel is monolithic and homogeneous. The method of making the image is performed by first digitizing a photograph of the image. After the image is digitized, it is processed by a CNC machine that converts the image into depth. The lighted display is particularly useful as a grave monument marker when the light source is connected to a solar cell that charges a battery so the display is lighted at night. |
| US08672520B2 |
AC voltage reflector lamp
A lamp with an AC lamp burner may include two electrodes spaced apart from one another, a device configured to apply a voltage with alternating polarity to the electrodes; and a reflector, which has a first partial section, which is in the form of a partial body of a first ellipsoid, which has a first and a second focus, or is in the form of a partial body of a first paraboloid, which has a first focus, the reflector having a second partial section, which is in the form of a partial body of a second ellipsoid, which likewise has a first and a second focus or is in the form of a partial body of a second paraboloid, which has a first focus, the first foci of the two ellipsoids or paraboloids being located at different points. |
| US08672515B2 |
Marine spotlight
A spotlight for a vehicle includes a base configured to be supported by a surface of the vehicle. A housing is mounted to the base so as to pivot about a first axis relative to the base. A light-emitting device is supported within the housing. The spotlight further includes a reflector configured to reflect light emitted by the light-emitting device. The reflector is mounted within the housing so as to pivot about a second axis relative to the housing. The second axis is generally perpendicular to the first axis. A lens connects to the housing such that light emitted by the light-emitting device and reflected by the reflector passes through the lens. |
| US08672513B2 |
Method of using light striping for fire rescue navigation
The present invention provides a method of using a laser lighting apparatus for fire rescue navigation in a smoke-filled structure. The laser lighting apparatus is portably carried at a user's body and directly operated by the user to perform the steps of turning the laser lighting apparatus on to output one or more coherent light planes; projecting the one or more coherent light planes on objects in the smoke-filled structure to produce one or more light stripes on surfaces of the objects; and identifying the objects in the smoke-filled structure from the one or more light stripes. |
| US08672511B2 |
Cable holding and positioning device with easily separated and reconnected interlocking components
A device for releasably positioning a cable on a support surface comprises a first housing component and a second housing component. The first housing component is releasably engaged with the second housing component. At least one channel is defined between the first and second housing components for releasably receiving and positioning a cable, wherein the at least one channel has an inlet and an outlet that can have the same dimensions. |
| US08672510B1 |
Method and apparatus for diagnosing and repairing faults in a series-connected lamp string
A method and apparatus for detecting and repairing any number of faulty lamp assemblies in a substantially series-connected lamp string, typically used for holiday decoration. The apparatus comprises a pair of probes fashioned to temporarily penetrate the insulation of lamp connecting wire on either side of a number of lamps thus bridging such lamps either directly or via a current limiting means. The methods of use of such apparatus provide a minimal number of separate tests for determining the faulty lamp assemblies and/or providing a more intuitive method for special circumstances. |
| US08672508B2 |
Scalable LED sconce light
An LED light fixture comprising a contoured light transmissive lens cover pivotally mounted between upper and lower end brackets so as to be movable between an open position and a closed position wherein in the closed position the upper and lower contoured edges of the lens cover mate flushly with the contoured surface of respective upper and lower end caps. A bank of LED carrying housing components are attached between the upper and lower mounting brackets so as to direct illumination toward the lens cover. Expansion brackets may be employed to facilitate addition of one or more additional banks of LED carrying housing components behind a lens cover of longer length to thereby created a sconce fixture of extended length. |
| US08672505B1 |
Solar post and pile cover
A solar powered, illuminated harbor post and pile cover is disclosed that protects a pile from deterioration, prevents bird roosting and droppings as well as other debris, and variably illuminates, beautifies and makes more interesting docks in a harbor. The invention consists of at least one transparent conical cover superimposed over a second base or post cover wherein the interior electronics and LED's are sealed against the environment, weather and other deteriorating elements, yet is simple in manufacture, design, assemblage and repair. |
| US08672502B2 |
Lamp and illuminated hardscape
A lamp and a hardscape structure illuminated by the lamp are disclosed. The lamp is formed from a plate to which a light fixture is attached. The plate may have a flange, a decorative face plate and side panels attached to direct light from the fixture along the hardscape on which the lamp is mounted. Mounting is effected by positioning the plate between discrete hardscape elements that are stacked one atop another. A portion of the plate projects out from the structure allowing the fixture to cast light on the structure surface. A light transmitting cover is also provided. |
| US08672500B2 |
Optoelectronic component and illumination device
An optoelectronic component has optically active region, with the optically active region comprising at least one semiconductor chip which is provided for generating electromagnetic radiation, and comprising a beam-forming element through which at least a portion of the electromagnetic radiation which is emitted from the semiconductor chip in operation passes and which has an optical axis, and with the optically active region having quadrant symmetry with respect to a coordinate system which is perpendicular to the optical axis. An illumination device has an optoelectronic component such as this. |
| US08672497B2 |
Phosphor plate and lighting device
A phosphor plate may be provided that includes a base plate transmitting light; and a lens being disposed on at least one of both surfaces of the base plate and including a fluorescent material. |
| US08672495B2 |
Mirror adjustment unit with electric accessory
A mirror adjustment unit for a rearview mirror of a motor vehicle includes a mirror adjustment mechanism and a mirror support. The mirror support is couplable to the mirror adjustment mechanism, and includes at least one electric accessory. The mirror adjustment mechanism includes a plurality of prong-shaped electrically conductive elements configured to electrically connect the electric accessory of the mirror support with at least one of the conductive elements of the mirror adjustment mechanism by plug connection. |
| US08672494B2 |
Asymmetric sectioned convex mirrors
Asymmetric sectioned mirrors are presented. The mirrors include, for example, constant radius of curvature sections that are selected to increase the sizes and improve the definitions of images, for example images of children milling, walking and/or standing about either the front or alongside regions of a school bus. The mirrors may be asymmetric in either or both the horizontal and vertical directions. The mirrors may include a mounting system capable of using both ball mounts and tunnel mounts. |
| US08672493B2 |
Display device and optical film
A display device and an optical film are disclosed which can protect the moth-eye structure while maintaining low reflectance. A display device is provided, which comprises an anti-reflection film including a moth-eye structure and a peelable protective film, wherein the protective film covers the moth-eye structure and is attached to a flat portion of the display device, the flat portion being flatter than the moth-eye structure. The flat portion suitably corresponds to the substrate and/or a region free of the moth-eye structure on the anti-reflection film, in a display panel. |
| US08672490B2 |
High reflectivity retro-reflective marker
Described is a device comprising a retro-reflective marker sphere comprising: a core ball comprising: a generally spherical body portion, a mounting base extending from one end of the body portion of the core ball, and a mounting recess having a recess opening in the mounting base and extending into the body portion of the core ball, and a retro-reflective covering on the core ball, the retro-reflective covering comprising an opening through which the mounting base of the core ball extends, wherein a flat lower surface of the mounting base is spaced proximally from a lower edge of the opening of the retro-reflective covering, and wherein the mounting recess includes an interior screw thread for engaging an exterior screw thread of a mounting post when the retro-reflective marker sphere is mounted on the mounting post. |
| US08672488B2 |
Package for a projector
A packaging product for projectors is described, wherein the package contains a projector which has been preloaded with program material for projection, and wherein a prospective purchaser of the projector may see a preview of the program material which is contained in the projector. The controls for the projector are available within an opening in the package, and a visible light reflective surface is provided to view the projected image. In this manner, the prospective purchaser will obtain an idea of the nature of the program material contained within the projector, as well as being able to determine the functionality of the projector and, to a greater or lesser extent, the quality of the projection. |
| US08672486B2 |
Wide field-of-view projector
This document describes various techniques for implementing a wide field-of-view projector. A wide field-of-view projector may include a spatial light modulator configured to inject light rays into an input wedge. The input wedge acts to output the light rays with an increased fan-out angle. In an embodiment, the spatial light modulator is controlled to inject light rays into the input wedge effective to project an image from the surface of an output wedge that is positioned proximate, and receives light rays with an increased fan-out angle from, the input wedge. |
| US08672484B2 |
Projection display device for projecting light that has been collimated
A projection display device is discussed, which can include a condensing lens having a refractive index higher than that of a collimating lens, thereby being capable of miniaturizing not only the collimating lens, but also lenses arranged downstream from the condensing lens. |
| US08672479B2 |
Visual device including an ophthalmic lens having a partially cropped insertion rib, and method for preparing such lens
Visual equipment includes an ophthalmic lens having an edge face provided with an engagement ridge. Also described is a method of preparing such equipment. The engagement ridge includes at least fifteen bearing sections alternating with as many free singular sections, the free singular sections being smaller in width and/or in height by at least 0.05 millimeters relative to the bearing sections (Sa). |
| US08672478B2 |
Ophthalmic lens arrangement and an apparatus for demonstrating a plurality of optical functions and a method for demonstrating a plurality of optical functions
The invention relates to an ophthalmic lens arrangement (10) comprising a polarizer (11) for polarizing light in a polarization axis; at least one lens cell (13) including a switchable light rotator; a lens member (15) having birefringence properties such that incident light encounters a first refractive index n on an ordinary axis or a second refractive index on an extraordinary axis according to the rotation of the incident light; and a sub lens member (17) having a refractive index n; characterized in that: the or each rotator is operable to rotate incident light by 0° or by 90°, and the polarizer is arranged such that the polarization axis coincides with either the ordinary axis or the extraordinary axis of the or each lens member. The invention further relates to an apparatus for and a method for demonstrating a plurality of optical functions. |
| US08672477B2 |
Eyewear with pinhole aperture and lens
Eyewear is equipped with at least one lens and at least one pinhole aperture. Lenses and apertures may be used in place of or in combination with one another, and may be disposed in or on full frame, half frame, wire frame or rimless eyeglasses. The lens may be a corrective lens. Pinhole apertures may have a diameter no greater than about 3 mm, and a diameter/thickness ratio no less than about 66.7%. |
| US08672476B2 |
Contact lenses with improved movement
Contact lenses have design features to enhance translational properties such as dimples and coating treatments. |
| US08672475B2 |
Silicone hydrogel contact lenses and methods of making silicone hydrogel contact lenses
Silicone hydrogel contact lenses, when hydrated, have a plurality of depressions on one or more of the lens surfaces. The depressions have a depth less than 1 micrometer, or less than 100 nanometers. The silicone hydrogel contact lenses have not been subject to treatment with plasma. Methods of manufacturing the silicone hydrogel contact lenses are also disclosed. |
| US08672470B2 |
Method for sensing remaining life in a drum maintenance unit
A method implemented in an imaging device senses the remaining life of a drum maintenance system in the imaging device. The method includes detecting a buoyant member, which is pivotably coupled to a proboscis extending from an end cap of a reservoir in a reservoir of the DMU, reaching a predetermined position in the reservoir and then updating an estimate of the remaining release agent in the reservoir with reference to a total media area and total inked area. |
| US08672468B2 |
Printing apparatus, line printer and method for printing
A printing apparatus includes a head section having a nozzle row being configured to emit photocurable ink onto a target and an irradiating section configured to irradiate the target, a moving section configured to move the head section with respect to the target for printing, and a controller configured to carry out control so as to emit the photocurable ink from the nozzles onto an image forming area of the target and to irradiate the photocurable ink having impacted on the image forming area from the irradiation section. The controller controls irradiation energy of the light that the irradiation section irradiates the image forming area with so that irradiation energy of the light that an edge area of the image forming area is irradiated with is smaller than irradiation energy of the light that an area of the image forming area adjacent to the edge area is irradiated with. |
| US08672461B2 |
Liquid ejection apparatus
A liquid ejection apparatus including: a liquid ejection head including: an inlet opening; an outlet opening; an inside channel; and ejection openings; a tank; a supply channel; a return channel; a supply device; and a controller, wherein the controller is configured to control the supply device to perform a circulating operation in which the liquid in the tank is transferred to the supply channel, the inside channel, and the return channel in order and returns to the tank, and wherein the controller is configured to control the supply device such that a unit-time supply amount that is an amount of the liquid to be supplied to the inside channel per unit time in a first period in the circulating operation is less than that in a second period that is after the first period. |
| US08672458B2 |
Liquid ejecting head and liquid ejecting apparatus
A common electrode includes a plurality of individual sections arranged so as to correspond to pressure chambers that are divided by a plurality of slits, and a base section that joins one end of the individual sections. The individual sections on a base section side gradually widen in plain view. The common electrode has thin film sections at the individual sections and a thick film section at the base section, and the film thickness gradually increases from the thin film sections towards the thick film section in a region between the thin film sections and the thick film section. |
| US08672456B2 |
Piezoelectric film, piezoelectric device and liquid ejection apparatus
A piezoelectric film has a columnar crystal structure constituted of a plurality of columnar crystals, and contains a perovskite oxide represented by the following formula (P) as a main component: PbaAb[(ZrcTi1-c)1-dBd]Oe, (P) where Pb and A are A-site elements, and A is at least one element selected from a group consisting of Bi, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, Ca, Sr and Ba; Zr, Ti and B are B-site elements, and B is at least one element selected from a group consisting of Nb, Ta and Sb; a is an amount of lead, b is an amount of the element A, c is a Zr/Ti ratio, d is an amount of the element B, e is an amount of oxygen; values of a, b and d satisfy a<1, a+b≧1, and 0 |
| US08672455B2 |
Piezoelectric element, piezoelectric actuator, droplet-ejecting head, droplet-ejecting apparatus, and method for manufacturing piezoelectric element
A piezoelectric element includes a first electrode disposed on a substrate, a piezoelectric layer disposed on the first electrode, a second electrode disposed on the piezoelectric layer, and a resin layer that covers at least the side surfaces of the first electrode. The first electrode includes a metal layer and an anti-oxidation layer. The metal layer is formed of a base metal. The anti-oxidation layer is disposed between the metal layer and the piezoelectric layer to prevent contact between the metal layer and the piezoelectric layer. |
| US08672445B2 |
Capping device
A capping device for an ink jet print head includes a base configured to receive an ink jet print head and a cap assembly attached to the base. The cap assembly is configured for sliding movement with respect to the base to provide a closed position of the cap assembly when the print head is not printing and an open position to allow for the ejection of ink from nozzles when the print head is printing. The cap assembly includes a cover support and a cover attached to the cover support in a generally planar relationship thereto. The cover is adapted to provide additional movement with respect to the cover support in a direction different from the sliding direction. The cover includes a rigid mating surface configured to engage a surface of the print head adjacent the nozzles. |
| US08672442B2 |
Liquid ejecting apparatus, computer system, and liquid ejection method
A liquid ejecting apparatus and method creates no blank space on a medium. Such apparatus has: a movable ejection head for ejecting a liquid; a feed mechanism for feeding a medium; and detecting means for detecting a position of an edge of the medium; wherein the apparatus repeats an operation of detecting the position of the edge, an operation of feeding the medium, and an operation of ejecting the liquid onto the medium from the moving ejection head; in accordance with the position of the edge that has been detected, the apparatus changes at least either a start position or an end position for ejecting the liquid from the moving ejection head; and if the position of the edge was not detected, the apparatus sets the start position or the end position to a position that has been established in advance. |
| US08672439B2 |
Printing apparatus
Provided is a printing apparatus including a sensor unit for measuring a moving state of a sheet by optically detecting a surface of the sheet conveyed by a conveying unit. The sensor unit measures and compares the moving states of the sheet at a first measurement position and a second measurement position which are distinct from each other in a main scanning direction, to thereby obtain information on a skew state of a skew component of the moving sheet. |
| US08672438B2 |
Printing device, printing method, and program
A printing device performs band printing during two-way printing, wherein the band printing uses black pigment ink and dye ink. In this printing device, in an advancing printed area for which a print head moves in an advancing direction, pigment ink dots are formed first and dye ink dots are formed second. In a retreating printed area for which the print head moves in a retreating direction, dye ink dots are formed first and pigment ink dots are formed second. |
| US08672434B2 |
Wiring connection structure of driver IC and liquid droplet jetting apparatus
A wiring connection structure of driver IC is provided. The wiring connection structure includes: a driver IC installed on a wiring substrate; output wires connected to output terminals of the driver IC; input wires including multiple kinds of signal input wires for transmitting multiple kinds of signals different from each other in susceptibility to an influence of noise; and bonding wires which connect input terminals of the driver IC to connection terminals of the input wires, and have an identical length to each other and a different loop height from the wiring substrate. The intervals between the input terminals are narrower than those between the connection terminals, and the loop height is higher with respect to the bonding wire connected to the connection terminal of the signal input wire for transmitting a signal more susceptible to the influence of noise. |
| US08672432B2 |
Liquid discharging apparatus
A liquid discharging apparatus includes a liquid discharging section which performs a liquid discharging operation for discharging liquid; and a controller which makes the liquid discharging section perform the liquid discharging operation, thereby executing image formation coating processing which forms a plurality of images on a medium and also performs coating of the images. |
| US08672431B2 |
Slide rail assembly
A slide rail assembly includes a first, second, and third rail. The second rail is slidably connected to the first rail defining a second path. The third rail is slidably connected to the second path of the second rail. A front and rear support are respectively connected to a front end and rear end of the first rail. A stop member has a fixed section and a resilient section extending from the fixed section. The fixed section is fixed to the front support and the first rail. The stop portion is located at the resilient section. When the third rail is separated from the second rail and the second rail is retracted in the first rail, the stop portion prevents the third rail from being inserted into the second path. |
| US08672430B2 |
Electronic device enclosure with bracket for data storage device
An enclosure includes a chassis and a bracket. The chassis includes a bottom panel, a rear panel and a side panel. The rear panel defines a latch hole. Two clamping pieces are located on the side panel. The bracket is engaged between the clamping pieces and includes a first sidewall and a second sidewall. A second hook and a resilient piece are located on the first sidewall. A first hook is located on the second sidewall. The first hook and the second hook are separately engaged with the two clamping pieces for preventing the bracket from moving along a first direction near to the bottom panel. The resilient piece is engaged in the latch hole to preventing the bracket from moving a second direction opposite to the first direction, and the resilient piece is elastically deformable to disengage from the latch hole. |
| US08672427B2 |
Video display for product merchandisers
According to certain aspects of the disclosure, embodiments of a product merchandiser incorporating a video display is described. The product merchandiser described herein contemplates the use of a rear projector video system for display of video on a reflective film that is adhered to a glass or other transparent exposed surface on the merchandiser. Aspects of the merchandiser provided herein provide a cost-effective, durable, flexible/adaptable to different merchandiser sizes, and non-static means of displaying advertising or other promotions via video directly on an exposed surface of a product merchandiser. |
| US08672426B2 |
Clothes treating apparatus with stacking structure
A clothes treating apparatus having a stacking structure. The clothes treating apparatus includes upper and lower clothes treating apparatuses each having a cabinet and legs installed below the cabinet, wherein leg accommodation portions for accommodating the legs of the upper clothes treating apparatus are formed on an upper surface of the cabinet of the lower clothes treating apparatus, and the upper and lower clothes treating apparatuses are fixed to each other as the legs are insertion-fixed to the leg accommodation portions. |
| US08672422B2 |
Hydraulic brake apparatus of motorcycle
An hydraulic brake apparatus of a motorcycle, including a main frame having a pair of right and left frame members extending rearward from a head pipe, and equipment arranged in a space between the right and left frame members. The hydraulic brake apparatus further includes at least one brake fluid pipe, wherein the at least one brake fluid pipe is arranged so as to extend rearward from near the head pipe along an upper surface at least one of the frame members. |
| US08672421B2 |
Pressure control valve arrangement having diaphragm valves for controlling a fluid pressure in an ABS brake system of a vehicle, having diaphragms arranged in parallel planes or in coplanar fashion
A pressure control valve arrangement is described for controlling the fluid pressure in an ABS brake system of a vehicle in such a manner that, in the event of a tendency of individual wheels of the vehicle to lock, the brake pressure in associated brake cylinders can be adaptively adjusted, at least two diaphragm valves which have diaphragms loaded by spring elements, as well as at least one electromagnetic control valve which can be activated by an electronic control device for the pilot control of the diaphragm valves. Also described is a method for producing the pressure control valve arrangement. |
| US08672416B2 |
Milling drum for a ground milling machine and a ground milling machine
A ground milling machine for grinding and/or removing a ground material comprises a hollow-cylindrical drum which extends in an axially longitudinal manner and on the outside circumferential area in which several milling tools are arranged for grinding and/or removing the ground material. In order to reduce abrasion it is provided that at least one face-side milling tool is arranged on the hollow-cylindrical drum in the region of at least one face side, which milling tool protrudes beyond said face side and is provided during milling to at least partly cut free the collision region (T) between said face side and the ground material to be processed. The present invention further relates to a ground milling machine with at least one such milling drum. |
| US08672412B2 |
Fastening device for a chair
The present invention concerns a fastening device for use in a children's chair (40) with a seat plate (41), wherein the seat plate has a vertical through hole, characterized in that a cross piece (1) connected to two side pieces (2) which are joined by a cross bar (3) and defining an opening (6), wherein the cross bar (3) is positioned in a vertical distance from the cross piece (1) when the fastening device is mounted; two mainly vertical lining elements (4) to be inserted into the hole, connected to the underside of the cross piece (1) and/or side pieces (2) in their upper ends, wherein the lining elements (4) each comprise at least one locking hook 5 in their lower ends which have a larger horizontal extent than the lining elements. |
| US08672405B2 |
Sitting arrangement
Chaise longue comprising a sofa frame (2), seat part (4) and back rest (3). The seat part (4) comprises side bars (9a, b), cross bars (10a, b) and seat springs (7). The seat part (4) is rotatably connected to the sofa frame (2) by means of mounting devices (8a, b) below the sitting surface of the seat part. One or more balance springs (14) are arranged between the seat part (4) and the sofa frame (2). A shutter or flap (16) is rotatably mounted to the seat part with pivotable joints (17a,b). The flap is furthermore rotatably connected to the sofa frame in point at the opposite end from the joints. |
| US08672400B2 |
Foldable table
An apparatus and method for providing a work surface proximate to a seat in a vehicle. The apparatus comprises a base support connectable to the vehicle, a substantially planar member and a parallel linkage extending between the base support and the planar member for planar translational movement from a first position to a second position about an arcuate path defining a first plane. The first position is substantially proximate to the seat and the second position is above the seat and forward of the first position. The planar member is also pivotable about an axis parallel to the first plane away from the seat. The apparatus further comprises a support for selectably maintaining the planar member at a substantially horizontal orientation. The method comprises moving the planar member from the first position to the second position, rotating the planar member to the horizontal orientation and supporting the planar member with the support. |
| US08672398B2 |
In-line outer sliding panorama sunroof tracks
Continuous cross sectional profile guide tracks in an outer sliding sunroof/moonroof are provided where both the front and rear mechanism or mechanism links travel fore/aft in the same channels as each other and have fore/aft travel that is limited only by vehicle architecture. The guide track channel is partly or entirely outside/outboard of the primary water/wind sealing system of the sunroof. |
| US08672397B2 |
Roof structure of a motor vehicle and roof module
The invention relates to a roof structure of a motor vehicle, in which a roof channel, which extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction, having a fastening flange is formed on both vehicle sides by at least one vehicle body component. A roof module is fastened on the two fastening flanges, which has a planar section, implemented at least sectionally in the form of a glass roof, for bridging a roof opening formed between the roof channels, at least one pair of installation bases for installing a roof rail being arranged between the fastening flanges and the planar section of the roof module. The planar section has a plurality of module openings, which are assigned to the installation bases and are each enclosed by a plastic extrusion coating, for an installation of the roof rail. |
| US08672396B2 |
Vehicle front portion structure
A vehicle front portion structure of a vehicle is equipped with a radiator and an air conditioner, the vehicle front portion structure includes a vehicle body formed by joining a plurality of structural members, a positioning hole formed in the vehicle body, for fitting therein a jig projecting from a mount frame used to transport the vehicle body in a manufacturing process, and a fitting bracket for supporting the radiator and a condenser of the air conditioner from the lower sides of the radiator and the condenser, and featured in that the fitting bracket is formed integrally with a radiator supporting portion for supporting a lower portion of the radiator, and with a condenser supporting portion for supporting a lower portion of the condenser, and is fastened and fixed at a position which interferes with the jig fitted into the positioning hole. |
| US08672394B2 |
Dash panel structure for automobile
A cord-like element 4 is extending along a dash panel 3, a component 19 from the cord-like element 4 is fixed to the dash panel 3 via a bracket 20, the cord-like element 4 is fixed to the bracket 20, the cord-like element 4 and the component 19 are fixed to the dash panel 3 via the bracket 20, the cord-like element 4 is arranged on a vehicle rear side Rr from an opposed surface 20M of the bracket to an engine E, and the rigidity of fixed portions 3K of the dash panel 3 to which fixing portions 28A and 29A of the bracket 20 are fixed is set to be lower than the rigidity of the bracket 20. Accordingly, the fixed portions 3K of the dash panel 3 are deformed before the bracket 20 when the bracket 20 is pressed toward the vehicle rear side Rr by the engine E. |
| US08672393B2 |
Front vehicle body structure
Side beam extends from a sub frame, mounted to front side frames, to a front frame section, and includes: a lower impact absorbing bar member having a horizontal intermediate portion joined to the sub frame, and a slanting portion extending upward from the intermediate portion; and a bent impact absorbing member joined to the slanting portion and front frame section and having a smaller strength against an impact than the bar member. Skid plate is mounted to a lower cross beam constituting a lower portion of the frame section and projects forward from the cross beam. Lower impact absorbing bar member is mounted to the cross beam and extends rearward, and an impact absorbing projecting member is provided in front of the bar member. The absorbing projecting member defines a closed sectional shape in conjunction with a rear portion of the skid plate. |
| US08672392B1 |
Crash absorption instrument panel substrate
An instrument panel assembly of an automotive vehicle is provided wherein the instrument panel is operable to hold a meter cluster. The meter cluster is positioned adjacent to a shifter of an automotive vehicle. The meter cluster is mounted within the center of the vehicle. The instrument panel includes a main panel having a plurality of apertures located adjacent to the meter cluster. A mounting aperture for the meter cluster is provided wherein the meter cluster is mounted to the mounting aperture for the meter cluster. The plurality of apertures on the main panel located adjacent to the meter cluster are operable to weaken the structure of the main panel to facilitate a controlled collapse of the instrument panel when the shifter hits the meter cluster. The positioning of the apertures located adjacent to the meter cluster prevents damage to the meter cluster during the accident. |
| US08672391B1 |
Unobstructive aerodynamic structure for the aft end of cargo trailers
An aerodynamic fairing assembly comprising a pair of contoured fairings hingely mounted to the sides of the aft end of a cargo trailer having hinged rear doors. Each fairing features a contoured forward extent which provides an aerodynamically smooth transition from the side of the trailer to the aft extent of the fairing with no appreciable step or gap between the trailer and the fairing. The fairings are slaved to the trailer doors by collapsible struts such that opening and closing the doors stows and deploys the fairings respectively without applying a resistive load to the doors or otherwise interfering with their operation. Other embodiments are described. |
| US08672388B2 |
Hard roll-up tonneau
A tonneau system for a pickup bed comprising a bracket system connectable with a sidewall of the pickup bed and a plurality of hingeable sections pivotally coupled to each other to define a continuous surface. Each of the plurality of hingeable sections being connected to adjacent hingeable sections to permit at least some of the plurality of hingeable sections to be rolled together into a generally circular cross-section to selectively reveal the pickup bed. |
| US08672386B2 |
Seat latch structure
A seat latch structure is provided, which includes a base bracket mounted on a seat for a vehicle and having a first insertion hole and a second insertion hole formed thereon and an opening which is formed on one side thereof and into which a striker fixed to a vehicle body is inserted, a claw having a first through-hole formed thereon to correspond to the first insertion hole and a locking groove formed on one side thereof, a pawl provided on one side of the claw and having a second through-hole formed thereon to correspond to the second insertion hole, a first rotating shaft and a second rotating shaft inserted into the first through-hole of the claw and the second through-hole of the pawl, respectively, and a double torsion spring connecting the first through-hole and the second through-hole into which the first rotating shaft and the second rotating shaft are inserted, respectively. According to the seat latch structure, the noise generated during the operation of the seat latch is reduced and the operating force is increased to improve the merchantability. |
| US08672385B2 |
Seat locking device
A seat locking device includes a striker and a catching section. The catching section includes a base plate including a first entrance concave portion, a cover member including a second entrance concave portion, a latch, a lock plate, and a bumper rubber including a substantially isosceles-triangle portion. A lateral surface of a holding concave portion of the latch is inclined such that an opening side of the lateral surface is located closer to a bottom surface of the first entrance concave portion than its counter-opening side. A bottom surface of the holding concave portion is closer to an imaginary center line of the first entrance concave portion than one lateral surface of the first entrance concave portion so that a catching-capable dimension for the striker is set between the bottom surface of the holding concave portion and another lateral surface of the first entrance concave portion. |
| US08672384B2 |
Motor vehicle having a chassis frame and a vehicle body
A motor vehicle has a support structure formed of a chassis frame and a vehicle body. The chassis frame and vehicle body are bolted together by four bolt locations in the area of upper supports of the spring struts of the front and rear axle. The chassis frame and vehicle body are also glued to each other along segments of the support structure thereof extending parallel to each other, wherein adhesive surfaces are located in the area between the front and rear bolt locations. The adhesive in the middle area of the motor vehicle ensures a large surface area for force application from the chassis frame into the vehicle body and vice versa, which is supplemented by the bolt locations outside of the adhesive joint. |
| US08672383B2 |
Module load enabling bracket
The present invention is a moveable connector for connecting two components on a vehicle. The connector has a body portion, and a first end formed as part of the body portion. The connector is movable about at least one axis located at the first end of the body portion. The connector is also connected to a first vehicle component, such as a carrier, using the first end of the body portion. There is also a second end formed as part of the body portion. The second end is operable for being connected to a second vehicle component, such as a fender. During assembly, the first vehicle component is positioned relative to the second vehicle component, and the connector is pivoted about the axis to allow the second end of the body portion to be connected to the second vehicle component. |
| US08672378B2 |
Multi-fingered type hand device
Provided is a multi-fingered type hand device that facilitates arrangements of wirings connecting driving members which drive fingertips and the like of a robot with members which control the driving members. The multi-fingered type hand device 1 includes a wrist portion 10, a base portion 20, and a plurality of finger mechanisms 30, the wrist portion 10 having therein a wrist sensor 12, at least one of the plurality of finger mechanisms 30 having therein a fingertip sensor 321, the base portion 20 including a frame-shaped frame portion 21, a tactile sensor 25, a first substrate 23 that controls outputs of the wrist sensor 12, the fingertip sensor 321, and the tactile sensor 25, and a second substrate 24, the first substrate 23 and the second substrate 24 being disposed opposite to each other so as to sandwich the frame portion 21 from the upper and lower. |
| US08672375B2 |
Heavy load sling protective pad
A heavy load protective pad for use on industrial slings includes fasteners on a sleeve forming member which are secured together to encircle and secure the protective pad on an industrial sling at a desired location. Pockets formed in the protective pad house a pair of block spacers which, in one configuration, serve to space the protective pad and underlying sling away from the load which is being lifted or pulled. |
| US08672372B2 |
Reinforced blown film bag
A reinforced blown film bag for minimizing the touch and feel of waste matter collecting experience at the collector hands and for creating fast, clean, efficient, easy and touch-less feel of pet waste matter collection and disposal is disclosed herein. The reinforced blown film bag includes fingers pockets, reinforced surface, pet waste matter collecting pocket, pull remove and tie flaps, easy to carry handles ambidextrous use and in some embodiments may be a flat folded bag to portable packaging. |
| US08672370B2 |
Furnace door latch assembly
A latch assembly for securing a furnace door to a furnace casing, the latch assembly comprising: a latch for placement on an inside of the furnace door; a knob for placement through a hole in the furnace door, the knob snapped into the latch, the knob for placement on a front surface of the furnace door; a gasket for placement between the knob and the latch; and a cap secured at an end of the knob, wherein the latch, knob, and cap are keyed to allow assembly in only one orientation. |
| US08672364B2 |
Quick disconnect device for connecting a sprayer tank to a portable pump assembly
A quick disconnect device for connecting a sprayer tank to a portable pump assembly has a tubular body with an internal passageway for conveying gas between the sprayer tank and the portable pump assembly. A first plunger member is mounted within the internal passageway of that device for moving reciprocally between the sprayer tank and the portable pump assembly. A second plunger member, mounted within the internal passageway, moves reciprocally between the sprayer tank and the portable pump assembly. A first resilient member urges the first plunger member away from the sprayer tank to prevent gas from flowing into the sprayer tank. A second resilient member urges the second plunger member toward the sprayer tank to prevent gas from flowing out of the sprayer tank. The first plunger member moves toward the sprayer tank to overcome the spring constant of the first resilient member to direct gas from the portable pump assembly into the sprayer tank. And the internal pressure of the sprayer tank moves the second resilient member to overcome the spring constant of the second resilient member for relieving pressure from the sprayer tank. |
| US08672363B2 |
Printed matter forming method
Provided is a printed matter, a printed matter forming apparatus, and a printed matter forming method, which improve the expression of the texture. A lower layer having an upper surface provided with concavities and convexities different for each region; an image layer provided above the lower layer, the image layer forming an image and transmitting part of incident light towards the lower layer; and a surface layer provided above the image layer, the surface layer having an upper surface provided with concavities and convexities different for each region, the surface layer transmitting part of incident light towards the image layer are included. This allows various textures to be expressed fully. |
| US08672360B2 |
System and method for tactile currency identification
A tactile orientation indicator is positioned along the periphery of a bill, and a tactile denomination indicator is positioned elsewhere along the periphery of the bill. The user of the bill may then use their tactile senses to feel along the edges of the bill to orient the bill to a pre-determined orientation based on the location of the orientation indicator. The user then feels along the periphery of the bill to locate the denomination indicator. Using a predetermined system associating the location of the denomination indicator with a particular bill denomination, the user may then identify the denomination of the bill even if blind or otherwise visually impaired. |
| US08672359B2 |
Tank support arrangements for a vehicle
An object is to provide a vehicle in which the configuration of a frame supporting a tank is effectively used. In order to achieve such an object, the vehicle includes a tank supported by a pair of side frames and cross frames which traverse the side frames, wherein a displacement suppression target on a vehicle floor is supported by the cross frames, the displacement suppression target having a relative displacement during an action of an external force on the vehicle, needed to be suppressed. The tank is preferably suspended on the cross frames. In addition, the displacement suppression target is preferably attached to the cross frames on which the tank is suspended. |
| US08672358B2 |
High pressure vessel with integrated mounting features
A mounting system for a pressure vessel is disclosed. The mounting system includes a first retention cap, a second retention cap, and a plurality of fastening bands coupled to the first retention cap and the second retention cap, wherein the first retention cap and the second retention cap each include a concave inner surface and a mount, the concave inner surface substantially corresponding to at least a portion of an exterior surface of the pressure vessel to secure the pressure vessel between the first retention cap and the second retention cap. |
| US08672352B2 |
Vehicle seat assembly with seat pad protection member
A vehicle seat assembly may include an air bag module having an inflatable air bag, a housing that receives the air bag, and a flexible member disposed in the housing and having an end. The seat assembly may further include a seat pad disposed outside the housing. Upon inflation of the air bag, the end of the flexible member is configured to extend outside the housing such that the end extends between a portion of the seat pad and the air bag. |
| US08672351B2 |
Side curtain air bag design
A side curtain airbag (110, 210, 310, 410, 510) for use with a linear gas generator or inflator. In one embodiment, the airbag (110, 210, 310, 410) includes a first longitudinal panel (113, 213, 313, 413), a second longitudinal panel (114, 214, 314, 414) adjacent the first panel, and a plurality of seams (116, 220, 320, 420) connecting the adjacent panels to define a plurality of inflation fluid flow passages (117, 217, 317, 417) between the scams. The seams extend along a substantial portion of a lateral extent of the airbag. The seams are also distributed along substantially an entire length of the airbag. In another embodiment, the airbag includes a first panel (513), a second panel (514) adjacent the first panel, and a plurality of substantially straight seams (520) connecting the adjacent panels to define a plurality of inflation fluid flow passages (517) between the seams (520). Use of the seam patterns described herein in side airbag systems allows for improved airbag performance, particularly when used in conjunction with a linear inflator. Inflation of the airbag takes place in a more uniform manner, reducing the risk of localized overpressurization and seam bursting, and improving occupant protection. Moreover, the seam patterns disclosed herein are relatively simple, and their manufacture is relatively easy ands inexpensive. |
| US08672350B2 |
Cylindrical filter for gas generator
A cylindrical filter for a gas generator includes, a plurality of layers made of a porous metal plate in which a compressive strength (S1) of a predetermined region in at least one end in the height direction is set smaller than a compressive strength (S2) of a portion other than the S1 region, the porous metal plate being selected from the group consisting of expanded metal, metal lath, and perforated metal, and the S1 region corresponding to a region of 5 to 20% in length from both ends with respect to the overall height. |
| US08672345B2 |
Curtain airbag for a motor vehicle
An inflatable curtain airbag is secured along an upper edge to a body structure of the motor vehicle and deploys downwardly when inflated. Prior to deployment, the lower edge of the curtain is not tethered to the vehicle body. When nearly or fully deployed, the lower edge of the curtain engages an adjacent part of the motor vehicle so as to form a virtual tether therebetween resisting relative movement between the curtain and the adjacent part. |
| US08672339B2 |
Sand-rideable bicycle
An unmotorized sand-rideable bicycle utilizes oversized balloon tires that have an enlarged footprint to permit the bicycle to ride up over even loose sand to provide ease of pedaling as well as enhanced steering and stability over that associated with standard bicycles. |
| US08672338B2 |
Cab entry system for a crop sprayer
A platform assembly is supported by the main frame and includes i) a framework, ii) an upper platform foot support secured to the framework and positioned adjacent to the doorway, and iii) a first stair member secured to the framework and spaced apart from the upper platform foot support. A stair assembly is movably attached to the framework and includes a second stair member. The door is movable between i) a first position in which the door is positioned to cover the door opening so as to block entry into the cab through the door opening, and ii) a second position in which the door is spaced apart from the door opening so as to enable entry into the cab through the door opening. The upper platform foot support, first stair member, and second stair member define a stairway leading to and from the door opening. A first plane intersects the upper platform foot support, the first stair, and the second stair. The first plane further intersects the door when the door is positioned in the second position. The first plane is spaced apart from the door when the door is positioned in the first position. The central longitudinal axis lies in a second plane. The first plane intersects the second plane to define an acute angle. |
| US08672334B1 |
Vehicle height adjusting device for motorcycle
In a vehicle height adjusting device for a motorcycle, the vehicle height is adjusted on the basis of proper vehicle speed information when a failure occurs in a vehicle speed sensor. In the vehicle height adjusting device for a motorcycle, when a failure occurs in a vehicle speed sensor, a control section adjusts vehicle height by using vehicle speed information calculated from an engine speed signal, a shift position signal of a transmission, and an ON/OFF signal of a clutch. |
| US08672333B2 |
Torque transmitting apparatus for a wheel
A vehicle moving apparatus includes a torque transmitter (16) positioned on the outer circular plane of a wheel with a tire (15). A collar (50), is positioned on the inside circular plane of the tire (15) and flexible linear-force elements (31), routed radially around the outer diameter of the tire (15), connect the collar (50) to the torque transmitter (16). A source of torque or a torque arm (71) can be connected to the torque transmitter (16) that enables a single user to move a vehicle. |
| US08672331B2 |
Tool holder for a power tool, particularly for a chisel hammer and/or rotary hammer
The invention relates to a tool holder for an electric tool, particularly for a chisel hammer and/or drill hammer. A tool receptacle is provided for receiving a cylindrical shaft of an insertion tool introduced through an insertion opening. The cylindrical shaft has at least two diametrically opposed detent depressions on its circumferential surface. The tool holder further has a locking device having at least one locking element, at least one blocking element and at least one restoring element. According to the invention, the locking device has at least two locking elements. Upon insertion of the cylindrical shaft of the insertion tool, the restoring element applies different forces to the locking elements of the locking device. |
| US08672319B2 |
Sheet feeders and image forming apparatuses having the same
A sheet feeder is provided that includes a feeding unit configured to feed a sheet through a feeding path and a guide portion that is bent in a shape of a relaxation curve and configured to feed the sheet thereon and turn a feeding direction of the sheet. |
| US08672316B2 |
Paper sheet seasoning apparatus and image forming apparatus
A paper sheet seasoning apparatus includes a mount on which a plurality of sheet-like recording media are loaded. A central portion of the mount is curved in a convex shape when seen in a first direction. The apparatus also includes a blowing member that blows air in the first direction onto end portions of the recording media loaded on the mount. The apparatus further includes a pair of side panels that support both end portions in a direction that intersects the first direction of the recording media on the mount, and a top panel disposed with a gap in a vertical direction between the top panel and the uppermost recording medium on the mount. On at least one of the side panels, there is disposed an approaching surface that approaches the opposing side panel as the approaching surface heads upward in the vertical direction. |
| US08672313B2 |
Sheet processing device, image forming apparatus, and sheet processing method
A sheet processing device for stacking one or more sheets temporarily on a stacking unit, and stapling the sheets by a stapling unit after aligned by an alignment unit. The device includes a shift unit that shifts the sheet in both a sheet conveying direction and a direction orthogonal to the sheet conveying direction, and a control unit that controls a shift amount of the shift unit so that an alignment distance of a width direction alignment unit to align the sheet in the direction orthogonal to the sheet conveying direction is constant regardless of a staple position and a sheet size, when stacking the sheets on the stacking unit. |
| US08672312B2 |
Sheet processing apparatus, method for controlling the same, storing medium, and program
A control includes causing a processing unit to perform a saddle-stitching binding process in which a plurality of sheets are subjected to a binding process and a folding process or a center-folding binding process in which a plurality of sheets are subjected to the folding process, permitting the processing unit to perform the saddle-stitching binding process or the center-folding binding process on a predetermined number of sheets, and controlling such that the number of sheets which are permitted to be subjected to the center-folding binding process is smaller than the number of sheets which are permitted to be subjected to the saddle-stitching binding process. |
| US08672311B2 |
Method of cooling textured workpieces with an electrostatic chuck
A workpiece support, which more effectively cools a textured workpiece is disclosed. A layer is added on top of a workpiece support. This layer is sufficiently soft so as to conform to the textured workpiece. Furthermore, the layer has a dielectric constant such that it does not alter the normal operation of the underlying electrostatic clamp. In some embodiments, the locations of the ground and lift pins are moved to further reduce the leakage of backside gas. |
| US08672309B2 |
Windshield installation device and method of use
A windshield installation device for use by a single technician in replacing a vehicle windshield. The device includes a first assembly attachable to a side window of the vehicle and a second assembly attachable to the windshield to be placed on the vehicle. The second assembly is adapted to couple to the first assembly and pivot with respect to the first assembly. |
| US08672308B2 |
Method and apparatus for depositing phosphor on semiconductor-light emitting device
A method and apparatus for depositing a phosphor using transfer molding. The method includes: forming a plurality of light-emitting devices on a wafer and rearranging the light-emitting devices on a carrier substrate according to luminance characteristics of the plurality of light-emitting devices by examining the luminance characteristics of the plurality of light-emitting devices; depositing the phosphor on the rearranged light-emitting devices using transfer molding; and separating the light-emitting devices on the carrier substrate. |
| US08672307B1 |
Stretch liner clamp
A clamp mechanism for assisting a bricklayer or mason worker in positioning and aligning a next row of bricks being laid upon a previous row of bricks using an alignment string is provided. One end of the alignment string is secured in a desired position adjacent the previous row of bricks. The clamp mechanism comprises a clamp having a first clamp arm and a second clamp arm. A spring mechanism biases the first clamp arm and the second clamp arm in a general direction toward each other. A string receiving mechanism is associated with the clamp for receiving a portion of the alignment string. Upon the alignment string being secured to the string receiving mechanism and the clamp being positioned upon a brick in the previous row of bricks, the alignment string indicates the proper positioning and alignment of the next row of bricks. |
| US08672305B2 |
Work apparatus
A work apparatus has at least one handle (12) and a drive motor (3). The handle (12) is connected to said drive motor (3) via at least one anti-vibration element (16, 17, 18, 19, 20). The anti-vibration element (18, 19) is held on a first housing part and coacts with a second housing part. To achieve good damping, the anti-vibration element (19) includes a damping section (25) having an annularly-shaped wall (37) which expands in the direction of the second housing part. |
| US08672301B2 |
Overhead wire tension balancer device and device adapted to prevent lubricating oil being scattered, and used with the overhead wire tension balancer
An overhead wire tension balancer has a water draining structure and can prevent lubricating oil in the tension balancer from scattering to the outside. The overhead wire tension balancer is for supporting a spanned overhead wire while applying tension thereto, and rainwater collecting inside the overhead wire tension balancer is collected from a collecting pipe connecting part into a collecting tank through a collecting pipe. The oil content of grease applied to the inside of the overhead wire tension balancer is prevented from scattering to the outside even if the oil content is carried together with the rainwater. |
| US08672297B2 |
Scissor lifting platform
Embodiments of a scissor lifting platform comprising at least two crossing lower scissor bars, at least two crossing upper scissor bars articulatedly connected to the lower scissor bars, and a lower joint connecting the two lower scissor bars with each other and an upper joint connecting the two upper scissor bars with each other. Furthermore, the scissor lifting platform comprises at least one lifting aggregate connected to the lower scissor bar or the upper scissor bar and at least one rail having at least one contact area and being supported on the upper scissor bars. The upper scissor bar is articulatedly connected to the at least one rail and the other one of the upper scissor bars is guided by the at least one rail so as to be movable in a longitudinal direction when the scissor lifting platform moves. The lifting aggregate has at least one operating rod which works together with an elevating mechanism for lifting and reinforcing the vertical force up to a predetermined lifting height of the scissor lifting platform. |
| US08672296B2 |
Apparatus for lifting pallet racks
A lifting device for warehouse shelving supported by closely spaced vertical members is provided. The device employs a pivotable bracket which engages the vertical member at a central position with a pin to allow the bracket to rotate to move the top of the bracket away from the vertical member and position the member in a gap in the bracket. In the rotated position the bracket is engageable to a plate whereupon the bracket is pivoted back parallel with the vertical member and engaged with a second pin. A jack lifts the plate thereafter to thereby lift the member and the shelf. |
| US08672294B2 |
Wall-mounted faucet control module
A wall-mounted faucet control module comprises: two control handles, three joints and a panel set. Each control handle has a containment space for accepting the joints. The joint has an insertion aperture, the insertion aperture of each joint has a different cross-sectional shape such that the control handle can be installed with the various control rod. The panel set has an assembling panel and two ornament covers, the ornament cover engages with the connecting slot of the assembling panel, and the two ornament covers respectively have an assembling hole with different diameter such that the assembling panel can be installed with the main body of the various water valve. The joints, the sleeves and the ornament covers can be correspondingly alternated for the various water valves, the control handles and the panel set can be installed with the various water valves, which can provide variety and convenience. |
| US08672283B2 |
Projection device
A projection device including a turntable module and a projection module is provided. The turntable module includes a first turntable and a second turntable. The first turntable is disposed on a surface. The second turntable is disposed on the first turntable and connected to the first turntable, and rotates relative to the first turntable by revolving along a rotation axis. The projection module is disposed on the turntable module and fixed to the second turntable. |
| US08672282B2 |
Fixing structure for electronic device with display screen
A fixing structure for electronic device with a display screen, which comprises a base, a supporting plate interposed into the base, a fixing plate connected with the supporting plate via a damping shaft, vertically moveable jaws for locking the supporting plate, and a slide block for pushing the jaws to release the supporting plate. The jaws are arranged in an upper jaw and a lower jaw, whatever the direction the supporting plate are interposed in the base in, there is always one of the upper and lower jaws able to lock the supporting plate. |
| US08672278B1 |
Multiuse device mounting system and method
A multiuse platform and system having a flexible shape-retaining shaft for engaging, holding and pointing devices (e.g., imaging devices like cameras or video recorders). It includes a respositionable mounting system having a flexible assembly having a first end and a second end, the assembly adapted to be repetitively positioned into a plurality of orientations by moving the assembly into a first particular orientation wherein the assembly retains the particular orientation until the assembly is moved into a second particular orientation; and a first mounting head, coupled to the first end, for engaging a first mating structure. |
| US08672276B2 |
Clamp
A pipe clamp, for installing a filler pipe on a vehicle body panel having a locking hole, includes a base member, a lid member, and a pin member. The base member is arranged on the vehicle body panel and includes a pin hole, a plurality of leg piece parts placed projecting from a perimeter edge part of the pin hole and capable of projecting into the locking hole, and pipe holding parts. The lid member is provided rotatably on the base member, and locks to the base member when rotated to a closed position covering the pipe holding parts. The pin member is held in the pin hole displacing the leg piece parts outwardly in a radial direction of the pin hole to engage the leg piece parts in the locking hole. The lid member has an access hole exposing the pin member to the outside when in closed position. |
| US08672275B2 |
Firestop collar
A metal casing strip for a fire collar to be arranged around a duct has a line of succesive tongues and cutouts in the longitudinal direction of the strip. The tongues and cutouts are arranged in the strip in an alternating fashion. The tongues are bendable out of the surface of the casing strip such that in use, when the casing strip is arranged around a pipe such that two end regions overlap, an outwardly bended tongue from the one end region is inserted in a cutout of the overlapping other end region and folded over the edge of the cutout to retain the casing strip in the closed collar shape. |
| US08672274B2 |
Locking device for crossings with movable frog point
Locking device for crossings with movable frog point, including a cradle support with a central recess into which a movable frog point with transverse displacement in order to place thereof in two steady end positions is housed; characterized in that it comprises a pair of side left (10) and right (11) boxes, a transverse slide (9) through central part of which is connected to a movable frog point (8) being coupled in said side boxes (10-11), a widger (14) axial displacement of which carries the transverse slide (9) being guided inside said transverse slide (9), the widger (14) further comprising some depressions (30) into which the bottom of the locking rollers (25) is housed during the relative displacement of the widger (14) with respect to the transverse slide (9) and also during the whole movement of both elements (9-14). |
| US08672272B2 |
Coating for prevention of electrostatic discharge within an equipment in a spatial environment
A solar panel (3) having a front face (31) for receiving solar radiation and a rear face (32), for use in a spacecraft (1). The solar panel is covered on the rear face (32) with a coating (4) having negative electric charge emissive property such that in use the coating expels electrons out of the rear face (32) of the solar panel (3), thus reducing the potential difference between the front face (31) and the rear face (32). A method of reducing potential difference between the front face (31) and the rear face (32) of the solar panel (3) by covering the rear face by said coating (4). |
| US08672271B2 |
Door assembly, in particular for a helicopter, provided with an emergency release device
A door assembly, in particular for a helicopter, has a post; a door fitted to the post by a first and second hinge arranged on an outer wall of the post, so as to rotate about a hinge axis to open and close a door opening; and an emergency release device having a release handle, and a stem which extends through the post along a release axis substantially perpendicular to the hinge axis, rotates axially, in response to operation of the release handle, from a first to a second angular position to detach the door from the post, and is fixed at one axial end to the first hinge; the release handle being connected to the stem to rotate together with the stem about its release axis. |
| US08672269B2 |
Vent stringer and aircraft main wing
A vent stringer 20 is formed by a pair of ribs 21 rising in the direction perpendicular to an inner surface 11a of a wing panel 11, and a cover 22 provided in the tip end portions of the ribs 21. With rivets 23 unexposed to an outer surface 11b of the wing panel 11, a spark is prevented from occurring in a fuel tank 30, which is provided in a main wing 10, through the rivet 23 at the time of a lightning strike. Formed by being machined integrally with the wing panel 11, the rib 21 is formed with high accuracy so as to match the curved shape of the wing panel 11. The cover 22 has only to be formed by curving a strap member so as to match the shapes of the wing panel 11 and the ribs 21. |
| US08672265B2 |
Container for air freight transport and fuselage of an aircraft for freight transport
A container assembly and aircraft fuselage for air transport of freight. The container assembly includes a spacer layer formed of malleable material. The spacer layer is positioned between and in contact with a bottom plate of the container and the floor of an aircraft. The aircraft fuselage for the freight transport is equipped with a floor adapted to receive and bear a load. A spacer layer integral with the floor is positioned between the floor and the load. The spacer layer is formed of a malleable material. |
| US08672264B1 |
Method and apparatus for retrieving a hovering aircraft
For retrieval of a hovering aircraft, a cable, bar, or similar fixture is suspended in an approximately horizontal orientation across the retrieval area between two well-separated supports. The aircraft slowly flies into this fixture, which then slides along the aircraft in a direction approximately parallel with the aircraft's thrust line. This leads to the aircraft becoming fastened to the fixture by an interceptor or aircraft capturer, which in alternative embodiments are respectively on the aircraft or the fixture or both. Thrust is then reduced, and the aircraft comes to rest hanging from the fixture for subsequent removal. Retrieval is thus accomplished with simple and economical apparatus, light and unobtrusive elements on the aircraft, low risk of damage, and only moderate piloting accuracy. |
| US08672261B2 |
Engine mount of aircraft and aircraft
An engine mount of an aircraft and an aircraft are provided, which can reduce a size of an engine mount and can effectively use a space in an engine nacelle even in an engine with a high bypass ratio. An engine core section 20b at a rear of an engine 20 is supported by a rear engine mount 40 comprising an engine side mount member 41 fixed to a side of the engine 20 and a strut side mount member 42 fixed to a side of a pylon strut 11. The rear engine mount 40 is divided into the engine side mount member 41 and the strut side mount member 42, and thereby, even in the engine 20 with a high bypass ratio in which an outside diameter of the fan section 20a and the outside diameter of the engine core section 20b significantly differ, the lengths in the vertical direction of the engine side mount member 41 and the strut side mount member 42 are suppressed. |
| US08672251B2 |
Paper shredder with staple and clip remover
A paper shredder includes a housing, cutters positioned in the housing, and a feeder base adapted to support a stack of paper. The feeder base includes a feeder slot. A pressure plate is mounted for movement above the feeder base. The pressure plate is mounted to a bottom surface of a feeder door that substantially covers the entire feeder base and is pivoted about an axis at one end of the feeder door. The pressure plate is a one-piece member that spans the feeder slot. |
| US08672248B2 |
Asphalt material recycling system and method with ball screener and impact and cutting choppers
An asphalt roofing material recycling system and method is used to recycle new and used asphalt materials. The asphalt material is broken up and separated. Dry ice may be added to the recycler and/or a jacket coolant used to cool the recycling vessel. The recycle vessel includes a number of high speed choppers having a blunt end as well as a horizontal mixer element with paddles. The recycled asphalt material is provided to a screener that may feature a plurality of sloping levels, each level including a tray below a screen and balls located within the tray that bounce due to vibration to prevent clogging of the screener. A second processing trip involving gravity feeding the material to be further recycled into a cutter with knife edges to further break down the size of the asphalt material is used for large particles that do not pass through the screener. |
| US08672247B2 |
Shredder with thickness detector
A shredder is disclosed. The shredder includes a housing having a throat for receiving at least one article to be shredded, and a shredder mechanism received in the housing and including an electrically powered motor and cutter elements. The shredder mechanism enables the at least one article to be shredded to be fed into the cutter elements. The motor is operable to drive the cutter elements so that the cutter elements shred the articles fed therein. The shredder also includes a detector that is configured to detect a thickness of the at least one article being received by the throat, and a controller that is operable to perform a predetermined operation responsive to the detector detecting that the thickness of the at least one article is at least equal to a predetermined maximum thickness. |
| US08672242B2 |
Sprinkler with variable arc and flow rate and method
A variable arc sprinkler head or nozzle may be set to numerous positions to adjust the arcuate span of the sprinkler. The sprinkler head includes an arc adjustment valve having two portions that helically engage each other to define an opening that may be adjusted at the top of the sprinkler to a desired arcuate length. The arcuate length may be adjusted by pressing down and rotating a deflector to directly actuate the valve without the need for a hand tool. A method of irrigation is also provided involving moving the deflector between an arc adjustment position and an operational, irrigation position. The sprinkler head may also include a flow rate adjustment valve that may be adjusted by actuation or rotation of an outer wall portion of the sprinkler. Rotation of the outer wall portion causes a flow control member to move axially to or away from an inlet. |
| US08672241B2 |
Multi-hole or cluster nozzle
A multi-hole or cluster nozzle having several outlet openings for fluid to be atomized. The central longitudinal axes of at least two of the outlet openings are aligned askew relative to one another, where a distance between the central longitudinal axes of these outlet openings and the main longitudinal axis of the nozzle is initially reduced when seen in the outflow direction, without intersecting the central longitudinal axis, and increases again after passing through a minimum distance. Use for example in nozzles for evaporative cooling or for flue gas cleaning. |
| US08672238B2 |
Spray head for a blower tube of a spray apparatus
A spray head is provided for a blower tube of a spray apparatus. The blower tube is adapted to conduct a blower air flow to the spray head (20) in a flow direction (18). The spray head includes a supply pipe (13) for a medium to be sprayed such as a liquid. The spray head also includes an inlet opening for receiving the blower air flow (40) and an outlet opening through which the blower air flow is discharged from the spray head enriched with the medium. The supply pipe (13) has an outer feed connection for the medium and a discharge opening (29) in the interior of the spray head for admixing the medium into the blower air flow (40). The discharge opening (29) defines a plane aligned in the flow direction (18) and an impediment is disposed at the edge of the discharge opening lying upstream with respect to the flow direction (18). The impediment disturbs the blower air flow entering the spray head through the inlet opening before it flows over the discharge opening. In this way, noise excitation is avoided while obtaining a good atomization of the medium. |
| US08672235B2 |
Device and method for the thermal fogging of a liquid
A device for the thermal fogging of a liquid, includes a unit for producing a stream of pressurized hot gas an ejection pipe; a first source of liquid; and a first circuit for injecting a measured flow of liquid into the ejection pipe (5) from the first source of liquid. In addition, the device includes a sensor for detecting a total or partial interruption of the measured flow of liquid injected into the ejection pipe from the first source of liquid; a second source of liquid; and a second circuit for injecting an emergency flow of liquid into the ejection pipe from the second source of liquid when the sensor detects a total or partial interruption of the measured flow of liquid injected into the ejection pipe from the first source of liquid. |
| US08672234B2 |
Multi-physics fuel atomizer and methods
A fuel atomizer that includes a housing having a fuel inlet and at least one primary orifice positioned at the inlet, wherein the at least one orifice configured to disperse a stream of fuel into a plurality of fuel droplets. The plurality of fuel droplets contact a fuel impingement surface to break up the plurality of fuel droplets into a plurality of smaller secondary droplets and create a thin film of secondary droplets on the impingement surface. At least one pressurized air channel delivers an airflow into contact with the secondary droplets. The secondary droplets pass through a plurality of secondary outlet orifices to exit the housing. A size of the plurality of secondary droplets is reduced when passing out of the plurality of secondary orifices. |
| US08672233B2 |
Water saving apparatus
A water saving device includes a housing having a hot water inlet chamber connectable to a hot water supply, a temperature sensing chamber having a cold water outlet connectable to a water storage system, and a hot water outlet chamber having a hot water outlet. The inlet and outlet chambers are interconnected by a first port. The inlet and temperature sensing chambers are interconnected by a second port. The temperature sensing and hot water outlet chambers are interconnected by a third port. The device includes a water-pressure actuated piston that is displaceable upon a drop in water pressure in the hot water outlet chamber. The temperature sensing chamber has a temperature-sensitive valve assembly that closes the third port when the temperature of water is below a predetermined level and opens the third port and closes the cold water outlet when the temperature of water is above a predetermined temperature. |
| US08672232B2 |
Combination card of metal and plastic
A card formed in accordance with the invention includes a first assembly comprised of multiple plastic layers attached via an adhesive to a metal layer. The multiple plastic layers forming the first assembly are laminated under a first selected temperature and pressure conditions to preshrink the multiple plastic layers, stress relieve the first assembly and render the first assembly dimensionally stable. The laminated first assembly is then attached to a metal layer via an adhesive layer to form a second assembly which is then laminated at a temperature below the first selected temperature to form a card which is not subjected to warpage and delamination. |
| US08672227B2 |
Low profile illumination for direct part mark readers
An industrial reader is provided with an image formation system that is particularly adapted to read bar codes and two-dimensional symbols marked directly on objects. The image formation system includes illumination sources and illumination transmissive components that produce a combination of bright field and dark field illumination. |
| US08672223B2 |
System, device and method of protecting aircrafts against incoming missiles and threats
The present invention includes a system for protecting an aircraft against one or more incoming threats. The system includes one or more electro-optic sensors to scan an area around the aircraft for one or more possible incoming threats, and to generate an indication signal once an incoming threat is detected; an integrated unit combining a Missile Approach Confirmation Sensor (MACS) with Directed Infra-Red Counter Measure (DIRCM), to verify the incoming threat and to activate a countermeasure against the verified incoming threat; and a processor to receive data from said one or more electro-optic sensors and the integrated MACS-DIRCM unit, and to select a countermeasure technique for deployment against the incoming threat. |
| US08672221B2 |
System and method of securely delivering and verifying a mobile boarding pass
A system and method of securely delivering and verifying a mobile boarding pass which validates the mobile boarding pass. An example method includes receiving boarding pass data for a traveler, creating a digital certificate containing the boarding pass data, encrypting the digital certificate, encoding a series of different encrypted digital certificates into a series of different two-dimensional barcodes, providing the series of different two-dimensional barcodes to a mobile communication device of the traveler in advance of arrival at a security checkpoint, receiving decoded barcode data in one or more of the two-dimensional barcodes from a barcode reader at the security checkpoint, decrypting the decoded barcode data using the plurality of different tokens, and identifying a valid digital certificate containing boarding pass data in the decoded barcode data. |
| US08672217B2 |
Data output method in analysis of sample, analytical device, and analytical system
An analytical device is provided that can easily determine whether analysis results are affected by drug administration for the test subject when a sample such as urine or blood is analyzed. The analytical device includes reading means capable of reading test subject identification information recorded on an information recording portion of a sample container, and data output means capable of outputting data on analysis results of a sample contained in the sample container, the analytical device further having: information acquiring means capable of acquiring, from a source external to the analytical device, drug administration information on the test subject corresponding to the test subject identification information read by the reading means, wherein when the data on analysis results of a sample are outputted by the data output means, data on the drug administration information on the test subject corresponding thereto are also outputted. |
| US08672214B2 |
Cartons with reclosable opening features
A carton includes a pivoting, reclosable lid that allows a top end of the carton to be accessed and subsequently closed. If a bag or other flexible vessel is accommodated within the carton, a first section of the lid can be pivoted toward a first side panel so that the vessel is pressed between the first lid section and the first side panel. The bag contents are thereby securely retained within the carton. |
| US08672206B2 |
Apparatus for endoscopic procedures
A surgical system has a jaw assembly including a plurality of fasteners, an anvil and a drive beam for pushing an actuation sled. A drive screw imparts motion to the drive beam. An elongated body is configured to connect with the jaw assembly. A drive link connects a flexible drive shaft to the drive screw, the drive link being disposed off-axis. The jaw assembly and elongated body are separable from each other. |
| US08672204B2 |
Fastener, installation tool and related method of use
A fastener installation tool including a guide that guides a fastener into a side of a work piece at an angle, while optionally restraining the fastener from wobbling due to rotation, even upon initial entry into the work piece. The guide can define an angled bore including a fastener entrance opening and a fastener exit opening which is adapted to be positioned immediately adjacent the work piece. The guide can include a material ejection port between the openings, through which material bored from the work piece can be evacuated from the angled bore to prevent binding of the material with the fastener. The tool can include a clamp assembly that clamps opposing sides of the work piece to precisely align and steadily hold the angled bore as a fastener is being installed in a side surface. Related methods of using the tool to install fasteners also are provided. |
| US08672203B2 |
Rucksack with rear ventilation zone
The invention relates to a rucksack (1) with a horizontally and vertically rear-ventilated air conditioning zone (6). It is composed of a shoulder strap carrying system (2), a rear wall (3) with a stiffening frame (4), and a mesh (5) stretched across the rear wall and/or across the stiffening frame for creating the rear-ventilated air conditioning zone (6) between the rear wall (3) and the back of a rucksack wearer. By virtue of the stretched mesh (5), the rear wall (3) is kept away from the back of the wearer both in the hip region and in the shoulder region and allows both a horizontal and a vertical exchange of air. In a variable embodiment of the rucksack (1), the rucksack (1) can optionally be adapted to the body of the wearer by attaching the shoulder straps (2) in the shoulder-side region in a horizontally and vertically adjustable manner to a baseplate (15) attached to the mesh (5). |
| US08672201B2 |
Concealable handgun holster with deceptive attachment clip
A concealable handgun holster is disclosed with a handgun encasement supported within clothing of a wearer by one or more attachment clips, the attachment clips being hidden “in plain sight” by decorative features that deceive an observer into thinking the clips are decorations rather than part of a holster. In preferred embodiments, the holster is a hybrid holster with a handgun encasement formed by a leather sheet attached to a rigid plastic cover, preferably made of Kydex®. The clips can be plastic or metal, preferably steel, and can be attached to the encasement by rivets, screws, or any other suitable fastening means known in the art. Decoration of the attachment clips can be by shaping of the clips, perforation of the clips with decorative shapes, engraving on the clips, printing on the clips, and/or attachment of decorative items to the clips. |
| US08672199B1 |
Adjustable electronic device holder mountable to a cart handle
An adjustable electronic device holder mountable to an elongated shopping cart handle includes a base with an advertising panel, a rear support attached to the back of the base at an obtuse angle, a fixed clamping member and a linearly movable clamping member attached at the rear support. Each clamping member has a concave gripping side, which may include a resilient gripping pad. An adjustable fastener, permanent bonding, or integral formation may attach the base to a handle. A deflectable pawl engages a rack along the rear support for locking and releasing the movable clamping member. |
| US08672194B2 |
Hopper structure
The present invention regards a hopper structure for containing and treating loose material, which includes a tubular section, upper in use, a lower tapered section equipped with a suitable discharge mouth, a support device for at least the upper tubular section, and a guide device designed to allow the lower section to move between a closed position against the upper section and an open position removed from the upper section. |
| US08672192B2 |
Push-type nozzle assembly
A push-type nozzle assembly includes a main tube, a valve, a suction unit and a push unit. The suction unit includes a push rod, a connection rod, a block and a seal sleeve. A spring is mounted between the seal sleeve and the push rod. The spring provides a force to move the block and the connection rod back and forth between the closed position and an open position. Because the spring is located outside of the push rod, the spring does directly contact the liquid which is avoided from being chemically changed. |
| US08672191B2 |
Manual spray pump
Disclosed herein is a hand-operated spray pump configured to discharge a predetermined amount of content upon pressing a button and to suction a residual portion of the content in an end of a nozzle after discharging the content, the hand-operated spray pump including a housing forming the external appearance of the pump, a housing cap configured to seal the internal space of the housing from the outside, the closure configured to mount a container containing content in the housing, the closure being integrally formed with the housing cap, a stem configured to move upward and downward while being connected to the lower end of the button, the shaft configured to move upward and downward along the inside of the housing cap while being coupled to the outside of the stem, a piston configured to move upward and downward along the inner wall of the housing, a compression spring provided between a side protrusion formed at the upper end of the shaft at the side of the shaft and the housing cap, an opening and closing member configured to move upward into and downward from the vertical channel through the lower end of the stem such that the residual content in the nozzle is suctioned after pumping, and a sealing member mounted at the lower end of the stem in a state in which the sealing member is in tight contact with the outside of the opening and closing member inserted into the vertical channel. |
| US08672188B2 |
Intermediate piece for the connection of a storage container to a static mixer
The intermediate piece connects a static mixer to a dispensing cartridge or to a dispensing device for a plurality of components and contains two separate passages for separate components from the dispensing device. The inlet opening of one passage includes an element for aligning the passage in a matching position to the dispensing device and the inlet openings of the two passages are of different cross-sectional shape to each other. |
| US08672187B2 |
Method and apparatus for generating ozone containing fluid and foam
A hand cleaner dispenser to dispense ozone containing fluid onto a user's hand including an ozone generator generating ozone from atmospheric air by conversion of oxygen in the air in the ozone generator into ozone to form ozonated air and a pump mechanism to draw air into the ozone generator and discharge the ozonated air from the ozone generator to a mixing chamber simultaneously with the pump mechanism drawing fluid from a reservoir and discharging fluid into the mixing chamber. |
| US08672186B2 |
Multi-chamber container
The present invention relates to a multi-chamber container having a container housing (4), which comprises a first chamber (1) for receiving a first product component and a second chamber (2) for receiving a second product component. The container further has a device (15, 16; 60, 61) for producing a pressure difference delivering the first and/or second product components out of the respective chamber, a removal opening (33), which communicates with the first chamber (1) and/or the second chamber (2) and is disposed on a housing head (3, 53), and further a metering device (3, 15, 16; 60, 61, 66) for dispensing the product component from the first and/or second chambers (1, 2). The object of the present invention is to provide a multi-chamber container, which has a relatively space-saving and compact design. In order to achieve this objective, the invention proposes that the first chamber (1) be disposed between the second chamber (2) and the housing head (3) and that the removal opening (33) communicates with a rising pipe (12), which penetrates the first chamber (1) and extends into the second chamber (2). |
| US08672185B2 |
Dispenser cap with selectable reservoirs
A dispensing cap is disclosed for mixing a primary flowable substance, such as a soap, lotion, or the like, with a small dose of a secondary flowable substance, such as a fragrance. The dispensing cap includes a plurality of reservoirs containing a plurality of secondary flowable substances. Each of the reservoirs is associated with a secondary piston that, when actuated, causes the secondary flowable substance to be expelled from the reservoir into a mixing chamber in the cap, where it is mixed with the primary flowable substance. Upon mixing the two are dispensed together from a dispensing end of the cap. A selector ring is provided to enable the user to select one of the plurality of reservoirs. The selector ring has an actuation flange that aligns with the secondary piston that is associated with the selected reservoir. The selector ring is engaged with the main piston so, as the primary flowable substance is introduced into the mixing chamber via movement of the main piston, the selector ring and flange are pressed down onto the selected secondary piston, which expels a quantity of selected secondary flowable substance into the mixing chamber. The mixing chamber may have mixing vanes or other physical features to enhance mixing of the primary and secondary flowable substances. The cap may have a lockout feature that prevents actuation if the selected reservoir is empty. The cap may also have a visual indicator that informs the user of a level of secondary flowable substance within the secondary reservoir. |
| US08672183B2 |
Collapsible bottle and cover
In combination with a collapsible container with a dimension that varies as the container collapses from a full position to an empty position, the bottle cover with a sight opening for viewing of indicia on the bottle to provide an indication as to the extent the bottle is full or empty. |
| US08672177B2 |
Portable waste transfer tank
A includes a main body portion defining a waste holding chamber, a vent path extending from the waste holding chamber to atmosphere, and a float member. The float member is coupled to the tank for movement between a first position and a second position. The float member is movable from the first position to the second position in response to an increase in fluid level within the storage chamber. The vent passage remains open for venting the storage chamber when the float member is in the first position and is blocks the vent passage in the second position. |
| US08672174B1 |
Multi-function lid for beverage containers
A lid assembly including a cover member for attachment to a container, the cover including first and second apertures providing access to contents of the container; a drinking member having a bore there through, the drinking member pivotal between a first closed position wherein the drinking member seals the first aperture and a second open position wherein the bore is aligned with the first aperture to allow contents of the container to pass through the first aperture and the drinking member; and a closure member pivotal between a first closed position wherein the closure member seals the second aperture and a second open position wherein the second aperture is exposed to allow contents of the container to pass there through. |
| US08672172B2 |
Organizer system
A system for organizing very similar articles in a container so that the user can readily identify the desired article. A “menu” may be used to readily identify the articles, which preferably are non-food, consumer items, such as bandages or first-aid supplies. The “menu” may be provided in the lid of the container. If desired, the “menu” may be fixedly provided in the lid of the container, such as on the interior-facing surface of a flip-top or hinged-lid of the container. The articles may be organized in an insert or tray that is removable from a shell portion of the container so the shell can be used for other purposes. |
| US08672171B2 |
Trashcan having improved bag retention member
A trashcan includes a container having a base and a peripheral wall extending upwardly from the base forming an interior space for receipt of a trash bag therein; and a trash bag retention member disposed on the peripheral wall, the retention member defining a passageway into the interior space of the container and comprising a plurality of resilient, flexible fingers configured to receive and retain therebetween a portion of a trash bag. Each finger includes a portion thereof that extends away from the peripheral wall. Each finger is “bent” and extends away from the peripheral wall. A finger may extend away from the peripheral wall on the exterior of the container, away from the peripheral wall on the interior of the container, or both. A method of making the trashcan includes injection molding the container and the retention member separately or, alternatively, together. |
| US08672169B2 |
Novelty cup with jewelry
A novelty item comprises a drinking cup having a sidewall formed with a groove extending about its perimeter. A jewelry item, preferably constituting a necklace, bracelet or the like, is formed with an elastic loop and a plurality of elongated jeweled dangles each having one end fixed to the loop, at spaced points, and the other end free. The loop is dimensioned so that its unstretched length is less than the perimeter of the sidewall of the cup so that the loop may be stretched to fit over the sidewall of the cup and into the groove to retain the jewelry on the exterior of the sidewall. |
| US08672160B2 |
Composite interlocking stopper and method of manufacture
A composite synthetic cork is provided, wherein the synthetic cork is operatively coupled with a cap via an interlocking contour. In an exemplary embodiment, the interlocking contour(s) is molded on an otherwise flat bottom portion of the cap. In other exemplary embodiments, the cap and the cork are assembled via co-injection molding. |
| US08672158B2 |
Impact resistant closure
A closure including a top panel and a transition section extending from a peripheral edge of the top panel is provided. The closure includes a skirt extending from a peripheral edge of the transition section such that the skirt extends away from the top panel. The skirt includes a plurality of projections extending outwardly and away from an outer surface of the transition section. |
| US08672157B2 |
Procedure for manufacturing bottles containing fluids, particularly cosmetic, medical, pharmaceutical products or the like, and relative system and bottles
The procedure for manufacturing bottles (2) containing fluids, particularly—cosmetic, medical, pharmaceutical products or the like, comprises a forming phase of a hollow body (4) having a dispensing mouth (5) that can be closed by means of removable closing means (8) comprising shutter means (10) that can be coupled with the mouth, the closing means being made in a single body with the hollow body. During the forming phase, the closing means are arranged with the shutter means substantially transversal to the direction of coupling with the dispensing mouth. After the forming phase a coupling” phase is contemplated of the shutter means with the dispensing mouth. |
| US08672155B2 |
Closure cap for a container filled with medicinal fluid, and container having a closure cap
The invention relates to a closure cap for a container filled with medicinal fluid, which container has an aperture piece which is sealed off by a diaphragm which can be punctured. The closure cap has a cap-shaped closure body (1) and a drinking neck (4) with a drinking opening (4a) which is pivotable between a first position, in which the drinking neck bears against the closure cap, and a second position, in which the drinking neck projects from the closure cap. In addition, the closure cap has means (20, 22) for puncturing the diaphragm which seals off the aperture piece of the container, which means (20, 22) interact with the drinking neck in such a way that, as the drinking neck (4) is pivoted, the diaphragm is punctured such that a connection is produced between the opening (4a) of the drinking neck and the container interior. The closure cap is characterized in that the closure body has, in addition to the opening (4a) of the drinking neck (4), an opening (20a, 24) for ventilating the container during drinking. |
| US08672153B2 |
Push tab vial assembly and methods
A push tab container assembly includes a container and a lid configured to mate with the container in an unlocked state and in a locked state. The container includes a push tab assembly having a locking member defining a ramped surface and ending at a locking edge. The locking edge is vertically oriented with respect to the ramped surface and is tapered as it extends radially inwardly. The container has exactly one external container thread positioned on an external surface and at least one internal thread positioned on an internal surface. The lid has at least one locking lug positioned on an internal surface of a second skirt. The locking lug has a lug edge that tapers as it extends radially inwardly. When the lid is operably oriented relative to the container in the unlocked state, the external lid thread is mated with the internal container thread. When the lid is operably oriented relative to the container in the locked state, the internal lid thread is mated with the exactly one external container thread, while the locking edge of the locking member is engaged against the lug edge of the locking lug. The push tab assembly is actuatable to release the locking edge of the locking member from the lug edge of the locking lug to permit disengagement of the lid from the container. |
| US08672151B2 |
Elastomeric draft gear for a railcar
A draft gear assembly includes housing and an elastomeric spring stack disposed therewithin and including a plurality of compressible elastomeric springs disposed in series with each other. Each compressible elastomeric spring includes a compressible elastomeric pad, a rigid member positioned in direct contact with one end surface of the compressible elastomeric pad, a central aperture through a thickness of the rigid member, an abutment upstanding axially on the end surface of the compressible elastomeric pad, the abutment having a peripheral surface thereof sized to be received within the central aperture formed through the thickness of the rigid member, and an annular lip disposed on a distal end of the axial abutment in a plane being substantially transverse to the central axis, whereby an annular thickness portion of the rigid member is caged between the end surface of the compressible elastomeric pad and an inner surface of the annular lip. |
| US08672149B2 |
Thermochromic equipment rack
A thermochromic indicator is vertically disposed on a rack. Such that the thermochromic indicator is visible from a distance. In some examples, the thermochromic indicator indicates a bulk air temperature and a gradient air temperature. The thermochromic indicator provides a real-time visual of air temperatures of computing equipment and devices housed within a computing facility. The thermochromic indicator may be vertically disposed on a front-face and/or a back-face or a rack. A plurality of thermochromic indicators may be disposed on a plurality of front-faces and/or back-faces of racks of an array of racks. |
| US08672146B1 |
Neckwear and jewelry storage device
A vertically adjustable combination neckwear and jewelry storage device comprised of a head rail assembly, a jewelry rail assembly, and a plurality of neckwear rods operatively connected together such that jewelry rail assembly and the plurality of neckwear rods vertically adjust with respect to the head rail assembly. |
| US08672140B2 |
Method of storing a plurality of articles with information being scrutinized
A method of sorting a plurality of articles (A, B, C), in which each article goes through a sorting installation in at least two passes, comprises the steps of recording the image of each article that is generated during the first sorting pass in a memory and in correspondence with a data item indicating a sorting outlet to which the article is directed during the first sorting pass. If an article is misrouted, a correctly routed reference article is chosen in the vicinity of the misrouted article in the sequence of articles obtained during the last sorting pass, the memory is searched (22-28) for an image of said correctly routed reference article, and, on the basis of said reference article image, a set of article images grouped together in the memory and that includes the image of the reference article is looked through (29-34) to identify an image of the misrouted article. |
| US08672138B2 |
Isotope separation by magnetic activation and separation
A method for separation of isotopes includes vaporizing a sample having two or more isotopes of the same element. A stream of atoms is generated from the vaporized sample. One or more light waves are applied to the stream. The one or more light waves are tuned to prepare one or more specific isotopes in the flowing stream into a set of one or more magnetic states. A magnetic field is applied to the stream, deflecting atoms in the stream based on their magnetic states. Isotopes are collected based on their deflections (or lack of deflection). |
| US08672135B1 |
Multi-functional survival kit
A multi-functional survival kit includes a multi-part canteen for storing water, but that can also be broken down into a basin, a parabolic lid, and a cap. The basin, parabolic lid and cap can be used standalone or in conjunction with one another to provide various survival functions. A mirrored concave surface of the parabolic lid provides a means for starting a fire, while a basin handle of the basin allows the basin to be used for cooking purposes. The basin handle has a viewing space that can be used with the cap, which includes a compass, as a directional sight when the basin handle is pivoted ninety degrees. For transport, the canteen can be stored in a carrying case, which includes a strap to which a paracord can be attached. A pan, mess kit, and metal match are also included and stored in the carrying case. |
| US08672134B2 |
Child-resistant medication container
The child-resistant medication container includes: a housing having an open end, a support slidably mounted in the housing for supporting medication, first locking element for locking the support in the housing and for unlocking the support so that the support may be slid to the outside of the housing through the open end, the first locking element including a first locking member coupled to the housing and a second locking member coupled to the support, the first and second locking members being engageable with each other, and at least one button operable to act on the first locking element, the at least one button including a first button operable to disengage the first and second locking members, second locking element for maintaining engagement between the first and second locking members, and a second button operable to act on the second locking element to permit disengaging the first and second locking members by operating the first button. |
| US08672132B2 |
Packing tray with built-in drainage and method of manufacture
Packing tray for packing fruit and other fragile objects including a drainage system that channels water away from the fruit. The packing tray includes a plurality of cell pockets, each cell pocket having a lowermost sump area with at least one flap door punched out but not removed from the sump area, providing a drainage opening from the cell. Inner and outer cell pocket channels are provided on both the inner and outer surfaces of the cell pockets to direct water flow and removal. |
| US08672127B1 |
Remote control cover
A remote control cover includes a sleeve having a transparent front wall and an open bottom edge in communication with an interior chamber that houses a remote unit. The open bottom edge is selectively closed with a pair of releasable flaps that allow a user to easily install and remove the remote unit. The top edge includes a wide-profile aperture for exposing the remote unit's infrared transmitter. On the inner surface of the rear wall is a fabric pad for minimizing impact damage if the remote unit is dropped. Accordingly, when the remote unit is positioned within the interior chamber, the thin, transparent front wall allows a user to easily view and operate any of the remote unit's control buttons. Meanwhile, the sleeve protects the unit from contaminants and minimizes impact damage if the unit is dropped. |
| US08672123B1 |
Dry and wet mixing baby bottle
A baby bottle comprised of an upper assembly, a lower assembly and a baffle assembly. The upper assembly is adapted to contain separately a wet ingredient and a lower assembly is adapted to contain a dry ingredient. The baffle assembly includes an integral plug and aperture that rotates relative to the upper assembly so that the upper assembly is selectively in fluid communication with lower assembly to mix the wet and dry ingredients. |
| US08672110B2 |
Automatic torque overload clutch
A torque overload clutch comprises outer and inner members. A recess is formed in the outer member and a radial opening is formed in the inner member. A driving member is slideably captured in the opening to move between an extended, engaged position with the recess and a retracted, disengaged position. An actuator ring is urged by a spring into engagement with the driving member to bias the driving member toward the engaged position. An end of the driving member may engage the recess to define an engagement angle that is approximately between thirty-four and seventy degrees relative to a radially oriented reference. The driving member may be slideably captured in a liner seated in the opening, and one or both may be impregnated with a lubricant. A bearing may be positioned between the inner and outer members to inhibit relative movement along the clutch axis. |
| US08672108B2 |
Drive train, in particular a hybrid drive train
A drive train, in particular, a hybrid drive train with a torque converter, which can be operatively connected with a drive through a clutch. The clutch includes an emergency operation actuation device with at least one emergency operation actuation element, which defines a centrifugal oil cavity which includes oil and which is coupled with the drive. |
| US08672103B2 |
Main shaft drive for machine tool
A main shaft drive includes a supply groove that opens to a friction surface, that extends so as to surround a main shaft within a contact range where the friction surface and a pressing surface oppose each other, and that includes an intersecting groove and a discharge opening. The intersecting groove extends in a direction of intersection with a circumference in which a rotational center of the main shaft is a center. The discharge opening is connected to a location that is outside the contact range. By opening a nozzle hole, used for supplying lubricant, towards the supply groove, as the main shaft rotates, four intersecting grooves move relative to the contact range, so that the lubricant is supplied to the four moved intersecting grooves. Therefore, the lubricant easily reaches a location within the contact range where the friction surface and the pressing surface oppose each other. |
| US08672102B2 |
Brake system for a motor vehicle
An improved brake system is provided for a motor vehicle. The system includes a rotor attached to a rim of a wheel and a caliper assembly mounted to a hub of the wheel. The caliper is arranged to retain a friction element and operatively engage the friction element against the rotor. |
| US08672097B2 |
Lubrication device for belt type continuously variable transmission
A lubrication device for a belt type continuously variable transmission is provided in which a nozzle tube (25) communicating with an oil supply source (26) is disposed between a drive pulley (5) and a driven pulley (6) of a belt type continuously variable transmission (2) along the axial direction of the drive pulley (5) and the driven pulley (6), this nozzle tube (25) being provided with first and second oil spray holes (27, 28) for spraying oil toward belt grooves (12, 21) of the two pulleys (5, 6) respectively, wherein the first oil spray hole (27) is made to be open toward a large-diameter portion of a belt contact face (21a) of a fixed pulley half body (19) of the one, of the drive pulley (5) and the driven pulley (6), that is positioned on an upstream side of the nozzle tube (25), and the second oil spray hole (28) is made to be open toward the belt groove (12) of the other of the drive pulley (5) and the driven pulley (6) at a position downstream of the nozzle tube (25) relative to the first oil spray hole (27). This enables lubrication and cooling of a V belt on the drive and driven pulley sides to be carried out reliably even when the angles of the first and second oil spray holes relative to the axis of the nozzle tube are identical to each other. |
| US08672095B2 |
Method and system for lubricating a turbine engine
A method and a system for lubricating a turbine engine including at least three separate housings each including at least one roller bearing. The method pressurizes the housings through seals, of which two main housings are pressurized at a pressure higher than that of a remaining secondary housing, lubricates a secondary roller bearing only by injecting an oil mist from at least one of the main housings, the oil mist being supplied by a pressure difference between the main housings and the secondary housing, recovers a remainder of the lubrication oil injected into the main housings to supply the same to an oil tank, and supplies the air/oil mixture from the secondary housing to an oil separator. |
| US08672090B1 |
Exhaust component with vibration isolated pipe
A vehicle exhaust system includes an exhaust component having an inlet and an outlet. The exhaust component is configured to be fixed to a vehicle body. A pipe extends through the exhaust component from the inlet to the outlet. The pipe is mounted for movement relative to the exhaust component at the inlet and the outlet. |
| US08672089B2 |
Baffle arrangement for a genset enclosure
A baffle arrangement for a genset enclosure is disclosed. The genset enclosure may include an opening in a side of the enclosure and a plurality of baffles internally supported in the enclosure between the opening and a radiator portion. The baffles may be positioned in a sound path to reflect a sound transmitted along the sound path. A method for reducing sound in a genset enclosure is also disclosed. The method may include arranging a plurality of baffles within the enclosure between an opening and a radiator portion, the baffles being positioned in a sound path to reflect a sound transmitted along the sound path. |
| US08672081B2 |
Power assisted vehicle
A power assisted vehicle includes a wheel drive unit that transmits power of a motor as assist power to wheels via clutches capable of connecting and disconnecting power transmission, input rotation angle detection units that detect rotation angles of input shafts of the clutches, output rotation angle detection units that detect rotation angles of output shafts of the clutches, and assist power calculation units that calculate the relative angle difference between the rotation angles of the input shafts of the clutches and the rotation angles of the output shafts of the clutches, and while clearing the relative angle difference in a predetermined period, calculate the assist power on the basis of the relative angle difference before it is cleared. |
| US08672080B2 |
Vibration source attachment structure for vehicles
Disclosed is a vibration source attachment structure equipped with a vibration isolation device. In the vibration source attachment structure, the vibration source (41) of an engine, or the like, is attached via the vibration isolation device (50) to a subframe (30) that has been attached in a downward position with respect to a vehicle body frame (20). The vibration isolation device (50) is provided with a first attachment (51) that attaches to the vibration source (41), a second attachment (52) that attaches to the subframe (30), and an elastic body (53) that connects the first and second attachments (51, 52). The subframe (30) is provided with fitting holes (31) that are formed in the vertical direction of said subframe. The second attachment (52) is detachably attached to the fitting holes (31) by means of press fitting. |
| US08672079B1 |
Anti-theft guard for automobile component
An anti-theft guard for a vehicle component includes a housing adapted to substantially enclose a vehicle component which is to be protected from theft and an attachment mechanism carried by the housing and adapted for attachment to a structural element of the vehicle. The anti-theft guard is forming including a cavity for covering/receiving the vehicle component. The guard includes a plurality of mounting wings extending outward from an edge formed about a periphery of the cavity, wherein the mounting wings are provided to secure the anti-theft guard to the structural element of the vehicle. A suggested application of the anti-theft guard is a cover placed over an electronic control module of a diesel engine. |
| US08672074B2 |
Apparocycs
A non-conventional motorcycle designed to be a wearable application. It is intended that the present invention is used to transport a passenger commuting between a suburb and a city which lack a reliable public means of transportation to school, work or other, however it is more particular, that the present invention be used in extreme, sport competition racing of various applications providing an area facilitating spectators. |
| US08672069B2 |
Hybrid vehicle with multiple electric drive systems
A hybrid vehicle comprises an engine, a first traction element, a second traction element, a first electric drive system, and a second electric drive system. The engine is coupled operatively to the first traction element via the first electric drive system and to the second traction element via the second electric drive system. |
| US08672068B2 |
Drive unit for an electric hybrid vehicle
A drive unit for a hybrid electric motor vehicle includes a bevel pinion driveably connected to a power source, a bevel gear meshing with the bevel pinion and aligned with an axis, first and second drive shafts, a differential mechanism including an input secured to the bevel gear for transmitting power between the input and the first and the second drive shafts, an electric motor/generator including a rotor, and a planetary gear set driveably connected to the input and the rotor for transmitting power between the rotor and the input such that a speed of the rotor is greater than a speed of the input. |
| US08672062B2 |
Internal means for rotating an object between gravitationally stable states
A vehicle incorporating a plurality of control motion gyroscopes (CMTs) contained within a support structure is described. Optionally, a mass shifting mechanism may also be incorporated in the vehicle. The vehicle and its CMTs are configured to have a plurality of gravitationally stable states on a sloped surface. |
| US08672057B2 |
Method for controlling loss of drilling fluid
Methods for drilling and treating for lost returns continuously while drilling are provided. High fluid loss drilling fluid is used, along with particulate material that forms an immobile mass in hydraulic fractures to prevent their growth. The particulate material may be selected based on the predicted size of a hydraulic fracture, based on particle size to minimize fines, based on specific gravity to attain high solids content for a selected fluid density, and/or based on permeability of the particles to attain a high spurt loss. |
| US08672055B2 |
Automated directional drilling apparatus and methods
Methods and systems for drilling to a target location include a control system that receives an input comprising a planned drilling path to a target location and determines a projected location of a bottom hole assembly of a drilling system. The projected location of the bottom hole assembly is compared to the planned drilling path to determine a deviation amount. A modified drilling path is created to the target location as selected based on the amount of deviation from the planned drilling path, and drilling rig control signals that steer the bottom hole assembly of the drilling system to the target location along the modified drilling path are generated. |
| US08672054B2 |
Hydraulically actuable hand tool
A hand tool that is preferably hydraulically actuable includes a working head and a body unit that remains in place with respect to the head, drive elements for driving the working head being provided in the body unit, for example a hydraulic pump and a hydraulic supply, a switching movement also allowing a powered movement of one or more working parts of the working head to be triggered and the working head being swivelably connected to the body unit in a rotary connection region. In order to configure and develop a hand tool so that safe working is assured by virtue of unambiguous and clear handling, by swivelling of the body unit relative to the working head about an axis of rotation provided in the region of the rotary connection of the working head to the body unit, switching over can be carried out with regard to the powered movement of the working part. |
| US08672052B2 |
Demolition hammer with reversible housing and interchangeable wear plate arrangement
A demolition hammer is provided that includes a housing that is reversible and a plurality of interchangeable wear plates. The demolition hammer may include a housing a housing having a first wall and a second wall opposite the first wall, and a power cell disposed within the housing, the power cell having a front face, wherein the housing is reversible such that the housing can be used with the power cell in a first orientation in which the front face faces the first wall and a second orientation in which the front face faces the second wall. |
| US08672050B2 |
Hand-held power tool
The invention relates to a hand-held machine tool, particularly to a drill hammer and/or chisel hammer, having a hand-held machine tool housing and a transmission chamber with at least one transmission element arranged inside the hand-held machine tool housing. According to the invention, the hand-held machine tool includes a pressure equalization unit, provided for equalizing pressure in the transmission housing and serving at least partially for supporting the transmission element. |
| US08672049B2 |
Vibration drill unit
A vibration drill unit capable of obtaining an intensive drilling force. The vibration drill unit includes a first ratchet, anon-rotatable second ratchet having a claw engageable with the claw of the first ratchet, and a main body frame for accommodating a motor, a spindle, the first ratchet and the second ratchet. The respective claws of the first ratchet and the second ratchet include the first inclined surfaces formed so as to be engaged in the rotation direction by rotations of the first ratchet and so as to be separated from each other, the second inclined surfaces having greater inclination in the reversed direction than the first inclined surfaces, top parts that link the upper parts of both inclined surfaces to each other, and flat parts that link the bottom parts of both inclined surfaces to each other. |
| US08672048B2 |
Tractor pull bar mounting bracket assembly
A pull bar mounting bracket assembly is provided for mounting to the weight rack on the front of a given make of tractor. The mounting assembly includes two brackets positioned on either end of a row of weights that are made for said tractor make and supported on the weight rack, the brackets also being made for the given make of tractor and supported on the weight rack like the weights. The brackets have apertures that align with corresponding apertures in the weights to allow a bolt to be extended through the weights and secured at each end to the brackets. Each bracket also supports a clamp having a fixed clamp base and a removable clamp lock that are used to removably secure a pull bar to the brackets. The pull bar mounting bracket assembly can be easily removed from one model of the given make of tractor to another model of that tractor make without requiring any modification or customization of the mounting assembly or the tractors. |
| US08672045B2 |
Fire suppression systems and methods
Fire suppression systems and methods are described. One described system includes a housing configured to house a container of a fire suppression material, a delivery block in fluid communication with the container, and a nozzle in fluid communication with the delivery block and configured to disperse the fire suppression material from the delivery block. The described system can also include a power supply; a thermal indicator coupled to the power supply and operable to: detect the presence of a fire, generate a first signal indicating the presence of the fire, and transmit the first signal; and an actuator coupled to the power supply, the actuator in communication with the thermal indicator and configured to cause the fire suppression material to be transferred from the container to the delivery block in response to receipt of the first signal. |
| US08672042B2 |
Continuous fluid circulation valve for well drilling
Fluid circulation valve is provided for use with a well drilling operation, so that a drill joint may be added to or removed from the drill string while continuously circulating fluid into the well. Valve housing has a central flow path therein, a housing side port, and upper and lower threaded connectors for engagement with the drill joint and the drill string, respectively. A rotatable ball is positioned within the flow path in the valve housing and a port in the ball is in fluid communication with the housing side port when the ball is closed. A coupling is provided for engaging the valve housing and sealing between an interior of the valve housing and the radially external flow line, which passes fluid into the well when a drill joint is being connecting to the upper end of the valve. |
| US08672041B2 |
Convertible downhole devices
A convertible downhole device comprises at least one sacrificial material to provide two or more configurations so that two or more different operations or functions are performable by the downhole device, one in which the sacrificial material is fully intact and another in which the sacrificial material is at least partially removed or disappeared. The sacrificial material may be removable through any suitable method or device, such as by contacting with a fluid, by temperature, by pressure, or by combustion, ignition, or activation of a fusible or energetic material, or crushing or breaking up of a frangible material. Upon removal of the sacrificial material, the downhole device has at least one additional configuration so that at least a second operation can be performed by the downhole device. |
| US08672035B2 |
Downhole tool of high pressure operating cycle capability
A pressurization tool comprises a body for connection to a tubular by box, and pin, and providing for flow of fluid by way of a throughbore of varying cross-section to form chambers. A lower chamber accommodates a spring that contacts a shoulder providing a reaction surface for compression of the spring under applied force. The chamber merges into intermediate chamber that accommodates a movable index sleeve that cooperates with an index pin inserted through the wall of the tool body. Associated with the upper part of the index sleeve is a valve seat assembly, positioned to abut the index sleeve and moveable therewith, said valve seat assembly being configured to receive a plug or ball, and in one unpressurised configuration, is located in a wider chamber that permits fluid flow around the assembly. |
| US08672032B2 |
Split stream oilfield pumping system utilizing recycled, high reid vapor pressure fluid
A split stream oilfield pumping system is provided which utilizes recycled high Reid vapor pressure production fluids. The oilfield system is made up of two separate fluid streams: a first recycled fluid stream and a second new fluid stream. The recycled fluid stream is enclosed to reduce or eliminate vaporization of the recycled fluid, which typically will have a Reid vapor pressure >14 kPa. Wellbore treatment additives are added to the new fluid stream, and the resultant treatment fluid is mixed with the recycled fluid in a common manifold to provide a final wellbore treatment fluid to be delivered to the wellhead. |
| US08672030B2 |
System for cementing tubulars comprising a mud motor
A method and system for cementing a tubular and mud motor in a wellbore utilizing burst disks above the mud motor. The burst disks rupture to permit the cement to flow through the burst disks and bypass the mud motor. All of the burst disks reliably rupture at a predetermined and known threshold pressure so as to permit cement to be pumped at a desired rate through all of the ruptured burst disks. Each burst disk is provided with a cover for maintaining a chamber of a known pressure between the cap and the burst disk. All of the burst disks predictably and reliably rupture at the rated pressure. |
| US08672029B2 |
System for reducing foam in mixing operations
A technique facilitates mixing operations by removing foaming that results from air entrained during mixing of constituents. A mixing system comprises a container body having an interior and an inlet through which material enters the interior for mixing. The container body also comprises a discharge through which the mixed material is delivered downstream. A mechanical foam breaker is disposed within the container body and extends upwardly a sufficient distance to extend through a surface level to which the material rises during mixing within the container body. The mechanical foam breaker is oriented to break down foam along the surface of the material as the material moves through the interior. |
| US08672028B2 |
Settable compositions comprising interground perlite and hydraulic cement
Methods and compositions are disclosed that comprise interground perlite and hydraulic cement. An embodiment provides a method of cementing comprising: providing a settable composition comprising perlite, hydraulic cement, and water, wherein the perlite and hydraulic cement are interground prior to combination with the water to form the settable composition; and allowing the settable composition to set. |
| US08672027B2 |
In situ fluid reservoir stimulation process
A method for stimulating a hydrocarbon-containing formation that includes the steps of: introducing a heat source in the formation; heating a portion of liquid hydrocarbons in the formation to expand hydrocarbon volume, thereby rejuvenating fractures in the formation; passing at least some of the heated liquid hydrocarbons through the rejuvenated fractures; and producing at least a portion of the liquid hydrocarbons that passed through the rejuvenated fractures. The methods and processes provide for in-situ stimulation of hydrocarbon-containing formations using energy to expand in-situ liquid hydrocarbons, thus rejuvenating naturally occurring fractures. In some embodiments, the energy is supplied as heat from injection of an oxygen-containing fluid. |
| US08672024B2 |
Subsurface well completion system having a heat exchanger
A subsurface well completion system including a subsurface heat exchanger section that includes an outer shell and an inner shell having an upper threaded portion, an open inside diameter, one or more inlet boxes and one or more outlet boxes. An upper annular ring extends between the inner shell and the outer shell and has one or more openings. A lower annular ring extends between the inner shell and the outer shell. The lower annular ring is spaced apart from the upper annular ring and has one or more openings. One or more tubes are sealably connected at a first end and a second end to the one or more openings in the upper annular ring and the one or more openings in the lower annular ring, respectively, and extend between the upper and lower annular rings in an annular space between the inner shell and the outer shell. |
| US08672022B2 |
Method for pre-climatizing a stopped motor vehicle
A method and a correspondingly designed motor vehicle are provided for pre-climatizing the motor vehicle when shut-off by way of a heating and/or cooling unit, which draws its energy for heating and/or cooling from an electric storage unit. When the heating and/or cooling unit is activated by a vehicle external operator control element, the heating and/or cooling unit is initially activated in a first output stage. Then, the heating and/or cooling unit is switched from the first output stage to a second output stage as a function of predetermined conditions. |
| US08672020B2 |
Method for producing aluminum-zirconium-carbon intermediate alloy
The present invention discloses a method for producing an aluminum-zirconium-carbon (Al—Zr—C) intermediate alloy; the Al—Zr—C intermediate alloy has a chemical composition of 0.01% to 10% Zr, 0.01% to 0.3% C, and Al in balance; the producing method comprising the steps of: producing commercially pure aluminum, zirconium metal, and graphite material according to the weight percentages of the aluminum-zirconium-carbon intermediate alloy; the graphite is graphite powder having an average particle size of 0.074 mm to 1 mm; and the graphite powder is subjected to the following treatments: being added to the aqueous solution of KF, NaF, K2ZrF6, K2TiF6 or the combination thereof, soaked for 12 to 72 hours, filtrated or centrifuged, and dried at 80° C. to 200° C. for 12 to 24 hours; melting the commercially pure aluminum and keeping it at 700° C. to 900° C. to provide aluminum liquid, in which the prepared zirconium and the treated graphite powder are added and melted to provide an alloy solution; and keeping the alloys solution at 700° C. to 900° C. under mechanical or electromagnetic agitation and performing casting molding. The present method produces a high-quality Al—Zr—C intermediate alloy in low cost. |
| US08672017B2 |
Method for green sand molding
The present invention provides a method for green sand molding that prevents a bad casting by producing a mold that does not have a brittle surface. The method has the steps of filling the green sand into a flask while fluidizing the green sand by aeration at a pressure between 0.05 and 0.18 MPa, and squeezing the green sand that has been filled in the flask, wherein a mold is produced so that the friability of the mold is 10 or less. The friability is calculated by the following steps: putting the mold in a rotating cylindrical sieve that has a diameter of 177.8 min and. USA, sieve size No. 8, rotating the cylindrical sieve at 57 rpm for 60 seconds, dividing the weight of the sand that has passed through the sieve by the weight of the sand and multiplying the quotient by 100. |
| US08672016B2 |
Folding end cap
An end cap for use in a shade assembly in a vehicle. The end cap is capable of folding and includes a base and a linkage pivotally connected to the base. The end cap also includes an extension pivotally connected to the linkage. The folding end cap will allow for the effective length of the end cap to be reduced by pivoting the extension of the end cap in an approximate 180° arc such that it engages and is secured to the base on an outer surface thereof. |
| US08672015B2 |
Window privacy and protective covering
The present invention relates to a device for security and privacy that is securable to the frame of a window and mountable from the interior of a building. The device comprises a slanted front panel mounted at an angle to allow an open bottom panel and side panels to provide airflow. The panels may be comprised of a mesh screen material to allow airflow when secured in place over an open window, providing airflow and privacy while still providing a level of security for a user. A vertical frame mounts to the rails of a sliding screen along its upper edge, and secures around the bottom of the sliding screen to allow synchronized movement of the two during operation. |
| US08672012B2 |
Adhesive force development unit, adhesive-label issue device, and printer
Provided are an adhesive force development unit, an adhesive-label issue device, and a printer which can develop a stable adhesive force regardless of a thickness of a functional layer made from a resin film or the like while suppressing an occurrence of a blocking phenomenon. A thermal head for adhesive force development having a plurality of heating elements arranged along a width direction of an adhesive label and heating the adhesive label from its adhesive layer side so as to form holes in an functional layer by the heating elements is provided, and heating means for heating at least hole-forming portions in the adhesive label is disposed at an upstream side or a downstream side relative to the thermal head along a carrying direction of the adhesive label. |
| US08672011B2 |
Rubber composition for bead apex and tire having bead apex prepared using same
There is provided a rubber composition for a bead apex which can enhance extrusion processability by optimizing a rate of vulcanization during a vulcanization process, and can improve rigidity, steering stability and a low fuel consumption property, a tire having a bead apex prepared by using the rubber composition for a bead apex and being capable of enhancing steering stability and reducing rolling resistance and a tire for a sports utility vehicle (SUV) having further enhanced durability. The rubber composition for a bead apex comprises a diene rubber, a phenol resin and/or a modified phenol resin, sulfur, hexamethylenetetramine, a vulcanization accelerator, and at least one kind of vulcanization acceleration auxiliary selected from the group consisting of a citraconimide compound, a condensate of alkyl phenol and sulfur chloride, an organic thiosulfate compound and a compound represented by the general formula: R1—S—S-A-S—S—R2. |
| US08672010B2 |
Tire for heavy load
In a tire for a heavy load in which a belt is formed by laminating rubber-coated cord layers prepared by embedding steel cords in a coating rubber, an end part of at least one rubber-coated cord layer or an end part of the belt is coated with a rubber composition containing trans-polybutadiene (TRBR) and bismaleimide (BMI) in the following compounding amounts based on 100 parts by mass of a rubber component containing natural rubber and isoprene rubber: 0.1 part by mass≦TRBR+BMI≦10.0 parts by mass TRBR/(TRBR+BMI)≧25% whereby cracks originating from separation between the steel cords at an end part of the belt and the coating rubber are prevented from being generated. |
| US08672008B2 |
High-contrast tire pattern and method for producing same
Tire having a visible surface comprising patterns contrasting with said surface, said pattern comprising, over the entire surface thereof, a plurality of tufts distributed with a density of at least five tufts per mm2 or a plurality of blades which are substantially parallel to one another and arranged with a pitch of less than 0.5 mm, each tuft having a mean cross section having a diameter of between 0.03 mm and 0.5 mm or each blade having a mean width of between 0.03 mm and 0.5 mm, characterized in that the walls of the tufts or of the blades have, over at least one quarter of the area thereof, a mean roughness Rz of between 5 μm and 30 μm. |
| US08672003B2 |
Tyre and flexible member assembly
An assembly of a tyre and a member fitted to the tyre respectively include complementary connecting portions. The connecting portion of the member is more flexible than that of the connecting portion of the tyre. |
| US08671995B2 |
Device for sealing and inflating inflatable object
A sealing and inflating assembly includes an air compressor for generating a pressurized air, a tire repairing container for receiving a sealing preparation having a mouth opening, an outlet piece attached to the mouth opening of the container for guiding the pressurized air to flow into the container, and having an inlet conduit for allowing the sealing preparation to flow out of the outlet piece, a pipe coupled to the inlet conduit of the outlet piece for directing and guiding the pressurized air to flow into an upper space of the container without flowing through the sealing preparation when the container is disposed upside down. |
| US08671992B2 |
Multi-cell spoolable composite pipe
This disclosure relates to a spoolable pipe or tube that comprises two or more channels or cells, for example, a plurality of channels, for enhanced or improved fluid transport of one, two, or multi-phase fluids, such as found in the transport of oil and/or natural gas. Also provided are methods for making the disclosed tubes, and methods of transporting multi-phase fluids. |
| US08671991B2 |
Flange protector and lug
A lug for use in connection with a flange protector comprising a flexible impact-resistant material having a cover portion, the flange protector having multiple lugs insertable into bolt holes on the flange, wherein each lug comprises a deformable lug body having an upper end which in use is attached to a portion of the flange protector and a lower end spaced from and upper end and insertable into a bolt hole. The lug body is hollow and has an opening in a lower end, the lower end is defined by a circumferential arcuate surface terminating at the opening in the lower end, the upper end having disconnected shoulder portions on sides of the lug body, each shoulder portion having an oblique surface terminating at a lower end portion and extending partially around an upper end, the oblique surface spaced from the upper end of the lug body. |
| US08671989B2 |
Drive arrangement for valve devices
In order to improve a drive arrangement (15) for valve devices (1) comprising a closing member (3), comprising a movable drive element (6) for making an operative connection with the closing member (3), pre-tensioning means for exerting a pre-tensioning force on the drive element (6) in order to hold the closing member (3) in a base position, preferably closed position, against the working forces acting on the closing member (3), and driving means (17, 21) to move the drive element (6) from the base position against the pre-tensioning force in the direction of the working forces, with a view to the disadvantages of the known drive arrangements, in particular in order to reduce the weight, it is proposed that the pre-tensioning means comprises a compressible fluid, preferably compressed air (21), enclosed in a pre-tensioning container (16), with a static pressure for producing the pre-tensioning force. |
| US08671988B2 |
Fluid flow control members for use with valves
Fluid flow control members for use with valves are described. An example poppet apparatus for use with an internal valve includes first and second opposing seating surfaces to control fluid flow through the internal valve. Additionally, the example poppet apparatus includes an aperture to receive a stem of the internal valve. Further, the example poppet apparatus includes a flow diverter to divert fluid flow through the poppet apparatus to substantially prevent the fluid flow from compressing a spring to be at least partially positioned in the poppet apparatus. |
| US08671985B2 |
Control valve assembly
Embodiments of the invention provide a control valve assembly and method of operating in a blend position at which a supply fluid and a treated fluid are combined into a blended fluid that is directed from the control valve assembly to establish multi-port blending. The control valve assembly is adjustable to accommodate fluctuating demand for treated fluid. |
| US08671984B2 |
Mixing valve
The present invention relates generally to fluid control valves and, more particularly, to a mixing valve for use within a faucet. |
| US08671982B2 |
Rotary slide valve, in particular for a coolant circuit, which has a plurality of branches, of an internal combustion engine; electromechanical assembly
A valve assembly for the coolant system of an internal combustion engine including a housing, at least two coaxially disposed rotary valves journaled in such housing, each of such valves having an axially disposed fluid passageway communicable with an inlet port of such housing and at least one passageway communicating with the axially disposed passageway and communicable with an outlet port of the housing upon a particular orientation of such valve, and a drive gear operatively connected to such valves, operative to rotate such valves to different degrees. |
| US08671981B2 |
Freeze robust anode valve and passage design
A valve for a fuel cell system includes a valve housing having an inlet and an outlet formed therein. Each of the inlet and the outlet includes a passage formed therein to permit a fluid to flow through the valve housing. A movable member is disposed in the valve housing and is movable between an open position and a closed position. The movable member includes a sliding portion having a first flow regulator and a second flow regulator extending laterally outwardly therefrom. At least a portion of the first flow regulator is disposed in the passage of the inlet and at least a portion of the second flow regulator is disposed in the passage of the outlet when the movable member is in the closed position militating against a formation of ice across the entire opening of the inlet and the outlet. |
| US08671980B2 |
Apparatus for filtering and/or conditioning and/or purifying a fluid such as water
An apparatus for filtering water has an interface and a filtration/purification canister removably mountable thereon. Connecting the canister to the interface automatically opens a check valve in the interface to permit water to flow from the interface into and through the canister, and then back to and through the interface to an outlet port. Disconnecting the canister from the interface automatically closes the check valve, stopping the flow of water. An end cap may be substituted for the canister to permit fluid to flow through the interface when the canister is not mounted on the interface. The outlet port may be directly connected to an appliance that uses water, to eliminate possible contamination that may occur when water is brought indirectly form the outlet port to the appliance instead. A flapper valve is provided in the canister to prevent back flow of fluid from the inlet port of the canister when the canister is not mounted on the interface. The flapper valve also is provided with an actuating means to automatically open the flapper valve when the canister is mounted on the interface, which permits fluid to be drained from the canister when the fluid distribution system is being drained without disconnecting the canister from the interface. |
| US08671979B2 |
System and valve unit for mixing-delivery sanitary water and/or purified water
The system comprises a valve unit connected to a filtering unit for the selective delivery of cold, hot and mixed sanitary water, respectively either refrigerated or boiling purified water with optional carbonation. The valve unit comprises a base body for housing a first mixer tap, of the cartridge type, which is connected to a first delivery duct of the sanitary water, as well as a second control tap for the purified water, connected to a second delivery duct internal to the previous one. The outlet or each outlet of the purified water of the filtering unit is connected to an inlet of the second control tap, whereas the inlet of the cold water of the filtering unit is directly connected to the inlet of the cold water of the first mixer tap, by means of a branched channel that is provided inside the base body of the valve unit. |
| US08671975B2 |
Compliant-seal check valve
A check valve includes a valve seat and a compliant member that moves to seal the check valve by contacting the valve seat. A method for priming a chromatography solvent pump includes providing the check valve in fluid communication with an outlet of the pump, drawing fluid into the pump from a fluid source, and expelling the fluid from the pump through the valve, thus wetting the check valve. Another method for priming a chromatography solvent pump includes providing the check valve in fluid communication with an inlet of the pump, drawing fluid through the valve into the pump, and expelling the fluid from the pump. |
| US08671971B2 |
Systems and methods for providing a monitoring and deactivation apparatus for a beverage distribution system
An apparatus for indicating a leak in a beverage dispensing system and sealing a leak in a beverage dispensing system includes a deactivating means including a channel, a sealing ball, a sealing element and a reset means. The sealing ball and sealing element are located within the channel. When a leak is present, the sealing ball is moved from its resting position. Once the leak reaches a predetermined level, the sealing ball is pressed against the sealing element by the force of the gas in the chamber. This seals the chamber and prevents further gas flow through the system. |
| US08671967B2 |
Relief valve
A relief valve is provided and may include a housing having a first inlet port and a second inlet port. An initiator may be disposed within the housing and an engagement member may be slideably disposed within the housing and may be moveable between a retracted position and an extended position under force of the initiator. The engagement member may include a first bore aligned with the first inlet port in the extended position and a second bore aligned with the second inlet port in the extended position. |
| US08671965B2 |
Methods for enhanced fluid delivery on bevel etch applications
An apparatus to supply a plurality of process fluids for processing a substrate in a semiconductor processing chamber. The apparatus includes a plurality of process fluid supply valves and a fluid supply network that is defined between a crossover valve and a tuning supply valve. The apparatus further includes a tuning fluid supply being connected to the fluid supply network through the tuning supply valve. Further included with the apparatus is a plurality of process fluids that are connected to the fluid supply network through the plurality of process fluid supply valves. A process chamber that has a substrate support is also included in the apparatus. The process chamber further including an edge fluid supply and a center fluid supply, the edge fluid supply connected to the fluid supply network through an edge enable valve and the center supply connected to the fluid supply network through a center enable valve. |
| US08671963B2 |
Overhead combined tent structure
An overhead combined tent structure having a snap ring sleeved securely onto a vertical columnar object and which contains an adjustable clamping portion. A soft lining is assembled between the snap ring and vertical columnar object. A tent skeleton is composed of a plurality of racks and is extended outwards by taking the snap ring as a pivot and assembled crisscross to define a floor area. A plurality of single-opening connectors are used to connect the snap ring with various racks of the tent skeleton. The vertical plate is clamped by the snap ring and abutted externally onto the soft lining. A supporting leg assembly is linked to the floor area of the tent skeleton, made of a plurality of adjustable supports and protruded vertically to form a landing end. A universal swinging footstand is mated with the landing end of the adjustable support in a universal swinging state. |
| US08671958B2 |
Orthodontic flosser
An orthodontic flosser comprising an elongated handle and a head coupled to the handle at a vertical angle is disclosed. A first and second projection extend from the head for suspending floss, the first projection is sized for insertion of floss between a wire affixed to a tooth and the tooth. A source spool of fresh floss is configured to feed fresh floss incrementally into suspension between the first and second projections while a take-up bobbin is configured for taking up used floss and applying tension to the suspended floss. A button may be used for releasing the source spool to rotate, and for holding the source spool against rotation. The source spool and take-up bobbin may be disposed in separated chambers to reduce cross contamination. |
| US08671957B1 |
Hair curling device
A hair curling device has a flexible flat base portion, a stem having a bottom end secured to the base portion, and a bowl portion having a frusto-conical wall extending upwardly from a top end of the stem in an open position. The frusto-conical wall has a top edge and a flange extending from the top edge, the frusto-conical wall adapted to be folded over in position around the stem so as to enclose the stem and the base portion in a folded position where the flange of the frusto-conical wall extends around the outer edge of the base portion and is aligned with the bottom of the base portion. The base portion, the stem and the bowl portion are made in one piece from a silicone material. The frusto-conical wall has a greater thickness in a region adjacent the stem than the thickness along the rest of the frusto-conical wall. |
| US08671955B2 |
Method for attaching a hair weaving tract
A hair weaving apparatus and method for making and using same. The present invention comprises various embodiments for making a hair weave tract extension apparatus and a method of making and using said apparatus. Embodiments are described and shown herein for making and using a hair weave tract apparatus with attachment means comprising a crimped flexible band and, and with attachment means comprising a crimped flexible band with a single bladed comb. It is an object of this present invention to provide a hair weave tract extension that is easy to attach to the natural hair, is less damaging to the natural hair and remains more securely attached to the natural hair. |
| US08671952B2 |
Tobacco pouch product
A pouched tobacco product includes a lined pouch material of a web and a water-soluble liner adjacent the web and a tobacco component contained within the lined pouch material. The water-soluble liner is interposed between the web and the tobacco component. The liner preferably reduces staining of the web by the tobacco component. Additionally, the liner may include a flavorant. |
| US08671951B2 |
Methods of manufacturing cigarettes and filter subassemblies with squeezable flavor capsule
A cigarette filter subassembly is manufactured from a filter member having absorbent material encased within an outer cover. A plunger is passed axially through the absorbent material such that a pointed leading end of the plunger displaces the absorbent material radially outwardly against the cover to form a liner of compressed absorbent material along the cover's inside surface. An inner surface of the liner surrounds a hollow axial opening which is to receive absorbent members and capsules inserted axially therein. The capsules are adapted to be broken by a smoker to release an additive material which modifies characteristics of tobacco smoke. An outer cylindrical surface of the plunger optionally carries a transferable binder material that becomes smeared onto the inner surface of the liner to form thereon a coating which is impermeable to the additive material released from the capsule. |
| US08671950B2 |
Robotic medical instrument system
A method of performing a medical procedure (e.g., a cardiac bypass procedure) on a patient comprises introducing at least one medical instrument into a patient (e.g., percutaneously), conveying control signals from a remote controller to a drive unit, and operating the drive unit in accordance with the control signals to actuate at least one tool respectively located on the medical instrument(s) to transversely secure a first anatomical vessel (e.g., a blood vessel) to a sidewall of a second anatomical vessel (e.g., another blood vessel). In one method, the control signals are conveyed from the remote controller to the drive unit in response to user commands. The user commands may be movements made at a user interface that correspond to movements of the medical instrument(s). |
| US08671947B2 |
Dental bite construction for performance enhancing mouth guards
An improved performance enhancing mouth guards having transverse pins embedded in the right and left posterior occlusal base portion of the mouth guard, is disclosed. |
| US08671940B2 |
Life support and microclimate integrated system and process with internal and external active heating
The present invention of one embodiment includes a combined microclimate, thermal management, life-support system for care of patient and system for measurement of vital signs. The system of one embodiment, provides active external heating and simultaneously provides active internal heating. |
| US08671938B2 |
Inhalers with airway disks having discrete airway channels and related disks and methods
Dry powder inhalers include radially-extending discrete, typically dose-specific, airway channels serially forming a portion of the inhalation pathway to deliver dry powder to a user using the inhalers. |
| US08671932B2 |
Method of operating a solar thermal power plant and solar thermal power plant
In order to provide a method of operating a solar thermal power plant, in which a heat transfer medium is evaporated endothermally by solar radiation in an evaporator section, wherein the evaporator section comprises a plurality of evaporator branches, among which the heat transfer medium is distributed, in which method non-uniform radiation conditions of the evaporator section may be effectively taken into consideration, it is provided that the mass flow distribution at the evaporator section is controlled, wherein the mass flows are adjusted individually at all or a majority of the evaporator branches and a controlled variable is a variable characterizing a spatial energy rise in a respective evaporator branch in a region of the evaporator branch where the heat transfer medium has not yet evaporated. |
| US08671931B2 |
Multiplexed torque brake system for a solar concentrator assembly
A multiplexed torque brake (MTB) system for preventing the accumulation of torsional forces at a center drive and thereby significantly reducing the design load requirements for trough frames of a corresponding solar concentrator assembly (SCA). In one embodiment, an MTB system for an SCA having a plurality of solar reflector frames spaced along a length of the SCA includes a plurality of brake mechanisms arranged at locations spaced apart from each other along the length of the SCA, each of the brake mechanisms coupled to a corresponding one of a plurality of supporting pylons and configured to constrain the solar reflector frames from rotating when subjected to torsional loads, the brake mechanisms adapted to transfer the torsional loads to the corresponding supporting pylons. |
| US08671929B2 |
Archery bow
In some embodiments, an archery bow comprises a riser, a first limb and a second limb. A drawstring extends between the first limb and the second limb, for example extending between rotatable members supported by the limbs. A first cable, such as a power cable, also extends between the first limb and the second limb. A cable guard is attached to the riser, which comprises a body portion and a cable engaging portion. The cable guard biases a portion of the first cable in a direction away from the riser. |
| US08671928B2 |
Electro-pneumatic projectile launching system
A pneumatic assembly for a projectile launching system includes a body defining a continuous bore. A nozzle is positioned within the bore adjacent a forward end and is moveable between a rearward position wherein the nozzle facilitates passage of a projectile through a projectile port and a forward position wherein the nozzle prevents passage of a projectile through the projectile port. The nozzle is biased to the forward position and configured for fluid actuation to the rearward position by activation of a first fluid control valve. A valve seat defines an accumulation chamber rearward of the nozzle. A firing valve member is moveable between a forward position wherein the firing valve member fluidly seals a passage through the valve seat and a rearward position wherein the passage is fluidly opened such that fluid in the accumulation chamber is free to flow through the passage and out of the nozzle. |
| US08671927B1 |
Paintball launcher employing a carrier for striker reset before disconnecting from striker
A projectile launcher capable of optionally repositioning the bolt to a predefined position using a bolt carrier is disclosed. The launcher, in one aspect, includes a bolt, a striker, a bolt carrier, and a ramp. The bolt, in one example, is configured to be able to move within a bolt chamber. The striker having a striker reset hook is able to move in a direction parallel to a moving direction of the bolt. The bolt carrier, having a fastener, a flexible latch, and a bolt repositioning latch, is attached to the bolt via the fastener. The flexible latch is able to latch to the striker reset hook for resetting the striker during a process of launching a projectile. The ramp facilitates disconnecting the flexible latch from the striker reset hook when the flexible latch moves over the ramp. |
| US08671926B1 |
Toy launcher apparatus with inner and outer tubes
A toy launcher apparatus having inner and outer concentric tubes forming a chamber between the tubes. Within the inner tube in a piston and an attached rod, the piston being movable between front and rear positions by a user of the launcher apparatus. The other end of the rod is attached to a handle and upon being pulled rearward, compressed air causes discharge of a projectile. The inner tube has a closed front end portion and an open rear end portion with vents. An end cap is connected to the tubes to prevent relative movement between the tubes and to provide an air path from a region in the inner tube rearward of the piston, through the vents and into the chamber. A front cap is attached to the outer tube, a projectile restraining seal is mounted to the front cap, and a perforated cup is mounted rearward of the seal. A spring is positioned in the chamber between the inner tube and the perforated cup to bias the cup and a loaded ball toward the seal. |
| US08671923B2 |
Stock and trigger assembly for crossbow
A kit for converting a compound bow into an inline crossbow includes a draw-lock bar with a mechanism to attach the bow to one end. Near the other end of the draw-lock bar is a trigger assembly that attaches to one side of the bar and a string latch and release assembly that attaches to an opposite side of the bar. The trigger assembly and the latch/release assembly—can be attached on either side of the bar such that the bow is configured for left or right hand shooting. The trigger assembly is attached to the bar well forward of the latch/release assembly, and an actuator rod that passes inside of the draw-lock bar connects the trigger with the string latch/release. A sliding cover over the string latch prevents the released bow string from stinging the archer's cheek. |
| US08671922B2 |
Combustion chamber intake and exhaust shutter
An engine includes an engine casing and a first piston configured to reciprocate relative to the engine casing. The first piston has a wall that defines a substantially cylindrical chamber. One or more second pistons are configured to reciprocate inside the substantially cylindrical chamber. A combustion chamber intake port and a combustion chamber exhaust port extend through the wall. A shutter is outside the wall and is movable between a first position substantially blocking fluid flow through the combustion chamber exhaust port but not blocking fluid flow through the combustion chamber intake port and a second position substantially blocking fluid flow through the combustion chamber intake port but not blocking flow through the combustion chamber exhaust port. An actuator causes the shutter to move between the first position and the second position in response to the first piston reciprocating relative to the engine casing. |
| US08671920B2 |
Internal combustion engine
An internal combustion engine comprises a cylinder configured to operate on a four-stroke combustion cycle, a dedicated EGR cylinder configured to operate on a two-stroke combustion cycle and an EGR supply conduit extending between an exhaust port of the dedicated EGR cylinder and the cylinder configured to operate on a four-stroke combustion cycle for delivery of exhaust gas exiting the dedicated EGR cylinder to the cylinder configured to operate on a four-stroke combustion cycle for combustion therein. |
| US08671918B2 |
Devices, systems, and methods for controlling fuel states for internal combustion engines
A fuel state control unit for use with internal combustion engines can include a primary heating chamber, a secondary heating chamber, and an expansion chamber. The primary heating chamber has a fuel conduit through which fuel is conveyed. A heater in the primary heating chamber transmits heat to the conveyed fuel in the primary heating chamber. The heater is controlled to maintain a predetermined temperature of the fuel. The heated fuel from the conduit is conveyed into a secondary heating chamber. A pressure plate separates the secondary heating chamber from the expansion chamber. The ports of the pressure plate can regulate the flow of the fuel into the expansion chamber. The heated fuel in the expansion chamber can then be conveyed to an engine so as to increase engine efficiency and reduce the amount of pollutant gases in the engine exhaust. |
| US08671917B2 |
Gradual oxidation with reciprocating engine
Described herein are embodiments of systems and methods for oxidizing gases. In some embodiments, a reaction chamber is configured to receive a fuel gas and maintain the gas at a temperature within the reaction chamber that is above an autoignition temperature of the gas. The reaction chamber may also be configured to maintain a reaction temperature within the reaction chamber below a flameout temperature. In some embodiments, heat and product gases from the oxidation process can be used, for example, to drive a turbine, reciprocating engine, and injected back into the reaction chamber. |
| US08671915B2 |
Fuel pump module including a flange groove rod attachment
A fuel pump module may include a reservoir, a flange, and a rod. The reservoir may be configured to contain fuel. The flange may be configured to rest on a surface about a hole in a fuel tank, and the flange may include a groove disposed on an underside surface of the flange. The rod may be inserted into the groove and may couple the flange to the reservoir. |
| US08671910B2 |
Intake air quantity control device for internal combustion engine
In the intake air quantity control device for an internal combustion engine, in which an open area formed at a portion of the throttle body is encapsulated by a cover including a rotational angle detector, a throttle gear is fixed to a throttle shaft for rotatably supporting a throttle valve and has a fitting portion at a portion of the throttle gear. The rotational angle detector includes a rotor that is rotatably supported and arranged in the cover in such a way that an axis of the rotor is identical to an axis of the throttle gear, and a lever that is provided at a portion of the rotor, which is faced to the throttle shaft, and engaged to a wall portion of the throttle gear at a portion of the lever. |
| US08671908B2 |
Glow plug placement in a diesel engine
A four-valve per cylinder engine has two intake valves, two exhaust valves and a centrally located fuel injector. Between each adjacent pair of valves is a valve bridge with a point of minimum separation between adjacent valves. In the present disclosure, the glow plug port is defined in the cylinder top at a location outboard of the minimum separation between adjacent and at a depth which is tangent to an edge of a fuel jet emanating the injector. By placing the glow plug farther outboard than found in the prior art, the glow plug contacts the fuel as it comes out of the injector and as it rebounds off a feature of the piston bowl. |
| US08671906B2 |
Clutch actuator mounting structure for internal combustion engine
A clutch actuator mounting structure for internal combustion engine has excellent maintainability such that clutch actuator maintenance and the like can be carried out without dismounting an engine case. The clutch actuator mounting structure for an internal combustion engine includes, in the engine case, a power transmission mechanism designed to transmit rotational power of a crankshaft to an output shaft through a shift clutch and a transmission. The engine case is formed with a clutch actuator containing part in which a clutch actuator for engaging/disengaging the shift clutch is contained. The clutch actuator containing part has a clutch actuator mounting/dismounting port through which to mount and dismount the clutch actuator. The clutch actuator mounting/dismounting port is formed to be exposed to the exterior. |
| US08671905B2 |
Piston for an internal combustion engine and method for its production
A piston for an internal combustion engine has a piston head that has a circumferential cooling channel as well as a combustion bowl having a circumferential bowl wall that makes a transition into a piston crown by way of a bowl edge region. The combustion bowl is formed at least in part by a piston base body and the bowl wall is formed at least in part from an insert. The insert is connected with the piston base body by means of beam welding. A lower weld seam is configured in the bowl wall, which seam encloses an acute angle with the piston center axis (M) and ends in the lower half of the cooling channel. An upper weld seam runs from the cooling channel ceiling to the piston crown and is disposed centered or radially offset toward the outside, with reference to the clear width of the cooling channel. |
| US08671902B2 |
Control apparatus for internal combustion engine
A control apparatus for an internal combustion engine that can suppress the emission of unburned HC accompanying start-up of an internal combustion engine. The control apparatus including a fuel supply control unit that initially supplies fuel to only some cylinders, and delays the start of fuel supply to delayed cylinders that are cylinders other than the aforementioned cylinders; an engine discharge gas HC amount predicting unit that calculates a relationship between a delayed cylinder starting engine speed that is a engine speed at a timing at which a cycle starts in which a delayed cylinder initially carries out combustion and a predicted value of an engine discharge gas HC amount; and a target engine speed calculating unit that calculates a target engine speed that is a target value of the delayed cylinder starting engine speed. |
| US08671895B2 |
Variable compression ratio apparatus with reciprocating piston mechanism with extended piston offset
A variable compression ratio apparatus with means to vary compression ratio of an internal combustion engine is provided. The variable compression ratio apparatus with reciprocating piston mechanism with extended piston offset of the invention has a rocker arm/lever assembly pivotally mounted on a crankpin of a crankshaft and a fulcrum which moves along only within confines of a pathway/guide. This confined pathway/guide itself can be either pivoted to swing from side to side on a pivot or can move only along a predefined path towards the crankshaft and away in its own defined tracks. A swing or move of the pathway/guide leads to a corresponding change in stroke positions of the piston within the cylinder. Such construction allows a simple and easy way to vary compression ratio of the engine. At the same time all benefits of the reciprocating piston mechanism with extended piston offset are preserved. |
| US08671894B2 |
Variable compression ratio internal engine
A variable compression ratio internal engine including at least two block portions connected to each other and moveable relative to each other so that the compression ratio can be varied. The engine includes an input gear for inputting a rotation output from an output gear to the cam shaft. The input gear and a rotation transmission shaft are constituted to be able to slide relative to each other or the output gear and the rotation transmission shaft are constituted to be able to slide relative to each other in the direction of the movement of the one block portion relative to the other block portion such that the meshing between the input gear and the cam shaft side gear or the meshing between the output gear and the crank shaft side gear is maintained when the one block portion is moved relative to the other block portion. |
| US08671891B2 |
Expanding the operating envelope of advanced combustion enigines
The invention provides enriched fuels and methods that expand the operating envelope of an advanced combustion engine during operation in an advanced combustion mode (e.g. HCCI mode). Enriched fuels and methods of the invention facilitate efficient combustion over a wide range of engine loads, and the need for EGR, VVT, NVO, rebreathing, or multiple fuel injection is either reduced or eliminated. |
| US08671889B2 |
Pet leash
A pet leash apparatus includes a housing, a spool enclosed within the housing, and a container attached to the housing, configured to store a volume of liquid solvent. The spool is configured to store and dispense a leash, the leash configured to be extendable from the housing in a first direction, and retractable into the housing by way of the spool. The spool configured to be actuated by a first control arrangement mounted on the housing. The container is coupled to an inlet of an orifice by way of a valve, the valve configured to be actuated by a second control arrangement, the orifice including an outlet to the exterior of the housing. The housing is configured to be handheld; and actuation of the valve releases a directed spray of liquid solvent through the orifice in a second direction. |
| US08671888B1 |
Cat toilet device
A cat toilet device includes a bottom part, a seat and a top part. The seat has a lip extending inward therefrom so as to support the top part. The top part has multiple apertures and a side hole is defined through a side of the top part. The cat is trained to use the cat toilet device to save the need of the cat litter. A slot is defined in the top face of the seat and a cup is engaged with the slot so as to receive tools for clearing the cat toilet. |
| US08671887B2 |
Orthopedic pet bed
An orthopedic pet bed including an upper sheet and a lower sheet coupled together so as to define an interior volume subdivided into a plurality of cells, of which adjacent cells are in fluid communication with one another. The cells may be substantially shaped as hexagons, triangles, parallelograms, or any combination thereof. |
| US08671884B2 |
Milking machine attachment aid
A method of attaching and/or removing a teat cup from an animal with a liner inflatable and deflatable by a pulsator which alternately introduces air and vacuum to a pulsation chamber surrounding the liner. The method comprising the steps of: setting the pulsator to constantly introduce vacuum to the pulsation chamber to open and maintain the liner in an open position for an attachment time period; attaching the teat cup to the animal during the attachment time period; setting the pulsator to alternate between introducing air and vacuum to the pulsation chamber during a milking time period to milk the animal; and removing the teat cup from the animal. |
| US08671879B2 |
Systems and methods for plasma processing of microfeature workpieces
Systems and methods for plasma processing of microfeature workpieces are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method includes generating a plasma in a chamber while a microfeature workpiece is positioned in the chamber, measuring optical emissions from the plasma, and determining a parameter of the plasma based on the measured optical emissions. The parameter can be an ion density or another parameter of the plasma. |
| US08671878B2 |
Profile and CD uniformity control by plasma oxidation treatment
An apparatus for forming spacers is provided. A plasma processing chamber is provided, comprising a chamber wall, a substrate support, a pressure regulator, an antenna, a bias electrode, a gas inlet, and a gas outlet. A gas source comprises an oxygen gas source and an anisotropic etch gas source. A controller comprises a processor and computer readable media. The computer readable media comprises computer readable code for placing a substrate of the plurality of substrates in a plasma etch chamber, computer readable code for providing a plasma oxidation treatment to form a silicon oxide coating over the spacer layer, computer readable code for sputtering silicon to form silicon oxide with the oxygen plasma, computer readable code for providing an anisotropic main etch, computer readable code for etching the spacer layer, computer readable code for removing the substrate from the plasma etch chamber after etching the spacer layer. |
| US08671875B2 |
Liquid processing apparatus, liquid processing method and storage medium
Disclosed is a liquid processing apparatus capable of increasing the number of arranged substrate retainers without increasing the total exhaust amount of the liquid processing apparatus. A N-number (N is an integer identical to or greater than three) of cup bodies are inhaled and exhausted in total exhaust amount E through a plurality of separate exhaustion passage each having a first damper, and through a common exhaustion passage connected in common downstream of the separate exhaustion passages. The first dampers are configured such that an external air is received from the cup body in a first intake amount of external air E1 for one of the cup bodies where a chemical liquid nozzle is placed at a setting location facing a wafer, and an external air is received from each of the other cup bodies in a second intake amount of external air E2 less than the first amount E1 and the intake amount of external air from both each of the other cup bodies and each of branched passages equals (E−E1)/(n−1). |
| US08671873B2 |
Painting device to produce decorative appearance
A painting device is disclosed that is simple and easy to use to produce a faux brick appearance on domestic and commercial walls. The painting device has a base plate with a handle. An absorbent layer is attached to the base plate to absorb and hold paint that is to be applied to a wall. The painting device preferably also has vertical and horizontal spacing guides and a leveling device. The base plate and absorbent layer are preferably formed in the shape of the cross-section of a brick but may be formed in many shapes. The painting device is able to produce exacting, ordered results. In addition, there is no need for the operator to be highly skilled. The invention is used in combination with a paint tray and multiple colors of paint to produce an end result of an ordered brick appearance. |
| US08671871B2 |
Temperature-activated time-temperature indicator
A temperature-activatable time-temperature indicator that can be used to monitor the historical exposure of a host product to ambient temperatures includes an optically readable, thermally sensitive indicator element. The indicator element can be inactive below a base temperature and is intrinsically thermally responsive at or above an activation temperature which is equal to or greater than the base temperature. The indicator can record cumulative ambient temperature exposure above the activation temperature irreversibly with respect to time. The indicator element can include a synthetic polymeric material, and optionally, a dye. A side-chain crystallizable polymer such as poly(hexadecylmethacrylate), that is solid below the base temperature and is a viscous liquid above the activation temperature can be employed. Intense indicator element colors can be obtained using an appropriate dye or dyes. Various structural configurations of indicator are described and illustrated. |
| US08671868B2 |
Underwater vessel with above-water propulsion
A vessel for transporting a payload through water having a body which travels below the surface of the water and carries the payload, fins extending laterally from the body below the surface of the water a telescoping tower which extends above the surface of the water from the body, a wing extending laterally above the water from an upper portion of the tower, engines mounted on the wing for propelling the body through the water, and propellers mounted on the under sides of the fins for lifting the vessel and holding the vessel in a raised position with the body at the surface of the water while loading and unloading the payload. |
| US08671866B2 |
System for loading/unloading a vehicle into/from a carrier ship, and corresponding carrier ship
The disclosure relates to a system for loading/unloading a vehicle into/from a carrier ship through at least one opening provided in the rear of said ship comprising an angled vehicle-receiving ramp combined with a motor-driven means for loading/unloading the vehicle, characterized in that the motor-driven means for loading/unloading the vehicle comprises a crossbeam-shaped means for the ship that extends above the ramp and is combined with a vehicle-hoisting/releasing cable, which is in turn combined with a first drive means for hoisting/releasing the vehicle, and in that the crossbeam-shaped means is longitudinally movable, by means of a second drive means above the ramp, between a rear position for hoisting/releasing the vehicle and a front position for storing the vehicle on the ramp in the ship. |
| US08671861B2 |
Placement device for placing decorative elements on a textile or non-textile sheet material
A placement device (3) for placing decorative elements (5) on a textile or non-textile sheet material is connected to a sewing machine. The decorative elements (5) are stored in an ordered way in magazines (7) and are fed in a controlled way by the control of the sewing machine to the appropriate set positions on the sheet material (39) and are connected to this material. |
| US08671854B2 |
Shaft seal for pyrolytic waste treatment system
The inventive subject matter is directed toward a pyrolytic waste treatment system comprising a pyrolysis chamber having a chamber wall with a hole through which a shaft passes. An insulating mechanism is used at the hole to inhibit heat from escaping through the opening in the chamber wall. |
| US08671853B2 |
Adjustable desktop platform
An adjustable desktop workspace is disclosed having a base having a lower platform, an upper platform, and two pivoting arms mounted between the two. Each pivoting arm has a front and rear bracket. A locking lever on each arm fixedly engages the platform in an upright position at a variety of levels above the lower platform. There are also two stabilizing bars to limit side-to-side relative movement, and a biasing spring between the front and rear brackets to aide moving the upper platform. |
| US08671851B1 |
Stand-sit convertible workstation and methods associated therewith
A convertible workstation includes a plurality of members and adjustable features to enable an operator of the convertible workstation to transition the convertible workstation from a sitting workstation to a standing workstation. |
| US08671848B2 |
Pallet protector device and method
A pallet protector unitarily formed as a molded plastic part reinforces a wooden pallet. Its faceplate is nailed or screwed to the front and optionally the back face and side faces of the pallet. The protector has entry openings for the tines of a forklift and the openings are articulated into hollow collars that extend into the pallets inner regions. These collars provide a structure that accepts the weight and moment between the tines and the pallet and spread it across of the entire front of the pallet. RFID modules can also be included. |
| US08671847B2 |
Hunting utility tray and folding arm assembly
A hunting tray is presented that is configured to be removably attached to a tree. The hunting tray includes a body portion having a top surface, a bottom surface, and side surfaces, the top surface of the body portion dimensioned and configured to receive at least one item and a folding arm assembly detachably connectable to the body portion, the folding arm assembly configured to include at least one attachment member at a distal end thereof for facilitating removable attachment of the hunting tray to the tree. The at least one attachment member is a tapered screw. The folding arm assembly includes a first arm segment, a second arm segment, and a third arm segment, such that the first and second arm segments are pivotally connected to each other and the second and third arm segments are pivotally connected to each other. |
| US08671842B2 |
Gas generator and manufacturing method thereof
A gas generator includes an outer wall delimiting a first chamber, a source of gas and a second chamber for diffusing gas outwards between which is found a nozzle. The nozzle includes a first through-hole for letting through gas from the first chamber to the second chamber. The first hole is closed by a cap capable of being opened from the triggering of an electro-pyrotechnic device located towards the first chamber. The second diffusion chamber includes in the wall at least one second through-hole for letting through gas outwards. The outer wall includes at least one overmolded plastic material around a portion of the metal nozzle. |
| US08671835B2 |
Disposable cup insert for pad printing and decorating
A liquid supply assembly for use with a printing system of a type in which a liquid is deposited from the liquid supply assembly in a receiving region on a plate and any excess of the liquid in the receiving region is scraped from the plate by the liquid supply assembly. To this end, the liquid supply assembly employs a reusable cup, a disposable cup insert and a scraping element. As assembled, the reusable cup includes a reusable liquid reservoir, the disposable cup insert includes a temporary liquid reservoir holding the liquid within the reusable liquid reservoir, and the scraping element includes a conduit facilitating a flow of the liquid held by the temporary liquid reservoir through the conduit to the plate. |
| US08671833B2 |
Apparatus for extracting juice and pulp from vegetable products for large introductions and associated straining
An apparatus for extraction of juice and pulp from a food product includes a base enclosing an electric motor from which extends a rotating drive shaft, a tank fixed on the base and transpierced by the drive shaft, an entry spout for the food product, a strainer set in the tank and being supported and spun by the drive shaft, the strainer comprising a radial wall perforated by several holes and a solid bottom, such that the food product is in contact with the bottom and the wall and passes through the holes, and a food pusher which can be inserted in the spout, the food product being held against the bottom of the strainer by the food pusher in order to extract from this food product its juice which is collected in the tank situated underneath the strainer, wherein the bottom of the strainer comprises a shape of an ascending or descending staircase. |
| US08671828B2 |
System and method for preparing a liquid beverage from a cartridge
A system and device for preparing a liquid beverage from a cartridge. The device includes a supply unit for supplying an injection fluid into the cartridge, a cartridge holder configured to accept and support the cartridge with the cartridge holder being detachable from the device. A complementary insertion mechanism of the device is configured to receive the cartridge holder in the device. The cartridge is positioned in the supply unit in an injection position with its injection surface substantially in an inclined plane relative to the horizontal plane and the injection mechanism is offset from the highest edge of the cartridge. The cartridge holder preferably comprises a linear wedge-shaped insertion member having a bearing surface inclined along an angle. The method of operation of the system and device are also disclosed. |
| US08671826B2 |
Brew through lid, assembly of a thermal carafe and a brew through lid as well as a coffee maker including such an assembly
A brew through lid for a thermal carafe that has a pouring provision and an internal liquid reservoir. The brew through lid has a cap member with a cone shaped cap top wall, a brew inlet in a center of the cap top wall at a lowest part of the cone shaped cap top wall, a substantially cylindrical connection wall having a top edge that is connected to the cap top wall and a lid connector that is an integral part of the connection wall. The brew through lid further has a pouring skirt wall that extends around an upper portion of the connection wall and defines a liquid space between the connection wall and the pouring skirt wall. A plurality of pouring passages is circumferentially spaced in the pouring skirt wall and that allow passage of brew liquid out of the liquid space. A plurality of connection wall passages that are circumferentially spaced in the cylindrical connection wall and is configured to allow passage of brew liquid from the internal liquid reservoir of the carafe to the liquid space. |
| US08671824B2 |
Hydraulic control system
The invention relates to a hydraulic control arrangement for supplying a pressure medium to at least one consumer. The forward line and/or the return line of the consumer comprises a distributing valve that can be continuously controlled and that has two switch positions, and a lowering brake valve that can be placed in an open position due to the pressure in the supply line. The distributing valve is in an open neutral position and can be displaced, electrically or electrohydraulically, from said neutral position into the direction of the second switch position thereof. |
| US08671817B1 |
Braiding device for catheter having acuately varying pullwires
A braider for braiding wires to a tube comprising an iris assembly having stacked iris plates. Each of the iris plates includes a center aperture, a wire orifice disposed radially outward from the center aperture, and an arcuate channel. The iris plates are rotatable relative to each other to adjust a circumferential orientation of the wire orifices relative to each other. The arcuate channel(s) of each respective iris plate is coincident with the wire orifice(s) of the remaining iris(es). The braider comprises a feeder assembly configured for advancing the tube through the center apertures, and advancing the wires through the respective wire orifices. The braider further comprises a braiding assembly configured for braiding a plurality of filaments around the tube and the plurality of wires as they are fed through the iris assembly, thereby creating a braided tube assembly. |
| US08671813B2 |
Apparatus and methods for cutting electronic displays during resizing
Apparatus and methods for resizing electronic displays are provided. The display includes a front plate, a back plate, a perimeter seal spacing the front and back plates apart, image-generating medium contained in an area between the plates, and polarizing layers and/or other films on the outer surfaces of the plates. A target portion of the display is identified, and a saw is passed along a cut line to create a channel that extends through the polarizer to the outer surface of the top plate. A scriber tool is passed along the cut line within the channel to create a scribe line in the outer surface of the top plate. The display is inverted, and the process repeated to cut a channel and scribe the bottom plate. The plates are broken along the scribe line, and a seal is applied along the exposed edge, which may penetrate between the plates. |
| US08671812B2 |
Punch assemblies and universal punch therefor
A punch tip design configured to be universal in its application with wide varieties of punch assemblies, and various punch body designs from which universal application of the punch tip is exemplified. In some cases, ancillary components used with the various punch body designs enhance ease by which the operator can selectively manipulate the same for alternately securing or releasing the punch tip. The ancillary components comprising a cam, a carrier body, and a plurality of wedge members, the cam coupling the punch body and the carrier body, the cam adjustable with respect to the punch body and the carrier body, adjustment of the cam resulting in corresponding movement of the carrier body. |
| US08671810B2 |
Folder for adjustably tensioning a web as the web is cut
A printing press folder is provided. The printing press folder includes a cutting apparatus cutting a moving web to form successive signatures, a first acceleration cylinder and a second acceleration cylinder. The first acceleration cylinder includes a first contacting segment and a first relieved portion circumferentially adjacent to the first contacting segment. The second acceleration cylinder includes a second contacting segment and a second relieved portion circumferentially adjacent to the second contacting segment. The first acceleration cylinder and the second acceleration cylinder grip the web at a gripping location with the first contacting segment and the second contacting segment as the web is cut by the cutting apparatus. |
| US08671809B1 |
Hand tool with an adjusting structure
A hand tool with an adjusting structure includes a handle having an assembling space, an axial hole opened at a bottom of the assembling space, a controlling set having an engaging member, the engaging member received into the axial hole, the engaging member having an engaging notch opened thereon, a head member having a pivoting portion defined at one end thereof, the pivoting portion received in the assembling space, a pivoting rod passing through the assembling space and the pivoting portion at one end of the handle, the pivoting portion having a plurality of ratch teeth defined thereon, the engaging member engages with one ratch tooth of the pivoting portion. Under this arrangement, when the user wants to adjust an angle between the handle and the head member, the user rotates the head member relative the handle. |
| US08671807B2 |
Extension tool for operating handwheels
An extension tool is provided to improve operation of handwheels, for example by allowing railroad operators to more safely reach the handbrake wheel of a train car. The tool includes a head with an upper tapered jaw designed to fit against the handwheel rim and particularly to fit the junction of the handwheel spoke and the handwheel rim circumference. The jaw may be a tapered circular rotating block. Below the jaw is a lower block designed to press against the outer circumference of the handwheel rim. The tool may also include a recess for operating a quick release lever on a train car. |
| US08671806B2 |
Wrench/tool system with separate handle and interchangeable wrench/tool ends
This invention is a new beginning for AN wrench users. No more uncomfortably thin AN or Bonney wrenches are needed. This wrench/tool system with separate, ergonomic handle is loaded with features designed for comfort. The separate handle is specifically designed with contoured finger grips, and gently radiused back edge resting against the palm of the user's hand. These are features that will provide the user all-day comfort. In addition, with the common blade of the wrench/tool ends, fitting the matching receiving groove of the handles, wrench/tool ends and handles of differing styles can be added, and upgraded to build a set of wrench/tool ends and handles to meet every need. |
| US08671805B2 |
Ceiling support installation system
A ceiling panel suspension system includes a tapered anchor installing head driver for use in a ceiling anchor pole system for installing anchors and associated support wires from a ceiling or other support structure to be used to support a suspended ceiling. The tapered body of the head driver enables an installer to better visually align the anchor with a previously drilled pilot holes. |
| US08671804B2 |
Fastener installation tool with quick change key
An improved fastener installation tool is provided that is used to install a threaded nut onto a threaded fastener bolt where access to the bolt head is not possible. The fastener bolt has a threaded shank with a noncircular recess that is adapted to receive a complimentary shaped hex key or hold bit installed in a socket gear of a power driven tool which is used to install a threaded nut onto the threaded shank of the fastener bolt. A spring biased retainer slide with an extended rod portion hold the hex key securely in a locked position. Manual retraction of the retainer slide allows the extended rod portion to release the hex key so it may be replaced when damaged without any need for any further disassembly or need for additional disassembly tools. |
| US08671803B2 |
Fastening tool
When bolts are fastened to tack a door to a car body by means of a conventional impact wrench, the shavings stick to the surface of the door or car body, thereby to cause the poor coating quality such as a seeding when the inter-coating or finish-coating is performed in the coating procedure. An impact wrench provided is a fastening tool for fastening a bolt gripped by a socket, in a nut. The impact wrench includes a suction cover for covering the surroundings of the socket, and a suction port capable of sucking the atmosphere in the portion covered with the suction cover, and is constituted such that the atmosphere in the suction cover is sucked through the suction port to recover the shavings left at the time of fastening the bolt. This constitution makes it possible to prevent the shavings from being scattered to the surroundings. When the door is temporarily attached at the coating step to a car body, the poor coating quality such as the seeding, as might otherwise be caused by the shavings stuck to the surface of the car body or door, can be prevented and improved. |
| US08671802B2 |
Bottle cap opener
A movable outer cylindrical member and a movable inner cylindrical member are arranged vertically movably in a lower half of a cylindrical main body. By placing the movable inner cylindrical member on a bottle mouth and pushing down the cylindrical main body, a lower end of a hooking member is engaged with a lower end of the crown cap to pry the crown cap away. At the same time, the movable outer cylindrical member is moved up and a piston inside a cylinder arranged in an upper half of the cylindrical main body is moved up with the movable outer cylindrical member, so that the air in the cylinder is compressed, and a cover member is brought out in by the compressed air. |
| US08671800B2 |
Mechanical transmission device between a drive shaft and two driven shafts
A transmission device includes a drive shaft and two driven shafts. The drive shaft is connected to a wheel and first engagement rotors are arranged therebeside so that the wheel is located therebetween and can rotate together with them. The first engagement rotors having an axial hole in which a driven shaft is rotatably arranged, the first engagement rotors are coupled or uncoupled with second engagement rotors coaxially arranged therebeside, by extracting or retracting, respectively, at least one mobile tooth rotatable in a seat of the first engagement rotors, each driven shaft being keyed to a second engagement rotor. Driving rotors are arranged around the driven shafts between the wheel and the first engagement rotors and are provided with a brake, so that relative rotation of the driving rotors with respect to the first engagement rotors causes extension or retraction of the mobile tooth according to the relative rotation direction. |
| US08671794B2 |
Manual device for controlling brake and accelerator of a vehicle
A manual device for controlling brake and accelerator of a vehicle, a device having a body coupled with the vehicle and remaining substantially standstill while the device is used. The device includes a first lever provided with an upper handgrip projecting from inside the body and movable independently with respect to the same, a second lever and a third lever and a frame the first lever being pivoted on the frame in a substantially central position. When the user exerts an action on a handgrip it can be displaced forward or backward, the second lever being pivoted above on a frame in correspondence of one of its ends the upper part of the first lever shaped not to interfere with the second lever as an upper kinematic torque, the third lever being pivoted at the bottom of the frame in correspondence of one of its ends lower end of the first lever being so shaped to interfere with the lever, as an upper kinematic torque, free end of the second lever being coupled with brake and free end of the third lever being coupled with accelerator. |
| US08671788B2 |
Power transmitting apparatus
Disclosed is a power-transmitting apparatus The power-transmitting apparatus of the present invention comprises: a pin gear provided with a plurality of pins capable of rolling movement; a spur gear provided with a plurality of teeth and engagingly coupled to the pin gear so as to be relatively movable; and a lubricant supplying unit provided on the pin gear to supply lubricant to the plurality of pins. According to the present invention, by regularly applying a lubricant, the occurrence of problems such as the adherence of external dust and the efflorescence of the lubricant can be reduced, and in particular, because lubricant can be self-supplied to the plurality of pins provided on the pin gear, as opposed to the prior art, the task of applying a lubricant can be easily performed. |
| US08671782B2 |
Force sensor and corresponding force monitoring mattress
A force sensor includes a first surface and a second surface located opposite the first surface, the first surface translatable against a resilient force in a direction towards and/or from the second surface; a distance sensor, arranged to measure the distance between the first surface and the second surface; characterized in that the force sensor comprises a flexible coupling extending along the direction, flexibly coupling the first surface to the second surface; and in that the flexible coupling is provided with a resilient means to provide the resilient force; and a space encompassed by the flexible coupling together with the first surface and the second surface being accessible to the distance sensor, the space filled with a medium for providing the resilient force. |
| US08671773B2 |
Electronic flow meter
An electronic flow meter includes a magnetic sensor, phase-A and phase-B drivers, a phase-A comparator, a phase-B comparator, a two-phase encoder, and a rotational speed timer. The two-phase encoder determines a normal/reverse direction where the impeller is rotated based on event signals sampled by the phase-A and the phase-B comparators, respectively, causing a counter to count up or to count down according to the normal/reverse direction as determined, thereby outputting an event count signal. The rotational speed timer calculates a rotational frequency of the impeller from the event count signal outputted by the two-phase encoder and sets frequencies of respective sampling signals of the phase-A and the phase-B comparators at a time when the rotational frequency of the impeller is measured next, and respective drive periods of the phase-A and the phase-B drivers in accordance with the rotational frequency of the impeller as calculated. |
| US08671763B2 |
Sub-surface windscreen for outdoor measurement of infrasound
A windscreen is configured for measuring outdoor infrasonic sound. The windscreen includes a container and a microphone. The container defines a chamber. The microphone is disposed in the chamber and can be operatively supported by the floor. The microphone is configured for detecting infrasonic sound. The container is advantageously formed from material that exhibits an acoustic impedance of between 0 and approximately 3150 times the acoustic impedance of air. A reflector plate may be disposed in the container. The reflector plate operatively can support the microphone and provides a doubling effect of infrasonic pressure at the microphone. |
| US08671756B2 |
MEMS biaxial resonant accelerometer
A microelectromechanical detection structure for a MEMS resonant biaxial accelerometer is provided with: an inertial mass, anchored to a substrate by elastic elements to be suspended above the substrate. The elastic elements enabling inertial movements of the inertial mass along a first axis of detection and a second axis of detection that belong to a plane of main extension of said inertial mass, in response to respective linear external accelerations. At least one first resonant element and one second resonant element have a respective longitudinal extension, respectively along the first axis of detection and the second axis of detection, and are mechanically coupled to the inertial mass through a respective one of the elastic elements to undergo a respective axial stress when the inertial mass moves respectively along the first axis of detection and the second axis of detection. |
| US08671753B2 |
Cable harness for a sensor
The present disclosure relates to sensors including pressure sensors, humidity sensors, flow sensors, etc. In some cases, a cable harness assembly for connection with a sensor assembly may include a cable cover having a first end and a second end, a cable extending through an opening in the first end of the of the cable cover, and a crimp ring configured to engage the cable at a position within the cable cover, such that the attached crimp ring may not fit through the opening. The second end of the cable cover may be configured to connect to a housing of an electrical connector. Further, the cable may have wires that may be configured to electrically connect to electrical terminals of the electrical connector. In some instances, the electrical connector may be electrically connected to a sensor. |
| US08671750B2 |
Contactless liquid level sensor
The present invention is to prevent a drop in the detection accuracy caused by wear of the central shaft of a frame where a magnet holder and the magnet are fitted to each other in the course of prolonged use. A contactless liquid level sensor includes: a magnet holder which includes a resin holder body having an inner circumferential surface for defining a fitting hole and a magnet accommodated inside the holder body along the inner circumferential surface; a resin frame including a frame body, a central shaft protruding from the frame body, and a magnetic-electric converter accommodated inside the central shaft; a float arm including one end fixed to the magnet holder and the other end attached to a float vertically moving in accordance with a liquid level; and a metallic rotary support including a hollow cylindrical part arranged between the inner circumferential surface of the holder body and an outer circumferential surface of the central shaft. When the magnet holder rotates about the central shaft in accordance with the liquid level, a magnetic flux density passing through the magnetic-electric converter is varied thereby detecting a variation in the liquid level. |
| US08671746B2 |
Piezoelectric generator
A piezoelectric generator includes a piezoelectric element, a spring element, a mass element, and at least one stop. The piezoelectric element, the spring element, and the mass element form a system which can oscillate. The stop limits the oscillation of the system which can oscillate, at least on one side. The stop is formed from a ductile material or has a coating of a ductile material. |
| US08671745B2 |
Shift-by-wire default-to-park functional verification
A method for testing a transmission gear shift device includes using an electric machine and a primary mechanism to place the device and a secondary mechanism, latched to the primary mechanism, in a park position, using a motor to delatch the secondary mechanism from the primary mechanism, using the electric machine to absorb energy released by a spring when delatching, and using the electric machine to relatch the secondary mechanism to the primary mechanism. |
| US08671744B1 |
Engine pulley testing device
The present invention features an engine pulley testing device allowing a user to detect a damaged engine pulley. The engine pulley testing device comprises a first support arm and a second support arm pivotably attached to a front side of a top panel, a third support arm pivotably attached to a top panel on a back side of the top panel. A top pulley is attached on the top panel and a first bottom pulley and second bottom pulley are attached to the first and second support arms respectively. An engine belt can be wrapped around the pulleys and a testing pulley for testing. The engine pulley testing device may be attached on a sliding rail to slide to a desired working position. |
| US08671737B2 |
Target odor detection and security apparatus
A target odor detection apparatus and system configured to temporarily house one or more animate odor detectors for screening air passed across odor emitters or conveyances that pass through the target odor detection apparatus. Various types of sensor technologies are incorporated in certain embodiments to provide consistent detection results by, inter alia, consistently interpreting trained signals from animate odor detectors. Various communication technologies are incorporated in certain embodiments to provide enhanced control over an apparatus or system located in multiple and, in some cases, very distant, geographic locations. |
| US08671736B2 |
Agglomeration and charge loss sensor for measuring particulate matter
A sensor includes a housing, a central sensor electrode assembly, an insulating member, and a trace. The central sensor electrode assembly is coupled to a supply side of a voltage source. The insulating member is coupled between the housing and the central sensor electrode assembly. The insulating member circumscribes a section of the central sensor electrode assembly. The trace is coupled to the insulating member and circumscribes the section of the central sensor electrode assembly. The trace directs at least a portion of leakage current away from a voltage ground offset on an opposite side of the central sensor electrode assembly. |
| US08671735B2 |
Device for collecting gases in molten metal and measurement method
A device is provided for collection of gases in molten metals, the device having an immersion end with a gas collection body, a gas supply line opening at the immersion end, and a gas discharge line for gases penetrating the gas collection body. The gas collection body is impermeable to molten metal and has an end face arranged on the immersion end and side walls of the collection body. At least a portion of the gas collection body has a gas impermeable layer arranged on a surface of the side walls of the gas collection body. A measurement method is also provided using the device. |
| US08671734B2 |
Apparatus for measuring unbalance forces
An apparatus for measuring forces produced by an unbalance of a rotary member 8 includes a support device 3 for supporting the rotary member 8 rotatably about its axis 1, and having at least one measurement sensor 4 placed at a vibratory location of the support device 3, wherein the at least one measurement sensor 4 is designed to measure vibratory accelerations of the location at which the measurement sensor 4 is placed. |
| US08671733B2 |
Calibration procedure considering gas solubility
A method of calibrating a flow meter is provided. The method initiates with identifying a calibration fluid for a processing fluid. The calibration fluid has physical properties in common with the processing fluid with the exception of an outgassing characteristic. The method includes adding the calibration fluid to a vessel, where the vessel is in fluid communication with the flow meter and a withdrawal unit. The vessel is pressurized and the calibration fluid is withdrawn from the vessel through the flow meter and into the withdrawal unit, where the withdrawing performed by the withdrawal unit. A withdrawal volume per unit time measured by the flow meter is compared to a withdrawal volume per unit time controlled and set through the withdrawal unit. |
| US08671732B2 |
Oil-pressure swaging tool for rebuilding a connecting pipe
An oil-pressure swaging tool for rebuilding a connecting pipe includes an abutting member abutting against an oil-pressure device, a connector inserted into a connecting pipe, one end of a first axial member passing through the abutting member to connect to one end of the connector, another end of the first axial member connected to the oil-pressure device, a rebuilding member assembled to another end of the connecting pipe, a pressure collar adjacent to one end of the rebuilding member, one end of a second axial member passing through the rebuilding member to connected to the pressure collar, another end of the second axial member connected to another end of the connector. Therefore, when the opening of the connecting pipe is rebuilt by the oil-pressure swaging tool of the present invention, one end of the connecting pipe is not necessary to abut against a wall because of the abutting member. |
| US08671730B2 |
Method and apparatus for making a can with a curled end, such can and body
A method and apparatus for making a can, such as a paint can, includes the steps of: i. providing a cylindrical body; ii. arranging a piston in a first opening of the cylindrical body for defining the diameter of the opening; and iii. curling a free end of the first opening radially outwardly and axially along the cylindrical body thereby forming a curl. |
| US08671729B2 |
Fluid-assisted non-isothermal stamping of a sheet blank
A method for stamping a desired shape from a sheet blank includes providing the sheet blank. The method also includes locally cooling the sheet blank with a stream of fluid in a predetermined area of high stress concentration to be experienced during forming of the sheet blank into a desired shape. The method additionally includes forming the metal sheet blank into the desired shape in a stamping press with a punch. A system employing the method for forming a sheet blank is also disclosed. |
| US08671727B2 |
Methods for producing blank tube for cold drawing and for producing cold drawn tube
A blank tube for cold drawing is used for the production of a longer-length, small-diameter tube such as a heat-transfer tube for steam generation in nuclear power facilities, wherein the blank tube will not cause scoring and chattering vibration in a drawing process. The blank tube is used to produce a cold drawn tube through cold drawing of the blank tube. The average surface roughness Ra (ANSI B46.1) of the inner surface of blank tube before drawing satisfies the condition: 0.10 μm≦Ra≦1.00 μm in the case of a blank tube for cold drawing for use in an oil-lubricated drawing. In particular, the surface roughness Ra satisfies the condition: 0.10 μm≦Ra≦0.50 μm in the case of a blank tube for use in a high-pressure lubrication drawing and made of an austenitic alloy for use in a heat-transfer tube for a steam generator. |
| US08671724B2 |
Multiple access door lock mechanism
In combination, a door, two latches at an edge of the door, and door latch operating components at opposite sides of the door; displaceable structure in the door having a position blocking movement of the latches, first mechanism responsive to displacement of one of the components for displacing the structure from blocking position to allow movement of the latches, for door opening; and electrically operable actuating means for effecting displacement of the structure from blocking position to allow movement of the latches, for door opening. |
| US08671722B1 |
Steering wheel lock to be secured on the arms within the rim of a steering wheel
A bar shaped steering wheel lock including two “L” shaped hooks obliquely attached on the lock body, an interior rod covered by trapezoidal thread for connecting the two hooks, a locking mechanism and an extendable sleeve. The trapezoidal thread allows the rod to be locked in position by the locking mechanism. The steering wheel lock is mounted firmly on a steering wheel by firstly inserting the two hooks into the holes on the wheel and secondly by stretching the two hooks until both the two hooks are secured on the arms within the rim of the steering wheel allowing the sleeve to be extended outward. The extended sleeve thus blocks the complete rotation of the steering wheel. |
| US08671719B2 |
Drum type washing machine
A drum type washing machine has a cabinet forming an outer appearance of the washing machine, a tub fixed inside the cabinet for storing the washing water, a drum disposed in the tub and having both side surfaces supported by the cabinet to be rotatable and an inlet through which laundries come in/go out on a circumferential surface thereof, and a driving motor fixed on one side surface of the drum to rotate the drum. Washing capacity can be increased while maintaining the entire size of the washing machine by increasing a diameter of the drum without increasing the size of the cabinet, and the entire size of the washing machine can be compacted by minimizing the installation space of the driving motor. |
| US08671718B2 |
Drum-type washing machine
A drum-type washing machine is disclosed, in which bearings are received in the bearing housing assembly. The bearing housing assembly may include a support portion coupled to a motor, and a coupling portion connected to a damper bracket. |
| US08671715B2 |
He-3 recovery from natural helium by distillation
A system and method for recovering helium-3 from helium. A distillation column having a top section that is smaller in diameter than a main section is provided. The column also includes an intermediate condenser located in the main section and above a helium feed stream. Reflux to the column can be provided by liquid helium-3 from a conduit or from an overhead condenser. In a preferred cycle, the distillation column is operated at a subatmospheric pressure, and in a temperature range between 2.3 K and 4.3 K. |
| US08671714B2 |
Heat exchanger unit
A heat exchanger unit includes first and second plate heat exchangers disposed in series along a refrigerant flow direction. A refrigerant flows from the first plate heat exchanger to the second plate heat exchanger when the heat exchanger unit operates as an evaporator to heat the refrigerant, and the refrigerant flows from the second plate heat exchanger to the first plate heat exchanger when the heat exchanger unit operates as a condenser to cool the refrigerant. The first and second plate heat exchangers have first and second gas-liquid mixing structures to promote gas-liquid mixing of the refrigerant when the heat exchanger unit heats the refrigerant. The first and second gas-liquid mixing structures are configured such that pressure loss becomes larger when the gas-liquid mixing action becomes higher and such that the gas-liquid mixing action of the first gas-liquid mixing structure is higher than the gas-liquid mixing action of the second gas-liquid mixing structure. |
| US08671711B2 |
Refrigerator and icemaker assembly with provisions for guiding cool air flow to an ice tray
An icemaker assembly and a refrigerator having the icemaker assembly are provided. The icemaker assembly includes a cover directing cool air toward an ice tray and a bracket for enhancing flow of the cool air directed toward the ice cover. |
| US08671709B2 |
Method and apparatus for producing frozen products
The invention provides a method and an apparatus for producing frozen products using a liquid cooling freezing method, enabling the number of times for replenishing a freezing solvent to be reduced and completely preventing alcoholic odor from occurring. The apparatus 1 for producing frozen products according to the invention includes, in a freezing chamber 2, a freezing tank 3 having a freezing solvent 30 stored therein for immersing therein products and freezing them, gas jetting units 4 for jetting a gas having a temperature of 0° C. or below against the products frozen in the freezing tank 3 to remove the freezing solvent adhering to the products, and a transferring device 5 for transferring the products to be frozen in the freezing chamber 2 in a manner that the products to be frozen are immersed in the freezing solvent 30 in the freezing tank 3 and then lifted from the freezing tank 3 and further the freezing solvent adhering to the products is removed by the gas jetting units 4. |
| US08671703B2 |
Refrigerant vapor compression system with flash tank economizer
A refrigerant vapor compression system includes a flash tank disposed in series refrigerant flow relationship in the refrigerant circuit intermediate a refrigerant heat rejection heat exchanger and a refrigerant heat absorption heat exchanger. A primary expansion valve is interdisposed in the refrigerant circuit upstream of the refrigerant heat absorption heat exchanger and a secondary expansion valve is interdisposed in the refrigerant circuit upstream of the flash tank. A refrigerant vapor line is provided to direct refrigerant vapor from the flash tank to an intermediate pressure stage of the compression process. A refrigerant-to-refrigerant heat exchanger operates to transfer heat from refrigerant flowing through the primary refrigerant circuit to refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant vapor line. |
| US08671702B1 |
Recessed thermostat and cutting tool
In an aspect, a recessed thermostat assembly includes a thermostat housing having a face plate and one or more side walls at least partially enclosing one or more thermostat components. The face plate is wider than the side walls. A moveable brace is responsive to and operatively associated with a brace actuator such that movement of the brace actuator in a first direction responsively causes the moveable brace to move toward the face plate, and movement of the brace actuator in a second direction responsively causes the moveable brace to move away from the face plate. The brace actuator accessible through the face plate. The movable brace is configured to impinge a building wall structure between the movable brace and a rear surface of the face plate when the moveable brace is moved toward the face plate. |
| US08671699B2 |
Method and system for vaporizing liquefied natural gas with optional co-production of electricity
A process for the use of ambient air as a heat exchange medium for vaporizing cryogenic fluids wherein the vaporized cryogenic gases are heated to a selected temperature for use or delivery to a pipeline. |
| US08671696B2 |
Method and apparatus for increasing thrust or other useful energy output of a device with a rotating element
A turbine arrangement is provided for use in a gas turbine engine that includes a combustion chamber and a nozzle. The turbine arrangement includes a source of liquid and a turbine blade assembly that is rotatable about a central shaft. The blade assembly further includes a plurality of turbine blades, the blade having a forward edge that faces the combustion chamber and an opposite rear edge. A hollow interior of at least one blade is in fluid communication with the source of liquid. The blade (e.g. a rear edge thereof) including a plurality of openings in communication with the hollow interior and sized to produce liquid droplets for discharge downstream of the turbine blade to generate a gas (e.g., steam) due to contact with hot gases generated by the combustion chamber. The rotation of the turbine blades and discharge of the liquid in droplet form causes the liquid droplets to travel in a non-linear pattern resulting in conversion of the liquid droplets to the gas and an increase in volume for the hot gases, thereby resulting in the hot gases leaving the nozzle with increased thrust. |
| US08671694B2 |
Methods and apparatus for diluent nitrogen saturation
In one aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides an Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) apparatus. The apparatus includes a saturator configured to saturate NPG with water vapor, and a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG), a low pressure steam loop through the saturator, wherein the HRSG is configured to heat the low pressure steam loop. The apparatus further includes a compressor and a heat exchanger configured to heat the NPG using waste process heat and extraction air from the compressor, wherein the heated NPG thereby becomes diluent nitrogen. |
| US08671693B2 |
Thermally conductive structure
A multi-layered honeycomb structure adapted to reduce and/or eliminate thermal deformation is disclosed herein. In some embodiments, walls of the honeycomb structure comprise a first layer, optionally, a second layer, and a core layer adjacent to the first layer or between the first and second layers. The first and second layers may be compositions of Inconel or other high strength materials. The core layer may be copper or another thermally conductive material. The core layer is adapted to transmit heat between a first region of a structure and a second region. In this manner, heat can be transferred from the heated region to an unheated region, thereby reducing the temperature difference between the regions and thus the amount of thermal deformation. |
| US08671692B2 |
Annular gas turbine combustor including converging and diverging segments
A combustor assembly includes a convergent segment followed by a divergent segment to advantageously improve combustion. The combustor assembly includes a first segment beginning at a forward end that transitions to a second segment past a transition segment in a direction along a combustor axis toward an aft end. The reduction in cross-sectional area within the first segment provides desirable fuel and air mixing properties. The convergent first segment in combination with the divergent second segment decreases residence time of fuel-air mixture within the combustor chamber that decreases production of undesirable emissions from the combustor assembly. |
| US08671689B2 |
Method and device of turbine submerged combustion boiler
The invention is about a submerged combustion method and the device; specifically, it is a submerged combustion method and the device utilizing turbine heat engine principle. In the invention, turbine power combustion means is used and substitutes the conventional submerged combustion system that must equip air blowing means. The high temperature gases generated from the combustion within the turbine power combustion means will do work on the turbine, which will drive the air compressor means of the turbine power combustion means to induce air for combustion, and will drive the second-time complete combustion of high temperature gases and the complement fuel, and then the gases will come out from water bottom against tank water pressure and carry out heat interchange with tank water. The turbine submerged combustion boiler device of the invention need not equip air blowing means which would consume additional energy. Thus, it has high energy efficiency and a simple system structure. Additionally, it has features of high heat interchange rate, stable long term heat efficiency, environmental protection, etc. |
| US08671688B2 |
Combined cycle power plant with thermal load reduction system
A combined cycle power plant is provided and includes a gas turbine engine to generate power, a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) to produce steam from high energy fluids produced from the generation of power in the gas turbine engine, a steam turbine engine to generate additional power from the steam produced in the HRSG and a thermal load reduction system to reduce thermal loading of components of the HRSG and/or the steam turbine engine during at least startup and/or part load operations, which includes an eductor by which a mixture of compressor discharge air and entrained ambient air is injectable into the HRSG and/or an attemperator to cool superheated steam to be transmitted to the steam turbine engine. |
| US08671687B2 |
Hydrogen based combined steam cycle apparatus
A hydrogen based combined steam cycle apparatus having an irreversible isobaric Rankine steam cycle portion, an irreversible isobaric Carnot steam cycle portion and a reversible isobaric Rankine steam cycle portion, all three portions of which operate simultaneously. The apparatus includes a source of liquid oxygen, a source of liquid hydrogen, a combustion chamber, a first pump, a second pump, a pressure vessel, a steam turbine, a superheater, and a condenser.A plurality of valves and a computer are used to control the flow of working fluid in the hydrogen based combined steam cycle apparatus. |
| US08671681B1 |
Opposed piston internal combustion engine and method of operation thereof
An internal combustion hydraulic engine for producing a supply of pressurized hydraulic fluid includes a frame, a pair of pivot pins, two levers, and combustion assemblies and hydraulic assemblies mechanically communicating with each other through the levers. Each of the assemblies includes a pair of opposed pistons engaged to the levers with a variable volume chamber between them, the piston faces being movable boundaries defining the variable volume chamber. In cyclic operation, a compressed fuel-air mixture in a first combustion chamber detonates, driving the combustion pistons apart. The pistons drive connecting rods, pivoting the lever arms, the lever arms, in turn drawing apart the pistons of a first hydraulic assembly, driving together the pistons of a second hydraulic assembly to produce pressurized hydraulic fluid, and driving together the combustion pistons of a second combustion assembly into which a fuel-air mixture has been introduced, compressing the mixture therein. |
| US08671671B1 |
Exhaust system for an internal combustion engine
An exhaust system for an internal combustion engine including an elongated tube for receiving exhaust gas and exhaust flow modification structure within the tube interior configured to cooperate with the elongated tube to produce a laminar flow of exhaust gas and modify the flow speed of the exhaust gas due to the venturi effect. The exhaust system includes two spaced structural components which form restricted a annular flow path to enhance the venturi effect. |