最新美国发明专利
Document Document Title
US07679355B2 Communicating with an implanted wireless sensor
The present invention determines the resonant frequency of a sensor by adjusting the phase and frequency of an energizing signal until the frequency of the energizing signal matches the resonant frequency of the sensor. The system energizes the sensor with a low duty cycle, gated burst of RF energy having a predetermined frequency or set of frequencies and a predetermined amplitude. The energizing signal is coupled to the sensor via magnetic coupling and induces a current in the sensor which oscillates at the resonant frequency of the sensor. The system receives the ring down response of the sensor via magnetic coupling and determines the resonant frequency of the sensor, which is used to calculate the measured physical parameter. The system uses a pair of phase locked loops to adjust the phase and the frequency of the energizing signal.
US07679354B2 Phase detecting device, phase control device including the phase detecting device, and fuser control device including the phase control device
A phase detecting device includes a power input unit that receives an AC voltage; a phase detector that detects zero-crossing points of the AC voltage, and outputs a phase detecting signal when the zero-crossing points of the AC voltage are detected; and a power switch that selectively cuts off a flow of AC into the power input unit in response to a mode control signal.
US07679353B2 Constant-current circuit and light-emitting diode drive device therewith
A constant-current circuit includes a first transistor for supplying a current based on a control signal input to a gate of the first transistor so as to serve as a current source, a second transistor for supplying a current to a load based on the control signal input to a gate of the second transistor, a voltage regulation unit for controlling a drain voltage of the first transistor according to a drain voltage of the second transistor, a current detector for detecting a value of a current flowing through the first transistor and output a current according to the detected value, and a controller for controlling each gate voltage of the first and second transistors according to the value detected by the current detector so that the current flowing through the first transistor becomes a predetermined value. The first and second transistors are MOS transistors having the same conductivity.
US07679351B2 Power supply apparatus
A voltage generation unit generates a driving voltage for driving an LED. A first feedback path feeds back a voltage according to a voltage at one end of the LED. A second feedback path feeds back a voltage according to a voltage at the other end of the LED. A current driving circuit is provided on a path on which the voltage generation unit drives the LED. A control circuit controls the voltage generation unit so that one of first and second feedback voltages fed back by the first and second feedback paths, respectively is closer to a predetermined reference voltage.
US07679349B2 Switching systems and methods with current sensing
Embodiments of the present invention include an electronic circuit for performing current sensing. In one embodiment, the present invention includes a first switching transistor and a second switching transistor both coupled to receive a first switching current and a switching signal, and one or more transistors coupled in a first series. A first terminal of an initial transistor in the first series is coupled to a second terminal of the second switching transistor. A second terminal of a last transistor in the first series is coupled to a reference voltage. The first switching current is coupled to a second node between the second terminal of the second switching transistor and the first terminal of the initial transistor in the first series. In this manner, the circuit produces a switching voltage corresponding to said first switching current.
US07679347B2 Closed-loop digital control system for a DC/DC converter
A control system comprises a DC/DC converter that includes first and second inductances, that receives a first DC voltage and that generates a second DC voltage. A control module selectively charges or discharges the first inductance while discharging or charging the second inductance during a first mode and one of charges both of the first and second inductances or discharges both of the first and second inductances during a second mode.
US07679346B2 Power supply apparatus and operation-mode determining unit and method thereof
A power supply apparatus and an operation-mode determining unit and a method thereof are provided. The power supply apparatus includes first and second control units, a switching unit, a power output unit, and an operation-mode determining unit. The first and second control units provide first and second control signals respectively. The switching unit selects to output the first or second control signal according to a switching signal. The power output unit adjusts its output power in accordance with the control signal output from the switching unit. The operation-mode determining unit compares an operation frequency in the power output unit with a reference frequency, and detects an inductor current in the power output unit. The operation-mode determining unit determines the state of a switching signal and outputs it to the switching unit in accordance with the comparison result and the detection result.
US07679344B2 Microprocessor die with integrated voltage regulation control circuit
An integrated circuit die includes a microprocessor and a control circuit to control elements of a voltage regulator to supply power to the microprocessor.
US07679341B2 External control mode step down switching regulator
A switching regulator integrated circuit (IC) is disclosed that includes a switch circuit that further includes a first switch and a second switch, a mode selector circuit controlled by external circuitry to select between a first mode and a second mode, and a control circuit. In response to a feedback signal from the switch circuit, when the first mode is selected, the control circuit toggles the first switch and the second switch ON and OFF alternately at a fixed first frequency. When a second mode is selected, the control circuit causes the second switch to turn OFF completely and the first switch to switch ON and OFF at a variable second frequency.
US07679338B2 DC/DC converter with spread spectrum switching signals
A DC/DC converter includes a converting circuit for converting a first voltage into a second voltage; a controller for generating spread spectrum switching signals; and a switch according to the spread spectrum switching signals controlling the on/off state of the switch.
US07679335B1 Battery charger for aircraft emergency egress batteries
A battery charger includes one or more channels for independently charging one or more batteries at different current levels. The battery charger also includes multiple modes for each channel for charging a battery with a continuous current or a pulse current. The battery charger supplies charging current by holding the voltage at a set value.
US07679333B2 Delay time generation circuit, semiconductor device for protecting secondary batteries using delay time generation circuit, battery pack, and electronic device
A delay time generation circuit is disclosed that includes a counter circuit composed of plural cascade-connected flip-flop circuits for counting a pulse number of an input clock signal and uses as a delay time signal an inverse signal of an output of the last stage or a predetermined stage of the flip-flop circuits of the counter circuit. In the delay time generation circuit, a delay time is generated by the use of an output signal of one of the flip-flop circuits precedent to the last stage or the predetermined stage flip-flop circuit of the counter circuit at testing an electronic circuit. This configuration makes it possible to reduce the delay time without using a special high-speed clock.
US07679325B2 Battery management system and driving method for cutting off and coupling battery module from/to external device
A battery management system for controlling a secondary battery module which includes a plurality of unit batteries includes a sensor, a comparator and a controller. The sensor sequentially measures respective voltages of the unit batteries. The comparator compares the respective voltages of the unit batteries to a cut-off voltage range and a recovery voltage range to determine if the voltages are within the cut-off voltage range and the recovery voltage range. The controller receives comparison results from the comparator, cuts off the secondary battery module from an external device when there is at least one unit battery within the cutoff voltage range, and couples the secondary battery module to the external device when all of the unit batteries are within the recovery voltage range.
US07679323B2 Handheld power tool form-locked with a detachable battery pack
A handheld power tool has a handheld power tool base body, a battery pack that is detachable from the handheld power tool base body, and an inner cavity with a wall that constitutes a coupling region for the coupling of the battery pack to the handheld power tool base body. The wall has at least one shaped component that is oriented outward in relation to the inner cavity.
US07679320B2 Amusement apparatus operative as a dynamo battery charger
The present invention provides a dynamo battery charger adapted to provide amusement during the recharging process. The charger housing is shaped or constructed to represent an amusing apparatus that includes optional features that simulate actual components whereby the amusing optional features are operable when the battery charger is being actuated.
US07679311B2 System and method for dynamic field weakening
A field weakening control system for use with an induction motor is disclosed. The field weakening control system has a sensing device configured to generate a signal indicative of a speed of the induction motor and a controller. The controller is configured to determine an initial voltage command based on the signal and determine an acceleration of the induction motor based on the signal. The controller is also configured to generate a desired voltage command based on at least one of the initial voltage command and the acceleration.
US07679309B2 Method and system for motor control with delay compensation
Methods and systems are provided for controlling an electric machine via an inverter while compensating for one or more hardware delays. The method includes receiving a control signal, producing a first sampling signal based on the control signal, and adjusting the sampling signal to compensate for a first delay of the one or more hardware delays. The inverter is operable to produce a voltage signal based on the control signal, and the electric machine is operable to produce a current based on the voltage signal. A sampling of the current is performed based on the first sampling signal.
US07679308B2 Motor control device
Let the rotating axis whose direction coincides with the direction of the current vector that achieves maximum torque control be called the qm-axis, and the rotating axis perpendicular to the qm-axis be called the dm-axis. A motor control device switches its operation between low-speed sensorless control and high-speed sensorless control according to the rotation speed of the rotor. In low-speed sensorless control, the magnetic salient pole of the motor is exploited, and the d-q axes are estimated by, for example, injection of a high-frequency rotating voltage. In high-speed sensorless control, the dm-qm axes are estimated based on, for example, the induction voltage produced by the rotation of the rotor. During high-speed sensorless control, the γ(dm)-axis current is kept at zero irrespective of the δ(qm)-axis current.
US07679307B2 Electronic method for starting a compressor
A motor starting apparatus (10) includes a motor starting relay (112) to switch a motor starting capacitor (110) into a motor circuit across a run capacitor (111). The system control (116) includes an electronic voltage measurement circuit to measure a winding voltage (113, 114) of the motor winding (102, 103). The system control (116) also includes a microprocessor to run an algorithm that causes the system control to switch the starting capacitor (110) out of the motor circuit when a measured winding voltage (113, 114) exceeds a winding voltage threshold. A method to start a motor includes the steps of determining a motor winding voltage (113, 114) threshold; closing the motor starting capacitor relay (112) when needed; closing a contactor (108, 109) to supply power to the motor starting apparatus and the motor circuit; measuring a winding voltage (113, 114); comparing the measured winding voltage (113, 114) to the voltage threshold; and opening the starting capacitor relay (112) when measured winding voltage (113, 114) exceeds the voltage threshold indicating that the motor has been started.
US07679305B2 Method and device for temperature limitation according to current and/or voltage
The invention relates to a method for temperature limitation according to the current and/or voltage, for an actuating device (10) associated with an electric motor (M), especially a fan regulator (12) of a motor vehicle, the temperature limitation being carried out according to at least one operating parameter of the motor (M). The invention also relates to a corresponding device (1) and a fan regulator (12).
US07679303B2 Evaluation device and method for rotary drive, corrective manipulated variable setting device and method, control device and method, and program
An evaluation device for a rotary drive that evaluates periodic velocity fluctuation of the rotary drive is provided. The evaluation device includes a rotational velocity fluctuation detector, a reference signal generator, and a multiplier-accumulator. The rotational velocity fluctuation detector detects rotational velocity fluctuation relative to a reference velocity of the rotary drive. The reference signal generator generates a reference signal, in which the reference signal has a period and a phase angle. The multiplier-accumulator performs a multiply-accumulate operation between the rotational velocity fluctuation detected by the rotational velocity fluctuation detector and the reference signal generated by the reference signal generator, so as to detect a fluctuation intensity at the phase angle of a component having the period, in which the component is included in the rotational velocity fluctuation detected by the rotational velocity fluctuation detector.
US07679298B2 Locomotive wheel speed control
A method for controlling a wheel speed of a locomotive includes determining an estimated wheel speed (52) for a desired wheel set of a locomotive responsive to a locomotive operating parameter indicative of an actual wheel speed of the desired wheel set. The method also includes generating a first adjustment parameter (e.g., 46) based on an operating condition of the locomotive, and then applying the first adjustment parameter to the estimated wheel speed for generating a first adjusted estimated wheel speed signal (54) used as a first input for controlling a wheel speed of at least one of the desired wheel set and the other wheel sets of the locomotive.
US07679293B2 Anti-striation circuit for current-fed ballast
An electronic ballast circuit having at least two distinct switching cycles also includes an anti-striation feature. More particularly the electronic ballast includes an input section configured to receive an input from a power source. A resonant section receives the signals from the input section in order to generate a resonant signal. An anti-striation component is connected within the electronic ballast circuit to affect operation of the resonant section, which results in an affected resonant signal. A switching arrangement is configured to receive the affected resonant signal from the resonant section and anti-striation component, and is further configured to generate an asymmetric output signal due to the affects of the anti-resonant component, wherein the anti-striation component causes parameters of the resonant section of the electronic ballast circuit to be different for different switching cycles of the electronic ballast circuit. An output section is provided to output the asymmetric output signal to a lamp system.
US07679291B2 Barricade flasher
A flashing warning light apparatus wherein there is provided one or more light-emitting diodes, the light-emitting diode being driven in a pulsed manner to achieve light output at a selected flash rate, with control means adapted to detect any light-induced signal from the same light-emitting diode or diodes during periods when the light-emitting diode is not emitting light, said signal being dependent on the level of ambient light. The same diode or diodes can be at a focus center of a reflector. A magnitude of any signal can then be used to determine whether the ambient light is such that the warning light should operate.
US07679290B2 Metal halide lamp with light-transmitting ceramic arc tube
A metal halide lamp according to the present invention includes: a main tube (6) made of a light-transmitting ceramic and forming a part of an arc tube; a first thin tube (7a) coupled to a first end of the main tube (6); a second thin tube (7b) coupled to a second end of the main tube (6); a pair of electrodes (5a, 5b), which are inserted into the first and second thin tubes (7a, 7b), respectively, such that the far ends thereof face each other inside the main tube (1); and a first metal halide enclosed in the arc tube. A second metal halide, which has a lower vapor pressure than that of the first metal halide, is further enclosed in the arc tube. And the main tube (6) has portions, of which the inside diameter decreases monotonically toward the ends.
US07679286B1 Positive column tubular PDP
A positive column gas discharge plasma display device with one or more ionizable gas filled elongated Plasma-tubes. The display may be a dual substrate or a single substrate device. One or more substrates may be of a flexible material. The ionizable gas produces photons in the UV, IR, and/or visible range during gas discharge. An impervious barrier is positioned between the gas discharge cells in adjacent tubes to minimize or prevent optical cross-talk between pixels in adjacent tubes. The photons may excite one or more luminescent materials located on or in close proximity to one or more Plasma-tubes. The plasma display device may contain at least one Plasma-shell filled with an ionizable gas that produces photons in the UV, IR, and/or visible range during gas discharge. Plasma-shell includes Plasma-disc, Plasma-dome, and Plasma-sphere.
US07679284B2 Light emitting device and electronic apparatus
A light emitting device includes a substrate, a plurality of light emitting elements, an element layer, an auxiliary electrode, and an insulating layer. An effective region in which the plurality of light emitting elements are arranged and a peripheral region that surrounds the effective region are provided on the substrate. Each of the light emitting elements includes a first electrode, a second electrode and a light emitting layer located between the first electrode and the second electrode. A circuit element is arranged in the element layer to control emission of light of the light emitting elements. The auxiliary electrode is electrically connected to the second electrode. The second electrode covers the effective region and is formed uniformly so as to extend into the peripheral region. The auxiliary electrode extends through a gap between adjacent light emitting elements in the effective region and is formed partly in the peripheral region.
US07679276B2 Metal body arc lamp
A short arc lamp comprises front and back subassemblies including mating weld rings, whereby the lamp can be assembled and sealed through welding of the weld rings. Each subassembly includes a number of self-aligning components to facilitate assembly and improve alignment accuracy. The metal body of the lamp can have a cooling projection portion, which can be received by a heat sink to remove heat from near the anode. A heat sink also can be formed as part of the metal body. The lamp reflector can be a drop-in reflector, or can be formed as part of the metal body through a process such as metal injection molding. A single strut can be used to position the cathode, which can be part of the sleeve or received by a portion of the sleeve. A trigger electrode can be used to simplify the power supply for the lamp.
US07679272B2 Multi-layer piezoelectric element
To provide a multi-layer piezoelectric device having excellent durability in which the amount of displacement does not change even when the piezoelectric actuator is subjected to continuous operation over a long period of time under a high voltage and a high pressure, the multi-layer piezoelectric device comprises a stack formed by stacking piezoelectric layers and internal electrodes alternately one on another and external electrodes formed on a first side face and on a second side face of the stack, wherein one of the adjacent internal electrodes is connected to the external electrode formed on the first side face and the other internal electrode is connected to the external electrode formed on the second side face, while content of alkali metal in a range from 5 ppm to 300 ppm is contained.
US07679257B2 Planar commutator, rotor and direct current electric motor
In a direct current electric motor, segment pieces of a commutator are generally planar and are arranged one after another in a circumferential direction about a rotational axis of the commutator. A slidably engaging surface of each segment piece, which is slidably engageable with a plurality of brushes of the motor, extends in a plane that is generally perpendicular to the rotational axis, and each segment piece includes a radially inner engaging portion at a radially inner end part of the segment piece. Each conductive line extends along a corresponding straight line and electrically interconnects between the radially inner engaging portions of corresponding two of the plurality of segment pieces to implement the same electric potential in the corresponding two of the plurality of segment pieces.
US07679255B2 Electrical machine
An electrical machine is described, having a stationary main element as stator and a rotating main element as rotor, of which one main element having a magnetic yoke and poles, of a predefined number of poles, projecting radially from the former, is made of SMC material and carries a pole winding on each pole. To achieve cost-effective manufacturing of the main element, the main element is assembled from at least two modules that are axially adjacent, rigidly connected to one another, and produced from SMC material, each module having a yoke part, closed in on itself, of the magnetic yoke having an equal number of divisions of poles attached thereto in one piece, which corresponds to a fraction of the number of poles determined by the number of modules.
US07679253B2 Stator assembly with cascaded winding and method of making same
A stator assembly for a dynamoelectric machine featuring a cascaded construction includes several conductors, each having a plurality of slot segments interconnected by plurality of end loop segments. The consecutive slot segments of a first conductor forms nearly all of a radially-outermost first layer of the stator winding, with the remaining portion of the radially-outermost winding layer being defined by a slot segment of a second conductor that is then inserted into the core to form nearly all of a second layer of the stator winding radially-inwardly of the first winding layer. The second winding layer is completed with an additional single slot segment of the first conductor.
US07679249B2 Contra rotating generator
Disclosed herein is an apparatus of a contra rotating generator. The contra rotating generator comprises a cylindrical armature supported on an inner shaft. The inner shaft rotates in a first direction. A cylindrical magnetic field rotor is supported on an outer shaft. The outer shaft is oriented coaxially to the inner shaft. The outer shaft contra rotates opposite to the first direction. A plurality of cam followers maintains uniform air gap between outer surface of the cylindrical armature and inner surface of the cylindrical magnetic field rotor. The uniform air gap prevents mechanical contact between the cylindrical armature and the cylindrical magnetic field rotor. A sprag clutch prevents unidirectional rotation of the inner shaft and the outer shaft. The contra rotation between the cylindrical armature and the cylindrical magnetic field rotor increases relative magnetic flux speed for generating electrical power at low speeds of operation.
US07679248B2 Magnetic bearing system
Disclosed is a magnetic bearing system capable of simplifying a demodulation operation and reducing a processing load associated with a magnetic levitation control. A carrier signal having a frequency fc is apply to a sensor through a filter. The sensor operates to modulate the carrier signal, and a difference amplifier operates to calculate a difference between the amplitude-modulated signal FAM (t) and a sensor reference signal Fstd (t). An A/D converter operates to A/D convert a difference signal Fsub (t) output from the difference amplifier to a discretized sensor signal. In the A/D conversion, a sampling frequency fs is set to satisfy the following relation: fc: fc=n·fs or fc=fs/2 (n is a natural number). Thus, the discretized sensor signal includes no carrier wave, and therefore a demodulation operation which has been previously essential can be simplified.
US07679246B2 Actuator
A case (100), a rotor (200) that is freely rotatably supported in the case (100), and stators (110) for rotating the rotor by magnetic force are provided. The stator (110) contains a core (111) mounted at the outside of the case (100), and a magnetic coil (112) wound around the core (111). An end face of the core (111) constituting a magnetic pole is formed of at least non-laminate ferromagnetic substance, and exposed to the inner surface of the case (100) so as to form a part of the inner wall of the case (100).
US07679245B2 Repulsive lift systems, flywheel energy storage systems utilizing such systems and methods related thereto
Featured is a method for passively-repulsively lifting a rotor assembly (11) of a flywheel energy storage system (10), comprising the steps of mechanically coupling a first permanent magnet (204a) to the rotor assembly (11) and fixedly positioning a second permanent magnet (204b) proximal to the first permanent magnet (204a) so that a repulsive force is generated therebetween causing the first permanent magnet (204a) to move with respect to the second permanent magnet (204b), thereby causing the rotor assembly (11) to be lifted to an operating level. The method further includes applying a radial force sufficient in magnitude and direction to oppose a radial force being generated by the permanent magnet repulsive force. Also featured is a passive-repulsive rotor assembly lift system (100) for a flywheel energy storage system (10) and a flywheel energy storage system (10) including such a repulsive rotor lift system (100).
US07679242B2 Shrink tube encapsulated magnet wire for electrical submersible motors
An electrical motor for an electrical submersible pump wherein the electrical motor has increased heat transfer capabilities. The electrical motor includes a housing and a plurality of stator laminations within the housing. Each stator lamination defines a central orifice and a plurality of lamination slots. A plurality of magnet wires pass through each of the plurality of lamination slots formed by the stacked plurality of stator laminations. Shrink wrap surrounds each of the plurality of magnet wires to secure the magnet wires in bundles. The result is that the wires are effectively bound together in a manner that allows oil to move freely inside the lamination slots surrounding the wire bundles. Since fluid can pass between and around the windings, the overall winding temperature will be normalized, essentially reducing hot spots that occur in prior art designs.
US07679239B2 Flat type vibrating motor
Provided is a flat type vibrating motor capable of reducing a consumed current of the motor while maintaining torque of the motor, lengthening even more an operating time of an apparatus such as a mobile communication apparatus in which the flat type vibrating motor is mounted, and shortening a charging period. At least one auxiliary coil separated at a predetermined mechanical degree with respect to a center of the primary coil mounted on the substrate, and series-connected to the primary coil is provided, so that a current flowing through the coil is reduced and torque equivalent to or greater than that of a related art motor can be obtained. Accordingly, an amount of a consumed current of the motor is reduced.
US07679237B2 Drive apparatus for electric vehicle
A drive apparatus for an electric vehicle includes a rotating electric device; a power source; and a terminal block. The rotating electric device drives the wheels of the vehicle. Electric power is supplied to the rotating electric device from the power source through a power-supply passage connected to the rotating electric device through the terminal block, which is fitted to the rotating electric device. The rotating electric device also includes a housing; a stator provided within the housing; and a coil-end positioned at the end of the stator in the axial direction. The terminal block is disposed near the coil-end at a position equal to or lower than the top surface of the housing. The terminal block is fitted to the rotating electric device so that the terminal block is electrically connected to the coil-end, by inserting the terminal block from the side surface of the housing.
US07679236B2 Electric actuator
An electric actuator, which includes an exposed actuator terminal, for eliminating the need for insert molding and facilitating the manufacturing of a housing while preventing liquid from entering the housing. The actuator includes a motor. The housing is attached to the motor and includes an opening. A control circuit board accommodated in the housing controls the motor. An actuator terminal is arranged on the control circuit board and connected to an external terminal of an external connector through the opening. A terminal support arranged on the control circuit board supports the actuator terminal. A hollow fitting is attached to the terminal support and fitted into the opening so as to extend into the housing. A seal, arranged between the terminal support and the fitting, seals the housing.
US07679229B2 Relieving stress in a flexure
A flexure includes a shaped sheet of material having a middle portion coupled to a magnet, an end portion, and a corner portion between the end portion and the middle portion, the corner portion including a curve with a concave curvature relative to a point of view outside the corner portion. The flexure may be used in a linear motor.
US07679228B2 Electromagnetic actuator
In an electromagnetic actuator including a bearing member which slidably supports a variable core, a yoke for retaining a coil assembly by cooperation with a bottom wall of a housing is connected to the housing, and the bearing member is fitted into the yoke. A support for supporting an outward-facing flange formed at one end of the bearing member is mounted on the bottom wall, and a set spring for biasing the outward-facing flange toward the support is mounted under compression between the outward-facing flange and the first yoke. A low-friction material coating made of a fluorocarbon resin is formed on at least one of opposed sliding surfaces of the bearing member and a movable core. Thus, even if wear powder is generated between the set spring of the bearing member and a portion on which the set spring is pressed, the wear powder is prevented from entering inside the bearing member.
US07679227B2 Working machine with an electromagnetic converter
Machine with an electromechanical converter, where a linear movable piston (30) is placed in a tubular cylinder casing (20). The piston supports a row of centrally placed annular permanent magnets (38) which produce an electromagnetic field of force. This is effective towards a surrounding row of annular coils (21). Such a machine can be driven as a motor or as a generator with a minimum of movable parts. At the ends of the closed cylinder is formed a chamber (40, 50), which forms a gas spring. In its simplest form the machine acts as a vibrator or as a vibration-driven generator. Additionally, to the gas springs, and at least at one end of the cylinder casing, can be placed a helical spring which ensures the central position of rest of the piston in the case of vertical installation. The piston can be connected to an axial bar (34) which is lead out of the machine on its one end for transmission of kinetic energy to or from the machine.
US07679225B2 Voice coil motors and pre-compression generation devices thereof
A voice coil motor. At least one guide bar is connected to a fixed base. A coil is connected to the fixed base. A support base is movably fit on the guide bar. An annular magnetic member is connected to the support base and surrounded by the coil. A magnetization direction of the annular magnetic member parallels a moving direction of the support base and annular magnetic member. The annular magnetic member includes a first magnetic pole and a second magnetic pole. The first magnetic pole is disposed in the coil and separated from the bottom thereof. The second magnetic pole is disposed outside the coil. The coil interacts with the annular magnetic member to generate a first force, driving the support base and annular magnetic member to move along the magnetization direction of the annular magnetic member.
US07679224B2 Circuit for protecting computer
A circuit is used for preventing a computer from being powered up before a CPU voltage of the computer is prepared properly. The circuit includes a power supply for providing power to the computer, a power button for powering on the computer system, a power controller, and a switch. The power controller includes an input terminal connected to the power button and an output terminal for electrical connection to the power supply. The input terminal receives a PWRBT# signal when the power button is momentarily triggered, and the output terminal outputs a PSON# signal to the power supply to control the power supply to provide the electrical power to the computer in response to the received PWRBT# signal. The switch is serially connected between the output terminal and the power supply. The switch includes a control terminal monitoring if the CPU voltage is prepared properly so as to control conduction of the switch and further to control connection between the output terminal and the power supply.
US07679219B2 Power supply device
Power supply devices for vehicle electrical systems in particular, including two voltage systems, i.e., vehicle electrical systems, each having its own generator. The first generator and the battery belong to the same voltage system, and the second generator belongs to the second voltage system. If the two voltage systems were decoupled, the second generator would not have the excitation current required for starting, so means are consequently provided here to connect the second generator to a charge storage device after actuation of the ignition switch, thereby generating an excitation current; this charge storage device may also be the battery of the first voltage system and the connection is kept conductive until the second generator starts and is generating an output voltage.
US07679216B2 Power supply scheme for reduced power compensation
A power control system is described that reuses current from segregated circuits of the mobile device. In some embodiments, the segregated circuits (or “sections”) can be “stacked” in series (with respect to the power supply) such that power is more efficiently used. The power can be more efficiently used by arranging a first section to reuse current that supplies power to a second section. A power control unit can be used to control regulators.
US07679214B2 Electronic device incorporating system power supply unit and method for supplying power supply voltage
An electronic device provided with a system main unit including a load powered by operational voltage. A system power supply unit, connected to the system main unit, supplies the load with the operational voltage. The system main unit includes a memory circuit for storing initial value data containing a set value for setting the operational voltage of the load. A main unit communication circuit reads the initial value data from the memory circuit and transmits the initial value data to the system power supply unit. The system power supply unit includes a power supply communication circuit for communicating with the main unit communication circuit to receive the initial value data. A voltage generation circuit generates voltage corresponding to the set value.
US07679212B2 Vehicle accessory touch switch
A touch switch for controlling accessory equipment of a vehicle in such a manner that malfunctions caused by factors such as changes in atmospheric conditions, receipt of an electromagnetic impulse, or the like can be avoided. A vehicle accessory touch switch comprises a touch section having a sensor conductor plate which is touched by an operator, a capacitance measurement section which measures a change in electrostatic capacity of the sensor conductor plate to a ground conductor as a sensor conductor plate capacity change, and a control section which controls accessory equipment according to comparison between the sensor conductor plate capacity change and a control judgment value, wherein the vehicle accessory touch switch controls the accessory equipment according to an operator touching the touch section, a sub-conductor plate is disposed, the capacitance measurement section measures a change in electrostatic capacity between the sub-conductor plate and the ground conductor as a sub-conductor plate capacity change, and the control section decides the control judgment value according to the sub-conductor plate capacity change measured by the capacitance measurement section.
US07679210B2 Vehicle wheel electricity generating device
A vehicle wheel electricity generating device for a automotive vehicle comprising a generator rotor winding (2) and a stator (4). A wind actuated component (3) is rotatably connected to a vehicle wheel (12), said rotator winding (2) is fixedly connected to the vehicle wheel (12), and said stator (4) is fixedly arranged on the wind actuated component (3). During the traveling of the automotive vehicle, the wind actuated component (3) rotates with respect to the vehicle wheel (12), such that the generator rotator winding (2) rotates with respect to the stator (4) to generate electricity.
US07679208B1 Apparatus and system for pitch angle control of wind turbine
A pitch control apparatus for controlling the pitch value for a wind power generation system includes a generator comparing unit that calculates an error signal based on a difference between a generator measurement signal corresponding with an operation of the power generation system and a generator reference signal, and a reference pitch calculating unit that calculates a reference pitch value using the error signal. The pitch control apparatus further includes a compensation pitch calculating unit that calculates a compensation pitch value using an error value from the wind power generation system and a pitch calculating unit that calculates a pitch value using the reference pitch value and the compensation pitch value. The error value may be any one of a voltage error value from a direct-current capacitor, a voltage error value from a grid connection point, a speed error value from a rotor, and a frequency error value from a grid connection point.
US07679207B2 Augmented wind power generation system using continuously variable transmission and method of operation
A wind power generating apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a plurality of vertically stacked wind acceleration modules that are shaped to accelerate wind passing between them. At least one of the modules includes a rotor assembly, a continuously variable transmission (CVT) mechanically coupled to the rotor assembly, and an electrical generator mechanically coupled to the CVT. The electrical generator is capable of converting mechanical energy transferred by the CVT from the rotor assembly into electrical energy. A sensor may be mechanically coupled to the rotor assembly or the electrical generator and electrically coupled to a controller. The controller may control the CVT according to a signal received from the sensor such that the electrical generator operates within a predetermined range of rotational velocities.
US07679205B1 Method and apparatus for converting energy to electricity
A method and apparatus are provided for converting electromagnetic radiation directly into electricity. The method aligns a plurality of ferromagnetic nanocrystals to produce an aggregate magnetic field; utilizes an electrical coil in the aggregate magnetic field; and alternately directs and removes radiant energy from the ferromagnetic nanocrystals such that the aggregate magnetic field decays and regenerates to produce a current in the electrical coil. The apparatus includes either a distribution or a stackup of ferro-magnetic nanocrystals and an electrical coil, the combination of the nanocrystals and the electrical coil operating with energy derived from the source of radiant energy.
US07679202B2 Semiconductor device having symbol pattern utilized as identification sign
A plurality of device patterns constituting part of an electronic circuit are formed over the surface of a substrate. A symbol pattern to be used for an identification sign is formed in the same layer as the device patterns. A width of the device pattern is within a pattern width range on a design rule. The symbol pattern is formed by a plurality of isolated element patterns. The element pattern is either a linear pattern or a dot pattern. A width of the element pattern is equal to or larger than 0.8 time a lower limit value of the pattern width range and equal to or smaller than 1.2 times an upper limit value of the pattern width range.
US07679198B2 Circuit and method for interconnecting stacked integrated circuit dies
Signals are routed to and from identical stacked integrated circuit dies by selectively coupling first and second bonding pads on each of the dies to respective circuits fabricated on the dies through respective transistors. The transistors connected to the first bonding pads of an upper die are made conductive while the transistors connected to the second bonding pads of the upper die are made non-conductive. The transistors connected to the second bonding pads of a lower die are made conductive while the transistors connected to the first bonding pads of the lower die are made non-conductive. The second bonding pads of the upper die are connected to the second bonding pads of the lower die through wafer interconnects extending through the upper die. Signals are routed to and from the circuits on the first and second dies through the first and second bonding pads, respectively.
US07679196B2 Stacked mounting structure
A stacked mounting structure includes at least two substrates namely a first substrate on which a first protruding electrode is formed and a second substrate on which a second protruding electrode is formed, and an intermediate substrate which is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, and which connects the first substrate and the second substrate by leaving a predetermined gap between the first substrate and the second substrate. Mounted components are disposed in the gap between the first substrate and the second substrate. The first protruding electrode and the second protruding electrode are connected in an opening which is provided in the intermediate substrate.
US07679194B2 Method of fabricating semiconductor memory device and semiconductor memory device driver
Disclosed is a method of fabricating a semiconductor memory device including the step of irradiating ultraviolet rays on a metal interconnection at a bonding pad part, so that the metal interconnection can be prevented from being corroded because of a corrodent element in the process of erasing charges stored in a charge storage part. An oxide coating film is formed on the surface of the metal interconnection at the bonding pad part, and ultraviolet rays are irradiated onto the oxide coating film for erasing of charges from the floating gate.
US07679193B2 Use of AIN as cooper passivation layer and thermal conductor
A copper interconnect structure is disclosed as comprising a copper layer and an aluminum nitride layer formed over the copper layer. The aluminum nitride layer passivates the copper layer surface and enhances the thermal conductivity of a semiconductor substrate by radiating heat from the substrate as well as from the copper layer.
US07679192B2 Semiconductor device including cover layer
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, an interlayer insulating film formed over the substrate, a trench formed in the interlayer insulating film, a cover film formed over the inside surface of the trench, a barrier layer formed over the cover film; and a metal line formed over the barrier layer which fills and seals the trench. The metal line is in direct contact with the semiconductor substrate.
US07679191B2 Polysilicon film with increased roughness
The semiconductor device, in which a flaking of a layer or an element is prevented, is provided. A bonding pad section 13 of a semiconductor device 1 includes a polysilicon film 131, a barrier metal film 133 provided on the polysilicon film 131 and a metallic electrode 134 provided on the barrier metal film 133. The surface roughness of the surface of the polysilicon film 131 in the side of the barrier metal film 133 is equal to or larger than 3 nm. Further, the polysilicon film 131 contains substantially no phosphorus.
US07679188B2 Semiconductor device having a bump formed over an electrode pad
To provide a high-performance, highly-reliable semiconductor device in which an adhesive used to mount (e.g., flip-chip mount) a semiconductor chip on a substrate has less air bubbles, and a low-cost, efficient method for manufacturing the same. Semiconductor device 10 of the present invention includes semiconductor chip 11 having a plurality of electrode pads 12, and substrate 14 having a plurality of electrode terminals 15 at positions corresponding to electrode pads 12. A plurality of bumps 13, each composed of base part 13A and protruding part 13B having a diameter smaller than the diameter of base part 13A, is formed on at least one of electrode pads 12 in such a way that the respective base parts 13A of bumps 13 are in contact with each other, and semiconductor chip 11 is bonded to substrate 14 with adhesive 17 in a state where bumps 13 are electrically connected to electrode terminals 15.
US07679184B2 Semiconductor device having high cooling efficiency and method for manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a semiconductor chip flip-chip mounted on the substrate, a sealing resin layer sealing the surroundings of the semiconductor chip, and a heat sink bonded to the sealing resin layer through a TIM layer. In addition, a cooling medium is encapsulated in an enclosed space formed on the rear surface of the semiconductor chip.
US07679183B2 Electronic cooling device and fabrication method thereof
Provided are an electronic cooling device and a fabrication method thereof. The method may include forming an insulating layer on a semiconductor substrate, forming first and second silicide layers on the insulating layer, forming separate paired p-type and n-type semiconductors on each of the first and second silicide layers, forming a first interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer on the p-type and n-type semiconductors, exposing top surfaces of the n-type and p-type semiconductors, forming a third silicide layer on one semiconductor on each of the first and second silicide layers, forming a second ILD layer on the third silicide layer, and etching the second and first ILD layers to form contact holes exposing top surfaces of the first and second silicide layers.
US07679181B2 Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes: a package case in which a semiconductor element is mounted, the package case having a bonding portion; a cap having a bonding portion bonded to the bonding portion of the package case so as to hermetically seal the semiconductor element; and one or more bonding/sealing wires disposed between and in contact with the bonding portion of the package case and the bonding portion of the cap such that the one or more bonding/sealing wires form a closed loop and hermetically seal the semiconductor element.
US07679180B2 Bond pad design to minimize dielectric cracking
An improved via arrangement for a bonding pad structure is disclosed comprising an array of vias surrounded by a line via. The line via provides a barrier to cracks in the dielectric layer encompassing the via array. Although cracks are able to spread relatively unhindered between the vias of the via array, they are blocked by the line via and thus can not spread to neighboring regions of the chip or wafer. The line via can be provided in a variety of shapes and dimensions, to suit a desired application. Additionally, due to its substantially uninterrupted length, the line via provides added strength to the bond pad.
US07679176B2 Semiconductor device and electronic control unit using the same
A semiconductor device has a substrate with an electronic circuit, a semiconductor element provided at a first surface of the substrate and electrically connected by wire bonding to the electronic circuit, a metallic core layer electrically connected to the semiconductor element. A plurality of conductive bumps provided opposite the first surface of the substrate. A thermal hardenable resin seals at least the semiconductor element, and a metal plate is electrically connected to the metal core layer.
US07679174B1 Semiconductor device and memory card using the same
A circuit board has a curved portion provided in at least one side of an external shape thereof. An external connecting terminal is provided on a first main surface of the circuit board. A semiconductor element is mounted on a second main surface of the circuit board. A first wiring network is provided in a region except the terminal region on the first main surface. A second wiring network is provided on the second main surface. Distance from the side including the curved portion to the first wiring network is larger than distance from at least one of the other sides to the first wiring networks, and distance from the side including the curved portion to the second wiring network is larger than distance from at least one of the other sides to the second wiring networks.
US07679170B2 Electronic apparatus with wiring plates fixed directly to columns to space wiring circuit from base
An electronic apparatus includes metal wiring plates placed together in the same plane to provide a wiring circuit, electronic devices mounted to the wiring plates through a solder, a case having a base portion and columnar portions extending from the base portion. The wiring plates are fixed to the columnar portions such that the wiring circuit is spaced from the base portion. The wiring plates have an enough thickness to resist a large current for operating the electronic devices and to release heat generated by the electronic devices. The wiring circuit is spaced from the base portion of the case so that the heat generated by the electronic devices is released in the space efficiently. The electronic devices are soldered to the wiring plates at once in a thermal reflow process.
US07679168B2 Printed circuit board with differential pair arrangement
A printed circuit board (PCB) with a differential pair arrangement includes a mounting area for receiving a chip, a plurality of first pads located near one edge of the mounting area, a plurality of second pads located near an opposite edge of the mounting area, the first pads and the second pads are arranged for receiving pins of the chip. A pair of vias is used for connecting layers of the PCB. The second pads are located between the vias and the mounting area. A differential pair includes two signal traces, one of the signal traces is connected to one of the first pads and routed to one of the vias through the mounting area, the other of the signal traces is routed through the mounting area and connected to one of the second pads and then routed to the other one of the vias.
US07679165B2 High brightness light emitting diode with a bidirectionally angled substrate
A light emitting diode includes a substrate tilted toward first and second directions simultaneously, a first cladding layer formed with a semiconductor material of a first conductive type on the substrate, an active layer formed on the first cladding layer, and a second cladding layer formed with a semiconductor material of a second conductive type on the active layer, wherein concavo-convexes are formed on the interfaces of the first cladding layer, the second cladding layer, and the active layer, and the (100) substrate is a III-V or a IV-IV group semiconductor substrate, and has a crystal orientation such that a (100) plane of the (100) substrate is inclined 2 to 20° toward the [0-1-1] direction and 1 to 8° toward the [0-11] direction.
US07679162B2 Integrated current sensor package
An integrated current sensor package includes an integrated circuit having a coil in a metal layer of the circuit. A wire is placed close enough to the coil such that the coil and the wire are inductively coupled with each other.
US07679161B2 Semiconductor device comprising fuse sections
In an embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a first fuse cutting portion in which fuse lines are arranged transversely adjacent to each other, a first runner portion in which runner lines connected to the fuse lines are arranged transversely adjacent to each other but at smaller intervals than those of the fuse lines, and a first connection portion having connection lines between the fuse lines and the runner lines. An insulating barrier layer covers the connection portions so that post-process residues from fuse cutting do not cause electrical shorts between the closely formed runner lines.
US07679160B2 Semiconductor device and method of forming a semiconductor device
A high voltage/power semiconductor device has at least one active region having a plurality of high voltage junctions electrically connected in parallel. At least part of each of the high voltage junctions is located in or on a respective membrane such that the active region is provided at least in part over plural membranes. There are non-membrane regions between the membranes. The device has a low voltage terminal and a high voltage terminal. At least a portion of the low voltage terminal and at least a portion of the high voltage terminal are connected directly or indirectly to a respective one of the high voltage junctions. At least those portions of the high voltage terminal that are in direct or indirect contact with one of the high voltage junctions are located on or in a respective one of the plural membranes.
US07679157B2 Image sensor and fabrication method thereof
An image sensor has a substrate, a dielectric layer positioned on the substrate, a pixel array including a plurality of pixels defined on the substrate, a shield electrode positioned between any two adjacent pixel electrodes of the pixels, a photo conductive layer positioned on the shield electrode and the pixel electrodes, and a transparent conductive layer covering the photo conductive layer.
US07679156B2 Optical module and optical system
An optical module has a circuit carrier, a housed semiconductor element placed on the circuit carrier, and a lens unit for projecting electromagnetic radiation onto the semiconductor element. The lens unit, which is constructed separate from the cased semiconductor element, preferably comprises a lens assembly formed of, for example, three lenses and of a diaphragm. The three lenses, optionally together with the diaphragm, are aligned in a well-defined manner due to their geometric design so that no additional optical adjustment is necessary. According to the invention, a support is formed, at least in sections, on the case of the semiconductor element, and the lens unit is placed thereon thus being supported. The concept is that by forming a support directly on the case of a cased semiconductor element even with classically cased semiconductor chips, it is possible to construct a camera module with which every mechanical focus setting can be eliminated. The novel system is particularly suited for use in the interior or exterior of a motor vehicle.
US07679153B2 Sealed surface acoustic wave element package
An electronic component includes: a semiconductor substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposing to the first surface; a trans-substrate conductive plug that penetrates the semiconductor substrate from the first surface to the second surface; an electronic element provided in the vicinity of the first surface of the semiconductor; and a sealing member that seals the electronic element between the sealing member and the first surface, wherein the electronic element is electrically connected to the trans-substrate conductive plug.
US07679150B2 Semiconductor device and programming method therefor
A semiconductor device is provided which includes a pair of metal interconnections (B, C) provided above a semiconductor substrate (10), a program layer (20) provided over the pair of metal interconnections (B, C) and in which an opening (21) may be selectively formed in the program layer (20) on the basis of programming information, and a read circuit (40) reading the programming information by determining whether such an opening (21) is formed in the program layer (20) by utilizing an electrostatic capacitance between the pair of metal interconnections (B, C). The program layer (20) may be made of a material having a dielectric constant higher than that of air or the program layer (20) may be made of a conductor or a material having a dielectric constant lower than that of air. Thus, trimming information or information on a device identification (ID) can be stored, even if the semiconductor device is a logic device that does not have a memory transistor, by detecting the information that is determined by the electrostatic capacitance that varies depending on whether or not there is provided an opening (21).
US07679149B2 Method of removing refractory metal layers and of siliciding contact areas
A method of formation of contacts with cobalt silicide since is disclosed. For example, after siliciding with the SOM solution, both unreacted sections of the deposition layer including, for example, cobalt as initial layer for the siliciding and an oxidation protection layer including titanium and deposited by means of cathode beam sputtering, for instance, may be removed rapidly and with high selectivity relative to the cobalt silicide and other, densified metal structures and metal layers.
US07679145B2 Transistor performance enhancement using engineered strains
A semiconductor substrate having metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) devices, such as an integrated circuit die, is mechanically coupled to a stress structure to apply a stress that improves the performance of at least a portion of the MOS devices on the die.
US07679142B2 Semiconductor wafer, semiconductor device and manufacturing method of semiconductor device
A semiconductor wafer includes a semiconductor bulk; a first insulating layer formed on the semiconductor bulk; a first semiconductor layer formed on the first insulating layer; a second insulating layer formed on the first semiconductor layer; and a second semiconductor layer formed on the second insulating layer.
US07679137B2 Method for fabricating recessed gate MOS transistor device
A method of fabricating self-aligned gate trench utilizing TTO poly spacer is disclosed. A semiconductor substrate having thereon a pad oxide layer and pad nitride layer is provided. A plurality of trench capacitors are embedded in a memory array region of the semiconductor substrate. Each of the trench capacitors has a trench top oxide (TTO) that extrudes from a main surface of the semiconductor substrate. Poly spacers are formed on two opposite sides of the extruding TTO and are used, after oxidized, as an etching hard mask for etching a recessed gate trench in close proximity to the trench capacitor.
US07679133B2 Vertical-type non-volatile memory devices
In a semiconductor device, and a method of manufacturing thereof, the device includes a substrate of single-crystal semiconductor material extending in a horizontal direction and a plurality of interlayer dielectric layers on the substrate. A plurality of gate patterns are provided, each gate pattern being between a neighboring lower interlayer dielectric layer and a neighboring upper interlayer dielectric layer. A vertical channel of single-crystal semiconductor material extends in a vertical direction through the plurality of interlayer dielectric layers and the plurality of gate patterns, a gate insulating layer being between each gate pattern and the vertical channel that insulates the gate pattern from the vertical channel.
US07679129B1 System and method for improving oxide-nitride-oxide (ONO) coupling in a semiconductor device
A memory device includes a substrate and a first dielectric layer formed over the substrate. At least two charge storage elements are formed over the first dielectric layer. The substrate and the first dielectric layer include a shallow trench filled with an oxide material. The oxide material formed in a center portion of the shallow trench is removed to provide a region with a substantially rectangular cross-section.
US07679123B2 Integrated circuit devices including a capacitor
Integrated circuit devices include an integrated circuit substrate and a conductive lower electrode layer of a capacitor on the integrated circuit substrate. A dielectric layer is on the lower electrode layer and a conductive upper electrode layer of the capacitor is on the dielectric layer. A first intermetal dielectric layer is on the upper electrode layer. The first intermetal dielectric layer includes at least one via hole extending to the upper electrode layer. A first conductive interconnection layer is on the at least one via hole of the first intermetal dielectric layer. A second intermetal dielectric layer is on the first intermetal dielectric layer. The second intermetal dielectric layer includes at least one via hole extending to the first conductive interconnection layer and at least partially exposing the at least one via hole of the first intermetal dielectric layer. A second conductive interconnection layer is provided in the at least one via hole of the second intermetal dielectric layer that electrically contacts the first conductive interconnection layer.
US07679117B2 Solid-state image sensing device equipped with inner lens
A solid-state image sensing device having an effective pixel area and an optical black area disposed on one principal surface of a substrate, includes photoelectric converter elements, a wiring part containing a plurality of wiring layers disposed on the one principal surface of the substrate, in which in the optical black area more wiring layers are disposed than in the effective pixel area, an interlayer dielectric disposed between, among the plurality of wiring layers, a topmost first wiring layer and a second wiring layer disposed beneath the first wiring layer, a passivation film disposed on the interlayer dielectric in the effective pixel area and disposed on the first wiring layer in the optical black area, and inner lenses disposed at least at positions on the passivation film that corresponds to the effective pixel area, a thickness of the passivation film being equal to or less than a thickness of the first wiring layer.
US07679113B2 CMOS image sensor and method of fabricating the same
A CMOS image sensor and a method of fabricating the same are provided. The image sensor includes a blocking layer protecting a photodiode at a diode region. The blocking layer is formed to cover a top of the diode region and extended to an active region so as to cover a transfer gate and a floating diffusion layer. Therefore, the floating diffusion layer may not be attacked by an etching during a formation of sidewall spacers of various gates or by ion implantation during a formation of a junction region of a DDD or LDD structure, thus reducing a leakage current and a dark current at the floating diffusion layer.
US07679111B2 Termination structure for a power semiconductor device
A power semiconductor device having a termination structure that includes a polysilicon field plate, a metallic field plate, and a polysilicon equipotential ring.
US07679110B2 Electrochemical device and methods for producing the same
Methods of producing electrochemical transistor devices are provided, wherein a solidified electrolyte is arranged in direct contact with at least a portion of an organic material having the ability to electrochemically altering its electrical conductivity through change of redox state thereof, such that a current between a source contact and a drain contact of the transistor is controllable by way of a voltage applied to a gate electrode. A electrochemical transistor device is also provided, wherein an ion isolative material is provided between a solidified electrolyte and an organic material having ability to electrochemically altering its redox state, such that a transistor channel of the transistor is defined thereby.
US07679102B2 Carbon passivation in solid-state light emitters
A solid state light emitting device comprises one or more active layers comprising semiconductor nano-particles in a host matrix, e.g. silicon nano-particles in silicon dioxide or silicon nitride. The incorporation of carbon in the active layers provides a great improvement in performance through shortened decay time and enhance emission spectra, as well as reliability and lifetime. The emission wavelengths from the nano-particles can be made to correspond to the quantization energy of the semiconductor nano-particles, which allows the entire visible range of the spectrum be covered. Ideally an engineered structure of alternating active and buffer material layers are disposed between AC or DC electrodes, which generate an electric field. The buffer layers are comprised of a wide bandgap semiconductor or dielectric material, and are designed with a thickness, in the direction of an applied electric field, that ensures that electrons passing therethrough picks up enough energy to excite the nano-particles in the adjacent active layer at a sufficient excitation energy to emit light efficiently at a desired wavelength.
US07679098B2 Highly directional light emitting diode using photonic bandgap waveguides
Edge-emitting light source and method for fabricating an edge-emitting light source. The edge-emitting light source includes a photonic crystal having at least one waveguide region. An edge-emitting semiconductor structure having a light emitting active layer is incorporated within the at least one waveguide region. Light emitted by the edge-emitting semiconductor structure and within the bandgap of the photonic crystal is confined within the waveguide region and guided out of the photonic crystal through the waveguide region.
US07679097B2 Semiconductor light emitting device and method for manufacturing the same
A semiconductor light emitting device having a semiconductor stacking structure bonded onto the support member and having excellent characteristics is provided by a preferable electrode structure.The semiconductor light emitting device comprising; a semiconductor stacking structure having a first semiconductor layer and a second semiconductor layer of conductivity types different from each other, a first electrode connected to the first semiconductor layer, and a second electrode connected to the second semiconductor layer, wherein one principal surface of the first electrode has a portion that makes contact with the first semiconductor layer so as to establish electrical continuity and an external connection section.
US07679096B1 Integrated LED heat sink
A heat sink for use with a high output LED light source is disclosed. The heat sink is used with an LED and conical reflector. The heat sink has a cylindrical back end holding the light emitting diode. The heat sink includes a conically shaped wall having an inner and outer surface and an open front end. The open front end has a rim with notches. The reflector has a front flat surface with arms which are fixed in the notches with a fastener. The heat sink includes a plurality of slits formed on the inner and outer surfaces extending between the back and front ends. A plurality of vanes extend radially from the inner surface. The heat sink is fabricated from a thermally conductive material. The conical shape of the heat sink, the slits and vanes increases exposed surface area to assist in dissipating heat generated from the LED.
US07679095B2 Optoelectric composite substrate and electronic apparatus
An optoelectric composite substrate includes a substrate, a light emitting element positioned on the substrate, and a lens mold positioned on the light emitting element and contacting at least a part of the substrate, wherein the lens mold includes a lens element, the lens element positions so as to overlap an emitting surface of the light emitting element, and a distance between the light emitting element and the lens element is greater than a range of a Fresnel region of the light emitting element.
US07679094B2 Oxynitride-based fluorescent material and method for production thereof
An oxynitride-based fluorescent material is formed of what results from substituting Eu for part of M of a general formula 2MO.Si3N4, wherein M denotes one or more elements selected from among Be, Mg, Ca, Sr and Ba. The oxynitride-based fluorescent material can be produced by a method comprising mixing an oxide of Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba or Eu, or a compound of Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba or Eu enabled by heating to form an oxide, and silicon nitride or a compound enabled by heating to form silicon nitride to obtain a mixture and firing the mixture in a vacuum or a non-oxidizing atmosphere at 1200 to 1900° C.
US07679090B2 SMD diode holding structure and package thereof
An SMD diode holding structure includes a plastic and a plurality of metal holders. Two ends of the plastic from a function area and a notch. The metal holder has a base portion and a connecting pin portion. The top and bottom surfaces of the base portion are exposed to the function area and the notch. The top surface of one base portion in the function area is connected with an LED chip, and the bottom surface of another base portion in the notch is connected with the anti-ESD chip. The LED chip, the anti-ESD chip, and the base portion are connected with a conductive wire. The function area is covered with a first sealing compound, and the notch is covered with a second sealing compound. Light emitted from the LED chip is uniformly reflected in the function area, and the brightness is uniform.
US07679089B2 Organic light emitting display
An organic light emitting display provided according to the invention maintains light emission efficiency and elongates its lifetime by radiating heat generated from organic light emitting elements to the outside of an encapsulated area. In the organic light emitting display, a part of a cathode is extended to the outside of the encapsulated area of a main substrate to form a radiation section integrally with the cathode. Heat generated from organic light emitting elements is diffused and radiated from the radiation section so that the heat can be discharged therefrom.
US07679085B2 Display device, method for fabricating thin film transistor and method for fabricating thin film transistor array substrate using the said method
A method for fabricating a thin film transistor (TFT) on a substrate includes forming a gate electrode; forming a semiconductor layer being insulated from the gate electrode and partially overlapped with the gate electrode; sequentially forming first and second gate insulating layers between the gate electrode and the semiconductor layer, wherein the first gate insulating layer is formed of a material different from the second gate insulating layer and at least one of the first and second gate insulating layers includes a sol-compound; and forming source and drain electrodes at both sides of the semiconductor layer.
US07679084B2 Thin film transistor array panel and method for fabricating the same
A TFT array panel and a method for fabricating the same is disclosed, wherein an adhesion force between an elongated wire and a TFT array panel pad is improved by increasing the contact area of a bonding pad. The TFT array panel pad includes a first conductive layer formed in a pad region on an insulating substrate. The first conductive layer includes a plurality of conductive islands and holes. A second conductive layer is formed over and covers the first conductive layer.
US07679080B2 Functional molecular device
A functional molecular device displaying its functions under the action of an electrical field is provided. A Louis base molecule, exhibiting positive dielectric constant anisotropy or exhibiting dipole moment along the long-axis direction of the Louis base molecule, is arrayed in the form of a pendant on an electrically conductive linear or film-shaped principal-axis molecule of a conjugated system, via a metal ion capable of acting as a Louis acid. The resulting structure is changed in conformation on application of an electrical field to exhibit its function. The electrically conductive linear or film-shaped principal-axis molecule and the Louis base molecule form a complex with the metal ion. On application of the electrical field, the Louis base molecule performs a swinging movement or a seesaw movement to switch the electrical conductivity of the principal-axis molecule. This molecule exhibits electrical characteristics which may be reversed depending on whether or not the molecule has been subjected to electrical field processing. A molecular device having a function equivalent to one of CMOS may be produced from one and the same material.
US07679078B2 Bis-anthracenyl chiroptical compositions
Optoelectronic materials are provided that are bistable organic tautomeric compositions that intraconvert dithio or diseleno carbamate esters and cyclic 1,3-dithia- or -diselena-2-iminium salts of π-conjugated bis-anthracenyl compounds. Specifically disclosed are compounds having the formula: where X is sulfur or selenium; where the R and R1 groups are alkyl or alkyl that together form a ring of carbon atoms; where An is the anion of a strong acid; and where the Z element is a chiral ring-completing system of atoms that changes chirality on tautomerization. These molecules are in themselves molecular-sized optoelectronic switching devices.
US07679076B2 Optical semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
Provided is an optical semiconductor device, which includes a GaAs substrate (or a semiconductor substrate) 20; an n-type contact layer (or a doping layer) 21 formed on one surface 20a of the GaAs substrate 20; an active layer 25 formed on top of the n-type contact layer 21 and including at least one quantum dot 23; a p-type contact layer (or a contact layer) 26 formed on top of the active layer 25 and being of an opposite conduction type to the n-type contact layer 21; an insulating layer 29 formed on top of the p-type contact layer 26 and including a first opening 29a whose size is such that a contact region CR of the p-type contact layer 26 lies within the first opening 29a; a p-side electrode layer 33c formed on top of the contact region CR of the p-type contact layer 26 and on top of the insulating layer 29 and including a second opening 33a lying within the first opening 29a; and a n-side electrode layer (or a second electrode layer) 37 formed on the other surface 20b of the GaAs substrate 20.
US07679069B2 Method and system for optimizing alignment performance in a fleet of exposure tools
A method for optimizing alignment performance in a fleet of exposure systems involves characterizing each exposure system in a fleet of exposure systems to generate a set of distinctive distortion profiles associated with each exposure system. The set of distinctive distortion profiles are stored in a database. A wafer having reference pattern formed thereon is provided for further pattern fabrication and an exposure system is selected from the fleet to fabricate a next layer on the wafer. Linear and higher order parameters of the selected exposure system are adjusted using the distinctive distortion profiles to model the distortion of the reference pattern. Once the exposure system is adjusted, it is used to form a lithographic pattern on the wafer.
US07679067B2 Receiver array using shared electron beam
A multi-frequency receiver for receiving plural frequencies of electromagnetic radiation (e.g., light) using a beam of charged particles shared between plural resonant structures. The direction of the beam of charged particles is selectively controlled by at least one deflector. The beam of charged particles passing near the resonant structure is altered on at least one characteristic as a result the presence of the electric field induced on the corresponding resonant structure. Alterations in the beam of charged particles are thus correlated to data values encoded by the electromagnetic radiation.
US07679060B2 Nanophosphor composite scintillator with a liquid matrix
An improved nanophosphor scintillator liquid comprises nanophosphor particles in a liquid matrix. The nanophosphor particles are optionally surface modified with an organic ligand. The surface modified nanophosphor particle is essentially surface charge neutral, thereby preventing agglomeration of the nanophosphor particles during dispersion in a liquid scintillator matrix. The improved nanophosphor scintillator liquid may be used in any conventional liquid scintillator application, including in a radiation detector.
US07679058B2 Systems and method for predicting the lime requirement in soils
Methods and systems related to soil testing are disclosed. One exemplary embodiment of a system of the present disclosure includes a calibrated near-infrared (NIR) spectrophotometer and a soil sample with an unknown value of at least one of pH and b disposed in proximity to the calibrated NIR spectrophotometer, the NIR spectrophotometer configured to produce a spectrum from a reading of the sample.
US07679056B2 Metrology system of fine pattern for process control by charged particle beam
The present invention provides a pattern inspection technique that enables measurement and inspection of a fine pattern by a charged particle beam to be performed with high throughput. A metrology system of fine pattern according to the pattern inspection technique has: a the column that includes a charged particle source, an electron optics for scanning a desired observation area on a sample with a charged particle beam emitted from the charged particle source, and a detector for detecting charged particles generated secondarily from the sample scanned by the charged particle beam; information processing means for measuring information about geometry of a pattern formed on the sample based on information on the intensity of the charged particles obtained by the detector; and a sample introduction unit for introducing the sample into the inside of the column; wherein a charge neutralizer unit for generating ions and charge neutralizing the sample with the ions and surface potential measuring means for measuring a surface potential of the sample surface are provided on a path that is inside the sample introduction unit and transports the sample to the column.
US07679050B2 Method of acquiring and processing neutron log data, and related apparatuses
A method and apparatus for processing neutron log data having the steps of a) deriving from the near-spaced neutron count of a neutron logging tool an approximate, unfiltered, lithology-related characteristic of a formation; b) deriving a correction that is essentially independent of the lithology; c) long filtering the correction; and d) adding the resulting, long-filtered correction to the approximate, unfiltered characteristic resulting from step a. in order to derive a compensated characteristic. The method provides statistically good, compensated logs while permitting the use of low activity neutron sources.
US07679045B2 Method for correcting a control of an optical scanner in a device for imaging a sample by scanning and the device for performing the method
Method for correcting control of an optical scanner in a laser scanning microscope for imaging of a sample by scanning, the microscope guiding at least one beam path section of an illumination beam path of the microscope over the sample from an illumination device to the sample and/or an imaging beam path of the microscope from the sample to an acquisition device of the microscope in order to obtain an image of the sample, generating control signals corresponding to a predefined target movement using parameters and/or a transfer function of the scanner that are used for control and/or regulation and moving the at least one beam path section in response to the control signals, whereby an image of a reference sample having predefined structures imageable by the microscope is obtained by generating control signals corresponding to a predefined target test movement and moving the at least one beam path section in response to the control signals, thereby obtaining the image. From the image thereby obtained, a deviation in the actual positions of the predefined structures of the reference sample from the predefined target positions is determined and the transfer function or parameters are corrected as a function of the deviations at least one of the parameters used for control and/or regulation, so that when using the corrected parameter for control or regulation and/or when using the corrected transfer function, the deviation in the actual position of at least one of the structures from the target position of the structure is reduced.
US07679043B2 Peripheral light sensor and liquid crystal display device using the same
Disclosed are a peripheral light sensor and a liquid crystal display device using the same. The device includes: a peripheral light sensor including: one or more transistors each coupled between an output line and a ground power sources, and having a gate electrode coupled to the ground power source and a first electrode, a voltage value of the respective ground power source being less than a maximal voltage value supplied to the respective output line, wherein each of the transistors is configured to output to the respective outline line a peripheral light sensing signal corresponding to an intensity of a peripheral light.
US07679038B2 Optical phase microscope using rotating 1/4 wavelength plate with pinhole in the center position and Fourier transformed lens
An optical phase microscope using rotating-¼ wavelength plate with pinhole in the center position and Fourier transformed lens is provided. The optical phase microscope comprises an optical image generator that acquires images for a specimen to be observed, an object plane onto which light beams of the images acquired from the optical image generator are projected, a first transform lens that performs primary Fourier transformation on the light beams passing through the object plane, a ¼ wavelength plate with pinhole at the center position that is positioned to be spaced by a focal distance of the first transform lens from the first transform lens, a secondary transform lens that performs secondary Fourier transformation on the light beams passing through the ¼ wavelength plate, and a phase image generator including a photo detector on which the images of the light beams subjected to the secondary Fourier transformation is focused.
US07679037B2 Personal rifle-launched reconnaisance system
A reconnaissance system includes a projectile having an opening through which images of a target area are acquired, a portable launcher having a mechanism for affixing the launcher to a rifle for launching the projectile to fly along and above the target area, an image acquiring device within the projectile for acquiring images of the target area through the opening, a transmitter within the projectile for transmitting during its flight the acquired images to a remote station, a stabilizing mechanism for stabilizing at least one of the projectile and the image acquiring device while flying in a ballistic trajectory above the target area and a remote station. The remote station includes a receiver for receiving the images transmitted from the projectile and a monitor having a display for displaying the received images.
US07679033B2 Process field device temperature control
A field device system for use in an industrial process includes a field device configured to couple to the industrial process and monitor or control the industrial process. The field device provides a temperature control signal output related to a temperature of the field device. A heater coupled to the field device heats the field device in response to the temperature control signal.
US07679032B2 Soldering or desoldering iron
A soldering or a desoldering tool includes a replaceable tip with a recess adapted to receive a portion of a temperature sensor to measure the temperature of the tip. Positioning the temperature sensor within the tip allows the temperature to be quickly measured so that the temperature near the tip may be more accurately monitored and controlled. The temperature sensor may be also integrated with the heater near the tip such that the temperature sensor is between the tip and the heater and near both of them so that the temperature of the tip is substantially that of the temperature of the heater. A sleeve may enclose the temperature sensor and the heater with a portion of the temperature sensor extending out from the foreward end of the sleeve. The replaceable tip may also have a bore adapted to receive a head protruding from the foreward end of the sleeve to couple the tip at a predetermined orientation with respect to the sleeve. The combination of bore and head allows the replaceable tip to be coupled with the sleeve in a consistent manner so that the temperature of the replacement tips can be measured accurately and dependably.
US07679030B2 Energy-efficient, laser-based method and system for processing target material
An energy-efficient method and system for processing target material such as microstructures in a microscopic region without causing undesirable changes in electrical and/or physical characteristics of material surrounding the target material is provided. The system includes a controller for generating a processing control signal and a signal generator for generating a modulated drive waveform based on the processing control signal. The waveform has a sub-nanosecond rise time. The system also includes a gain-switched, pulsed semiconductor seed laser for generating a laser pulse train at a repetition rate. The drive waveform pumps the laser so that each pulse of the pulse train has a predetermined shape. Further, the system includes a laser amplifier for optically amplifying the pulse train to obtain an amplified pulse train without significantly changing the predetermined shape of the pulses. The amplified pulses have little distortion and have substantially the same relative temporal power distribution as the original pulse train from the laser. Each of the amplified pulses has a substantially square temporal power density distribution, a sharp rise time, a pulse duration and a fall time. The system further includes a beam delivery and focusing subsystem for delivering and focusing at least a portion of the amplified pulse train onto the target material. The rise time (less than about 1 ns) is fast enough to efficiently couple laser energy to the target material, the pulse duration (typically 2-10 ns) is sufficient to process the target material, and the fall time (a few ns) is rapid enough to prevent the undesirable changes to the material surrounding the target material.
US07679028B2 Methods for producing uniform large-grained and grain boundary location manipulated polycrystalline thin film semiconductors using sequential lateral solidification
Methods for processing an amorphous silicon thin film sample into a polycrystalline silicon thin film are disclosed. In one preferred arrangement, a method includes the steps of generating a sequence of excimer laser pulses, controllably modulating each excimer laser pulse in the sequence to a predetermined fluence, homoginizing each modulated laser pulse in the sequence in a predetermined plane, masking portions of each homoginized fluence controlled laser pulse in the sequence with a two dimensional pattern of slits to generate a sequence of fluence controlled pulses of line patterned beamlets, each slit in the pattern of slits being sufficiently narrow to prevent inducement of significant nucleation in region of a silicon thin film sample irradiated by a beamlet corresponding to the slit, irradiating an amorphous silicon thin film sample with the sequence of fluence controlled slit patterned beamlets to effect melting of portions thereof corresponding to each fluence controlled patterned beamlet pulse in the sequence of pulses of patterned beamlets, and controllably sequentially translating a relative position of the sample with respect to each of the fluence controlled pulse of slit patterned beamlets to thereby process the amorphous silicon thin film sample into a single or polycrystalline silicon thin film.
US07679026B1 Multi-frequency static neutralization of moving charged objects
Efficient static neutralization of an electrostatically charged object that has a varying distance from an ion generating source, a varying velocity, a large dimension or any these is achieved by using an ionizing cell or bar having a first electrode and a second electrode. The first electrode for receiving a multi-frequency voltage that has a waveform, and the second electrode separated from the first electrode by a first distance and for use as a reference electrode. The waveform is adjusted during neutralization of a moving object based on at least one attribute of the object.
US07679020B2 Electrical service switching device with an arc blowout device
The disclosure relates to an electrical service switching device, in particular a circuit breaker, motor circuit breaker or the like, having a housing which has two housing halves and connecting means for electrical connection to busbars and/or power lines, having at least one electrical switching contact on which an arc is struck in an initial arcing chamber on disconnection of the electrical contact, with an arc quenching unit being provided adjacent to this, in order to quench the arc. An AC blowout device which comprises two iron plates adjacent to the initial chamber area in the lateral direction and guides the arc into the arc quenching device by magnetic interaction during AC operation, is provided. The housing wall has an opening in the area of the iron plates, through which a permanent magnet can be inserted in order to create an AC/DC blowout device, which guides the arc into the arc quenching device in both AC and DC operation, when the housing is assembled.
US07679019B2 Electrical switching system
An electrical switching system, preferably a medium-voltage switching system, has a power switch or load switch, a disconnecting switch, and a grounding switch configured as a vacuum switching chamber. Low separation distance lengths and a more compact construction of a switching system is achieved by means of a housing in which the disconnecting switch, configured as a vacuum switching chamber, the grounding switch, and the power switch or load switch are disposed, and in which a central switch is disposed, with which the vacuum switching chambers of disconnecting switch and grounding switch can be mechanically activated. Electrical connections between connector contacts of power switch or load switch, disconnecting switch, and grounding switch can be produced.
US07679012B2 High-voltage automatic changeover switch
A high-voltage automatic changeover switch, includes a support and a control circuit board mounted on the support. In one embodiment, the support includes an insulating frame, four high-voltage contacts mounted on each of two opposite plates of the insulating frame, four high-voltage contacts on the same plate being pair-to-pair arranged, the high-voltage contacts at the corresponding positions on the two plates being pair-to-pair arranged. A motor is provided on the support, and when switching the high voltages, the control circuit board controls the rotation of the motor to automatically switch the connection relation between the high-voltage contact pairs. Embodiments of the switch have a voltage-resistance of above 50 KV, allowing a pulse current of not less than 500 A to pass through, and good contact performance and a high stability. In one aspect, the high-voltage automatic changeover switch performs automatic switching of power source high voltages in an accelerator system, so that the accelerator obtains electron beams with different energies, thus allowing an expanded scope of application of the accelerator, including updating and upgrading of non-destructive testing systems, custom container inspection systems, and high-energy CT systems.
US07679010B2 Rotator wheel
An input apparatus for a multimedia device, said input apparatus comprising: a rotator wheel having an upper planar surface that is substantially annular in shape and exposed in order that the upper planar surface may be accessed by a user of the multimedia device; means for detecting rotational movement of the rotator wheel about an axis perpendicular to the upper planar surface of the rotator wheel; and select means activated when a pressure is applied to the upper surface of the rotator wheel in a direction substantially parallel to an axis perpendicular to the upper planar surface of the rotator wheel.
US07679009B2 Weighing sensor for an electronic scale and an electronic scale
The invention discloses a weighing sensor and an electronic scale provided with the same. The weighing sensor comprises a flat plate formed into helical shape, including successively a load-supporting portion, a strain portion and a bearing portion from the center to the outer of this plate, with the load-supporting portion situated between and surrounded by the bearing portion and the strain portion; wherein the load-supporting portion and the bearing portion are respectively used to bear the acting force and the reaction force in opposite directions, and a strain gauge is mounted on the strain portion. The electronic scale comprises at least three weighing sensors, wherein the bearing portion of the sensor is mounted on the scale body, the load-supporting portion directly contacts the supporting leg of the scale, which contacts the plane on which the scale is positioned. The present invention has small thickness, simple structure and low manufacturing cost.
US07679004B2 Circuit board manufacturing method and circuit board
As means for solving a problem of a positional shift of a land and a hole which is caused by an alignment in the formation of an etching resist layer and a plated resist layer in a method of manufacturing a circuit board, there are provided a method of manufacturing a circuit board including the steps of forming a first resin layer on a surface of an insulating substrate having a conductive layer on the surface and an internal wall of a through hole or/and a non-through hole, forming a second resin layer which is insoluble or slightly soluble in a developing solution for the first resin layer on the first resin layer provided on the surface conductive layer, and removing the first resin layer provided over the hole with the developing solution for the first resin layer, and a method of manufacturing a circuit board including the step of uniformly charging a surface of the first resin layer to induce a potential difference to the first resin layer provided over the hole and the first resin layer provided on the surface conductive layer before forming the second resin layer. Moreover, there is provided a circuit board having a hole with a small positional shift and high precision.
US07679003B2 Carrier tape
A carrier tape according to the present invention includes a plurality of tape carrier packages provided at a regular interval on a lengthy insulating tape, a first and a second integrated circuit device respectively and mounted to each of the plurality of tape carrier packages. Further, a connecting line electrically short-circuits only between one of terminals for the first integrated circuit device and one of terminals for the second integrated circuit device. This configuration prevents the integrated circuit devices from being damaged by discharged static electricity as well as allows to conduct a performance test on the integrated circuit devices such as checking for input/output of a signal by applying a probe pin to an input or output pin.
US07679002B2 Semiconductive device having improved copper density for package-on-package applications
In one aspect, the invention provides a semiconductor device that comprises a semiconductor device packaging substrate core. A first interconnect structure is located within a mold region and on a die side of the substrate core and has a first conductive metal density associated therewith. A second interconnect structure is located within the mold region and on a solder joint side of the substrate core and has a second conductive metal density associated therewith, wherein the second conductive metal density within the mold region is about equal to or less than the first conductive metal density within the mold region.
US07679000B2 Wildlife guard with overmolded conductive material
A wildlife guard for electrical power equipment including a body constructed to mount onto the equipment. The body has an electrically conductive layer thereon. The electrically conductive layer comprises an electrically insulating material with a conductive filler material in quantity sufficient for the guard to maintain an electrostatic charge. The electrically conductive layer is bonded to the body by over-molding or co-molding techniques. The electrically conductive layer can be continuous or can be discrete segments separated by non-conductive segments. The body can be constructed from a conductive or non-conductive material.
US07678997B2 Large area circuitry using appliqués
An appliqué for forming a surface coating to a substrate is disclosed. The appliqué contains a sectioned metal foil that provides a large area electrical circuit for connecting electrical devices. The appliqué may provide additional functions including lightning strike protection. The substrate may be an aircraft surface.
US07678995B2 Contact device for providing an electrical contact between flat current carrying line elements
A contact device for providing an electrical contact between a first busbar (3) and a second busbar (4) which are arranged substantially parallel to each other, comprises a holder (2) with two sidewalls (21, 22) which extend substantially parallel. Said sidewalls (21, 22) enclose a slot (23) for receiving the second busbar. The sidewalls (21, 22) comprise an inner surface (211, 221) facing the slot (23) and an outer surface (212, 222). One sidewall (21, 22) is adapted to face the first busbar (3) with its outer surface (212, 222) and to face the second busbar (4) with its inner surface (211,221). Said sidewall (21) comprises a contact element (1) for providing an electrical contact through said sidewall (21) from the inner surface (211) to the outer surface (212).
US07678994B2 Encapsulating permanent wire connector
An encapsulating permanent wire connector is comprised of a housing provided with a first port and a second port. At least one division wall extends coaxially in a portion of the housing to a side of a straight central axis of the housing and defines an electrically isolating cavity in the housing. The housing has an opening to inject a sealing substance therein. Air evacuation holes are associated with the electrically isolating cavity for the escape of air therefrom when a sealing substance is injected within the housing with soldered wire connections being disposed in the housing and isolated from one another by the electrically isolating cavity. In a preferred embodiment, there are two spaced-apart electrically isolating cavities with a central cavity therebetween.
US07678991B2 Rigid integrated photovoltaic roofing membrane and related methods of manufacturing same
Disclosed herein are rigid solar powered photovoltaic (PV) integrated roofing membrane and related methods of manufacturing such a membrane. The disclosed membrane and methods beneficially provide solar power to structures in either off-grid or on-grid connections. The roofing membrane may comprise multiple membrane strips or members having electrically interconnected photovoltaic solar elements. The membrane members preferably have distinct patterns for the solar elements located thereon that provide for coverage of entire sections, upon installation, as well as accommodate interconnections between the solar elements. Moreover, the membrane will appreciate the numerous types of patterns to achieve such purposed of full coverage and electrical coupling.
US07678988B2 Musical tone apparatus
Sounds in different frequency range are generated from the rear, top and/or front face of the musical tone apparatus, sounds are generated and spread in all directions around the musical tone apparatus, and the tones sound very realistically acoustic. Vibration of the sound board does not resonate, tones generated from the sound board are not changed unintentionally, and tones of real acoustic musical instruments are realized. Vibration from the sound board is not directly transferred to the whole musical tone apparatus, by means of not allowing the sound board to touch the body of the musical tone apparatus and of pressing and fixing the soundboard to the attachment component with the thickness of the attachment component compressed.
US07678986B2 Musical instrument digital interface hardware instructions
Techniques are described of generating a digital waveform for a Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) voice using a set of machine-code instructions that is specialized for the generation of digital waveforms for MIDI voices. For example, a processor may execute a software program that generates a digital waveform for a MIDI voice. The instructions of the software program may be machine code instructions from an instruction set that is specialized for the generation of digital waveforms for MIDI voices. In particular, the execution of one of the instructions may involve a selection of an operation based on a set of parameters that define a MIDI voice and the performance of the selected operation.
US07678985B2 Standalone electronic module for use with musical instruments
An electronic module has an enclosure which is mechanically and electrically compatible with a plurality of receiving devices such as amplifiers, computers, mixer consoles, and musical instruments. The module has a programmable control panel and display on the enclosure and an electronic circuit disposed within the enclosure and receiving user commands from the control panel and displaying configuration information on the display. The electronic circuit performs a variety of functions for each of the receiving devices by way of a digital signal processor, synthesizer for generating a programmable audio signal in response to a data stream, storage device for storing musical information in a digital format, and playback device for retrieval and playback of the stored musical information. An audio output is coupled for transferring the programmable audio signal to or from the receiving device.
US07678984B1 Method and apparatus for programmatically generating audio file playlists
Method and apparatus for programmatically generating interesting audio file playlists. A playlist generation mechanism may use an N-gram model of audio file ordering patterns found in a collection of human-generated playlists to automatically generate new playlists. Given play histories indicating one or more played audio files as input, statistical methods may be used to look for sequences of audio files that occur a statistically significant number of times in the N-gram model for inclusion in new, interesting playlists that incorporate the human element found in the collection of playlists. In some embodiments, one more backoff probability methods may be used to provide additional candidate audio files for playlists if there is insufficient coverage for an audio file in the N-gram model. In one embodiment, a class-based statistical model incorporating higher-level statistics for the audio files may be used to weight selection of audio file transitions from the N-gram model.
US07678982B2 Device and method for automatic tuning of a string instrument in particular a guitar
A device and method for automatic tuning of a string Instrument, in particular, a guitar, comprising a recording device, for recording a tone generated by striking a string and for the output of a digital signal corresponding to the recorded tone, a memory device for storage of given digital signals which correspond to a desired tone, a comparator device for comparison of the digital signal output by the recording device with a digital signal corresponding to the desired tone stored in the memory device, an adjuster device for altering the tension of the strings, at least one actuator, for operating the adjuster device, a controller connected to the comparator device, which controls the at least one actuator using a bus line, by means of a difference determined in the comparator device between the signals representing the generated tone and the desired tone. The above is improved with relation to conventional techniques in so far as the above may be integrated in an instrument, in particular, a guitar, with minimal effect on the sound properties and with the smallest and least possible number of elements. The controller and the at least one actuator are arranged in the string instrument, on opposing sides of the strings viewed in the longitudinal direction of the strings and a string, made from a conducting material or wound or coated with such, is used as bus line between the controller and the at least one actuator. Furthermore, a method for the automatic tuning of a string instrument is disclosed.
US07678975B2 Plants and seeds of hybrid corn variety CH611387
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH611387. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH611387, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH611387 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH611387.
US07678972B2 Plants and seeds of corn variety CV932089
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the corn variety designated CV932089. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CV932089, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CV932089 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to corn seeds and plants produced by crossing plants of variety CV932089 with plants of another variety, such as another inbred line. The invention further relates to the inbred and hybrid genetic complements of plants of variety CV932089.
US07678971B2 Plants and seeds of hybrid corn variety CH627005
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH627005. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH627005, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH627005 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH627005.
US07678970B2 Plants and seeds of hybrid corn variety CH954175
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH954175. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH954175, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH954175 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH954175.
US07678967B2 Plants and seeds of corn variety CV795034
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the corn variety designated CV795034. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CV795034, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CV795034 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to corn seeds and plants produced by crossing plants of variety CV795034 with plants of another variety, such as another inbred line. The invention further relates to the inbred and hybrid genetic complements of plants of variety CV795034.
US07678966B2 Plants and seeds of corn variety CV591539
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the corn variety designated CV591539. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CV591539, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CV591539 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to corn seeds and plants produced by crossing plants of variety CV591539 with plants of another variety, such as another inbred line. The invention further relates to the inbred and hybrid genetic complements of plants of variety CV591539.
US07678965B2 Soybean variety D5624834
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated D5624834. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety D5624834. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety D5624834 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety D5624834 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US07678964B2 Soybean variety D5916542
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated D5916542. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety D5916542. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety D5916542 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety D5916542 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US07678962B2 Soybean variety 0330739
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated 0330739. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety 0330739. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety 0330739 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety 0330739 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US07678961B2 Soybean variety 92M75
According to the invention, there is provided a novel soybean variety designated 92M75. This invention thus relates to the seeds of soybean variety 92M75, to the plants of soybean 92M75 to plant parts of soybean variety 92M75 and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing plants of the soybean variety 92M75 with another soybean plant, using 92M75 as either the male or the female parent.
US07678959B2 Film base material for adhesive skin patch and adhesive skin patch
The present invention relates to a film base material for an adhesive skin patch, which includes an elastomer film unevenly having unevenness on at least one surface thereof, in which, in one unevenness in which the distance perpendicular to the surface of the elastomer film between the top of the unevenness and the bottom thereof is the longest among the plurality of unevenness, the distance is within the range of from 1 to 5 μm; in another unevenness in which the distance perpendicular to the surface of the elastomer film between the top of the unevenness and the bottom thereof is the shortest among the plurality of unevenness, the distance is within the range of from 0.1 to 0.9 μm; and the 10-point average roughness of the surface is within the range of from 0.5 μm to 3 μm, and which is decreased in glossy texture on the surface thereof and inconspicuous when it is applied to the skin or the like; and the adhesive skin patch including the film base material.
US07678958B2 Method of removing dimethyl ether from an olefin stream
This invention is directed to a method of removing dimethyl ether from an olefin stream. The method includes distilling the olefin stream so that the dimethyl ether is separated out of the olefin stream with propane. The olefin stream can then be further distilled to provide a polymer grade ethylene stream and a polymer grade propylene stream, with each stream containing not greater than about 10 wppm dimethyl ether.
US07678954B2 Olefin oligomerization to produce hydrocarbon compositions useful as fuels
In a process for producing a hydrocarbon composition, a feed comprising at least one C3 to C8 olefin and an olefinic recycle stream rich in C9− hydrocarbons is contacted with a crystalline molecular sieve catalyst having an average crystal size no greater than 0.05 micron and an alpha value between about 100 and about 600 in at least one reaction zone under olefin oligomerization conditions including an inlet temperature between about 150° C. and about 350° C., a pressure of at least 2,860 kPa and a recycle to feed weight ratio of about 0.1 to about 3.0. The contacting produces an oligomerization effluent stream, which is separated into at least a hydrocarbon product stream rich in C9+ hydrocarbons and the olefinic recycle stream.
US07678952B2 Process to prepare a gasoline
A process to prepare a gasoline fuel by contacting a Fischer-Tropsch product with a catalyst system of an acidic matrix and a large pore molecular sieve wherein the Fischer-Tropsch product has a weight ratio of compounds having at least 60 or more carbon atoms and compounds having at least 30 carbon atoms in the Fischer-Tropsch product of at least 0.2 and wherein at least 30 wt % of compounds in the Fischer-Tropsch product have at least 30 carbon atoms.
US07678950B2 Process for converting carbohydrates to hydrocarbons
Processes for the conversion of carbohydrates to gasoline boiling range hydrocarbons, and processes for increasing the solubility of carbohydrates used in such processes are disclosed. The solubility of carbohydrates may be increased by contacting the carbohydrate with an ion-exchange resin. The dissolved product may be hydrogenated and reacted in the present of a catalyst to form a reaction product containing non-aromatic and aromatic gasoline boiling range hydrocarbons.
US07678949B2 Process for the preparation of 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene and/or 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene
A process for the manufacture of CF3CH═CHF and/or CF3CF═CH2 is disclosed. The process involves (a) reacting HF and chlorine and at least one halopropene of the formula CX3CCI═CCIX (where each X is independently F or Cl) to produce a product including both CF3CCI2CCIF2 and CF3CCIFCCI2F; (b) reacting CF3CCI2CCIF2 and CF3CCIFCCI2F produced in (a) with hydrogen to produce a product including both CF3CH2CHF2 and CF3CHFCH2F; (c) dehydrofluorinating CF3CH2CHF2 and CF3CHFCH2F produced in (b) to produce a product including both CF3CH═CHF and CF3CF═CH2; and (d) recovering CF3CH═CHF and/or CF3CF═CH2 from the product produced in (c). In (a), both CF3CCI2CCIF2 and CF3CCIFCCI2F are produced in the presence of a chlorofluorination catalyst consisting of (i) compositions comprising a crystalline alpha-chromium oxide where at least 0.05 atom % of the chromium atoms in the alpha-chromium oxide lattice are replaced by copper, and (ii) compositions of (i) which have been treated with a fluorinating agent.
US07678948B2 Synthesis of 3-(5-nitrocyclohex-1-enyl) acrylic acid and esters thereof
This application discloses provides a process for the introduction of nitro-group functionality into a compound which contains also a site of unsaturation and/or oxygen functionality by direct (one step) oxidation of an oxime functional group mediated by a molybdenum VI/VII peroxo complex, the process comprising: (a) providing a substrate of Formula I containing an oxime functional group; wherein R1 and R2 are selected independently from linear, branched or cyclic alkyl and linear, branched or cyclic alkenyl groups, optionally substituted, with the proviso that at least one of R1 or R2 contains a carbon/carbon double bond; and (b) contacting said substrate of Formula I with a molybdenum oxidation complex, thereby oxidizing said oxime functional group to a nitro functional group to yield the structure of Formula III. Where R1 and R2 are as defined above.
US07678944B2 Process for production of polyethers and polymers
The invention aims at providing a process of subjecting a polyether polymer containing a double metal cyanide complex and/or residue compounds thereof as the metallic impurities to extraction with water to thereby remove the metallic impurities, which enables simpler and complete removal of the impurities; and polyether polymers obtained by the process. This aim is attained by a process for the purification of polyethers characterized by blending (A) a polyether containing a double metal cyanide complex and/or residue compounds thereof with ascorbic acid or a derivative thereof and water and then removing the aqueous phase from the resulting mixture to thereby remove the double metal cyanide and/or the residue compounds.
US07678942B2 Process for preparation of diphosphine compounds and intermediates for the process
A production method of a compound represented by the formula wherein R1a, R1b, R1c, R1d, R1e, R1f, R2a, R2b, R2c, R2d, R2e and R2f are the same or different and each is a hydrogen atom and the like, and R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, R9 and R10 are the same or different and each is a hydrogen atom and the like, or a salt thereof, which comprises reacting a compound represented by the formula wherein X is a leaving group and other symbols are as defined above, or a salt thereof, with a phosphine-borane complex represented by the formula wherein the symbols are as defined above, or a salt thereof, in a solvent in the presence of an amine and a nickel catalyst, is provided.
US07678939B2 Acetic acid production methods incorporating tin or ruthenium catalyst stabilizers
Processes for the production of acetic acid by carbonylation of methanol, and reactive derivatives thereof, in a reaction mixture using a rhodium-based catalyst system with at least one catalyst stabilizer selected from the group of ruthenium catalyst stabilizers, tin catalyst stabilizers, and mixtures thereof are provided. The catalyst stabilizers minimize precipitation of the rhodium metal during recovery of the acetic acid product, particularly in flasher units in an acetic acid recovery scheme. Stability of the rhodium metal is achieved even when the acetic acid is produced in low water content reaction mixtures in the presence of an iodide salt co-promoter at a concentration that generated an iodide ion concentration of greater than about 3 weight % of the reaction mixture. The stabilizing ruthenium or tin compounds may be present in the reaction mixture for the production of acetic acid at molar concentrations of ruthenium or tin metal to rhodium of about 0.1:1 to about 20:1.
US07678938B2 Optical resolution of 3-carbamoylmethyl-5-methyl hexanoic acid
The invention relates to pure (R)-CMH and to the optical resolution of CMH-racemate, a key intermediate in the synthesis of (S)-Pregabalin. The invention also relates to the process for optically purifying (R)-CMH and to the process for isolating (S)-CMH from the mother liquor.
US07678933B2 Transition metal complexes and preparation methods thereof
The present invention provides a novel mononuclear transition metal compound, a novel binuclear transition metal compound, a novel organic amine or phosphorous compound, and a method for preparing the same. The mononuclear transition metal compound according to the present invention is configured such that a cyclopentadienyl group and an amido or phosphorous group are bridged via a phenylene bridge. The binuclear transition metal compound according to the present invention is configured such that the two bridged mononuclear transition metal compounds configured such that a cyclopentadienyl group and an amido or phosphorous group are bridged via a phenylene bridge are linked via a bridging group located at the phenylene bridge. According to the present invention, the mononuclear transition metal compound, the binuclear transition metal compound, the organic amine or phosphorous compound can be prepared in a simple manner by using suzuki-coupling reaction with a high yield.
US07678930B2 Process for decreasing the amount of cholesterol in a marine oil using a volatile working fluid
The invention relates to a process for decreasing the amount of cholesterol in a mixture comprising a marine oil, the marine oil containing the cholesterol, which process comprises the steps of adding a volatile working fluid to the mixture, where the volatile working fluid comprises at least one of a fatty acid ester, a fatty acid amide and a hydrocarbon, and subjecting the mixture with the added volatile working fluid to at least one stripping processing step, in which an amount of cholesterol present in the marine oil in free form is separated from the mixture together with the volatile working fluid. The present invention also relates to a volatile cholesterol decreasing working fluid and a health supplement and a pharmaceutical, based on a marine oil, prepared according to the process mentioned above.
US07678926B2 Indole derivatives as selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMS)
The present invention is directed to novel indole derivatives, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use in the treatment of disorders and conditions modulated by the androgen receptor.
US07678924B2 Process for the preparation of pyrazoles
The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of compounds of formula I wherein R1 is C1-C4haloalkyl; R2 is C1-C6alkyl and R3 is methyl or ethyl, by reaction of compounds of formula II wherein the substituents are as defined for formula I, with compounds of formula III wherein R3 is as defined for formula I and n is 0 or 1.
US07678923B2 Method for synthesizing 5-chloro-1-aryl-4-(4,5-dicyano-1h-imidazol-2-yl)-3-alkyl-1h-pyrazole derivatives
Method for synthesising 1-aryl-4-(imidazol-2-yl)-3-alkyl-1H-pyrazole derivatives from 1-aryl-3-alkyl-1H-pyrazo-line-5-one derivatives.
US07678921B2 Method for the enantiomoeric separation of optical active amlodipine
The present invention relates to the preparation of the (S)-(−)-amlodipine and (R)-(+)-amlodipine by means of enantiomeric separation of racemic amlodipine mixture, in which, L- or D-tartaric acid is used as resolution agent, and organic solvent containing 2-butanone is used as solvent. The 2-butanone used in the present invention has the advantage of low boiling point, low toxicity, litter pollution, and the method is suitable for large-scaled production.
US07678918B2 Intermediates for imidazonaphthyridines
Imidazonaphthyridine and tetrahydroimidazonaphthyridine compounds induce the biosynthesis of cytokines such as interferon and tumor necrosis factor. The compounds exhibit antiviral and antitumor properties. Methods of preparing the compounds and intermediates useful in the preparation of the compounds are disclosed.
US07678913B2 Ureas as factor Xa inhibitors
The present invention is directed to compounds represented by Formula I and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, hydrates, and prodrugs thereof which are inhibitors of Factor Xa. The present invention is also directed to and intermediates used in making such compounds, pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds, methods to prevent or treat a number of conditions characterized by undesired thrombosis and methods of inhibiting the coagulation of a blood sample.
US07678909B1 Dipeptidyl peptidase inhibitors
Compounds are provided which may be used to inhibit DPP-IV comprising the formula: wherein the substituents are as described in the specification and claims.
US07678908B2 Process of preparing desaloratadine
The present invention provides substantially pure desloratadine having an HPLC purity greater than 99.5% and having an absorbance less than 0.15 Au at 420 nm for a 5% w/v solution in methanol, which does not show a peak for an impurity at a relative retention time in the range from about 0.85 to about 0.99 (relative to desloratadine appearing at a retention time of 25±5 minutes), which is greater than the discard limit set at less than 0.025% of the total area, when tested according to an HPLC method performed using a Hypersil BDS C8 column (15 cm×4.6 mm, 5 μm particle size) with the following parameters: Mobile phase:Buffer solution having a pH of about 3, methanol and acetonitrile in a volume ratio of 8:1:1. Injection volume:20 μl Flow rate:1.5 ml/minute Run time:75 minutes. Discard limit:Set at less than 0.025% of total area The present invention also provides a process for the preparation of substantially pure desloratadine by the process comprising acidic hydrolysis of a compound of formula 3 where R is selected from COR1, COOR1 wherein R1 is selected from branched or linear alkyl (1-6 C), cycloalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, aralkyl and their substituted analogs; and their substituted analogs with a strong organic acid or a mineral acid.
US07678904B2 Use of parthenolide derivatives as antileukemic and cytotoxic agents
The present invention provides compounds of the formula (I) wherein: X1, X2 and X3 are heteroatoms; R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, R9 and R10 are independently selected from H, halo, —OH, —NO2, —CN and optionally substituted aliphatic, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl; and Z is optionally substituted C1-8 straight-chained or branched aliphatic, optionally containing 1 or more double or triple bonds, wherein one or more carbons are optionally replaced by R* wherein R* is optionally substituted cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl; an amino acid residue, H, —CN, —C(O)—, —C(O)C(O)—, —C(O)NR1—, —C(O)NR1NR2—, —C(O)O—, —OC(O)—, —NR1CO2—, —O—, —NR1C(O)NR2—, —OC(O)NR1—, —NR1NR2—, —NR1C(O)—, —S—, —SO—, —SO2—, —NR1—, —SO2NR1—, —NR1R2, or —NR1SO2—, wherein R1 and R2 are independently selected from H and optionally substituted aliphatic, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl; or where R* is NR1R2, R1 and R2 optionally together with the nitrogen atom form an optionally substituted 5-12 membered ring, said ring optionally comprising 1 or more heteroatoms or a group selected from —CO—, —SO—, —SO2— and —PO—; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester or prodrug thereof.
US07678897B2 RNA interference mediated inhibition of platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor (ECGF1) gene expression using short interfering nucleic acid (siNA)
This invention relates to compounds, compositions, and methods useful for modulating platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor and/or receptor (ECGF1 and/or ECGF1r) gene expression using short interfering nucleic acid (siNA) molecules. This invention also relates to compounds, compositions, and methods useful for modulating the expression and activity of other genes involved in pathways of ECGF1 and/or ECGF1r gene expression and/or activity by RNA interference (RNAi) using small nucleic acid molecules. In particular, the instant invention features small nucleic acid molecules, such as short interfering nucleic acid (siNA), short interfering RNA (siRNA), double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), micro-RNA (miRNA), and short hairpin RNA (shRNA) molecules and methods used to modulate the expression of ECGF1 and/or ECGF1r genes.
US07678896B2 siRNA targeting serine/threonine kinase 12 (STK12 or aurora B kinase)
Efficient sequence specific gene silencing is possible through the use of siRNA technology. By selecting particular siRNAs by rational design, one can maximize the generation of an effective gene silencing reagent, as well as methods for silencing genes. Methods, compositions, and kits generated through rational design of siRNAs are disclosed including those directed to STK12.
US07678894B2 Nucleotide analogs
The disclosure provides nucleotide analogs and methods of their use. Analogs of the invention comprise a reporter molecule (label) attached via the N4, N6, O4, or O6 position of the nitrogenous base portion of the analog. In a preferred embodiment, nucleotide analogs of the invention comprise a label attached to the nitrogenous base portion of the analog via a cleavable linker at the N4, O4, N6 or O6 position.
US07678892B2 Dye-labeled ribonucleotide triphosphates
The invention provides novel dye-labeled ribonucleotide analogs and methods for synthesizing those analogs. The compounds of the invention are especially useful for DNA sequencing by the polymerase chain reaction.
US07678891B2 Antibodies that bind CCX-CKR2
Antibodies that bind to CCX-CKR2 and methods of their use are provided.
US07678890B2 Compositions and methods of treating disease with FGFR fusion proteins
The invention provides FGFR fusion proteins, methods of making them, and methods of using them to treat proliferative disorders, including cancers and disorders of angiogenesis. The FGFR fusion molecules can be made in CHO cells and may comprise deletion mutations in the extracellular domains of the FGFRs which improve their stability. These fusion proteins inhibit the growth and viability of cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. The combination of the relatively high affinity of these receptors for their ligand FGFs and the demonstrated ability of these decoy receptors to inhibit tumor growth is an indication of the clinical value of the compositions and methods provided herein.
US07678887B2 Identification and cloning of a novel human gene, RET16, involved in the intracellular signaling cascade
The present invention describes a newly discovered polynucleotide encoding a protein involved in the cell signaling cascade, called RET16, cloned, isolated and identified from TNF-alpha stimulated human microvascular endothelial cells, as well as mouse and rat RET16 orthologs thereof. Also described are the RET16 polypeptide sequence, expression vectors, host cells, agonists, antagonists, antisense molecules, and antibodies related to the polynucleotide and/or polypeptide of the present invention. Methods for screening for modulators, particularly inhibitors, of the human RET16 protein, and use of the RET16 polynucleotide and polypeptide for therapeutics and diagnostics are described.
US07678883B2 Solubility tags for the expression and purification of bioactive peptides
Peptide tags, referred to here as inclusion body tags, are disclosed useful for the generation of insoluble fusion peptides. The fusion peptides comprise at least one inclusion body tag operably linked to a peptide of interest. Expression of the fusion peptide in a host cell results in a product that is insoluble and contained within inclusion bodies in the cell and/or cell lysate. The inclusion bodies may then be purified and the protein of interest may be isolated after cleavage from the inclusion body tag.
US07678882B2 Polyamino acids functionalized by at least one hydrophobic group and the therapeutic application thereof
The invention relates to novel materials based on biodegradable polyamino acids that are useful for vectorizing active principle(s)(AP). The aim of the invention is to supply a new polymeric raw material that is used for vectorizing AP and optimally fulfills all requirements concerning biocompatibility, biodegradability, the ability to be easily associated with numerous active principles or solubilize the active principles and to release the active principles in vivo. Such polymers can also be readily and economically transformed into particles vectorizing active principles according to the grafting rate of the hydrophobic groups, said particles being able to form stable aqueous colloidal suspensions. The aim of the invention is achieved by the inventive amphiphile polyamino acids comprising aspartic and/or glutamic units that carry grafts which encompass at least one hydrophobic unit and are linked to the aspartic and/or glutamic units via a rotula containing two amide functions, more particularly via a spacer of the lysine or ornithine type. The amide functions ensure better stability during hydrolysis than comparable products known in prior art. The invention also relates to new pharmaceutical, cosmetic, dietetic, or phytosanitary compositions based on the inventive polyamino acids.
US07678881B2 Transparent resin material
The present invention has an object to provide a transparent resin material having a low water absorption ratio without deteriorating various properties such as transparency which transparent resin has and also having a controllable refractive index. The present invention provides a transparent resin material containing a polymer capable of forming a formed product having transparency, wherein the transparent resin material comprises a fluorine atom-containing polymer and/or compound and contains 0.3 to 35% by weight of a fluorine atom in 100% by weight of the formed product.
US07678879B2 Adhesive composition of phenol-functional polyamides
The invention is based on the discovery that the compounds and compositions described herein are useful as film-forming adhesives for use in a variety of applications, including, for example, adhesive tapes for the electronic packaging industry. The invention compositions described herein can be cured in a variety of ways with or without a catalyst.
US07678878B2 Process for producing polyester with metal phosphonic acid complex catalysts
Disclosed is a method for the preparation of a polyester, which method comprises in a first step, reacting a dicarboxylic acid or a C1-C4 dicarboxylic diester with a diol at a suitable temperature and pressure to effect esterification or transesterification to prepare a precondensate and in a second step, reacting the precondensate to effect polycondensation at a suitable temperature and pressure to prepare a high molecular weight polyester, where a metal phosphonic acid complex compound of the formula is employed in the first step, in the second step or in both the first and second steps as a reaction catalyst.
US07678877B2 Process for the synthesis of polyalkylphenol antioxidants
Disclosed is a method for the synthesis of sterically hindered polymeric antioxidants based on phenol type antioxidant monomers. The method includes partially etherifying, polymerizing and thermally rearranging a phenol containing monomer represented by the following structural formula: to produce a sterically hindered polymeric macromolecular antioxidant. X, R10 and q are as defined herein. The disclosed method is a simple, direct and economical process for the synthesis of sterically hindered polymeric macromolecular antioxidants.
US07678870B2 Processable molecularly imprinted polymers
A process is provided herein for preparing molecularly imprinted polymers for detecting a target analyte by Reversible Addition Fragmentation Chain Transfer (RAFT). The process includes providing a complex having the formula L3M wherein L is a β-diketone ligand containing a chain transfer moiety and L3 can be the same or different ligands, and M is a lanthanide element; reacting the complex with the target analyte to provide an adduct containing the target analyte; co-polymerizing the adduct with a monomer and cross-linking agent to provide a polymer; and removing the target analyte from the polymer to provide the molecularly imprinted polymer.
US07678866B2 Polyethylene composition and process for producing same
A polyethylene composition prepared by polymerizing ethylene and an optional olefin with ≧3 carbon atoms in the presence of a macromonomer, is provided. The macromonomer is a vinyl-terminated ethylene polymer prepared by polymerizing ethylene and an optional olefin with ≧3 carbon atoms, and the macromonomer has (A) Mn≧5,000, and Mw/Mn=2-5. The polyethylene composition comprises (C) branched polyethylene prepared by copolymerizing ethylene, the macromonomer and an optional olefin with ≧3 carbon atoms, and the macromonomer. The polyethylene composition has (D) a density of 0.890-0.980 g/cm3, (E) Mw=30,000-10,000,000, (F) Mw/Mn=2-30, (G) a long chain branch frequency of 0.01-3 per 1,000 C atoms, and (H) a shrinking factor (g′ value) of 0.1-0.9 as measured by GPC/intrinsic-viscosity. The polyethylene composition can be finely divided particles having (P) a powder bulk density of 0.15-0.50 g/cm3.
US07678864B2 Silylated polycarbonate polymers, method of making, and articles formed therefrom
A silylated polycarbonate comprises silylated carbonate units, where the silylated carbonate units can be derived from a silylated dihydroxy aromatic compound of the formula (1a): wherein Ga and Gb are each independently C1-12 alkyl, —OSi(C1-12 alkyl)3, C1-12 arylalkyl, or —OSi(C1-12 arylalkyl)3; Za and Zb are each independently a straight or branched C2-18 alkylene, a C8-18 arylalkylene, or a C8-18 alkylarylene, Xa is a direct bond, a heteroatom-containing group, or a C1-18 organic group, and r and s are each independently 1 or 2. A method of forming the silylated dihydroxy aromatic compound, and for forming the silylated polycarbonate, are disclosed. Also disclosed is a thermoplastic composition comprising the silylated polycarbonate, and an article comprising the thermoplastic composition.
US07678861B2 Thermal- and chemical-resistant acid protection coating material and spin-on thermoplastic adhesive
New compositions for use as protective coatings and/or adhesives are provided. The compositions comprise a hydrocarbon resin (e.g., terpene rosin) and a rubber (e.g., EPDM) dispersed or dissolved in a solvent system. The solvent system is preferably a single-solvent system, and the compositions are preferably free of surfactants, dyes, and chromophores. The compositions can be cured or dried to form layers or films that are chemically and thermally resistant, but that can be readily dissolved and removed at the appropriate stage in the fabrication process.
US07678856B2 Binders curable at room temperature with low blocking
Topically-applied binder materials for imparting wet strength to soft, absorbent paper sheets, such as are useful as household paper towels and the like, include an azetidinium-reactive polymer, such as a carboxyl-functional polymer, an azetidinium-functional polymer and, optionally, a component useful for reducing sheet-to-sheet adhesion (blocking) in the product. These binder materials can be cured at ambient temperature over a period of days and do not impart objectionable odor to final product when wetted.
US07678854B2 Long-fiber reinforced polyolefin composition
Disclosed are a long-fiber reinforced and colored molded article having desirable physical properties such as superior impact strength, tensile strength, and flexural strength as well as superior heat-resistance, a long-fiber reinforced polyolefin composition for producing the article, and method for producing the article. The long-fiber reinforced polyolefin composition comprises long-fiber reinforced polyolefin pellets including 35 to 90 weight % of a long-fiber reinforcing agent and 5 to 60 weight % of polyolefin wherein the impregnation degree of the long-fiber reinforced polyolefin pellet is preferably more than 80%; and colored polyolefin pellets having the length of 5 to 500 mm, and including 0.01 to 15 weight % of a coloring agent for the total amount of the coloring agent and polyolefin, wherein the amount of the colored polyolefin pellets is 5 to 80 weight % for the total amount of the colored polyolefin pellets and the long-fiber reinforced polyolefin pellets.
US07678852B2 Flame retardant compositions
Polymer compositions are afforded flame retardancy with the incorporation of a combination of melamine polyphosphate and poly(m-phenylene methylphosphonate). The polymer compositions are for instance epoxy resins for prepegs, laminates and printed circuit boards. The epoxy resins are for example for coating electronic parts. The polymer compositions are also thermoplastics such as polyolefins or polystyrenics, useful as fibers, films or molded parts. The melamine polyphosphate may be of a fine particle size.
US07678850B2 Pigment dispersions containing aminated acrylic macromonomer dispersant
A pigment dispersion useful for forming coating compositions containing dispersed pigment, a carrier solvent and an aminated macromonomer dispersant (binder) is disclosed. The aminated macromonomer dispersant is preferably prepared by the reaction of terminally unsaturated macromonomers synthesized by cobalt-catalyzed chain transfer free radical polymerizations of methacrylic monomers with monomeric or oligomeric amines.
US07678849B2 High chroma hals stabilized polymer composition
High chroma colored thermoplastic polyolefin compositions having enhanced weatherability are disclosed. The compositions incorporate ultraviolet light absorbers and hindered amine light stabilizers.
US07678846B2 Ink-jet recording ink
An inkjet recording ink comprising water, a pigment dispersed using a polymer having an acid value of at least 50 mg KOH/g but not more than 200 mg KOH/g and a weight-average molecular weight of at least 20,000 but not more than 120,000, along with an alkyl alcohol polyoxypropylene and polyoxyethylene addition product with 8 to 16 carbon atoms.
US07678845B2 Stable pigment dispersions
A pigment dispersion includes a pigment and a block copolymer having ionic aromatic monomers. The pigment dispersions can be used for manufacturing inkjet inks and for the coating of colored layers. A process for preparing the pigment dispersion is also disclosed.
US07678842B2 Radiation-curable silicone rubber composition
Provided is a radiation-curable silicone rubber composition comprising: (A) a specific organopolysiloxane, which at each molecular chain terminal contains two or three silicon-containing groups that each contain a plurality of (from 2 to 9) (meth)acryloyl groups (in other words, a specific organopolysiloxane containing from 8 to 54 (meth)acryloyl groups within each molecule); and (B) a radiation sensitizer. The composition cures easily and favorably upon irradiation with low intensity, low energy radiation, and in particular upon irradiation with ultraviolet light emitted from a UV-LED light source. A cured coating generated from the composition rapidly develops favorable adhesion to a wide variety of substrates, and provides excellent corrosion prevention for the substrate, even under severe conditions.
US07678841B2 Increasing the gas transmission rate of a film comprising fullerenes
A method of increasing the gas transmission rate of a packaging film comprises providing a packaging film that comprises at least about 0.001 weight % of fullerene material selected from spherical fullerenes, bowl-shaped fullerenes, multi-walled carbon nanotubes, carbon nanocones, and carbon nano-onions. The packaging film is exposed to an amount of radiation energy effective to increase the oxygen transmission rate of the packaging film by at least about 100 cc (STP)/m2. day (1 atm, 0% RH, 23° C.).
US07678840B2 Reduction of MDI emissions in cavity filling NVH polyurethane foams
This invention relates to reactive systems for the production of cavity filling polyurethane foams for NVH (noise vibration and harshness) application areas in which the system exhibits reduced isocyanate emissions. These foams comprises a polyisocyanate comprising a polymethylene poly(phenylisocyanate).
US07678836B2 Method for rendering a contact lens wettable
An ophthalmic solution comprising a polyethoxylated glyceride in the range of 0.001 to about 10 percent by weight and a buffer agent. These solutions impart surprising comfort and wearability to contact lenses. At the same time the solutions provide good preservative capacity and do not increase protein deposit.
US07678834B2 Substituted 4-aminocyclohexanol compounds
4-aminocyclohexanol compounds, processes for their preparation, pharmaceutical formulations comprising these compounds and the use of substituted 4-aminocyclohexanol compounds for the preparation of pharmaceutical formulations and for the treatment of diverse indications, including, without limitation, pain.
US07678827B2 Non-polymeric lipophilic pharmaceutical implant compositions for intraocular use
Solid or semi-solid intraocular implant compositions are disclosed. The compositions contain a lipophilic compound but lack a polymeric ingredient.
US07678825B2 Pharmaceutically active isoindoline derivates
Isoindolin-1-one and Isoindoline-1,3-dione substituted in the 2-position with an α-(3,4-disubstituted phenyl)alkyl group and in the 4- and/or 5-position with a nitrogen-containing group are inhibitors of, and thus useful in the treatment of disease states mediated by, TNFα and phosphodiesterase. A typical embodiment is 2-[1-(3-ethoxy-4-methoxyphenyl)2-methylsulfonylethyl]4,5-diaminoisoindoline-1,3-dione.
US07678820B2 Hetero compound
To provide a useful compound as an active ingredient for a preventing and/or treating agent for rejection in the transplantation of an organ, bone marrow, or a tissue, an autoimmune disease, or the like, which has an excellent S1P1 agonist activity. Since the compound of the invention has an S1P1 agonist activity, it is useful as an active ingredient for a treating or preventing agent for a disease caused by unfavorable lymphocytic infiltration, for example, an autoimmune disease such as graft rejection in the transplantation of an organ, bone marrow, or a tissue, a graft-versus-host disease, rheumatic arthritis, multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, a nephrotic syndrome, encephalomeningitis, myasthenia gravis, pancreatitis, hepatitis, nephritis, diabetes, pulmonary disorder, asthma, atopic dermatitis, inflammatory bowel disease, atherosclerosis, ischemia-reperfusion injury, or an inflammatory disease, and further, a disease caused by the abnormal growth or accumulation of cells such as cancer and leukemia.
US07678819B2 Acetylene derivatives and their use for binding and imaging amyloid plaques
The invention relates to radiolabeled compounds and their use in methods of imaging amyloid deposits, as well as to methods of their manufacture. The invention also relates to compounds for inhibiting the aggregation of amyloid proteins that form amyloid deposits, methods for delivering therapeutic agents to amyloid deposits, as well as methods of making compounds that inhibit the aggregation of amyloid proteins.
US07678812B2 Aminotetralin-derived urea modulators of vanilloid VR1 receptor
This invention is directed to vanilloid receptor VR1 ligands. More particularly, this invention relates to β-aminotetralin-derived ureas that are potent antagonists or agonists of VR1 which are useful for the treatment and prevention of inflammatory and other pain conditions in mammals.
US07678811B2 Pyridine, quinoline, and isoquinoline N-oxides as kinase inhibitors
This invention relates to urea compounds containing a pyridine, quinoline, or isoquinoline functionality which is oxidized at the nitrogen heteroatom and which are useful in the treatment of (i) raf mediated diseases, for example, cancer, (ii) p38 mediated diseases such as inflammation and osteoporosis, and (iii) VEGF mediated diseases such as angogenesis disorders.
US07678810B2 Thiazole derivative
A thiazolylimidazole derivative represented by the formula or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and an ALK5 inhibitor, an therapeutic agent for alopecia or a hair growth agent having the above as an active ingredient, wherein: X1 and X2 are different from each other and represent a sulfur atom or a carbon atom; R1 represents a phenyl group; a substituted phenyl group; a phenyl group condensed with a hetero aromatic ring; a pyridyl group; or a pyridyl group condensed with a hetero aromatic ring; R2 represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms substituted with 1 to 5 halogen atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an alkanoyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, or a hydroxyalkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, A represents a group which is represented by the formula. The present invention provides an inhibitory substance against ALK5 which is a TGF-β type I receptor and provides a hair growth stimulant or a hair growth agent based on its novel activities.
US07678808B2 5 HT receptor mediated neurogenesis
The instant disclosure describes methods for treating diseases and conditions of the central and peripheral nervous system by stimulating or increasing neurogenesis. The disclosure includes compositions and methods based on use of a 5HTR agent, optionally in combination with one or more other neurogenic agents, to stimulate or activate the formation of new nerve cells.
US07678806B2 Spiro-piperidine derivatives
The present invention is concerned with novel spiro-piperidine derivatives as V1a receptor antagonists, their manufacture, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use as medicaments. The active compounds of the present invention are useful in the prevention and/or treatment of anxiety and depressive disorders and other diseases.In particular, the present invention is concerned with compounds of the general formula (I) wherein R1 to R5, R5′, X, Y and A are as defined in the specification.
US07678805B2 Use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors for treating inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD)
The present invention relates to a method for treating inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), such as crohn's disease, comprising administering a tyrosine kinase inhibitor to a human in need of such treatment, more particularly a non-toxic, selective and potent c-kit inhibitor. Preferably, said inhibitor is unable to promote death of IL-3 dependent cells cultured in presence of IL-3.
US07678803B2 Quinazoline derivatives for the treatment of cancer
The current invention is directed toward compounds and pharmaceutically acceptable salts of Formula I wherein Q1 is CR1, Q2 is N, Q4 and Q5 are each CR1, Q3 is CR2, X1 is N or CRc, Y is CRc, X2 and X3 are each C(R5)(R6), R7 is O. Compounds of Formula I are useful in the treatment of diseases and/or conditions related to cell proliferation, such as cancer The current invention is also directed toward pharmaceutical compositions comprising compounds of the invention.
US07678799B2 Crystalline ziprasidone HCl and processes for preparation thereof
Provided is crystalline ziprasidone HCl and processes for preparation thereof.
US07678797B2 1-phenyl-3-piperazine-pyrazoles and pesticidal compositions of matter thereof
The invention relates to 5-diazacycloalkylpyrazole derivatives of the formula (I) or salts thereof a process for their preparation, to compositions thereof and to their use for the control of pests, including arthropods and helminths
US07678792B2 Compositions and methods for modulating c-kit and PDGFR receptors
The invention provides compounds and pharmaceutical compositions thereof, which are useful as protein kinase inhibitors, as well as methods for using such compounds to treat, ameliorate or prevent a condition associated with abnormal or deregulated kinase activity. In some embodiments, the invention provides methods for using such compounds to treat, ameliorate or prevent diseases or disorders that involve abnormal activation of c-kit, PDGFRα, PDGFRβ, CSF1R, Abl, BCR-Abl, CSK, JNK1, JNK2, p38, p70S6K, TGFβ, SRC, EGFR, trkB, FGFR3, FLT3, Fes, Lck, Syk, RAF, MKK4, MKK6, SAPK2β, BRK, KDR, c-raf or b-raf kinase, or mutant forms thereof.
US07678785B2 Substituted aniline derivatives
The present invention relates to novel aniline derivatives and their use in therapy, in particular their use in the treatment of fungal infections.
US07678782B2 Bile-acid derived compounds for enhancing oral absorption and systemic bioavailability of drugs
Disclosed are methods for providing enhanced systemic blood concentrations of orally delivered drugs that are incompletely translocated across the intestinal wall of an animal. Also disclosed are methods for the sustained release of drugs, whether poorly or readily bioavailable via oral delivery to animals. Still further, disclosed are compounds and pharmaceutical compositions that are used in such methods.
US07678776B2 Inclusion complexes of butylphthalide with cyclodextrin or its derivatives, a process for their preparation and the use thereof
The present invention relates to the inclusion complexes of butylphthalide, which is D, L-mixed or levorotatory, with cyclodextrin or cyclodextrin derivatives, to a process for their preparation and the use thereof. In the invention, the butylphthalide is complexed with cyclodextrin or cyclodextrin derivatives, preferably with hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin in order to increase the water-solubility of butylphthalide, develop clinical solid or liquid formulations and improve the therapeutic effect of butylphthalide. The inclusion complex, in which the molar ratio of butylphthalide to cyclodextrin or cyclodextrin derivatives is in the range of 1:1-10, can be used to prepare infusion, injection, injectable powder, liquids for oral administration, syrup, tablets, granules, dispersible tablets and others.
US07678773B2 Salts of avermectins substituted in the 4″-position and having pesticidal properties
A compound of formula wherein X− is an anion; n is 1, 2, 3 or 4; R1 is C1-C12alkyl, C3-C8cycloalkyl; or C2-C12alkenyl; R2 is hydrogen, unsubstituted or substituted C1-C12alkyl or C2-C12alkenyl; R3 is hydrogen, unsubstituted or substituted C1-C12alkyl, C3-C12cycloalkyl, C2-C12alkenyl; or C2-C12alkynyl; or R2 and R3 together are an alkylene or alkenylene bridge; and, where applicable, E/Z isomers, E/Z isomeric mixtures and/or tautomers; with the proviso that R1 is not sec-butyl or isopropyl when R2 is H and R3 is methyl; and, where applicable, their possible tautomers; a process for the preparation of those compounds and their tautomers and the use thereof; pesticidal compositions in which the active ingredient has been selected from those compounds and their tautomers; and a process for the preparation of those compositions and the use thereof; intermediates, in free form or in salt form, for the preparation of those compounds and, where applicable, their tautomers, in free form or in salt form, are described.
US07678771B2 Abuse-resistant amphetamine prodrugs
The invention describes compounds, compositions, and methods of using the same comprising a chemical moiety covalently attached to amphetamine. These compounds and compositions are useful for reducing or preventing abuse and overdose of amphetamine. These compounds and compositions find particular use in providing an abuse-resistant alternative treatment for certain disorders, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), ADD, narcolepsy, and obesity. Oral bioavailability of amphetamine is maintained at therapeutically useful doses. At higher doses bioavailability is substantially reduced, thereby providing a method of reducing oral abuse liability. Further, compounds and compositions of the invention decrease the bioavailability of amphetamine by parenteral routes, such as intravenous or intranasal administration, further limiting their abuse liability.
US07678768B2 Physiologically-active composition based on collagen
The present invention concerns a physiologically active composition which contains an enzymatically hydrolysed collagen as the active component I and at least one component of the non-vitamin type having anti-oxidative and/or anti-inflammatory properties as the active component II. Collagen of animal origin that is soluble in cold water comes into particular consideration as component I and a fermentation broth or a plant extract comes into particular consideration as component II. This composition which is designed in particular as a food supplement or functional food can be used to prevent inflammatory and/or degenerative symptoms in particular with a chronic course such as for example arthritis and arthroses or to successfully treat these symptoms. The claimed composition can be used above all by professional, leisure and recreational athletes who suffer in particular from strained joint functions.
US07678762B2 Methods for reducing the risk of hypoglycemia
Pharmaceutical compositions comprising glucagon can be administered to control and treat diabetes while reducing or eliminating the risk of insulin-induced hypoglycemia. Also provided are methods of administering glucagon so as to reduce the risk of hypoglycemia.
US07678761B2 Method of preventing pathological levels of factor VIII before, during and/or after a surgical procedure by controlling psychic and somatic stress
A method of providing general anesthesia to an organism that improves surgical outcome by controlling a psychic and a somatic surgical stress before, during, and after a surgical procedure by preventing a pathological elevation of Factor VIII in the blood of the organism, comprising the steps of controlling the psychic stress in the organism by administering to the organism an anesthetic or hypnotic agent; controlling the somatic stress by administering to the organism an opioid and/or lidocaine; maintaining a normal body temperature of the organism; minimizing a non-surgical stress stimuli; and allowing a mild hypercarbia to support a respiratory drive in the presence of an opioid dosage. The method may further comprise the step of giving additional doses of an opioid as necessary to prevent sympathetic nervous system activation.
US07678759B2 Diagnosis and treatment of neuroectodermal tumors
The present invention provides fusion proteins for the detection and treatment of neuroectodermal tumors. Previous work demonstrated that chlorotoxin is specific for glial-derived or meningioma-derived tumor cells. The current invention has extended the use of chlorotoxin-cytotoxin fusion proteins to treat the whole class neuroectodermal tumors such as gliomas, meningiomas, ependymonas, medulloblastomas, neuroblastomas, gangliomas, pheochromocytomas, melanomas, PPNET's, small cell carcinoma of the lung, Ewing's sarcoma, and metastatic tumors in the brain. Also, diagnostic methods are provided for screening neoplastic neuroectodermal tumors.
US07678758B2 Method for enhancing T cell reactivity toward tumour antigens
Provided is a method of vaccinating a patient against a tumor by administering an agent to reduce or prevent interaction between Notch and a Notch ligand, or expression or processing of Notch or a Notch ligand. In one embodiment, this is accomplished by administering to the patient a tumor antigen expressed by the tumor and exposing an antigen presenting cell in the patient to an agent that reduces or prevents interaction, expression or processing of Notch or a Notch ligand in a T cell.
US07678757B2 Cyclopropanecarboxaldehydes and their use in perfume compositions
The present invention is directed to novel cyclopropanecarboxaldehyde compounds of the general formula wherein R is a straight, branched, or cyclic hydrocarbon moiety consisting of 1 to 30 carbon atoms and containing single and/or double bonds.
US07678754B2 System and method for cleaning and/or treating surfaces of objects
A system and method that are capable of cleaning and/or treating a surface of an object, such as the exterior surface of a vehicle. The system and method utilize wash solution formulations and rinse solution formulations including a wash solution composition that contains at least one ethoxylated interpolymer and a rinse solution with at least one layered silicate incorporating an inorganic pholyphosphate peptiser.
US07678753B2 Liquid detergent composition
A liquid detergent composition containing (a) hydrogen peroxide or a compound for forming hydrogen peroxide in water, (b) a compound selected from boric acid, borax, a boric acid salt in an amount of from 0.05 to 1% by mass as a boron atom, (c) a compound having one or more sites, the site having one hydroxyl group at each of both sides of adjacent carbon atoms, in an amount of from 3 to 35% by mass, (d) a surfactant in an amount of from 4 to 45% by mass, and (e) water, wherein the molar ratio of the component (c)/the component (b) is from 1.5 to 2.7, and wherein the detergent composition has a pH at 20° C. of from 4.6 to 7.0.
US07678751B2 Composition for removing photoresist, method of removing photoresist and method of manufacturing a semiconductor device using the same
Disclosed are a composition for removing photoresist, a method of removing photoresist and a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device using a composition. The composition may include a ketone compound and a first polar aprotic solvent. The composition may also include the ketone compound and a second polar aprotic solvent. Moreover, the composition may include the first polar aprotic solvent and a second polar aprotic solvent with or without the ketone compound. The first polar aprotic solvent has at least one of an ether compound and an ester compound, and the second polar aprotic solvent has at least one of a sulfur-containing compound and a nitrogen-containing compound.
US07678744B2 Hydrocarbon industry servicing fluid and methods of performing service operations
A hydrocarbon industry servicing fluid comprises an irradiated fluid that is biologically inert. The fluid may be irradiated with ultraviolet light. A method comprises performing a hydrocarbon industry service operation with an irradiated fluid that is biologically inert. The method may comprise disposing of the irradiated fluid to the environment or capturing the irradiated fluid when the service operation is complete. The method may further comprise re-irradiating the captured irradiated fluid to produce a remediated fluid, and performing a service operation with the remediated fluid.
US07678743B2 Drill-in fluids and associated methods
Of the many compositions provided herein, in one embodiment, the present invention provides a drill-in fluid comprising an aqueous base fluid, a viscosifier, a relative permeability modifier fluid loss control additive, and a degradable bridging agent comprising a degradable material capable of undergoing an irreversible degradation downhole.
US07678742B2 Drill-in fluids and associated methods
Of the many methods provided herein, the present invention provides a method comprising: providing a drill-in fluid that comprises an aqueous base fluid, a viscosifier, a relative permeability modifier fluid loss control additive, and a degradable bridging agent comprising a degradable material capable of undergoing an irreversible degradation downhole; placing the drill-in fluid in a subterranean formation; and allowing the relative permeability modifier fluid loss control additive to reduce fluid loss from the drill-in fluid to the subterranean formation. Another example is a method of degrading a filter cake in a subterranean formation comprising: providing a filter cake produced by a drill-in fluid that comprises an aqueous base fluid, a viscosifier, a relative permeability modifier fluid loss control additive, and a degradable bridging agent comprising a degradable material capable of undergoing an irreversible degradation downhole; and allowing the degradable bridging agent to degrade.
US07678740B2 Avermectin and avermectin monosaccharide derivatives substituted in the 4″-or 4′-position having pesticidal properties
What is described are a compound of the formula (I) Wherein U is —N(R2)OR3 or —N+(O−)═C(RE)RZ); n is 0 or 1; X—Y is —CH═CH— or —CH2—CH2—; R1 is C1-C12alkyl, C3-C8cycloalkyl or C2-C12alkenyl; R2 and R3 are, for example; independently from each other, —Q, —C(═O)—Z—Q or —CN; RZ and RE are, independently from each other, —Q, —C(═O)—Z—Q or —CN; or RZ and RE together are a three- to seven membered alkylene or alkenylene bridge, which is unsubstituted or mono- to tri-substituted; Z is a bond, O or —NR4—; Q is H, C1-C12alkyl, C2-C12alkenyl, C2-C12alkynyl, C3-C12-Cycloalkyl, C5-C12-cycloalkenyl, aryl, or heterocyclyl, which are unsubstituted or mono- to pentasubstituted; R4 is for example H, C1-C8alkyl, hydroxy-C1-C8alkyl, C3-C8cycloalkyl or C2-C8alkenyl; or, if appropriate, an E/Z isomer, E/Z isomer mixture and/or tautomer thereof; a process for preparing these compounds, their isomers and tautomers and the use of these compounds, their isomers and tautomers; pesticidal compositions whose active compound is selected from these compounds and their tautomers; intermediates for the preparation of the said compounds of the formula (I), methods for the preparation of the compounds of the formula (I), and a method for controlling pests using these compositions.
US07678739B2 Thermal transfer sheet
To provide a thermal transfer sheet having a back layer excellent in heat resistance and slipping properties and causing no wrinkling at printing and no image-defect by tailing, the sheet being able to be prepared without a heat treating, such as aging.A thermal transfer sheet, comprising a substrate film, a transfer ink layer formed on one face thereof, and a back layer formed on the other face thereof, wherein the back layer comprises: a mixed binder containing a polyamide-imide resin (A) having a Tg of 200° C. or higher as determined by differential thermal analysis and a polyamide-imide silicone resin (B) having a Tg of 200° C. or higher; a mixture of a polyvalent metal salt of alkylphosphoric ester (C) and a metal salt of alkylcarboxylic acid (D), a silicone oil (E); and an inorganic filler (F).
US07678733B2 Method for producing heat-resisting compound oxides
A method for producing a heat-resisting compound oxide in which first oxide particles are made to carry second fine particles having near charging characteristics. Said first oxide particles or their precursors are caused, before said first oxide particles or their precursors are caused to adsorb said first oxide particles or their precursors, to adsorb a predetermined acid or base so that they may be charged inversely of said second fine particles or their precursors to be adsorbed thereby. Said first oxide particles are caused to adsorb said second fine particles through said acid or base and are sintered to carry the same.
US07678729B2 Process for the preparation of polyether polyols
The present invention provides a process for conditioning double metal cyanide (DMC) catalysts, which are employed in the preparation of polyether polyols based on starter compounds having active hydrogen atoms, the preparation of polyether polyols using the conditioned catalysts and the use of the polyether polyols prepared in this way for the preparation of polyurethane materials.
US07678728B2 Self supporting structurally engineered non-platinum electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction in fuel cells
A highly dispersed, unsupported, electrocatalyst made of pyrolyzed porphyries and a method for synthesizing the same. The disclosed synthesis procedure allows for optimization of pore size and therefore transport properties. Compounds suitable for use include transition metal N4-chelates such as, but not necessarily limited to, N4-chelates containing different metal centers including Co, Fe, Mn, Ni, Ru, Cu, etc., and other N4-chelates such as porphyrin, phthalocyanies, and structures based on their pyro products.
US07678727B2 Regeneration of ionic catalyst by hydrogenation using a homogeneous catalyst
A process for regenerating a used acidic ionic liquid catalyst comprising the steps of contacting the used ionic liquid catalyst and hydrogen with a homogeneous hydrogenation catalyst in a reaction zone under hydrogenation conditions for a time sufficient to increase the activity of the used catalyst is disclosed.
US07678725B2 Translucent polycrystalline alumina ceramic
A polycrystalline body includes aluminum oxide, magnesium oxide, zirconium oxide, and lutetium oxide. The lutetium oxide is present in an amount of at least 10 ppm of the weight of the ceramic body, and the magnesium and zirconium oxides are present at a molar ratio of from 0.5:1 to 3:1.
US07678721B2 Low dielectric glass fiber
A glass fiber having a low dielectric constant and low dielectric loss tangent consists essentially of by weight, as a glass composition, 52 to 60% of SiO2, 11 to 16% of Al2O3, 20 to 30% of B2O3, and 4 to 8% of CaO, and substantially no MgO, substantially no Li2O, substantially no Na2O, substantially no K2O, and substantially no Ti2O. The glass fiber also may contain up to 2% F2 by weight. The glass fiber is ideal for use as reinforcement for printed wiring boards, and has excellent dielectric properties at frequencies of about 18 GHz or higher.
US07678719B2 Method for forming bi-layered fiber and foam carpet underlay
The present invention relates to a method for forming a bi-layered carpet underlay. More particularly, the method includes bonding a layer of non-woven fibers and a layer of re-bonded foam particles together to form the bi-layered carpet underlay. The layers of the carpet underlay can be bonded together with the use of adhesives, by heating a surface of one or both layers to a soft bondable state for lamination between the layers, by applying a film having adhesive surfaces between the layers, or by other suitable bonding means. The bi-layered carpet underlay combines the soft cushioning resilience of foam with the high durability bridging ability of fiber to provide a carpet underlay that maintains its height or thickness and firmness, while imparting softness and cushioning effects over an extended period of wear.
US07678714B2 Method for manufacturing dynamic random access memory
The present invention has an object to provide a method for manufacturing a dynamic random access memory capable of reducing a defect rate even if the memory has a large packing density. The method of the present invention is a method for manufacturing a dynamic random access memory having memory array areas and a peripheral circuit area arranged in a semiconductor substrate and a silicon nitride film provided over the memory array areas and the peripheral circuit area, the method having at least a step (1) of eliminating the silicon nitride film provided in the peripheral circuit area; and a step (2) of processing in an atmosphere of a hydrogen gas a substrate-to-be-processed obtained by the step (1).
US07678712B2 Vapor phase treatment of dielectric materials
The invention concerns a method for applying a surface modification agent composition for organosilicate glass dielectric films. More particularly, the invention pertains to a method for treating a silicate or organosilicate dielectric film on a substrate, which film either comprises silanol moieties or has had at least some previously present carbon containing moieties removed therefrom. The treatment adds carbon containing moieties to the film and/or seals surface pores of the film, when the film is porous.
US07678709B1 Method of forming low-temperature conformal dielectric films
A deposition method modulates the reaction rate and thickness of highly conformal dielectric films deposited by forming a saturated catalytic layer on the surface and then exposing the surface to silicon-containing precursor gas and a reaction modulator, which may accelerate or quench the reaction. The modulator may be added before, after, or during exposure of the silicon-containing precursor gas. The film thickness after one cycle of deposition may be increased up to 20 times or decreased up to 20 times.
US07678707B1 Method of carbon nanotube modification
Carbon nanotube apparatus, and methods of carbon nanotube modification, include carbon nanotubes having locally modified properties with the positioning of the modifications being controlled. More specifically, the positioning of nanotubes on a substrate with a deposited substance, and partially vaporizing part of the deposited substance etches the nanotubes. The modifications of the carbon nanotubes determine the electrical properties of the apparatus and applications such as a transistor or Shockley diode. Other applications of the above mentioned apparatus include a nanolaboratory that assists in study of merged quantum states between nanosystems and a macroscopic host system.
US07678702B2 CMP composition of boron surface-modified abrasive and nitro-substituted sulfonic acid and method of use
A composition and associated method for chemical mechanical planarization (or other polishing) are described. The composition contains a boron surface-modified abrasive, a nitro-substituted sulfonic acid compound, a per-compound oxidizing agent, and water. The composition affords high removal rates for barrier layer materials in metal CMP processes. The composition is particularly useful in conjunction with the associated method for metal CMP applications (e.g., step 2 copper CMP processes).
US07678692B2 Fabrication method for a damascene bit line contact plug
A fabrication method for a damascene bit line contact plug. A semiconductor substrate has a first gate conductive structure, a second gate conductive structure and a source/drain region formed therebetween. A first conductive layer is formed in a space between the first gate conductive structure and the second gate conductive structure to be electrically connected to the source/drain region. An inter-layer dielectric with a planarized surface is formed to cover the first conductive layer, the first gate conductive structure, and the second gate conductive structure. A bit line contact hole is formed in the inter-layer dielectric to expose the top of the first conductive layer. A second conductive layer is formed in the bit line contact hole, in which the combination of the second conductive layer and the first conductive layer serves as a damascene bit line contact plug.
US07678689B2 Method of fabricating memory device
Disclosed herein is a method of fabricating a memory device. The method includes forming an etch stop layer, bit lines, and a first hard mask pattern over a semiconductor substrate. A first SNC plug is formed between the bit lines, and an etch process is performed to reduce the height of the first hard mask pattern and the first SNC plug, to increase a top width of the first hard mask pattern, and to reduce a top width of the first SNC plug. The method also includes forming a second hard mask pattern on the first hard mask pattern, and forming a second SNC plug between the second hard mask patterns.
US07678688B2 Method for forming metal interconnection in image sensor
A method for forming a metal interconnection in an image sensor includes forming a first interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer having a contact plug over a substrate, forming a diffusion barrier layer over the first ILD layer, performing a forming gas annealing, forming a second ILD layer over the diffusion barrier layer, etching the second ILD layer and the diffusion barrier layer to form a trench, forming a conductive layer to fill the trench, and planarizing the conductive layer to form a metal interconnection electrically connected to the contact plug.
US07678684B2 Semiconductor integrated circuit device
Interconnections are formed over an interlayer insulating film which covers MISFETQ1 formed on the principal surface of a semiconductor substrate, while dummy interconnections are disposed in a region spaced from such interconnections. Dummy interconnections are disposed also in a scribing area. Dummy interconnections are not formed at the peripheries of a bonding pad and a marker. In addition, a gate electrode of a MISFET and a dummy gate interconnection formed of the same layer are disposed. Furthermore, dummy regions are disposed in a shallow trench element-isolation region. After such dummy members are disposed, an insulating film is planarized by the CMP method.
US07678683B2 Method of fabricating copper damascene and dual damascene interconnect wiring
An integrated circuit and a method of manufacturing the integrated circuit, the method including: (a) providing a substrate; (b) forming a copper diffusion barrier layer on the substrate; (c) forming a dielectric layer on a top surface of the copper diffusion barrier layer; (d) forming a copper damascene or dual damascene wire in the dielectric layer, a top surface of the copper damascene or dual damascene wire coplanar with a top surface of the dielectric layer; (e) forming a first capping layer on the top surface of the wire and the top surface of the dielectric layer; (f) after step (e) performing one or more characterization procedures in relation to said integrated circuit; and (g) after step (e) forming a second capping layer on a top surface of the first capping layer.
US07678682B2 Ultraviolet assisted pore sealing of porous low k dielectric films
Processes for sealing porous low k dielectric film generally comprises exposing the porous surface of the porous low k dielectric film to ultraviolet (UV) radiation at intensities, times, wavelengths and in an atmosphere effective to seal the porous dielectric surface by means of carbonization, oxidation, and/or film densification. The surface of the surface of the porous low k material is sealed to a depth less than or equal to about 20 nanometers, wherein the surface is substantially free of pores after the UV exposure.
US07678681B2 Electronic component built-in substrate and method of manufacturing the same
In an electronic component built-in substrate of the present invention, an electronic component is mounted on a mounted body having a first wiring layer, the electronic component is embedded in an insulating layer, a conductive ball is arranged to pass through the insulating layer and connected electrically to the first wiring layer, a second wiring layer connected electrically to the conductive ball is formed on the insulating layer, and the first wiring layer and the second wiring layer are interlayer-connected via the conductive ball.
US07678676B2 Method for fabricating semiconductor device with recess gate
A method for fabricating a semiconductor device with a recess gate includes providing a substrate, forming an isolation layer over the substrate to define an active region, forming mask patterns with a first width opening exposing a region where recess patterns are to be formed, and a second width opening smaller than the first width and exposing the isolation layer, forming a passivation layer along a height difference of the mask patterns, etching the substrate using the passivation layer and the mask patterns as an etch barrier to form recess patterns, removing the passivation layer and the mask patterns, and forming gate patterns protruding from the substrate to fill the recess patterns.
US07678674B1 Memory cell dual pocket implant
A method of forming implants for a memory cell includes forming an oxide-nitride-oxide (ONO) stack over a substrate and implanting first impurities in the substrate adjacent each side of the ONO stack using a first implantation energy and a first tilt angle to produce first pocket implants. The method further includes implanting second impurities in the substrate adjacent each side of the ONO stack using a second implantation energy and a second tilt angle to produce second pocket implants, where the second implantation energy is substantially larger than the first implantation energy and where the second tilt angle is substantially larger than the first tilt angle.
US07678672B2 Carbon nanotube fabrication from crystallography oriented catalyst
A device and method associated with carbon nanowires, such as single walled carbon nanowires having a high degree of alignment are set forth herein. A catalyst layer is deposited having a predetermined crystallographic configuration so as to control a growth parameter, such as an alignment direction, a diameter, a crystallinity and the like of the carbon nanowire. The catalyst layer is etched to expose a sidewall portion. The carbon nanowire is nucleated from the exposed sidewall portion. An electrical circuit device can include a single crystal substrate, such as Silicon, and a crystallographically oriented catalyst layer on the substrate having an exposed sidewall portion. In the device, carbon nanowires are disposed on the single crystal substrate aligned in a direction associated with the crystallographic properties of the catalyst layer.
US07678669B2 Method for manufacturing semiconductor substrate
The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a semiconductor substrate in which a semiconductor wafer, formed of a material less likely to increase the hole diameter, is processed to a semiconductor substrate actually applicable to an existing manufacture line. An SiC wafer 12 is temporarily fixed to a Si wafer 18 through a wax 20. The SiC wafer 12 temporarily fixed to the Si wafer 18 is overlapped with a Si wafer 14 having the same hole diameter as the Si wafer 18 through an SOG film 16P. Orientation flats 14A and 18A are aligned, and while the Si wafers 14 and 18 are overlapped with each other, heating is performed under pressure to solidify the SOG film 16P, whereby an SOG solidified film 16S is formed. With the aid of the SOG solidified film 16S, the SiC wafer 12 is adhered to the Si wafer 14. The SiC wafer 12 is adhered at a predetermined position of the Si wafer 14 facing the SiC wafer 12 so as to be transferred from the Si wafer 18 to the Si wafer 14. The unneeded Si wafer 18 is detached, and the wax 20 is then removed.
US07678659B2 Method of reducing current leakage in a metal insulator metal semiconductor capacitor and semiconductor capacitor thereof
A method for reducing leakage current in a semiconductor capacitor. The method includes providing a top plate for collecting charge, providing a bottom plate for collecting an opposing charge to the top plate, providing a dielectric layer for insulation between the top plate and the bottom plate, providing a top contact, providing a bottom contact, providing a plurality of vias including top level vias for connecting the top plate to the top contact, and bottom level vias for connecting the bottom plate to the bottom contact; and separating a via and an adjacent structure such that their distance is greater than a minimum via spacing requirement of a foundry design rule for a semiconductor process producing the semiconductor capacitor.
US07678656B2 Method of fabricating an enhanced resurf HVPMOS device
An HV PMOS device formed on a substrate having an HV well of a first polarity type formed in an epitaxial layer of a second polarity type includes a pair of field oxide regions on the substrate and at least partially over the HV well. Insulated gates are formed on the substrate between the field oxide regions. Stacked hetero-doping rims are formed in the HV well and in self-alignment with outer edges of the gates. A buffer region of the first polarity type is formed in the HV well between and in self-alignment with inner edges of the gates. A drift region of the second polarity type is formed in the buffer region between and in self-alignment with inner edges of the gates. The drift region includes a region having a gradual dopant concentration change, and includes a drain region of the second polarity type.
US07678654B2 Buried bitline with reduced resistance
A memory cell array includes a number of memory cells, each of the memory cells including a source and a drain region defined by corresponding bitlines within a semiconductor substrate. Each of the bitlines has a doped semiconductor region as well as a conductive region in direct electrical contact with the doped semiconductor region.
US07678648B2 Subresolution silicon features and methods for forming the same
Novel etch techniques are provided for shaping silicon features below the photolithographic resolution limits. FinFET devices are defined by recessing oxide and exposing a silicon protrusion to an isotropic etch, at least in the channel region. In one implementation, the protrusion is contoured by a dry isotropic etch having excellent selectivity, using a downstream microwave plasma etch.
US07678640B1 Method of threshold voltage control in metal-oxide-semiconductor devices
Methods are provided for manufacturing a semiconductor circuit on a substrate of a first conductivity type to control threshold voltages of devices in the circuit. One method involves: (i) forming a photoresist mask on a surface of the substrate defining a well boundary around an area in which a well is to be formed; (ii) implanting ions into the substrate to form a well of a second conductivity type, wherein a region proximal to the well boundary is effected by lateral scattering of the ions by the mask; and (iii) forming a channel of a device, at least a portion of the channel formed in the region proximal to the well boundary, wherein the ions are implanted at an acute angle to the surface substrate to shadow the portion of the channel from at least some of the ions implanted to form the channel. Other embodiments are also provided.
US07678639B2 Inductor formed in an integrated circuit
An inductor formed within an integrated circuit and a method for forming the inductor. The inductor comprises an underlying layer of aluminum formed in a first metallization layer and patterned and etched into the desired shape. In one embodiment the aluminum line comprises a spiral shape. According to a damascene process, a conductive runner, preferably of copper, is formed in a dielectric layer overlying the aluminum line and in electrical contact therewith. The aluminum line and the conductive runner cooperate to form the inductor. In another embodiment the aluminum line and the conductive runner are formed in a vertically spaced-apart orientation, with tungsten plugs or conductive vias formed to provide electrical connection therebetween. A method for forming the inductor comprises forming an aluminum conductive line and forming a conductive runner over the conductive line.
US07678637B2 CMOS fabrication process
Ultra high temperature (UHT) anneals above 1200 C for less than 100 milliseconds for PMOS transistors reduce end of range dislocations, but are incompatible with stress memorization technique (SMT) layers used to enhance NMOS on-state current. This invention reverses the conventional order of forming the NMOS first by forming PSD using carbon co-implants and UHT annealing them before implanting the NSD and depositing the SMT layer. End of range dislocation densities in the PSD space charge region below 100 cm−2 are achieved. Tensile stress in the PMOS from the SMT layer is significantly reduced. The PLDD may also be UHT annealed to reduce end of range dislocations close to the PMOS channel.
US07678630B2 Strained semiconductor device and method of making same
A method of making a semiconductor device is disclosed. An upper surface of a semiconductor body is amorphized and a liner is formed over the amorphized upper surface. The upper surface can then be annealed. A transistor is formed at the upper surface.
US07678629B1 Method for fabricating a recessed ohmic contact for a PHEMT structure
According to an exemplary embodiment, a PHEMT (pseudomorphic high electron mobility transistor) structure includes a conductive channel layer. The PHEMT structure further includes at least one doped layer situated over the conductive channel layer. The at least one doped layer can include a heavily doped layer situated over a lightly doped layer. The PHEMT structure further includes a recessed ohmic contact situated on the conductive channel layer, where the recessed ohmic contact is situated in a source/drain region of the PHEMT structure, and where the recessed ohmic contact extends below the at least one doped layer. According to this exemplary embodiment, the recessed ohmic contact is bonded to the conductive channel layer. The recessed ohmic contact is situated adjacent to the at least one doped layer. The PHEMT structure further includes a spacer layer situated between the at least one doped layer and the conductive channel layer.
US07678624B2 Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing same
Disclosed is a semiconductor device having a driver circuit operable at high speed and a method for manufacturing same. An active matrix liquid crystal display device uses a polysilicon film for its TFT active layer constituting a pixel matrix circuit because of low off current characteristics. On the other hand, a TFT active layer constituting driver circuits and a signal processing circuit uses a poly silicon germanium film because of high speed operation characteristics.
US07678616B2 Thermal management method including a metallic layer directly on an integrated heat spreader and integrated circuit
An apparatus, method, and system for providing thermal management for an integrated circuit includes a first metallic layer directly placed on a back surface of the integrated circuit. An integrated heat spreader with a substantially cap-like shape is placed over the integrated circuit, with an aperture of a ceiling wall of the integrated heat spreader exposing a back surface of the integrated circuit at least in part. The first metallic layer is directly placed on top of an exterior surface of the ceiling wall of the integrated heat spreader as well as the back surface of the integrated circuit.
US07678615B2 Semiconductor device with gel-type thermal interface material
Various methods and apparatus for establishing a thermal pathway for a semiconductor device are disclosed. In one aspect, a method of manufacturing is provided that includes forming a metal layer on a semiconductor chip and forming a gel-type thermal interface material layer on the metal layer. A solvent and a catalyst material are applied to the metal layer prior to forming the gel-type thermal interface material layer to facilitate bonding between the gel-type thermal interface material layer and the metal layer.
US07678614B2 Thermal interface material and method for making the same
A thermal interface material (100) includes a macromolecular matrix (10) and a plurality of thermally conductive fibers (20) incorporated therein. The macromolecular matrix (10) has a first surface (11) and an opposite second surface (12). Each of the thermally conductive fibers (20) is substantially parallel to each other and extends between the first and second surfaces (11), (12). A method for manufacturing the thermal interface material includes the steps of: (a) providing a number of thermally conductive fibers; (b) aligning the thermally conductive fibers uniformly and directionally to form an array of the thermally conductive fibers; (c) immersing the array of thermally conductive fibers into a liquid macromolecular material; (d) solidifying the liquid macromolecular material to obtain a macromolecular matrix having the two opposite surfaces with the thermally conductive fibers embedded therein, that is, a desired interface material is obtained.
US07678613B2 Integrated circuit edge protection method and apparatus
An apparatus, method, and system for providing a mechanical divider adapted to shield at least a portion of an active surface of an integrated circuit from out-gassing from underfill material. The mechanical divider is attached to a mounting substrate. The underfill material is dispensed on the mounting substrate. The integrated circuit is placed on both the mechanical divider and on the underfill material after the mechanical divider has been at least partially cured. The mechanical divider may include a base surface adapted to contact the mounting substrate, a lower wall surface extending upwardly from the base surface, an upper wall surface adapted to abut a side wall of the integrated circuit, and a ledge surface extending between the lower wall surface and the upper wall surface, the ledge surface adapted to contact at least a portion of the active surface of the integrated circuit.
US07678608B2 Process for producing wiring circuit board
The present invention provides a process for producing a wiring circuit board which can be inhibited from developing whiskers and can be reduced in the unevenness of connectivity with electronic parts while retaining the connectivity. According to the present invention, a wiring pattern 12 comprising a thin metal film 31 and a conductor layer 33 is formed on a base insulating layer BIL. A tin-plated layer 34 is formed by electroless plating so as to coat the wiring pattern 12 therewith. The wiring pattern 12 and the tin-plated layer 34 are then subjected to a heat treatment. The heat treatment temperature and heat treatment period are regulated to 175 to 225° C. and 2 to 10 minutes, respectively. By the heat treatment, a mixture layer 35 comprising copper and tin is formed. Thereafter, a solder resist SOL is formed over the base insulating layer so as to cover the wiring pattern 12 and tin-plated layer 34 in given regions. Subsequently, the solder resist SOL is subjected to a heat curing treatment.
US07678604B2 Method for manufacturing CMOS image sensor
Disclosed is a CMOS image sensor and a method for manufacturing a CMOS image sensor. The method includes: (a) forming a resist film on a semiconductor substrate comprising a light sensing part, a protecting layer over the light sensing part, and an exposed bonding pad; (b) forming a color filter array on the thin resist film; (c) forming a plurality of microlenses over the color filter array; and (d) etching the resultant structure until the bonding pad is exposed.
US07678600B2 Process for manufacturing a membrane of semiconductor material integrated in, and electrically insulated from, a substrate
A process for manufacturing an integrated membrane made of semiconductor material includes the step of forming, in a monolithic body of semiconductor material having a front face, a buried cavity, extending at a distance from the front face and delimiting with the front face a surface region of the monolithic body, the surface region forming a membrane that is suspended above the buried cavity. The process further envisages the step of forming an insulation structure in a surface portion of the monolithic body to electrically insulate the membrane from the monolithic body; and the further and distinct step of setting the insulation structure at a distance from the membrane so that it will be positioned outside the membrane at a non-zero distance of separation.
US07678597B2 Method of manufacturing semiconductor device including gallium-nitride semiconductor structure and a palladium contact
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device provides a semiconductor device with a gallium-nitride-based semiconductor structure that allows long-term stable operation without degradation in device performance. After formation of an insulation film on a surface other than on a ridge surface, an oxygen-containing gas such as O2, O3, NO, N2O, or NO2 is supplied to oxidize a p-type GaN contact layer from the surface and to thereby form an oxide film on the surface of the p-type GaN contact layer. Then, a p-type electrode that establishes contact with the p-type GaN contact layer is formed by evaporation or sputtering on the oxide film and on the insulation film. Heat treatment is subsequently performed at temperatures between 400 and 700° C. in an atmosphere containing a nitrogen-containing gas such as N2 or NH3 or an inert gas such as Ar or He.
US07678594B2 Integrated optical device and fabrication method thereof
An integrated optical device comprising a first semiconductor optical element provided on a first region of the main face of a substrate and a second semiconductor optical element provided on a second region and optically coupled to the first semiconductor optical element is fabricated. A first III-V compound semiconductor layer containing Al element is formed on the main face. A second III-V compound semiconductor layer for forming the first semiconductor optical element is then formed on the first III-V compound semiconductor layer. An etching mask M is formed on the first region. The end point of the dry etching is detected by using the etching mask M to dry-etch the second III-V compound semiconductor layer while detecting Al element. The first semiconductor optical element is thus formed. The second semiconductor optical element is formed on the second region.
US07678589B2 Semiconductor device for providing capacitive semiconductor sensor and method for manufacturing capacitive semiconductor sensor
A method for manufacturing a capacitive semiconductor sensor includes: forming a plurality of circuit chips in a wafer, wherein each circuit chip includes a pad for testing a sensor chip; bonding the sensor chip on each circuit chip with a bump so that the sensor chip is electrically coupled with the circuit chip, wherein each sensor chip is made of semiconductor and has a capacitance changing portion, which is disposed on one side of the sensor chip and has a variable capacitance, wherein the circuit chip detects a capacitance change of the sensor chip, and wherein the one side of the sensor chip faces the circuit chip; testing each sensor chip through the pad; and cutting the wafer into individual circuit chips so that the circuit chip and the sensor chip provide the capacitive semiconductor sensor.
US07678581B2 Correlating chemical and spatial data within pathology samples
A tissue sample to be analyzed is tested. Multiple different samples of multiple areas of said tissue sample, each of said multiple areas is a smaller area than an entire tissue sample to be analyzed. After analysis, the tissue sample is processed in a way that facilitates viewing tumor information on the sample, for example, by fixing or staining. An area is identified on the stained sample, and at least one of the samples that corresponds to an identified area is tested. This small area is tested using a technique that homogenizes the sample before testing.
US07678578B2 Cell permeabilization and stabilization reagent and method of use
A cell permeabilization and stabilization reagent and method of use are disclosed. The reagent contains a N-acyl sarcosine or a salt thereof, a pH adjusting agent to adjust pH of the reagent in a range from about 4 to about 6; and an aqueous medium; the reagent having a low ionic strength defined by a conductivity of less than 9.0 mS/cm. The reagent further contains bovine serum albumin and glycerol. The reagent may further include an alkyl sulfate surfactant. Upon incubating the cells with the reagent, the reagent permeates the cellular membrane to allow penetration of an intracellular marker, causes intracellular protein aggregation within the cellular membrane, while preserves a cellular constituent for binding with a cellular marker for subsequent analysis by flow cytometry.
US07678570B2 Human cell strains for protein production, provided by selecting strains with high intracellular protein and mutating with carcinogens
A novel human cell strain enabling the continuous production of a desired protein with high efficiency, comprising a novel human cell strain established by transforming a human cell strain whose total intracellular protein weight is 0.1 to 1 mg per 1,000,000 cells; with the novel human cell strain being further characterized in that after a gene encoding a desired protein is transfected into it, the transfected cell is subsequently cultured.
US07678567B2 Optical biosensor
An optical biosensor has a total reflection plate so as to totally internally reflect and transmit an incident light, a first grating and a second grating disposed separately on the total reflection plate, and a sensing membrane that is containing an enzyme and a chromogenic reagent and is sandwiched by the first and second gratings on the total reflection plate.
US07678563B2 Method and apparatus for controlling air pressure in an organ or tissue container
An organ perfusion apparatus and method monitor, sustain and/or restore viability of organs and preserve organs for storage and/or transport. Other apparatus include an organ transporter, an organ cassette and an organ diagnostic device. The apparatus and methods include the organ cassette with one or more openings configured to allow tubing to pass through the openings and be connected to the organ or tissue within the cassette, and including a pressure control device to allow pressure inside the portable housing to be varied.
US07678562B2 Addressable nanopores and micropores including methods for making and using same
Featured are devices and systems embodying one or more electrically-addressable-solid-state nanopores useful for sensing and/or characterizing single macromolecules as well as sequencing DNA or RNA. In one aspect of the present invention, there is featured a linear or 2-D electrically-addressable array of nanopores, where the nanopores are located at points of intersections between V-shaped grooves formed in an upper surface of the insulating member and a V-shaped groove formed in a lower surface of the insulating member. In another aspect of the present invention the solid-state nanopore of the present invention the width and/or length of the nanopore is defined or established by sharp edges of cleaved crystals that are maintained in fixed relation during the formation of the insulating member including the nanopore.
US07678561B2 Robust expression of a bioactive mammalian protein in chlamydomonas chloroplast
Methods and compositions are disclosed to engineer chloroplast comprising heterologous mammalian genes via a direct replacement of chloroplast Photosystem II (PSII) reaction center protein coding regions to achieve expression of recombinant protein above 5% of total protein. When algae is used, algal expressed protein is produced predominantly as a soluble protein where the functional activity of the peptide is intact. As the host algae is edible, production of biologics in this organism for oral delivery or proteins/peptides, especially gut active proteins, without purification is disclosed.
US07678557B2 Methods for the accumulation and retention of immune-enhancing, bacterial-derived ribonucleotides (ORN) in bacteria
The invention relates to methods for the accumulation and retention of immune-enhancing, bacterial-derived ribonucleotides smaller than 10,000 Daltons (ORN<10 kDa) in bacteria that are produced when bacteria are grown naturally, allowing the pH of the growth medium to become acidic. The immune-enhancing, bacterial-derived ribonucleotides (ORN) and bacteria comprising ORN are useful in the preparation of animal feed or animal drinking water as well as for use in enhancing the immune system of an animal and/or its resistance to infection. The invention also discloses methods of preventing the loss of ORN during bacterial production and storage as well as methods to aid in the release of ORN when consumed by an animal.
US07678555B2 Production of crystalline short chain amylose
A process for producing a starch comprises treating a feed starch that comprises amylopectin with glucanotransferase to produce a chain-extended starch, and treating the chain-extended starch with a debranching enzyme to produce a starch product that comprises amylose fragments. At least about 38% by weight of the amylose fragments have a degree of polymerization (DP) of at least about 35.
US07678546B1 Solid-state NMR method for screening cell membrane protein binding drug candidates
Disclosed is a method for detection of ligand-cell membrane protein binding by solid state NMR spectroscopy. The method starts by forming a lipid bilayer inside nanopores of an anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) substrate, the lipid bilayer containing a membrane protein sample. The AAO substrate is treated with multiple candidate ligands having potential binding affinity for the membrane protein. Solid-state NMR analysis is performed on the treated AAO/lipid preparation so as to generate an NMR spectrum for the treated membrane protein. The solid-state NMR spectrum of the treated membrane protein is compared with the spectrum of the same preparation of membrane protein in the absence of the ligands. It is then determined whether the solid-state NMR spectrum of the treated membrane protein has shifted from the NMR spectrum of the untreated membrane protein, a shift being indicative of protein binding by the candidate ligand.
US07678541B2 Methods and compositions for the detection of a nucleic acid using a non-invasive cleavage reaction
The invention provides methods, compositions and kits for generating a signal indicative of the presence of a target nucleic acid sequence in a sample comprising forming a cleavage structure by incubating a sample comprising a target nucleic acid sequence with upstream and downstream oligonucleotides, and cleaving the cleavage structure with a nuclease to generate a signal. The presence of a detectable signal is indicative of the presence of a target nucleic acid sequence and a non-invasive cleavage structure.
US07678540B2 Template-directed assembly of receptor signaling complexes
Transmembrane receptors in the signaling pathways of bacterial chemotaxis systems influence cell motility by forming noncovalent complexes with the cytoplasmic signaling proteins to regulate their activity. The requirements for receptor-mediated activation of CheA, the principal kinase of the Escherichia coli chemotaxis signaling pathway, can be demonstrated using self-assembled clusters of a receptor fragment (CF) derived from the cytoplasmic domain of the aspartate receptor, Tar. Histidine-tagged Tar CF can be assembled on the surface of unilamellar vesicles via a lipid containing the Nickel-nitrilotriacetic acid moiety as a headgroup. The stability of such a complex can be controlled by the properties of the template including the size and composition, which can be used, for example, to vary the 2-dimensional concentration of receptor fragments. Surface-assembled CF is also found to serve as a substrate for receptor methylation, which is catalyzed by the receptor transferase. Since neither CheA activation nor CF methylation is observed in comparable samples in the absence of vesicles, it is concluded that surface-templating generates the organization among CF subunits required for biochemical activity.
US07678538B2 Disinfection of biological fluids using asymmetric cyanine dyes
Asymmetric cyanine dyes of Formula I bind nucleic acid but not red blood cell membrane, and function as photosensitizers when rigidly bound but not when free in solution. Unbound dye thus causes minimal oxidative damage. The dyes do not substantially accumulate in red blood cells, thereby minimizing hemolysis due to oxidative damage. Biological fluids can be disinfected by mixing the fluid with these asymmetric cyanine dye that binds to nucleic acid, irradiating the mixture, and recovering clinically significant components from the biological fluid and/or assaying the fluid for pathogens.
US07678536B2 Method for manufacturing liquid discharge head, liquid discharge head, and liquid discharge recording apparatus
A method for manufacturing a liquid discharge head including an energy generating element for generating energy used to discharge a liquid, a discharge opening for discharging the liquid, and a channel for supplying the liquid to the discharge opening is provided. The method includes a step of forming a lamination on a substrate provided with the energy generating element, such that the lamination includes a plurality of laminated negative photosensitive resin layers with a light shielding film pattern for forming the channel, the light shielding film pattern being disposed therebetween, a step of exposing a portion which is set to be a member consisting the channel of the negative photosensitive resin layers in the lamination; and a step of removing an unexposed portion of the negative photosensitive resin layers in the lamination.
US07678533B2 Heat-sensitive lithographic printing plate precursor
A heat-sensitive lithographic printing plate precursor is disclosed which comprises a support having a hydrophilic surface and a coating which does not dissolve in an aqueous alkaline developer in the unexposed areas and which becomes soluble in an aqueous alkaline developer in the exposed areas, and an intermediate layer between said hydrophilic surface or said hydrophilic layer and said coating, wherein the intermediate layer comprises a first polymer having a first monomeric unit of formula I wherein R1, R2 and R3 are independently a hydrogen atom or an optionally substituted alkyl group, R4 and R5 are independently an optionally substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl or arylalkyl group. The precursor exhibits an excellent differentiation in dissolution kinetics between the exposed and non-exposed areas of the coating and a high chemical resistance against printing liquids and press chemicals.
US07678532B2 Method of processing a substrate
The present invention provides a method of processing a substrate, comprising a reflow process for forming a desired pattern by dissolving a resist pattern, whereby occurrence of defectives, such as disconnection, can be prevented, and a pattern having an appropriate uniformity can be formed efficiently on each predetermined area desired to be masked. From a photoresist pattern 206 including thicker film portions and thinner film portions, the thinner film portions are removed by a re-developing process. Next, the photoresist so formed by the re-developing process on a backing layer 205 is dissolved such that it passes through a stepped portion 205a formed at each edge portion 205b of the backing layer 205, thereby masking a predetermined area Tg. Upon masking the predetermined area Tg, the photoresist 206 is dissolved in a first dissolving-speed mode on the backing layer 205, and then after the photoresist to be dissolved reaches the stepped portion 205a, the photoresist 206 is dissolved in a second dissolving-speed mode which is slower than the first dissolving-speed mode.
US07678531B2 Positive-working imageable elements
Positive-working imageable elements have a substrate and an imageable layer that can be used to prepare lithographic printing plates. The imageable elements also include a radiation absorbing compound, and a mixture of first and second polymers in the same imageable layer. The first polymer has two or more centered H-bonds (hydrogen bonds) within a non-covalently bonded unit, and the second polymer is a polyvinyl acetal. This mixture of polymers in the same imageable layer provides improved solvent resistance and processing latitude without a loss in imaging speed.
US07678530B2 Lactone-containing compound, polymer, resist composition, and patterning process
Lactone-containing compounds having formula (1) are novel wherein A1 is a polymerizable functional group having a double bond, R1 is a monovalent C1-C10 hydrocarbon group in which some or all hydrogen atoms are substituted by fluorine atoms, and W is CH2, O or S. They are useful as monomers to produce polymers for the formulation of radiation-sensitive resist compositions which have high transparency to radiation of up to 500 nm and exhibit good development properties. Radiation-sensitive resist compositions comprising the polymers as base resin exhibit high resolution and prevent dissolution in water and penetration of water when processed by immersion lithography.
US07678524B2 Magnetic toner
A magnetic toner including at least: a binder resin; and a magnetic body, in which, when magnetization at a magnetic field strength of 397.9 kA/m and a coercive force of the magnetic toner are denoted by σs (Am2/kg) and Hc (kA/m), respectively, a magnetic field strength at which the magnetic toner shows a magnetization value equal to 95% of σs is denoted by H95% (kA/m), and a number average particle size of the magnetic body is denoted by d (μm), H95%, Hc, and d satisfy the following expressions. 151
US07678522B2 Toner, and developer, image forming method, image forming apparatus, and process cartridge using the toner
A toner is provided prepared by a wet granulation method, comprising a binder resin and a colorant, wherein the toner adsorbs ammonia (NH3) in an amount of from 70 to 400 μmol/m2 per unit of specific surface area and carbon dioxide (CO2) in an amount of not greater than 10 μmol/m2 per unit of specific surface area.
US07678518B2 Electrophotographic photoreceptor, and process cartridge and image-forming apparatus using the same
An electrophotographic photoreceptor including a conductive substrate, and a photosensitive layer, an intermediate layer, and a surface layer formed thereon in this order, wherein the surface layer contains a Group 13 element and at least one of nitrogen or oxygen.
US07678513B2 Photo mask, focus measuring method using the mask, and method of manufacturing semiconductor device
A photo mask includes an asymmetrical diffraction grating pattern in which diffraction efficiencies of plus primary diffracted light and minus primary diffracted light are different, the asymmetrical diffraction grating pattern including a shielding portion which shields light, a first transmitting portion which transmits light, and a second transmitting portion which transmits light, a ratio of widths of the shielding portion, the first transmitting portion, and the second transmitting portion being n11 where n is a positive real number except 2, the asymmetrical diffraction grating pattern approximately satisfying 163°≦360°/(n+2)+θ≦197° where θ (≠90°) indicates an absolute value of a difference between a phase of the light transmitted through the first transmitting portion and that of the light transmitted through the second transmitting portion, and a reference pattern for obtaining an image as a reference for measuring a shift of an image of the asymmetrical diffraction grating pattern.
US07678509B2 Method of producing phase shift masks
A light-shielding film pattern 2a having a main opening 5 and auxiliary openings 6 is formed in a first process and, then, recess etching of a transparent substrate (formation of a substrate etched portion 8) is performed in a second process. Thus, the main opening and auxiliary openings can be simultaneously exposed in the first process and the positioning accuracy of them becomes excellent. Patterning of a light-shielding film 2 is performed by the use of an etching mask layer 3a and therefore the processing accuracy of the light-shielding film becomes excellent. The etching mask layer 3a is removed in a third process as the final process and thus the light-shielding film pattern 2a can be protected by the etching mask layer 3a upon recess-etching the transparent substrate in the second process. Thus, it is possible to prevent damage to the light-shielding film pattern 2a in the recess etching of the transparent substrate. Specifically, the etching mask layer 3a itself is damaged in the recess etching of the transparent substrate and this etching mask layer 3a is removed in the third process, causing no problem.
US07678507B2 Latent holographic media and method
A holographic recording medium having a polymer matrix comprising a developer, wherein the holographic recording medium is capable of recording a latent hologram and the developer is capable of developing the latent hologram into a readable hologram by activation of the developer is disclosed. The holographic recording medium is capable of storing large numbers of holograms in the same volume with better signal resolution than previous holographic media by first recording a multitude of latent (or very weak) holograms in the same volume of space, then applying preferably a non-chemical fixing step to develop the latent holograms into readable holograms. The holographic recording medium and method of this invention cause the holograms to increase in diffraction efficiency, thus preventing complications caused during recording of holograms whereby previously recorded holograms interfere with latter recorded holograms in the same volume of space within the media.
US07678506B2 Holographic recording medium and method for manufacturing the same
A holographic recording medium in which a thick holographic recording layer is formed without the use of multilayering and without accompanying thickness unevenness, scattering, and nonuniformity of dynamic range, and a method for manufacturing the same. The holographic recording medium 10 is configured by sandwiching a hybrid material layer 14 and a photopolymer layer 16 between first and second substrates 12 and 18. The hybrid material layer 14 contains an inorganic glass and a photopolymer as main ingredients. The photopolymer layer 16 subjected to heat or ultraviolet curing is provided on the dried hybrid material layer 14 such that the combined thickness of this hybrid material layer 14 and the photopolymer layer 16 is uniform. The second substrate 18 is bonded and fixed to this photopolymer layer 16 serving as a bonding layer.
US07678502B2 Alkaline storage cell and hydrogen storage alloy for negative electrode of alkaline storage cell
An alkaline storage cell has a positive electrode, a negative electrode containing a hydrogen storage alloy, and an alkaline electrolyte. The hydrogen storage alloy has a composition expressed by a general expression: ((PrNd)αLn1-α)1-βMgβNiγ-δ-εAlδTε, where Ln represents at least one element chosen from a group consisting of La, Ce, etc., T represents at least one element chosen from a group consisting of V, Nb, etc., and subscripts α, β, γ, δ and ε represent numerical values which satisfy 0.7<α, 0.05<β<0.15, 3.0≦γ≦4.2, 0.15≦δ≦0.30 and 0≦ε≦0.20.
US07678501B2 Storage battery manufacturing method which uses a polar plate having a foamed-metal electrode substrate and joins a current collector to the electrode substrate, and storage battery obtained through the manufacturing method
In the present invention, the electrode assembly is first formed, and then a tab portion is formed by compressing an active material unfilled portion in an electrode having a foamed-metal electrode substrate (Tab Portion Formation Step). Accordingly, in the manufacturing method of the present invention, even if winding misalignment is created in which the edge of the separator is located adjacent to one edge of the active material unfilled portion during the formation of the electrode assembly, the misaligned portion of the separator is pushed in the width direction of the electrode together with the active material unfilled portion when the compression is applied in the Tab Portion Formation Step. Herewith, it is less likely to tuck a part of the separator between the tab portion and the current collector when the current collector is joined in the Current Collector Joining Step.
US07678498B2 Nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery
A nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery includes a battery can container which houses a wound electrode body formed by winding a belt-shaped anode and cathode isolated by a separator together with an electrolytic solution, an anode terminal fixed to the battery can container through a gasket, and a safety valve incorporated between the anode terminal and the wound electrode body. The safety valve includes a safety cover annularly formed, a stripper disk annularly formed, and a disk holder, annularly formed, which houses the stripper disk in the safety cover to fix and integrate the safety cover and the stripper disk therewith.
US07678497B2 Multiple cell battery
A battery including: a solid electrolyte film; and a plurality of unit cells formed thereon and connected in parallel. Each of the unit cells consists of: a positive electrode provided on one side of the solid electrolyte film; a negative electrode provided on the other side of the solid electrolyte film at a position opposite to the positive electrode; and a part of the solid electrolyte film sandwiched between the positive electrode and the negative electrode.
US07678490B2 Polymer electrolyte fuel cell
A polymer electrolyte fuel cell is provided with a conductive separator having one or more gas flow channels for supplying and exhausting a gas to and from an electrode of the fuel cell. The gas flow channels are connected to and in fluid communication with an inlet manifold on the separator. The cell also includes a gas supply connection in fluid communication with the inlet manifold of the separator. Water accumulation in the cell can be advantageously reduced by configuring the connections to the inlet manifold so that the lowermost part of any gas flow channel connections with the inlet manifold is above the uppermost part of the gas supply connection to the inlet manifold.
US07678479B2 Hydrogen fuel delivery systems
A method for providing hydrogen to a hydrogen-powered device comprises providing a buffer connected to supply hydrogen to the device. The buffer is filled with hydrogen by coupling the buffer to a cartridge containing a predetermined quantity of hydrogen. The hydrogen in the cartridge may be stored in a form having a higher energy density than the hydrogen in the buffer. Systems comprising hydrogen-powered devices that include such buffers are also described.
US07678478B2 Fuel cell assembly having long life characteristics
A fuel cell assembly (20) has a plurality of characteristics that extend the useful life of the assembly. In one example, flow field layers are non-porous and hydrophobic such that they have an acid absorption rate of less than about 0.10 mg/khr-cm2. An electrolyte retaining matrix has a reaction rate with phosphoric acid of less than about 0.010 mg/khr-cm2. Hydrophilic substrates associated with catalyst layers have an initial transferable phosphoric acid content of less than about 25 mg/cm2. A condensation zone provides an evaporative phosphoric acid loss rate that is less than about 0.17 mg/khr-cm2.
US07678475B2 Spin-torque devices
Spin-torque devices are based on a combination of giant magnetoresistance (GMR) and tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) effects. The basic structure has various applications, including amplifiers, oscillators, and diodes. For example, if the low-magnetoresistance (GMR) contact is biased below a critical value, the device may function as a microwave-frequency selective amplifier. If the GMR contact is biased above the critical value, the device may function as a microwave oscillator. A plurality of low- and high-magnetoresistance contact pairs may be induced to oscillate in a phase-locked regime, thereby multiplying output power. The frequency of operation of these devices will be tunable by the external magnetic field, as well as by the direct bias current, in the frequency range between 10 and 100 GHz. The devices do not use semiconductor materials and are expected to be exceptionally radiation-hard, thereby finding application in military nanoelectronics.
US07678473B2 Organometallic complex and organic electroluminescent device using the same
Provided is an organometallic complex that highly effectively emits a phosphorescent light and an organic electroluminescent device using the same. The organometallic complex can be used to form an organic layer of an organic electroluminescent device, is a highly effective phosphorescent material emitting light of 400 nm to 650 nm, and can be used with a green emission material or a red emission material to emit a white light. In addition, the organometallic complex can be used in a solution process due to its high solubility, and thus, is suitable for large-scale screens.
US07678471B2 Surface modification to improve fireside corrosion resistance of Fe-Cr ferritic steels
An article of manufacture and a method for providing an Fe—Cr ferritic steel article of manufacture having a surface layer modification for corrosion resistance. Fe—Cr ferritic steels can be modified to enhance their corrosion resistance to liquid coal ash and other chemical environments, which have chlorides or sulfates containing active species. The steel is modified to form an aluminide/silicide passivating layer to reduce such corrosion.
US07678470B2 Reinforced matrix for molten carbonate fuel cell using porous aluminum support and method for preparing the molten carbonate fuel cell comprising the reinforced matrix
Disclosed is a reinforced matrix for a molten carbonate fuel cell comprising a porous aluminum support and a lithium aluminate tape-cast on the porous aluminum support. Further, disclosed is a method for preparing the molten carbonate fuel cell comprising the reinforced matrix comprising steps of tape-casting a lithium aluminate on a porous aluminum support so as to prepare a reinforced matrix (S1), making a unit cell or a stack of the unit cells using the reinforced matrix (S2) and heat treating the unit cell or the stack so as to oxidize aluminum in the support into lithium aluminate (S3). According to the present invention, the method is simple and economic, and the mass production of the matrix is easy, and strength of the matrix can be increased effectively and therefore there is no worry about fracture or crack.
US07678469B2 Decorative sheet, formed product and transportation apparatus
A decorative sheet that may be attached to a surface of an object includes a base member, which has first and second opposed principal surfaces; a protective layer, which is arranged over the first principal surface of the base member; and a coloring layer, which is arranged either over the second principal surface of the base member or between the base member and the protective layer and which includes a pigment. The protective layer has a thickness of about 30 μm to about 60 μm and includes about 1.4 wt % to about 4.0 wt % of UV absorbent material. The coloring layer has a thickness of about 15 μm to about 80 μm and includes about 1.0 wt % to about 4.0 wt % of UV absorbent material.
US07678468B2 Composition and method for the addition of saturated slip agents to multilayer polyethylene films
A multilayer polymer film comprising at least one core layer disposed between two skin layers, wherein at least one of the core layers, one of the skin layers, or both one of the core layers and one of the skin layers comprises a saturated organic fatty amide (SOFA) slip agent. A multilayer polymer film comprising an effective amount of a SOFA slip agent in at least one core layer such that the film exhibits blocking of equal to or less than about 75 grams. A method of packaging a product comprising providing a package fabricated from such films and placing the product in the package, wherein loose dust is not applied to the exterior of the package to reduce blocking. A method for the reduction of the presence of wax on the surface of a multilayer polymer film comprising adding a SOFA slip agent to a core layer of the film.
US07678466B2 Flooring having surface layer of synthetic resin and wood-based board
Disclosed herein is a flooring comprising a surface layer made of a synthetic resin, and a wood-based board as a base. Preferably, the surface layer includes a printed layer formed by general gravure, transfer, heat-sublimation, silk screen or digital printing using a printer, a protective made of a synthetic resin, and a UV-curable or heat-curable surface treatment layer. The wood-based board is selected from plywood, medium-density fiberboard (MDF), high-density fiberboard (HDF), particle board, and resin-wood flour composite board. The flooring may further comprise a bottom layer laminated under the wood-based board for protecting the flooring against moisture from the bottom. The flooring is cut into pieces having an appropriate size, and the pieces are processed into a finished product in a tongue and groove (T & G) shape.
US07678465B2 Aluminum phosphate compounds, compositions, materials and related metal coatings
Aluminophosphate compounds, compositions and/or materials as can be used for substrate coatings.
US07678461B2 Biaxially oriented polypropylene film provided with a cold-seal adhesive coating and having excellent lubricating properties
The invention relates to a multi-layer biaxially oriented polypropylene film consisting of a base layer at least one first cover layer. The base layer contains a hydrocarbon resin, and the cover layer contains a polydialkylsiloxane with a viscosity of at least 200.000 mm2/sec. The first cover layer is provided with a cold-seal adhesive coating on its outer surface.
US07678459B2 First surface mirror with silicon-metal oxide nucleation layer
A first surface mirror includes a reflective layer and one or more dielectric layers. In certain example embodiments, a silicon metal oxide (e.g., silicon aluminum oxide) inclusive nucleation layer(s) is provided above and/or below the reflective layer in order to improve durability of the first surface mirror.
US07678458B2 Bonding silicon silicon carbide to glass ceramics
A wafer chuck for use in a lithographic apparatus, which includes a low-thermal expansion glass ceramic substrate, a silicon silicon carbide layer, and a bonding layer comprising silicate having a strength of at least about 5 megapascals, the bonding layer attaching the silicon silicon carbide layer to the substrate is described. Also, a method of forming a wafer chuck for use in a lithographic apparatus, which includes coating a portion of one or both of a low-thermal expansion glass ceramic substrate and a silicon silicon carbide layer with a bonding solution, and contacting the substrate and the silicon silicon carbide layer to bond the substrate and the silicon silicon carbide layer together is described.
US07678456B2 Aqueous coating composition
An aqueous coating composition including a polyurethane polymer which contains carboxylic acid groups, a crosslinking agent, a wetting agent, a slip aid, and a UV stabilizing agent is provided. Coatings prepared from the aqueous coating composition are durable and have low surface friction, flexibility at low temperatures, and adhesion to low surface energy substrates. A method of preparing a substrate coated with the aqueous coating composition and an article containing the coated substrate are also provided. The aqueous coating composition is useful for providing a protective coating with a low friction surface for automotive weatherstrip.
US07678455B2 Layered film and process for producing layered film
A laminated film is provided, in which a laminated layer including at least 50 percent by weight of composition (A) and cross-linking agent (B) is laminated on at least one surface of a thermoplastic resin film, wherein the composition (A) is a composition comprising a polythiophene and a polyanion or a composition comprising a polythiophene derivative and a polyanion, and the laminated layer has a sea-island structure in which the cross-linking agent (B) is present in the composition (A). Consequently, a laminated film exhibits an unprecedentedly high level of antistatic property unaffected by changes in humidity, and has excellent transparency, water resistance, and scratch resistance.
US07678454B2 Method for forming finely-structured parts, finely-structured parts formed thereby, and product using such finely-structured part
In a formation method for forming a fine structure in a workpiece (30) containing an etching control component, using an isotropic etching process, a mask (32, 34) having an opening (36) is applied to the workpiece, and the workpiece is etched with an etching solution (38) to thereby form a recess (40), corresponding to a shape of the opening, in a surface of the workpiece. The etching of the workpiece is stopped due to the etching control component eluted out of the workpiece in the etching solution within the recess during the isotropic etching process.
US07678453B2 Multi-function surface-coating fire and fuel-leakage inhibition
Barrier structure for furnishing, selectively and variously, penetration and fire-threat protection on the outside surface of a target structure. The barrier structure includes a high-elastomeric coating having an inner face bonded to such a surface, an exposed outer face, and, within this coating, at least one elastomeric layer region extending to the outer face, and containing an embedded distribution of intumescence elements. Basic variations of this structure include (a) an additional layer region which is formed with elastomeric-material including an embedded distribution of liquid-imbiber beads, and (b) an additional layer region which is formed purely of elastomeric material. The elastomeric material employed, and the embedded liquid-imbiber beads where included, react to liquid petroleum-based substances (1) to imbibe such liquid, (2) to swell in size as a result of such imbibing, and (3) to coagulate into a sticky mass.
US07678450B2 Sewing thread and process for producing the same
To provide a sewing thread that is excellent in high-speed sewability and automatic sewing characteristics. A sewing thread includes a plurality of under-twisted yarns provided with upper-twist, the yarns each being composed of a sheath-core structure yarn composed of two or more multifilament yarns, wherein part of the sheath-core structure yarn protrudes as loops on a yarn surface, the loops being composed of 50 to 300 loops/m with 0.7 to less than 1.2 mm length and 10 or less loops/m with 1.2 mm or more length, and wherein the yarns have a strength of 4 to 6 CN/dtex.
US07678436B2 Pressure sensitive adhesive film overlamination
There is disclosed an overlaminating adhesive film comprising a transparent film, an adhesive layer and a release material successively laminated in this order, wherein said release material has a surface contacting with the adhesive layer, said surface having a centerline average surface roughness of 0.5 μm or lower; an adhesive forming said adhesive layer has a pH of 7.2 to 8.5 in a solution state before applied, and is an acrylic emulsion-type adhesive having an average particle size of 200 nm or smaller; and a monomer component used for production of said adhesive includes an alkoxysilane group-containing unsaturated monomer in which each alkoxy group has 1 to 4 carbon atoms, but includes no hydroxy-containing unsaturated monomer. The overlaminating adhesive film of the present invention exhibits a good water resistance and is free from deterioration in its transparency due to lifting or bubbles when laminated on an adherend.
US07678431B2 Photostable liquid-crystalline medium
The invention relates to a photostable liquid-crystalline medium comprising at least one compound of the formula I  and at least one compound of the formula II  and to the use thereof for electro-optical purposes, and to displays containing this medium.
US07678430B2 Method and device for microwave plasma deposition of a coating on a thermoplastic container surface
The deposition of a coating on a thermoplastic container surface using low pressure plasma by excitation of a precursor gas with UHF electromagnetic waves in a circular shaped vacuum cavity receiving the container is provided. It includes dimensioning the cavity with respect to the frequency of the UHF electromagnetic waves so as to obtain a coupling mode generating several electromagnetic fields inside the cavity. In particular a TM 120 coupling mode is provided which generates two central fields (4A, 4B) inside the cavity, whereby two containers can be simultaneously treated in said cavity.
US07678429B2 Protective coating composition
A method of forming a coating on a powdered substrate, which method comprises introducing an atomized liquid and/or solid coating forming material and separately transporting a powdered substrate to be coated into an atmospheric plasma discharge and/or an ionized gas stream resulting therefrom, and exposing the powdered substrate to the atomized liquid and/or solid coating forming material.
US07678428B2 Plasma spraying method
A method of forming a thermally insulating layer system on a metallic substrate surface is disclosed. The method includes: forming a plasma beam; introducing a coating material in the form of a powder having particles in the range between 1 and 50 μm, carried by a delivery gas into the plasma beam, so as to form a powder beam; defocusing the powder beam by using the plasma beam with a sufficiently high specific enthalpy and by maintaining a process pressure between 50 and 2000 Pa for at least partially melting and vaporizing at least 5% by weight of the powder, so as to form a vapor phase cloud; and forming from the vapor phase cloud onto the metallic substrate surface an insulating layer, being a part of the insulating layer system, having an anisotropic columnar microstructure having elongate particles; wherein the anisotropic columnar microstructure is aligned substantially perpendicular to the metallic substrate surface and low-density transition regions with little material delimit the elongate particles relative to one another.
US07678423B2 System and method for depositing thin layers on non-planar substrates by stamping
An elastomeric stamp is used to deposit material on a non-planar substrate. A vacuum mold is used to deform the elastomeric stamp and pressure is applied to transfer material from the stamp to the substrate. By decreasing the vacuum applied by the vacuum mold, the elasticity of the stamp may be used to apply this pressure. Pressure also may be applied by applying a force to the substrate and/or the stamp. The use of an elastomeric stamp allows for patterned layers to be deposited on a non-planar substrate with reduced chance of damage to the patterned layer.
US07678421B2 Method for increasing deposition rates of metal layers from metal-carbonyl precursors
A method for increasing deposition rates of metal layers from metal-carbonyl precursors by mixing a vapor of the metal-carbonyl precursor with CO gas. The method includes providing a substrate in a process chamber of a deposition system, forming a process gas containing a metal-carbonyl precursor vapor and a CO gas, and exposing the substrate to the process gas to deposit a metal layer on the substrate by a thermal chemical vapor deposition process.
US07678420B2 Method of depositing germanium films
A chemical vapor deposition method provides a smooth continuous germanium film layer, which is deposited on a metallic substrate at a sufficiently lower temperature to provide a germanium device suitable for use with temperature sensitive materials such as aluminum and copper. Another chemical vapor deposition method provides a smooth continuous silicon germanium film layer, which is deposited on a silicon dioxide substrate at a sufficiently low temperature to provide a germanium device suitable for use with temperature sensitive materials such as aluminum, copper and chalcogenides memory materials.
US07678419B2 Formation of catalytic regions within porous structures using supercritical phase processing
A method of forming a catalytic region on a porous structure having an exterior surface and a plurality of pores, the method comprising: forming a supercritical dispersion, wherein the supercritical dispersion comprises a plurality of particles dispersed in a supercritical fluid; exposing the porous structure to the supercritical dispersion; and depositing the plurality of particles from the supercritical dispersion onto the porous structure, wherein each one of the deposited plurality of particles is catalytic, thereby forming one or more catalytic regions on the porous structure. The method is particularly well suited for creating catalytic regions within pre-formed microporous structures.
US07678414B2 Rollable floor mat with non-slip surface
Thin gage, rollable plastic vinyl floor mats can be provided with an abrasive and grit coating that will not deteriorate or degrade when the mats are rolled or otherwise substantially deformed. A special blend of epoxy adhesive and MEK is used to permanently bond the grit to the vinyl surface.
US07678413B2 Monoclinic CeTi2O6 thin film and sol-gel process for the preparation thereof
A monoclinic CeTi2O6 thin film and a sol-gel process for the deposition of CeTi2O6 thin films, which has applications as passive counter electrodes in electrochromic devices, sensors and photocatalytic agent is presented. This film can be obtained by spin coating a solution, which comprises both titanium and cerium precursors on to electrically conducting or insulating glass substrates and annealing at a temperature of 600° C. for 5 min. in air. The Ce:Ti mole ratio in the deposition sol for the preparation of the film is identified in the range of 0.4:1 and 0.6:1.
US07678408B2 Method for compensating film height modulations in spin coating of a resist film layer
A method compensates film height modulations in spin coating of a resist film layer. From a desired layout pattern, a substrate topography as a result of lithographically structuring in image fields is determined. A spin coating model is provided to determine a modeled resist film height based on the substrate topography during spin coating of a resist film. A nominal resist film height by using the spin coating model with an unperturbed substrate topography having a flat surface is determined. Next, film height modulations based on a difference are determined for test points and the desired layout pattern is optimized by implementing further structural elements in order to form an optimized mask pattern by minimizing the film height modulations.
US07678403B2 Whole grain non-dairy milk production, products and use
A method comprising selection of unbroken whole grain rice that are first washed, or whole grain corn that is first reduced in size, and then making an aqueous slurry that is subsequently wet milled to release all the protein, fat, fiber, and starch components normally held in the structure of the grain. The resulting slurry can be reacted with heat to gelatinize the starch and the subsequent product dried. Also, the heated slurry containing the liberated components can be treated to enzymatic hydrolysis via the process of liquefaction and optionally saccharification, producing whole grain rice milk products having diverse carbohydrate compositions. The whole grain milk products are characterized by a nutritional composition containing substantially all the nutritional components of the whole grain, being an opaque whole milk colloid, having smooth texture versus pulpiness, lacking in all bitterness normally associated with whole grain products, and having a variety of sweetness levels from non-sweet to very sweet.
US07678401B2 Blanching vegetables
A method for blanching vegetable material comprising heat treating the vegetable material in a current of hot air at a temperature in the range from above 100° C. to 150° C. in an environment which substantially reduces evaporative loss of water from the vegetable material.
US07678400B2 Method of cooking cone-shaped food items
Cone-shaped food items and cones having various food stuffs in them are cooked by placing a cone-shaped food item into a cone-shaped heating station that travels through an oven and past an inclined heater element. The heating station rotates the cone-shaped food item so that it is uniformly heated as it passes through the oven.
US07678397B2 Edible dissolving gelatin strips
Orally disintegrating or dissolving edible strips for use as a matrix for retaining and delivering nutrients, flavors and medicinal compounds are made from new liquid film casting compositions comprising a major proportion of gelatin. The particularly low melting range for hydrated gelatin produces films that leave virtually no residue upon dissolving in the mouth and can be used in the form of thicker films and strips than known edible films.
US07678392B2 Colour reduction in canola protein isolate
In the recovery of canola protein isolates from canola oil seeds steps are taken to inhibit the formation of coloring components and to reduce the presence of materials tending to form coloring components, to obtain a lighter and less yellow canola protein isolate.
US07678391B2 Formulations and methods of using nitric oxide mimetics against a malignant cell phenotype
The present invention relates to methods and formulations for inhibiting, treating and preventing a malignant cell phenotype, cell, tumor and/or disease. Administration of nitric oxide mimetics, such as low doses, is sufficient to increase, restore or maintain nitric oxide-mediated signaling in cells so that malignant cell phenotypes, cells, tumors and/or diseases are inhibited or prevented. These methods and formulations are particularly useful in treating and preventing cancer in animals.
US07678387B2 Drug delivery systems
A novel encapsulated product is provided and includes: at least one pharmaceutical; at least one compressible material; and at least one tableting material; wherein the encapsulated product is in the form of a caplet having a diameter of from about 1 millimeter to about 7 millimeters and a length from about 1 millimeter to about 7 millimeters. A method for preparing the encapsulated product is also provided.
US07678384B2 Vinylaminopyrazole derivatives as pesticides
Disclosed are 5-(vinylamino)pyryazole derivatives of formula I or pesticidally acceptable salts thereof (I) wherein, for example, W is ═N—, ═CH—, ═CR6— or ═C(NH2)-, R6 is halogen or haloalkyl, R1 is cyano, halogen, alkyl, haloalkyl or —CS—NH2, R2 is alkyl or cycloalkyl, R3 is alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, heterocyclyl, aralkyl, heterocyclylalkyl, —CO—O—R9, —CO—R10, —SO—R″, —SO2—R12; R9, R10, R11 and R12 are for example organic groups, R4 is halogen or —NH2, R5 is haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, halogen or —SF5, and n is an integer selected from 0, 1 or 2. These compounds cab be used for controlling pests, especially by treatment of domestic animals.
US07678383B2 Aminoacetonitrile compounds for controlling endoparasites
The invention relates to aminoacetonitrile compounds of the formula wherein m is 1, 2 or 3; R1 is C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, C1-C4-haloalkyl, C1-C4-haloalkoxy or halogen, whereby the substituents may respectively be identical or different, if m is greater than 1; and R2 is C1-C4-haloalkyl; and optionally enantiomers thereof; and the use of aminoacetonitrile compounds of formula I in the control of endoparasites, especially helminths, in warm-blooded productive livestock and domestic animals.
US07678382B2 Single-crystal platy barium sulfate in cosmetic compositions
A cosmetic composition is provided which includes from 0.01 to 10% of single-crystal platy barium sulfate, from 0.5 to 10% of a water insoluble powdered acrylic polymer in porous particle form and a carrier. The compositions have soft focus optics imparting radiance to the applied skin area without excessive shininess or opacity and have excellent skinfeel properties.
US07678381B2 Stabilized body care products, household products, textiles and fabrics
Disclosed are stabilized body care products, household products, textiles and fabrics comprising an effective stabilizing amount of at least one compound selected from the group consisting of formula (I)-(III) where G1 and G2 are independently alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms or are together pentamethylene, Z1 and Z2 are each methyl, or Z1 and Z2 together form a linking moiety which may additionally be substituted by an ester, ether, hydroxy, oxo, cyanohydrin, amide, amino, carboxy or urethane group, X is an inorganic or organic anion, and where the total charge of cations h is equal to the total charge of anions j; and an organic UV filter selected from (c1) dibenzoylmethane derivatives; (c2) cinnamic acid esters; (c3) camphor derivatives; and (c4) trianilino-s-triazine derivatives.
US07678379B2 Mycobacterium tuberculosis epitopes and methods of use thereof
The invention provides novel Class I HLA-A2 and Class II HLA-DR4-restricted epitopes and methods for their use in detecting T-cells in peripheral blood specific for infection or latency of mycobacterial infection, including M. tuberculosis and M. leprae as others. For example, methods for diagnosing the presence of infection or exposure by M. tuberculosis utilize multimers of HLA monomers or modified monomers having a bound HLA-binding peptide to perform high throughput screening of patient PBLs. The methods can be used for monitoring the success of anti mycobacterial treatment in patients and to screen vaccines and drugs for effectiveness in treating or preventing exposure, infection and latency of mycobacteria in humans.
US07678376B2 Recombinant parainfluenza virus expression systems and vaccines
The present invention relates to recombinant bovine parainfluenza virus (bPIV) cDNA or RNA which may be used to express heterologous gene products in appropriate host cell systems and/or to rescue negative strand RNA recombinant viruses that express, package, and/or present the heterologous gene product. The chimeric viruses and expression products may advantageously be used in vaccine formulations including vaccines against a broad range of pathogens and antigens.
US07678375B2 Fusion proteins of Mycobacterium tuberculosis
The present invention relates to compositions and fusion proteins containing at least two Mycobacterium sp. antigens, and nucleic acids encoding such compositions and fusion proteins. The compositions of the invention increase serological sensitivity of sera from individuals infected with tuberculosis, and methods for their use in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of tuberculosis infection.
US07678371B2 Methods of humanizing immunoglobulin variable regions through rational modification of complementarity determining residues
The present invention is based, at least in part, on the discovery that strategic modifications of non-human donor antibody CDR residue(s) can be used to humanize antibodies. Such modifications modulate the 3D structural fit between donor antibody CDRs and human acceptor antibody framework regions that comprise the variable domains of a CDR-grafted antibody. Whereas prior art methods of humanization have relied on making framework substitutions (in which selected human framework residues are backmutated to the corresponding amino acid residue present in the non-human donor antibody), the instant invention is based, at least in part, on a method of humanizing antibodies in which selected CDR residues, and optionally adjacent FR residues, are changed in order to accommodate differences in FR amino acid sequences between donor and acceptor antibodies.
US07678370B2 Methods of preventing peritonitis by administering lactic acid bacterium
The present invention relates to the use of lactic acid bacteria capable of adhering to the mucosa of the intestine and especially colonizing it for the prevention of peritonitis. In particular, the present invention relates to the use of such lactic acid bacteria for the prevention of peritonitis caused by cirrhosis of the liver. Specifically, the present invention relates to a method for preventing peritonitis in a patient in need of such prevention. This method includes administering to the patient a lactic acid bacterium that is capable of adhering to the intestine's mucosa and essentially colonizing it for the preparation of an ingestable carrier. The invention also relates to a peritonitis preventing composition of a lactic acid bacterium that is capable of adhering to the intestine's mucosa and essentially colonizing it for the preparation of an ingestable carrier. The carrier is preferably a food or pharmaceutical composition.
US07678369B2 Anionic polymers as toxin binders and antibacterial agents
The present invention relates to a method of inhibiting a toxin in an animal, such as a human, by administering to the animal a therapeutically effective amount of a polymer having a plurality of pendant acid functional groups which are directly attached to the polymer backbone or attached to the polymer backbone by a spacer group. The spacer group can have a length in the range from 0 to about 20 atoms. The toxin is, typically, an exotoxin secreted by a pathogenic microorganism, such as a bacterium.
US07678366B2 Controlled delivery system of antifungal and keratolytic agents for local treatment of fungal infections of the nail and surrounding tissues
A topical sustained release delivery system for delivery of antifungal agents to the finger or toenails achieving high penetration through the nails by combining the antifungal agent with a keratolytic agent and a humectant. The pharmaceutical sustained release topical preparation is provided in a varnish or spray form for treating the nail and surrounding tissues, where the active ingredient is an antifungal agent, a keratolytic agent, or preferably a combination of an antifungal and a keratolytic agent. The composition may further comprise an antibacterial, an antiviral, an antipsoriatic agents, or combinations thereof.
US07678364B2 Particles for inhalation having sustained release properties
The invention generally relates to a method for pulmonary delivery of therapeutic, prophylactic and diagnostic agents to a patient wherein the agent is released in a sustained fashion, and to particles suitable for use in the method. In particular, the invention relates to a method for the pulmonary delivery of a therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic agent comprising administering to the respiratory tract of a patient in need of treatment, prophylaxis or diagnosis an effective amount of particles comprising a multivalent metal cation which is complexed with a therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic agent or any combination thereof having a charge capable of complexing with the cation upon association with the agent, a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and optionally, a multivalent metal cation-containing component wherein the total amount of multivalent metal cation present in the particles is more than 1% weight/weight of the total weight of the agent (% w/w). Release of the agent from the administered particles occurs in a sustained fashion.
US07678361B2 Microreactor composed of plates and comprising a catalyst
The present invention discloses a microreactor for performing heterogeneous catalytic reactions, being of plate or stack construction for industrial use, with provision made for chambers between the plates for the chemical reaction and for the heat removal. Inside the reaction chambers, catalyst material is applied to the internal walls or filled into recesses, and in all chambers there are spacers. In particular the slot-shaped reaction chambers have channels with a hydraulic diameter smaller than 1500 μm and a ratio of free slot width to free slot height in the range of 10 to 450.
US07678360B2 Alunite type compound particles, manufacturing process thereof and use thereof
Alunite type compound particles represented by the following general formula (I) and having a specific value of D75/D25 when D25 is the particle diameter of particles which account for 25% of the total and D75 is the particle diameter of particles which account for 75% of the total in the cumulative particle size distribution curve measured by a laser diffraction method: Ma[Al1-xM′x]3(SO42−)y(OH)z.mH2O  (I) wherein M is at least one cation selected from the group consisting of Na+, K+, NH4+ and H3O+, M′ is at least one cation selected from the group consisting of Cu2+, Zn2+, Ni2+, Sn4+, Zr4+ and Ti4+, and a, m, x, y and z satisfy 0.8≦a≦1.35, 0≦m≦5, 0≦x≦0.4, 1.7≦y≦2.5, and 4≦z≦7, respectively. The above particles of the present invention have a small average particle diameter, are spherical, disk-like or hexagonal and have an extremely narrow particle size distribution.
US07678358B2 Carbon fibers from kraft softwood lignin
A method of making a carbon fiber from softwood alkaline black liquor lignin by acetylating the lignin to provide a meltable and drawable lignin.
US07678354B2 Integrated lime kiln process
A process and system for recovering waste heat from a kiln used for lime or cement production. The system unifies the kiln, a waste heat recovery and power generation circuit and a dry scrubber for scrubbing the pollutants from the kiln offgas. Essentially, the system employs the boiler component of the waste heat recovery and power generation circuit as a heat exchanger to recover the waste heat from the kiln, which is used to drive the steam turbines. The heat absorption from the latter stage lowers the temperature of the kiln offgas sufficiently for optimum performance from the scrubber. The presence of lime particles in the offgas effectively protects the boiler tube surfaces from corrosion which would occur at optimum scrubber temperatures, and subsequently provides the lime required as a scrubbing medium for the dry scrubber. Further, the efficient scrubbing allows for the use of any fuel for firing the kiln inclusive of high sulphur content compounds. A process for effecting the technology is also provided.
US07678350B2 Processes for producing titanium dioxide
Provided are processes for the production of titanium dioxide from ilmenite. In these processes, ilmenite is digested with aqueous trimethylammonium hydrogen oxalate. Iron from the ilmenite precipitates as a hydrated iron oxalate and is removed by filtering, leaving a titanium-rich solution. The titanium-rich solution can be further processed to form titanium dioxide.
US07678349B2 System for liquefying light hydrocarbon gas with a plurality of light hydrocarbon gas liquefaction trains
An improved system and method for providing reduced acid gas/dewatered light hydrocarbon gas to a light hydrocarbon gas liquefaction process wherein a plurality of light hydrocarbon gas liquefaction trains are used.
US07678346B2 Dual function CO clean-up/sorber unit
A preferential oxidation reactor (PrOx) is provided including a plurality of substrates defining a plurality of channels, through which a reformate stream flows. A CO-sorption layer and a CO-catalyst layer coat a surface of each substrate support member. The PrOx operates in a first mode, generally at a temperature below 100 ° C., whereby the CO-sorption material adsorbs CO from the reformate stream. After operation in the first mode, the PrOx operates in a second mode, generally at a temperature above 100° C., whereby the CO-catalyst material enables a preferential oxidation reaction of CO in the reformate stream with a supply of oxygen and desorption of the CO previously absorbed by the CO-sorption layer for an overall reduction in the CO content of the reformate stream.
US07678343B2 Metallic monolith catalyst support for selective gas phase reactions in tubular fixed bed reactors
There is disclosed a catalyst support for selective gas phase reactions in a tubular fixed bed reactor comprising a metallic monolith having channels the walls of which are adapted to receive a catalytically active phase or an intermediate layer acting as a carrier for a catalytically active phase. The monoliths are coated with catalytically active material and loaded lengthwise into tubular reactors, the channels being parallel to the length of the reactors. The catalysts are particularly useful in the chlorination/oxychlorination of alkenes and alkanes, and the oxidation of alkenes. Compared with the use of conventional catalysts in pellet form or in the form of ceramic monoliths the catalysts of the invention offer greater yields and selectivity, the avoidance of hot spots, greater catalyst life and flexibility in use.
US07678339B2 Fine particle powder production
A vaporised flow quenching reactor for producing a fine-powder from one or more reactant materials. The reactor comprises a first heat source selected from one of a DC plasma torch and RF plasma torch, a first reaction chamber within which energized reactant materials react and a first convergent-divergent nozzle for quenching the heated reactant materials from the first reaction chamber. The reactor also comprises a second reaction chamber provided for congregation of nano particles formed therefrom and a second convergent-divergent nozzle to deliver the nano particles to a collection chamber.
US07678338B2 Fluid retaining assembly and method of using the same
The invention provides a fluid retaining assembly. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the fluid retaining assembly may include a base assembly including a cavity and a reservoir assembly disposed in the cavity of the base assembly. The reservoir assembly may include a body portion having a well in which fluid is retainable and a membrane covering the well. The reservoir assembly may further include an absorbent strip disposed in the well and covered by the membrane. The base assembly may be provided to include at least one attachment member. The attachment member serves to attach the reservoir assembly to the base assembly. A plurality of reservoir assemblies may be retained by the base assembly.
US07678337B2 Assembly for carrying and holding slides
A slide holder comprising a rectangular frame having two side walls facing each other, a first end wall facing a second end wall, the second end wall having a latch pivotally attached thereto, the latch capable of being pivoted in such a manner as to enable locking and unlocking of the slide holder in a slide holder carrier. The slide holder carrier has a first end wall, a first side wall, a second end wall, a second side wall, and a shaft running from the first end wall of the slide holder carrier to the second end wall of the slide holder carrier. At least one slide holder is rotatably mounted on the shaft.
US07678332B2 Drive arrangements for a strip of cuvettes in analytical device
The invention relates to a drive arrangement for a series of cuvettes (C) forming a strip (2) fixed by means of a film (3) in an automatic analytical device (1), comprising at least one toothed belt (12), the teeth of which engage with the corresponding forms of the cuvettes. The above finds application in an automatic analytical device, particularly for the determination of the rate of change of the physical state of a medium.
US07678328B1 Rotatable bomb
Rotatable bomb device includes a housing with a hollow interior for receipt of a rotatable component to a vessel, and support for the component in the interior; and the component for such receipt and support in the housing. The device may be employed as a reactor or in test methods, for example, methods such as oxygen uptake tests analogous or equivalent to the ASTM-D-2272 and ASTM-D-4742 test methods.
US07678317B2 Concrete mixing drum manufacturing method
A method for making a concrete mixing drum includes forming a first layer of at least one polymeric material having a surface providing at least a portion of a barrel wall of the drum and a spiral mixing blade projecting from the wall on an inner surface of the drum and forming a second layer on the formed first layer.
US07678315B2 Process for producing adhesive film
A process for producing an adhesive film includes laminating an adhesive layer containing thermoplastic polyimide onto at least one surface of a highly heat-resistant polyimide layer by coextrusion casting method, wherein a chemical dehydrator and a catalyst are contained in a precursor solution of the highly heat-resistant polyimide and/or a solution containing either the thermoplastic polyimide or a precursor of the thermoplastic polyimide.
US07678312B2 Method of treating rubber composition with cure inhibitor to create soft skin in golf ball core
A method of making a golf ball comprising the steps of providing a preform comprising an uncured polybutadiene composition; coating the preform with a first cure-altering material; curing the coated preform at a predetermined temperature to form a crosslinked golf ball core having an outer surface having a first hardness and a geometric center having a second hardness greater than the first to define a negative hardness gradient; and forming a cover layer about the core to form the golf ball.
US07678302B2 Method and apparatus for making porous agarose beads
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for forming agarose or cored agarose beads. The process involves dissolving/gelation the agarose in a suitable liquid, mixing it with a hydrophobic liquid to form an emulsion and maintaining that emulsion at a temperature equal to or greater than the gelation point of the agarose, passing it through a static mixer to create agarose droplets and solidifying the agarose droplets in a second bath of hydrophobic liquid. The beads can then be washed and used or further processed to crosslink the agarose and/or add various functionalities on to the agarose. Another method for solidifying the agarose droplets is by using a heat exchanger to cool the stream continuously after it exits the static mixer. A similar process is used for the “cored” beads except cores, preferably in bead form, are introduced to the agarose before it enters the first hydrophobic liquid so that the agarose forms a coating on the cores. A similar process with either agarose beads (made by this or another process) or cored agarose (made by this or another process) can be used to add multiple layers of agarose on to the existing beads. An apparatus for running the process is also disclosed.
US07678300B2 Optical film manufacturing method and apparatus
An optical film manufacturing method, comprising steps of: forming a film by casting a liquid-state resin; embossing both ends of the formed film in a lateral direction of the film so as to form embossed sections for conveying the film; conveying the film having the embossed sections by a freely rotatable conveyance roller; trimming and removing the embossed sections of the film after the conveying step; and winding up the film.
US07678292B2 Liquid crystal dopants
An ionic dopant comprising a sulfur or a phosphorus containing anion with a randon cation, for use in a smectic A liquid crystal composition. The cation preferably comprises a quaternary ammonium cation.
US07678290B2 Method for production of PZT-based ceramics having a slow sintering temperature
A method for manufacturing a PZT-based low-sintering piezoelectric ceramic material, the ions to be added as starting compounds being added as powdered oxides and/or powdered carbonates, mixed together, and then calcined to form the piezoelectric ceramic material. After calcining the starting compounds, lithium in ionic form is added to the mixture in an amount of 0.01 to 0.1 wt. % in relation to the weight of the PZT ceramic.
US07678286B2 Small droplets recovery system
A system for separating an emulsion fluid into a recovered fluid and a purified fluid. The emulsion fluid comprises a continuous phase and a dispersed phase. The purified fluid is essentially constituted of the continuous phase. The system comprises a vessel at an inlet of which the emulsion fluid may flow. The system further comprises one or more coalescing elements made of Reusable Polymer Absorbent material. Each coalescing element allows to coalesce at least a portion of the dispersed phase from small droplets into large drops further detached from the coalescing element upon a flow of the emulsion fluid. The system further comprises one or more separating and guiding means made of oleophilic material. Each separating and guiding means is located a distance from an associated coalescing element and is disposed at an output of the associated coalescing element to guide the detached large drops for further recovery. The separating and guiding means has a structure that is adapted to allow the continuous phase to flow through the separating and guiding means.
US07678282B2 Method of determination of the conditions of exhaustion of a filtering cartridge for filtering carafes with replaceable cartridge and carafe operating in compliance with such method
A method of determination of the conditions of exhaustion of a filtering cartridge for filtering carafes with replaceable cartridges is described, in which an initial identification of impedance of the water to be filtered is provided for in order to consequently calculate an important parameter for definition of the efficient lifespan on the filtering cartridge. Furthermore a carafe operating in compliance with such method is also described.
US07678281B2 Method of reclaiming brine solutions using an organic chelant
A method of reclaiming a well completion brine solution containing metal impurities by introducing to the brine solution an organic chelant of the formula: and may be either a neutral compound, a corresponding salt, or a corresponding quaternary salt, wherein: D is F-A (Y3)u(Y4)v; R is independently selected from Cp or CpC(O); Cp is a C1-C36, preferably a C8-C36, hydrocarbyl group, optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected the group consisting of halogen, hydroxyl, sulfate, CH2CO2Z or —(CH2)nPO(OZ)2 groups; each A is independently selected from —N and —P; Y1 is independently selected from J, —[(F)-A(J)]w Y6 and R; J, R1, Y2, Y3, Y4, Y5 and Y6 are independently selected from the group consisting of —H, R, —(F)nCO2Z and —(CH2)nPO(OZ)2; each F is independently selected from a C1-C12 hydrocarbyl group, optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, hydroxyl, sulfate, CH2CO2Z or —(CH2)nPO(OZ)2 groups; Z is —H, a balanced organic counterion or a balanced counterion of an alkali or alkaline earth metal, Zn or NH4+ or a mixture thereof; m is 0 to 7; n is 1 to 7; r+s+t is 1 or 2; u+v is 1 or 2; and w is 0 to 7 provided when m is 0, no more than one of R1, Y1, Y2 and Y5 can be —H. An organic chelant may be introduced to the brine containing the metal impurities. The brine may contain an oxidizer. Further, the pH of the brine being reclaimed or the brine reclaimed may be adjusted by the addition of a pH adjustment agent.
US07678275B2 Method and equipment for liquid-liquid extraction
The invention relates to a method for reversing the dispersion formed in the mixing section of liquid-liquid extraction and kept condensed in the separation section and the separated solutions form the rear end of the separation section to flow back towards the feed end of the separation section. The invention also refers to the extraction equipment for implementing the reversed flow.
US07678272B2 Biological fluid filtration system and biological fluid filter used therein
A biological fluid processing or fluid filtration system is provided having novel open and closed loop processing systems wherein the gases transferred into and out of the system during processing pass through a porous medium in upstream and/or downstream gas inlet or outlet housings or vents in a manner which precludes the fluid being processed or filtered from ever contacting the housings or vents. Each housing or vent is separated from the fluid by a column of gas in its respective transfer line. The upstream gas inlet housing or vent is in communication with the unfiltered biological fluid, and the downstream gas inlet housing or vent is in communication with the filtered biological fluid.
US07678271B2 Collapsible colander and bowl
A collapsible container consists of three parts: a rigid top rim, a flexible center band, and a rigid base. This combination of sections allows the container to easily collapse to about one-third of its original height. The container is also quite stable when expanded and is self-supporting. In various embodiments of the invention, for example, the upper rim may be expandable, the base may include holes or mesh to serve as a colander or strainer, or the base may be configured as a tube to function as a funnel.
US07678270B2 Device for focusing a magnetic field to treat fluids in conduits
Three magnet casings are adjustably and removably attached to one another such that the device may snuggly fit about fluid conduits of differing diameters. An outer casing wall of ferrous content stainless steel confines the magnetic field. An inner magnet holder frame attached to the outer casing wall holds a magnet to the conduit and is fabricated of non-ferrous stainless steel to allow maximum trans mission of the magnetic field to the fluid in the non-ferrous section of the conduit around which the casings are attached together.
US07678267B2 Thermal water treatment device
The invention relates to a device for thermally purifying waste water, comprising a tank through which waste water can flow. The inventive device is characterized by having at least one flow guiding means for guiding the waste water inside the tank in an essentially meandering manner, and by having at least one heating means inside the tank for regulating a predetermined temperature.
US07678266B2 Integrated water treatment apparatus and methods for natural water improvement
A water treatment apparatus includes a float configured to float on the surface of a water body, a first fluid channel coupled to the float and configured to circulate contaminated water in the water body, and a second fluid channel coupled to the float and configured to filter contaminated water in the water body. A fluid transport apparatus can draw the contaminated water through the first fluid channel at a first flow rate and through the second fluid channel at a second flow rate.
US07678262B2 Hydrocracking process with recycle, comprising adsorption of polyaromatic compounds from the recycled fraction on an adsorbant based on silica-alumina with a controlled macropore content
The invention concerns an improved hydrocracking process with a recycle having a step for eliminating polyaromatic compounds from at least a portion of the recycled fraction by adsorption on a particular adsorbent based on alumina-silica with a controlled macropore content.
US07678261B2 Apparatus and method for measuring reaction result of samples on biosensor
Disclosed are an apparatus and a method for determining whether or not a biosensor comprising two working electrodes and one reference electrode is well manufactured, and for rapidly and accurately quantifying a specific substance contained in a biological sample. The method comprises the steps of: sequentially supplying the respective working electrodes with power supply voltage; sequentially detecting the amounts of current flowing in the respective working electrodes by virtue of the supplied power supply voltage; re-supplying the two working electrodes with power supply voltage after a predetermined time to redetect the amounts of current flowing in the respective working electrodes; reading concentrations corresponding to the amounts of current detected from a memory, and calculating an average value from the read concentrations; and checking whether or not the concentrations read from memory are within a predetermined critical range to display an error message or the calculated average value.
US07678251B2 System and method for detecting gas
A system to detect a presence of a specific gas in a mixture of gaseous byproducts comprising moisture vapor is disclosed. The system includes an electrochemical cell, a transport to deliver the mixture of gaseous byproducts from the electrochemical cell, a gas sensor in fluid communication with the transport, the sensor responsive to a presence of the specific gas to generate a signal corresponding to a concentration of the specific gas, and a membrane to prevent transmission of liquid moisture, the membrane disposed between the transport and the gas sensor.
US07678249B2 Instrument and system for pharmacologic measurement and well vessel used therein
An instrument is provided for pharmacologic measurement capable of detecting a very small and short time change in electric signal caused by a pharmacologic action of a biologic specimen with quickness and a high sensitivity by steeply decreasing an external disturbance component mixed into the system while dropping/exchange of medicinal solutions is conducted in a batch mode.The pharmacologic measurement instrument detects a change in electric signal caused by a pharmacologic action or electrophysiologic action of a biologic specimen, and includes an electrically conductive box having an opening section at the top surface thereof, and a well vessel disposed in the opening section thereof, wherein the well vessel includes a base having recesses in which the biologic specimens are put; measurement electrodes formed on the bottom surfaces of the respective recesses; and reference electrodes electrically insulated from the respective measurement electrodes, and the reference electrodes together with the electrically conductive box electrostatically shields the well vessel.
US07678248B2 Circulated cooled target
A liquid and a gas is constantly filled into a target chamber of a target. Then the liquid and the gas flow around the chamber and are flown out. By doing so, the target is effectively cooled down.
US07678243B2 Internal heat spreader plating methods and devices
An improved plating system comprises a plurality of non-electrically conductive shields forming an elongated upper channel and an elongated lower channel, the upper and lower channels each having a width less than or equal to one inch; a plurality of part holding clamps electrically coupled to a power source and positioned within the upper channel or the lower channel; a plating solution sparger comprising a series of inlets oriented to direct any plating solution flowing through the inlets into the lower channel and towards the upper channel; and a plurality of anodes positioned outside and along the length of the upper and lower channels. An improved method of plating a work piece comprises: submerging a work piece to be plated in a volume of plating solution; positioning a work piece to be plated at least partially within an upper plating channel and a lower plating channel, the upper and lower plating channels comprising non electrically conductive sides, the channels being positioned opposite each other and being separated from each other, the separation between the channels forming a pair of solution egress slots positioned approximately over the center of the work piece to be plated; causing electrical current to flow between the work piece and one or more anodes, the current flow passing through the solution egress slots; and moving the work piece to be plated along the length of the plating channels to form one or more internal heat spreaders on a surface of the work piece which is essentially parallel to the shields.
US07678242B2 System and method for manufacturing flexible copper clad laminate film
Disclosed is a system and a method for manufacturing flexible copper clad laminate film capable of efficiently electroplating both surfaces of a polyimide-based film to form copper plating layers thereon while making it easy to repair and maintain the apparatus or clean its plating or cleaning bath. The system includes a pickling device adapted to spray a pickling liquid to both surfaces of a to-be-plated film to remove oxide coatings from the copper coatings; a number of water-cleaning devices for removing the pickling liquid and copper electrolyte remaining on the film; at least one plating device positioned between the water-cleaning devices to form copper plating layers on both surfaces of the film; an antirust device for preventing the copper plating layers, which have been formed by the plating device, from rusting; and a drying device for drying the antirust liquid on the film, which has been subjected to antirust treatment.
US07678240B2 Method for controlling plasma density or the distribution thereof
Magnetron source has a target configuration with a sputter surface, a magnet configuration generating above the sputter surface a magnetic field which forms, in top view onto the sputter surface, at least one magnet field loop. Viewed in a cross-sectional direction upon the target configuration, a tunnel-shaped arc magnet field is formed and further an electrode configuration is provided which generates, when supplied by a positive electric potential with respect to an electric potential applied to the target configuration, an electric field which crosses at an angle the magnetic field and wherein the electrode configuration comprises a distinct electrode arrangement in a limited segment area of the electrode configuration, which is substantially shorter than the overall length of the magnet field loop. The electrode arrangement along the limited segment area is electrically isolated from the remainder of the electrode configuration so as to be electrically operated differently than the remainder of the electrode configuration.
US07678238B2 Method and apparatus for underwater decomposition of organic content of electrically conductive aqueous waste solutions
The object of the present invention is a method and an apparatus for underwater decomposition of organic content of aqueous waste solutions, involving the measurement and, if necessary, adjustment of the pH and electric conductivity of the solution, maintaining optimum pH and/or electric conductivity during the process, and further involving the partial or total decomposition of organic materials contained by the solution. The apparatus comprises a feed tank, at least one decomposition loop, and a storage tank. The method according to the invention is characterized by submerging electrodes in the solution, producing and maintaining an electric arc between the electrodes and the electrically conductive the solution, where the arc is produced by an electric current of at least 0.5 A/cm2 current density at a voltage of at least 70 V and by a symmetrical alternating current having preferably a frequency of at least 10 Hz; and by decomposing the organic content of the solution into water, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen.
US07678237B2 Heat integrated distillation column
A heat integrated distillation column including a cylindrical shell having an upper and a lower end and at least one first inner volume and at least one second inner volume in the shell, and being in heat exchanging contact with each other through a wall separating the volumes. The heat integrated distillation column having the capacity to exchange heat through the wall from the first volume into the second volume, whereby the inside of the heat exchanging means is in open connection with the first volume.
US07678236B2 System and method of data transmission/reception
Disclosed is a system and method of data transmission/reception in which picture signals are encoded into image data, the attribute information of the image data is obtained, meta data are generated from the attribute information of the image data. The image data and the meta data are transmitted separately. With this system and method of data transmission/reception, when predetermined conditions are satisfied, i.e. only when a moving body is detected or abnormal data or data including significant information are detected, image data and meta data are transmitted. Therefore, since not all the data are transmitted, the amount of transmitted data is reduced. As a result, the amount of data accumulated in data recipient can be reduced and the load of data analysis operation can be alleviated. In addition, the burden on an operator visually monitoring image data can be eased. Furthermore, inadvertent failure in checking abnormal data or data including significant information can be prevented.
US07678234B2 Dewatering arrangement on the press section of a web-forming machine
A dewatering arrangement in the press section of a web-forming machine having a press suction roll (10) and a press fabric (13) arranged to run via the press suction roll (10). The dewatering arrangement has a saveall (15), which is installed in conjunction with the press suction roll (10), and drainage facilities (18) for removing the collected water from the saveall (15). The saveall (15) has a concave guide surface (19) which in the cross direction is located on a partial distance of the circumference of the press suction roll (10) and at a distance from the surface of the press suction roll (10) in order to accomplish a vacuum effect and to hence remove water from the press suction roll (10).
US07678233B2 Machine direction sensor system with cross direction averaging
Disclosed is a machine direction measurement system having an increased cross direction sampling area (significantly larger than the natural sensor measurement window) to generate a more representative and stable machine direction reading of the process. In effect, the sensor should have as wide a coverage area as possible without having to resort to the expense of measuring the entire width of the sheet.
US07678230B2 Environmentally sustainable multiple ply paper product
The present disclosure is generally directed to a multiple ply paper product which includes a first ply comprising virgin fiber, pre-consumer recycled fiber, or mixtures thereof and a second ply comprising at least about 30% by weight post-consumer recycled fiber, wherein the average pore size distribution of the first ply is greater than the average pore size distribution of the second ply.
US07678226B2 Method and apparatus for an improved bellows shield in a plasma processing system
The present invention presents an improved bellows shield for a plasma processing system, wherein the design and fabrication of the bellows shield coupled to a substrate holder electrode advantageously provides protection of a bellows with substantially minimal erosion of the bellows shield.
US07678224B2 Method for reducing emissions and method for producing a wooden product
The present invention relates to a method for reducing emissions of one or more gaseous substances from an assembly of at least two pieces of wooden materials, which have been glued together. It also relates to a method for producing a laminated wooden product comprising planing at least one of the sides of an assembly having glue lines exposed, and, treating the one or more planed sides by application of one or more treating substances reactive to one or more gaseous substances emitted from the at least one planed side. Finally, the present invention relates to a laminated wooden product having low emissions.
US07678223B2 Catheter having a multi-section tubular member and method of making the same
A multi-section tubular member including a sleeve surrounding and bridging a joint between a first section and a second section of the tubular member, and a method of forming a multi-section tubular member are disclosed. A polymeric sleeve may extend over a portion of the first section and an adjoining portion of the second section. A length of heat shrink tubing may be placed over the sleeve and heated, thereby compressing the heat shrink tubing around the sleeve. The sleeve may then be thermally bonded to each of the first section and the second section. The heat shrink tubing may then be removed, leaving the sleeve securely joining the first section and the second section to form a multi-section tubular member.
US07678221B2 Pet waste absorption sheet and process for manufacturing the same
A pet waste absorption sheet includes: a liquid-impermeable backsheet; a liquid-permeable topsheet; and an absorbent core disposed between the backsheet and the topsheet. The topsheet has a chemical solution containing at least one component selected from the group consisting of perfume, deodorant, and sterilant.
US07678219B2 Method for making segmented composite panel with false joints
A method of forming a building panel is provided, with the building panel including facer and liner sheets surrounding a foam core. The method includes the steps of pre-notching the facer sheet at each false joint, roll forming the side joints of the facer sheet, bending the facer sheet, via a press operation, at the pre-notched area to form the false joint, such that the facer sheet is a continuous sheet across the false joint, and bonding the facer sheet having the false joint and the liner sheet to the foam core to form the building panel.
US07678212B2 Liquid crystal dispensing system which can read information of liquid crystal container and method of dispensing liquid crystal material using same
A liquid crystal dispensing system includes a liquid crystal material container to contain liquid crystal, the liquid crystal material container provided with a first code corresponding to liquid crystal information; a reading unit to read the recognition code; a discharge pump to draw in and discharge liquid crystal from the liquid crystal material container; and a nozzle to dispense liquid crystal from the discharge pump onto a substrate.
US07678209B2 Energy-producing material
An energy-producing material which comprises a chemically uniform polymer material whose monomer units contain an electron donor and an electron acceptor, wherein the stoichiometric ratio of electron donor to electron acceptor is ≦1, is proposed.
US07678204B2 Good-workability and high-strength cold-rolled steel sheet excellent in post-painting corrosion resistance
The present invention: provides a good-workability and high-strength cold-rolled steel sheet excellent in post-painting corrosion resistance to the extent of securing excellent resistance to salt warm water immersion which is a good-workability and high-strength cold-rolled steel sheet excellent in post-painting corrosion resistance characterized in that: said steel sheet contains, in mass, 0.16 to 0.19% C, 1.10 to 1.30% Si, 1.50 to 1.60% Mn, not more than 0.1% P and 0.015 to 0.050% Al, with the balance consisting of Fe and unavoidable impurities; the average of the amount of Si incrassating on the surface of said steel sheet is not more than 20 times the Si concentration in said steel sheet; and the area percentage of the portions where the ratio of the Si concentration on the surface of said steel sheet to the Si concentration in said steel sheet is not less than 10 is not more than 95%.
US07678203B2 Welding flux
A welding flux formulated for pipe welding or one-side welding applications including a gas releasing agent, a high melting compound and a low melting compound. The welding flux is particularly formulated for limited pass welding applications which exhibit high impact strength, good slag detachability, low weld metal hydrogen and nitrogen absorption, and facilitates in the formation of smooth and consistent weld beads.
US07678198B2 Vertical-offset coater
The invention provides a coater, and methods of using the coater, for depositing thin films onto generally-opposed major surfaces of a sheet-like substrate. The coater has a substrate transport system adapted for supporting the substrate in a vertical-offset configuration wherein the substrate is not in a perfectly vertical position but rather is offset from vertical by an acute angle. Preferably, the transport system includes a side support for supporting a rear major surface of the substrate. Preferably, the coater includes at least one coating apparatus (e.g., which is adapted for delivering coating material) on each of two sides of the path of substrate travel.
US07678197B2 Susceptor device
A susceptor device comprises a base body, an electrostatic absorbing inner electrode which is disposed on a bottom surface of the base body, a power supplying terminal, an insulating sprayed layer which coats the electrostatic absorbing inner electrode and a connecting section for the power supplying terminal and the electrostatic absorbing inner electrode, and a temperature controlling section. The insulating sprayed layer and the temperature controlling section are attached together unitarily via the bonding agent layer. The flange of the base body fits to a notched section of the temperature controlling section such that the electrostatic absorbing inner electrode, insulating sprayed layer, and the bonding agent layer should be sealed from thereoutside. It is possible to form a thin supporting plate and improve controllability for temperature on the plate sample and transparency for the plasma.
US07678195B2 Seeded growth process for preparing aluminum nitride single crystals
A method of growing bulk single crystals of an AlN on a single crystal seed is provided, wherein an AlN source material is placed within a crucible chamber in spacial relationship to a seed fused to the cap of the crucible. The crucible is heated in a manner sufficient to establish a temperature gradient between the source material and the seed with the seed at a higher temperature than the source material such that the outer layer of the seed is evaporated, thereby cleaning the seed of contaminants and removing any damage to the seed incurred during seed preparation. Thereafter, the temperature gradient between the source material and the seed is inverted so that the source material is sublimed and deposited on the seed, thereby growing a bulk single crystal of AlN.
US07678194B2 Method for providing gas to a processing chamber
A method and apparatus for generating gas for a processing system is provided. In one embodiment, an apparatus for generating gas for a processing system includes a canister having at least one baffle disposed between two ports and containing a precursor material. The precursor material is adapted to produce a gas vapor when heated to a defined temperature at a defined pressure. The baffle forces a carrier gas to travel an extended mean path between the inlet and outlet ports. In another embodiment, an apparatus for generating gas includes a canister having a tube that directs a carrier gas flowing into the canister away from a precursor material disposed within the canister.
US07678190B2 Cement retarder systems, and retarded cement compositions
A cement retarder system for use in underground wells included a borate compound, an organophosphonate salt, and a copolymer formed from AMPS and a monomer selected from the group consisting of acrylic acid, acrylamide and mixtures thereof. A method of using the retarder system in an underground well having a borehole drilled therein with a borehole wall, and further including a casing disposed in said borehole, such that an annulus exists between said casing and said borehole wall, comprising the steps of providing a cement composition and a liquid carrier, providing a retarder system for said cement composition comprising a borate compound, an organophosphonate salt, and a copolymer formed from AMPS and a monomer selected from the group consisting of acrylic acid, acrylamide, and mixtures thereof, mixing a sufficient amount of said retarder system to create a desired induction period with said cement composition and said liquid carrier to form a cement slurry, pumping the cement slurry from the surface down the casing, and causing said slurry to return to the surface in the annulus between the casing and the borehole wall.
US07678187B2 Compositions comprising a (poly)amine and a carboxylated carbohydrate
The invention provides a composition comprising an aqueous solution of 0.1-20 wt. % of a poly(amine) and 0.1 to 50 wt. % of a carboxylated carbohydrate having an average molecular weight of at least 100,000 D and a degree of carboxyl substitution of at least 5%, which carboxylated carbohydrate has been obtained by subjecting a corresponding original carbohydrate to an oxidation treatment whereby carboxyl and aldehyde groups are obtained by oxidation of hydroxyl groups of the original carbohydrate, after which the oxidised carbohydrate so obtained is contacted with a reducing agent whereby at least part of the aldehyde groups that were obtained in the oxidation treatment are reduced to hydroxymethyl groups, whereby the carboxylated carbohydrate comprises at least part of the reducing agent and/or its reaction product(s), and wherein the carboxylated carbohydrate forms a complex with the poly(amine).
US07678186B2 Pigment-based inks for ink-jet printing
A neutral gray or black ink and combinations thereof for ink-jet printing, comprising: an ink vehicle; carbon black; another colored pigment or pigments such as a combination of cyan and violet pigments; wherein the carbon black and colored pigments are associated with a polymer or polymers which render the carbon black and pigments dispersible in aqueous solution.
US07678183B2 Electroless palladium plating bath and electroless palladium plating method
Disclosed is an electroless palladium plating bath containing a palladium compound, at least one complexing agent selected from ammonia and amine compounds, at least one reducing agent selected from phosphinic acid and phosphinates, and at least one unsaturated carboxylic acid compound selected from unsaturated carboxylic acids, unsaturated carboxylic acid anhydrides, unsaturated carboxylates and unsaturated carboxylic acid derivatives. Such an electroless palladium plating bath has high bath stability, and decomposition of the bath hardly occurs. Consequently, the electroless palladium plating bath of the present invention has a longer bath life than conventional electroless palladium plating baths. In addition, this electroless palladium plating bath enables to obtain excellent solder bonding characteristics and wire bonding characteristics since it does not affect plating film characteristics even when it is used for a long time.
US07678180B2 Integral fuel cartridge and filter
An integral fuel cartridge and filter apparatus includes a fuel cartridge, a filter housing coupled to the fuel cartridge, and a filter coupled to the filter housing.
US07678179B2 Method of processing volatile organic compound by using gas turbine and processing system of volatile organic compound
A processing system according to the present invention is provided including: an adsorption apparatus in which a volatile organic compound contained in gas to be treated is adsorbed in a predetermined absorption agent, and said volatile organic compound thus adsorbed is desorbed using steam under a pressurized environment and mixed with the steam; a gas turbine having a combustor in which the steam mixed with the volatile organic compound is burnt; and a steam generating apparatus which generates steam through the use of the heat of the combustion gas discharged from the gas turbine; and wherein, by supplying compressed air discharged from the gas turbine to the adsorption apparatus, condensation of the steam in the adsorption apparatus at the time of the desorption of the volatile organic compound is suppressed.
US07678175B2 Metalothermic reduction of refractory metal oxides
High purity refractory metals, valve metals, refractory metal oxides, valve metal oxides, or alloys thereof suitable for a variety of electrical, optical and mill product/fabricated parts usages are produced from their respective oxides by metalothermic reduction of a solid or liquid form of such oxide using a reducing agent that establishes (after ignition) a highly exothermic reaction, the reaction preferably taking place in a continuously or step-wise moving oxide such as gravity fall with metal retrievable at the bottom and an oxide of the reducing agent being removable as a gas or in other convenient form and unreacted reducing agent derivatives being removable by leaching or like process.
US07678169B1 Oil fill cap with air/oil separator
An oil fill cap for an internal combustion engine replaces a standard cap and provides separation of air and oil in a separation zone within the cap body. The cap body defines a plurality of passages therethrough, including an upstream passage, and first and second downstream passages meeting at a separation junction. The cap body defines a separation zone at the separation junction and receiving the air/oil mixture from the engine through the upstream passage, and sending separated air to the first downstream passage, and sending separated oil to the second downstream passage.
US07678168B2 Multiple urethane tuned exhaust damper for vertical exhaust
The present disclosure provides an exhaust system support assembly (10) for coupling an exhaust member (F) to a vehicle (A). The exhaust system support assembly (10) includes an exhaust member mount assembly (52) couplable to the exhaust member (F), an isolation pin (32) received within at least a portion of the exhaust member mount assembly (52), and at least one resilient member (44,46) disposed between the exhaust member mount assembly (52) and the isolation pin (32). The exhaust system support assembly (10) further includes a pivot assembly (16) couplable to the vehicle (A), wherein the pivot assembly (16) slidably and rotatably receives the isolation pin (32).
US07678165B2 Particle separator using boundary layer control
A particle separator which broadly includes: an inner wall, an outer wall and a splitter, wherein the inner and outer walls define an air intake passageway, and wherein the splitter is positioned between the inner and outer walls so as to define a scavenge air flow passageway connected to the intake passageway and a main air flow passageway connected to the intake passageway; the inner wall having a humped-shaped portion between the intake passageway and the main air flow passageway; the humped-shaped portion having a peak and a radius of curvature at any point on the hump-shaped portion of the inner wall after the peak corresponding to a degree of curvature of from about 30 to about 60 degrees; and a boundary layer control mechanism for providing active boundary layer control along the inner wall after the peak and within the main air flow passageway. Also provided is a method for providing active boundary layer flow control along the inner wall after the peak and within the main air flow passageway.
US07678164B2 Ash handling and treatment in solid fuel burners
A solid fuel gasifier includes first wall structure (12) defining a gasification chamber (14) and means (50, 52) to collect particulate solid residue from gasification in the gasification chamber. Second wall structure (16) defines a gas combustion chamber (17) and means (19) is arranged for admitting a flow of hot gases from the gasification chamber to the gas combustion chamber as combustion takes place. Also provided is means (178, 170) to conduct hot gases from the gasification chamber and/or gas combustion chamber into thermal contact with said collected particulate solid residue, for facilitating post-combustion and/or post-reduction of the solid residue. Also disclosed are an agitator bed (52, 182) for fine particulate material, and a method of gasification of solid fuel.
US07678163B2 Method and apparatus for converting organic material
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for intensifying the energy content of an organic material by converting the material into hydrocarbons and the resulting product thereof. A method for converting an organic material into hydrocarbon fuels is disclosed. The method comprising the steps of pressurising said organic material being in a fluid to a pressure above 225 bar, heating said organic material in said fluid to a temperature above 200 C in the presence of a homogeneous catalyst comprising a compound of at least one element of group IA of the periodic table of elements. The disclosed method further comprises the steps of contacting said organic material in said fluid with a heterogeneous catalyst comprising a compound of at least one element of group IVB of the periodic table and/or alpha-alumina assuring that said fluid has initially a pH value of above 7.
US07678162B2 Gas diffusion substrate and electrode
An electrically conducting gas diffusion substrate, capable of removing oxidisable impurities from an impure gas stream, which comprises an electrically conducting porous structure and a first catalytic component, wherein the first catalytic component comprises a first catalyst supported on an electrically non-conducting support is disclosed. In addition, an electrode, a membrane electrode assembly and a fuel cell each comprising said electrically conducting gas diffusion substrate is disclosed.
US07678159B1 Method of creating old art dyeing effect with acid and cationic dyed patterned carpet
A method of manufacturing carpet provides for an old art dyeing effect. Specifically, acid and cationic dyes are provided in a solution to a carpet tufted with cationic and acid dye fibers. The carpet is preferably tufted in such a way that there is a relative scarcity of one of the cationic and acid dye fibers at a first width. An abundance of the other dye accumulates in higher concentration than in surrounding areas at the first width. This higher concentration tends to diffuse and/or be moved by other mechanisms to the surrounding areas or widths where the dye attaches to appropriate contacts. This creates at least one of the dark band, a fade and/or a old art dye effect at that location. By precisely controlling the carpet fiber location at the upper surface, the dye solution and the dyeing process, fades and other process can be precisely controlled for repeatable performance as has not been experienced in the prior art.
US07678157B2 Use of an anionic hydrotrope for the colouring of keratinous fibres, composition comprising it and colouring processes employing it
A subject-matter of the present invention is the use, in the coloring of keratinous fibers, of a specific anionic hydrotropic agent of formula: in which X represents CH or N, n represents an integer ranging from 0 to 12, R1 represents COOM or SO3M, R2 represents a hydroxyl or a C1-C4 alkyl, R3 represents hydrogen or a C1-C4 alkyl, R2 and R3 can together form a ring and M represents hydrogen or one or more inorganic cations providing the electrical neutrality of the compound of formula (I). The invention likewise relates to a dyeing composition comprising at least one dye and such an anionic hydrotrope and to coloring processes employing this dyeing composition.
US07678156B2 Compositions for treating keratinic fibers, methods of treating such fibers therewith and compounds contained therein
Compositions suitable for treating keratinic fibers, in particular human hair, are disclosed, which compositions comprise: (i) at least one component selected from the group consisting of salt compounds of general formula I, enamine counterparts of salt compounds of general formula I, and mixtures thereof: Where each Me represents a methyl group, R represents a substituent selected from the group consisting of an allyl group, a hydroxy-(C2-6)-alkyl group, a benzyl group, and substituted benzyl groups, and X− represents a physiologically compatible anion; and (ii) at least one aldehyde selected from the group consisting of 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde, 3,5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde, 4-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde, 4-hydroxy-2-methoxybenzaldehyde, 3,4-dihydroxy-5-methoxybenzaldehyde, 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzaldehyde, 3,4-dibromo-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde, 4-hydroxy-3-nitrobenzaldehyde, 3-bromo-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde, 4-hydroxy-3-methylbenzaldehyde, 3,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxy-benzaldehyde, 5-bromo-4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde, 4-diethylamino-2-hydroxybenzaldehyde, 4-dimethylamino-2-methoxybenzaldehyde and mixtures thereof.
US07678152B2 Artificial knee joint
An artificial knee joint including a femoral component and a tibial component which are in relation of making relative rotation, in which the tibial component has a post that has an outwardly curving posterior surface and is disposed approximately in the longitudinal center between the articular surfaces so that the post is inside an intercondylar groove that is between the medial and lateral condyles and extends from the posterior end to the anterior end of the femoral component; and the femoral component has a cam that is disposed at the posterior portion of the intercondylar groove and comes into contact with the posterior surface of the post when the above-described rotation proceeds; and the post and the cam are shaped so that the femoral component is turned outwardly when the cam comes into contact with the post as a result of the rotation and as the rotation proceeds.
US07678149B2 Open intervertebral spacer
Open chambered spacers, implanting tools and methods are provided. The spacers 500′ include a body 505′ having a wall 506′ which defines a chamber 530′ and an opening 531′ in communication with the chamber 530′. In one embodiment the wall 506′ includes a pair of arms 520′, 521′ facing one another and forming a mouth 525′ to the chamber 530′. Preferably, one of the arms 520′ is truncated relative to the other, forming a channel 526. In one aspect the body 505′ is a bone dowel comprising an off-center plug from the diaphysis of a long bone. The tools 800 include spacer engaging means for engaging a spacer and occlusion means for blocking an opening defined in the spacer. In some embodiments, the occlusion means 820 includes a plate 821 extendable from the housing 805. In one specific embodiment the plate 821 defines a groove 822 which is disposed around a fastener 830 attached to the housing 805 so that the plate 821 is slideable relative to the housing 805.
US07678148B2 Expandable spinal implant having interlocking geometry for structural support
An expandable spinal implant including at least two expandable branch portions extending generally along a longitudinal axis and each including a fixed end portion and an opposite movable end portion with the fixed end portions coupled together adjacent a base portion of the implant. A first of the branch portions includes at least one transverse projection having opposite axially-facing outer surfaces. A second of the branch portions defines at least one transverse recess having opposing axially-facing inner surfaces. The transverse projection is positioned within and displacable along the transverse recess with the outer surfaces of the projection positioned in close proximity with the inner surfaces of the recess to provide structural support to the implant subsequent to expansion. In one embodiment, the branch portions are separated from one another by at least one slot including a narrow portion that defines the close fitting transverse projection and transverse recess.
US07678144B2 Prosthetic valve with slanted leaflet design
The invention relates to a prosthetic valve for regulating fluid flow through a body lumen. The valve includes a frame and a valve member comprising at least one semi-rigid leaflet and at least one flexible leaflet. The at least one semi-rigid leaflet comprises a first portion and a second portion, the first portion attached to the frame and the second portion free of the frame. The at least one semi-rigid leaflet is slanted in a retrograde direction from the second portion to the first portion. The at least one flexible leaflet comprises a first portion and a second portion, the first portion attached to the frame and the second portion free of the frame. The at least one flexible leaflet is slanted in a retrograde direction from the first portion to the second portion when at rest.
US07678140B2 Photoreceptor system for melatonin regulation and phototherapy
The present invention involves a light system for stimulating or regulating neuroendocrine, circadian, and photoneural systems in mammals based upon the discovery of peak sensitivity ranging from 425-505 nm; a light meter system for quantifying light which stimulates or regulates mammalian circadian, photoneural, and neuroendocrine systems. The present invention also relates to translucent and transparent materials, and lamps or other light sources with or without filters capable of stimulating or regulating neuroendocrine, circadian, and photoneural systems in mammals. Additionally, the present invention involves treatment of mammals with a wide variety of disorders or deficits, including light responsive disorders, eating disorders, menstrual cycle disorders, non-specific alerting and performance deficits, hormone-sensitive cancers, and cardiovascular disorders.
US07678133B2 Biological tissue closure device and method
Devices and methods for biological tissue closure are disclosed. Arteriotomy closure and hemostasis devices and methods are disclosed. A device that can provide a lateral tension across an opening in the tissue and apply energy to seal the tissue is disclosed. Methods for using the device are also disclosed.
US07678132B2 Systems and methods for treating septal defects
A system for treating a septal defect having an implantable treatment apparatus and devices for delivering the implantable treatment apparatus and methods for treating a septal defect are provided. The implantable treatment apparatus is preferably implantable through a septal wall or portion thereof. The treatment system can include a flexible elongate body member, a delivery device configured to deliver the implantable apparatus, a stabilization device configured to stabilize the body member and a positioning device configured to position the delivery device in a desired location.
US07678130B2 Method and device for filtering body fluid
Medical devices for filtering fluids flowing through a lumen and a method of forming medical devices. The devices can be used in vascular channels, urinary tracts, biliary ducts and the like, and filter emboli and other debris generated at a treatment site.
US07678128B2 Delivery and recovery sheaths for medical devices
A deployment control system provides controlled deployment of an embolic protection device which may include a guide wire, an expandable filter attached to the guide wire near its distal end, and a restraining sheath that maintains the expanded filter in a collapsed position. The deployment control system includes a torque control device which allows the physician to torque the guide wire into the patient's anatomy and a mechanism for preventing the guide wire from buckling as the restraining sheath is being retracted to deploy the expandable filter. A recovery control system for recovering the embolic protection device includes an inner catheter which extends within a lumen of an outer recovery sheath in a coaxial arrangement. A distal portion of the inner catheter extends beyond another recovery sheath during advancement of the recovery system into the vasculature. The recovery sheath can be advanced over the inner catheter to collapse the expandable filter. The proximal ends of the inner catheter and recovery sheath include handle portions having snap mechanisms which hold the components together as the recovery system is being advanced into the patient's vasculature.
US07678125B2 Surgical ligation clip
A surgical ligation clip for double ligating a vessel, duct or other fluid carrying structure and a method for double ligating such structure.
US07678124B2 Supplementary vascular clamp for the tool kit of an open approach stapler
The present invention relates to medicine, in particular, to clamps used in vascular surgery for occlusion of blood vessels during a surgical operation, such as vascular clamps used in aortic aneurysm repair. The claimed supplementary vascular clamp comprises a pair of pivoting arms, each of them having a proximal end and a distal handle end. Each pivoting arm contains clamping jaws rigidly attached to a respective proximal end of this arm and shaped as a concave semi-cylindrical or semi-oval cavity. The clamping jaws are movable between the open position and closed position and define a through cylindrical or oval cavity in their closed position. The clamping jaws of the vascular clamp are also provided with a tightening means to provide intra-aortal bending of the ends of staples of an open approach stapler. The tightening means is shaped as plates or a strip of resilient material. The strip may be provided with a tensioning device. The vascular clamp may be also provided with a compensating means for correcting non-uniformity in the thickness of aorta walls. The vascular clamp may be further provided with a compensating means for correction of irregularity in wall thickness of the aorta, a first and a second sealing means for providing secure enclosure of aorta walls, as well as a means for providing regular ejection of staples.
US07678121B1 Surgical stapling tool
A surgical stapler may include a catheter connected to a stapler head and a handle. The stapler head may be configured for introduction into the vasculature of a patient. The stapler head may include a driver movable in two dimensions relative to a plurality of staples. Each staple may be held by a holder, where the holders may be connected together or fabricated as a unitary cartridge.
US07678117B2 Articulating mechanism with flex-hinged links
The invention provides articulating mechanisms, and flexible members and flexible segments that can form such articulating mechanisms. The mechanisms are useful, for example, for remote steering, guidance and/or manipulation of various instruments and tools at a targeted location. The mechanisms, members or segments include links connected by flexible hinges. The proximal and distal ends of the mechanisms are connected by at least one set of cables in such a fashion that a proximal active flexible segment forms a discrete pair with a distal active flexible segment. Movement of active flexible segments at the proximal end of the mechanism results in a corresponding, relative movement of segments at the distal end of the mechanism. This configuration allows each flexible segment pair to move independently of one another and also permits the articulating mechanism to undergo complex movements and adopt complex configurations.
US07678116B2 Bone treatment systems and methods
The present invention relates in certain embodiments to medical devices for treating osteoplasty procedures such as vertebral compression fractures. More particularly, embodiments of the invention relate to instruments and methods for controllably restoring vertebral body height by controlling the geometry of fill material introduced into cancellous bone. An exemplary system utilizes Rf energy in combination a conductive bone fill material for polymerizing the surface of the inflow plume to control the geometry of the fill material and the application of force caused by inflows of fill material. In another embodiment, method of treating bone includes injecting a volume of fill material into a bone and selectively modifying a viscosity of a selected portion of the bone filler to control the direction of flow of the fill material within the bone. A system for treating bone using this method includes an introducer for delivering fill material into the bone and an energy source selectively coupleable to the fill material to alter the viscosity of the fill material as it flows out of the introducer.
US07678112B2 Open dorsal adjusting connector
An apparatus for connecting an implant with a rod comprises a body, a collet, an annular ring member, a washer, and a nut. The body defines a first channel to receive the rod and a second channel extending through the body. The collet is positionable in the second channel and defines an aperture for receipt of the implant. The ring member includes a gap and defines an aperture for receipt of the collet. The washer is positionable adjacent the second channel and is configured to translate along the body to allow pivoting of the collet relative to the body. The nut is operable to connect with the collet to move the collet within the second channel. Movement of the collet is operable to expand the ring member and contract the collet around the implant to secure the implant at a desired position.
US07678107B2 Medical needles and electrodes with improved bending stiffness
A device for penetrating tissue includes an elongated element having a distal end, a proximal end, a body extending between the distal and the proximal ends, and a lumen located within at least a portion of the body, wherein the lumen has a cross-sectional shape that is a polygon. A device for penetrating tissue includes an elongated element having a distal end, a proximal end, and a body extending between the distal and the proximal ends, at least a portion of the body having a cross-sectional profile that is a polygon, wherein the elongated element is a cannula.
US07678105B2 Method and apparatus for precursively controlling energy during coaptive tissue fusion
A sidewall of biological tissue which surrounds and defines an opening in the tissue is sealed or fused to occlude the opening by compressing apposite sidewall portions and applying sufficient energy to cause the fibers of the compressed apposed sidewall portions to intertwine and fuse with one another to form a permanent seal. The energy application is controlled by detecting a precursor fusion condition while applying the energy and before sufficient energy has been applied to achieve an adequate seal. The application of energy is terminated in a time-delayed relationship to the detection of the precursor fusion condition such that sufficient energy has been applied to achieve an effective seal. The precursor fusion condition is detected upon the peak RF current delivered to the tissue remaining below a threshold value for a threshold time.
US07678098B2 Venous cannula and cardiopulmonary bypass system
This invention relates to a venous cannula for use in conjunction with cardiovascular examinations, treatments and surgery. The venous cannula is configured for two-stage drainage of oxygen-depleted venous blood from a central venous location via a peripheral venous insertion site, such as a femoral vein. The venous cannula is optimized for use in a cardiopulmonary bypass system that includes a multichannel arterial perfusion catheter. The cardiopulmonary bypass system is advantageous for use in performing standard open chest or least invasive cardiac surgical procedures.
US07678097B1 Containers and methods for manufacturing same
A container is provided comprising a body defined, at least in part, by a film, the body including at least one side seal, at least two chambers separated, at least in part, by a peelable seal, and the film including a sealant layer having a bimodal thermal behavior such that the side seal is a permanent seal and the peelable seal can, at least in part, be separated.
US07678089B2 Delivery device and method of delivery
An ophthalmic delivery device includes a body defining a fluid reservoir and a pump in fluid communication with the reservoir. The delivery device also includes a nozzle that includes a dosage chamber for holding a dosage of fluid, a valve seat, and a valve cover. The valve cover extends about the valve seat and forms an interface therebetween and the valve seat includes an outlet aperture. The interface is in fluid communication with the outlet aperture and the dosage chamber, and at least part of the valve cover is movable between (i) a closed position with the valve cover engaging the valve seat to close the interface and form a fluid-tight seal therebetween, and (ii) an open position with at least part of the valve cover spaced away from the valve seat in response to fluid flowing through the outlet aperture at a pressure greater than a valve opening pressure to allow the passage of pressurized fluid therebetween. The valve seat and the valve cover are dimensioned to dispense the dosage of fluid through the interface at a velocity of equal to or less than 6 meters per second.
US07678086B2 Safety injection device for syringe
The device comprises a support sheath (14), a syringe body (10) secured to said sheath, and a protection sheath (16) movable between a retracted position and an extended protection position. The device includes retaining means (17) for retaining the protection sheath that are adapted to be urged so as to allow the sheath to be extended. The syringe body (10) is secured to the support sheath (14) via a ring (20) including a coupling wall (22) that is substantially transverse. This wall presents at least one slot (23) enabling the retaining means to be acted upon from the side of the coupling wall (22) that is opposite from the distal end of the support sheath.
US07678083B2 Pre-curved catheter tip
A catheter retaining clip (100) including first and second generally straight body portions (104,106), each of which extends along a longitudinal axis parallel to the other and includes a retention section. The generally straight body portions are connected by an extension piece (116 or 240) that extends generally from one generally straight body portion to the other generally straight body portion. The extension piece (116) may extend around a 180° curve that defines the curve of the catheter to be inserted into the clip, and a U-shaped channel (120) extends through the first and second generally straight body portions and the extension piece; the clip is installed onto a catheter (50) so that the catheter lies in the U-shaped channel and is retained therein by two or three retention sections or locking clasps (130). The present invention also provides methods of installing a catheter within the clip and methods of removing a catheter from within the clip.
US07678082B2 Esophagus stoma button
The purpose of this invention is to provide an esophagus stoma button capable of safely forming and maintaining a stoma hole provided in an esophagus and reducing the discomfortableness of a patient. To achieve the object, in the present invention, the stoma button 9 is comprised of a shaft part 1 and a flange part 2 provide at the rear end of the shaft part rounded at the tip thereof. More specifically, in the esophagus stoma button 9, a flange part is provide at the rear end of the shaft part rounded at the tip thereof, and a lumen having a generally circular cross section in the area ranging from the shaft part to the flange part is provided, a means for fixing a catheter for infusion is provided in the flange part with a flat and generally circular shape and a means for tightly closing the opening of the flange part is provided at the opening thereof.
US07678080B2 Intravenous catheter introducing device
An intravenous catheter introducing device includes a needle hub slidably inserted into a barrel and holding a needle cannula, a biasing member disposed to bias the needle hub to a rear position so as to retract the needle cannula in the barrel, and an easy release unit including an engaging wall segment which is attached to an outer surface of the barrel, two flexible squeezed wall segments which extend from the engaging wall segment and which is squeezable so as to move two latch members to steer clear of a retained end of the needle hub through an access hole in the barrel, thereby permitting the biasing member to bias the needle hub towards the rear position.
US07678078B1 Intravitreal injection device, system and method
An intravitreal injection device for administering a pharmacological agent formulation to an intravitreal compartment of an eye, comprising (i) a nozzle member having an internal formulation chamber that is adapted to receive and contain the pharmacological agent formulation therein, (ii) a microneedle having a first end that is in communication with the nozzle member and a second ejection end, (iii) and piercing depth limiter means for limiting the penetration depth of the microneedle into the eye, the microneedle piercing depth limiter means including guide means for positioning the limiter means and guiding the microneedle.
US07678077B2 Variable depth injection device and method
An apparatus for the injection of therapeutic and other agents at a target site within a patient's body. A catheter including a first elongated shaft having a distal end and a proximal end and a lumen extending therebetween. The catheter also including a second elongated shaft slidingly disposed in the first elongated shaft, the second elongated shaft having a distal end and a proximal and a lumen extending therebetween. The catheter further including a third elongated shaft disposed in and attached to the second elongate shaft, the third elongated shaft to move in a one-to-one relationship with the first elongated shaft and the second elongated shaft to maintain a predetermined needle deployment length as each are subjected to various bend configurations.
US07678076B2 Needle assembly
A blood collection set including a non-patient needle assembly interconnected with an intravenous needle assembly through tubing is provided. The non-patient needle assembly includes a hub assembly adapted for mounting with a blood collection set, and an internal blunting member including a blunted tip. The non-patient needle assembly further includes an external cannula concentric with the internal blunting member and including a non-patient puncture tip adjacent the blunted tip. The external cannula is axially displaceable with respect to the hub assembly between a first retracted position in which the non-patient puncture tip extends beyond the blunted tip and a second activated position in which blunted tip extends beyond the non-patient puncture tip.
US07678074B2 Deflectable catheter steering and locking system
A deflectable catheter includes a catheter shaft having a deflectable distal tip. A support member is coupled around a proximal portion of the catheter shaft, and the support member includes a first brake portion extending along at least a portion of the support member. A handle is coupled around the support member. The deflectable catheter includes a carriage moveably coupled along the handle, and the carriage includes a second brake portion sized and shaped to engage with at least a portion of the first brake portion. A flexible element is coupled between the deflectable distal tip and the carriage. A biasing device is adapted to bias the second brake portion into engagement with the first brake portion.
US07678068B2 Atraumatic delivery devices
Methods and apparatus for delivering an implant device within the digestive system of an animal are presented. An delivery device includes an outer sheath, or container, for storing a proximal portion of the implant device. The outer sheath is moveable relative to the stored portion of the implant device to release the proximal portion from within the outer sheath. The delivery device also includes an inner sheath defining a lumen therein that extends distal to the outer sheath, a moveable element adapted to secure the distal end of the implant to the inner sheath, and a release mechanism coupled to the moveable element for releasing the distal end of the implant. The device also includes a atraumatic tip, or ball, coupled at its distal end to facilitate guiding the delivery device through the gastrointestinal tract.
US07678062B2 Flow-independent parameter estimation based on tidal breathing exhalation profiles
Parametric characterization of nitric oxide (NO) gas exchange using a two-compartment model of the lungs is a non-invasive technique to characterize inflammatory lung diseases. The technique applies the two-compartment model to parametric characterization of NO gas exchange from a tidal breathing pattern. The model is used to estimate up to six flow-independent parameters, and to study alternate breathing patterns.
US07678061B2 System and method for characterizing patient respiration
Patient respiration may be characterized using a marked respiration waveform involving a respiration waveform annotated with symbols, markers or other indicators representing one or more respiration characteristics. A respiration waveform may be acquired by sensing a physiological parameter modulated by respiration. A marked respiration waveform may be generated based on the acquired respiration waveform and one or more detected respiration waveform characteristics and/or respiration-related conditions. One or more components used to generate the marked respiratory waveform may be fully or partially implantable.
US07678055B2 Ultrasonic probe with a conductive substrate connected to a transducer
A piezoelectric transducer for sending and receiving an ultrasonic wave and an FPC for applying current to the piezoelectric transducer is provided, the FPC is arranged oppositely to a side face of the piezoelectric transducer, and a soldering material for electrically connecting the piezoelectric transducer to the FPC is arranged in a corner portion formed by the piezoelectric transducer and the FPC.
US07678054B2 Ultrasonic probe and ultrasonic diagnosing device
An array of a plurality of ultrasonic transducers having a piezoelectric layer 2 and a couple of electrodes 7-1 and 7-2 sandwiching the piezoelectric layer therebetween is provided. The piezoelectric layer 2 has a first piezoelectric layer 2-1 provided on the ultrasonic-wave emission side, a second piezoelectric layer 2-2 provided on the other side of the first piezoelectric layer 2-1, and a common electrode 8 provided therebetween. Each of the ultrasonic transducers has a low-frequency response distribution that is uniform in the minor-axis direction perpendicular to a direction in which the ultrasonic transducers are arranged and a high high-frequency response distribution at a center part in the minor-axis direction. The characteristics of the minor-axis-direction frequency and sound pressure of the first piezoelectric layer are complemented by those of the second piezoelectric layer, whereby a uniform frequency characteristic for a minor-axis-direction low frequency is obtained.
US07678052B2 Method and apparatus for detecting anatomic structures
An anatomic structure is detected based on a medical diagnostic imaging data set. The anatomic structure comprises at least two different types of tissue. At least one anatomic landmark is identified within the data set, the data set is overlaid with a contour template, and a search region of the data set surrounding the contour template is scanned to identify transition points associated with a predefined characteristic of the anatomic structure.
US07678049B2 Bone age assessment using ultrasound
A method and an apparatus for estimating bone age by at least one acoustic signal in an ossification-actuated skeletal structure. The apparatus includes an acoustic transmitter and an acoustic receiver positioned facing each other so that the structure is positioned between them. The structure has at least two bones. The transmitter is adapted for transmitting a signal to cross the structure transversely. An electronic moveable gantry is provided for adjusting the position of the acoustic transmitter and the acoustic receiver in relation to the structure. A computer system is enabled to perform one or more functions to position the moveable gantry; transmit the signal by the transmitter; control the signal transmitted by the transmitter; receive the transmitted signal by the receiver; and estimate bone age responsive to the received signal by at least one bone age calculation formula.
US07678047B2 Chaologic brain function diagnosis apparatus
In an apparatus for diagnosing a brain function of a subject 20 by giving a load to a functional site of a living organism of the subject 20, receiving reactions emitted from the living organism of the subject 20 as an electric signal 40, 50, 60 or 70 and analyzing the electric signal 40, 50, 60 or 70, the electric signals 40, 50, 60 and 70 are a voice signal 40, an nystagmus signal 50, a pulse wave signal 60 and a gravity center swinging signal 70. The apparatus selects at least two from among them, calculates chaos theoretical indexes such as Lyapunov exponents according to a chaos theoretical technique, detects changes in the chaos theoretical indexes with passage of time, and collectively evaluates and diagnoses the brain function.
US07678046B2 Hand assisted laparoscopic seal assembly with a ratchet mechanism
A seal assembly for permitting hand assisted laparoscopic procedures includes a seal cap having a seal positioned within a housing. The housing includes a lower seal ring having a track which supports an upper seal ring for relative rotational motion, wherein the seal is supported between the upper seal ring and the lower seal ring for rotation between an open orientation and a closed orientation. The track includes an inner upstanding annular wall and an outer upstanding annular wall connected by a base member. A ratchet mechanism controls motion of the upper seal ring relative to the lower seal ring. The ratchet mechanism includes a ratchet arm oriented to engage a ratchet surface and the ratchet surface is positioned between the inner upstanding annular wall and the outer upstanding annular wall.
US07678045B2 Endoscope optical system
An endoscope observation optical system capable of improving the observation resolution of a mucous membrane of a living body is provided. The endoscope includes an observation optical system compatible with both standard visible-light observation and blood-vessel-enhancement observation, whose main component of a displayed image is an absorption peak of hemoglobin present in a waveband lower than 480 nm, wherein some longitudinal chromatic aberration remains in the endoscope observation optical system due to undercorrection at a wavelength of 415 nm, and wherein the focal position during blood-vessel-enhancement observation is set closer to a near point than the focal position during standard visible-light observation.
US07678044B2 Endoscopic device
A first balloon is fitted to an insertion portion of an endoscope and a second balloon is fitted to an insertion aid member. An end connector of a tube is connected to a balloon control device that supplies and sucks air into and from the first balloon and the second balloon. A duct that communicates with the first balloon, a duct that communicates with the second balloon, and a duct that communicates with a clearance between the insertion portion and the insertion aid member are formed in the end connector.
US07678034B2 Embossing roll and embossed substrate
An apparatus including a surface containing at least one embossing element. The embossing element having a first sidewall angle and a second sidewall angle and wherein the first sidewall angle is different than the second sidewall angle.
US07678032B2 Exercise apparatus, method of using and/or configuring same
An exercise apparatus is disclosed having a base, an longitudinally extending bottom member rail directed generally transverse to the base, and an upright support. The exercise apparatus also has a lever arm, including an exercise bar, that is connected to the upright support and pivotable thereabout. The lever arm of the exercise apparatus is movable to a folded stage adjacent the upright support, and the bottom rail is movable toward the upright support to a folded stage, adjacent the folded lever arm in the folded stage.
US07678029B2 Inflatable punching bag
An inflatable punching bag includes an inflatable bag, at least one sensor device, a control box and a base. At least one impact area is formed on the inflatable bag. A single sensor device is attached behind each impact area. Each sensor device preferably includes a sensor case, at least one light source and an impact sensor. A control box includes a power source, a sound transducer and an electrical circuit. The electrical circuit receives input from at least one impact sensor. The electrical circuit provides a light output through the at least one light source and/or an audible output through the sound transducer. The base preferably includes a weighted portion and intermediate portion. The weighted portion is filled with a dense solid or a liquid to provide support for the inflatable bag. A second embodiment includes a motor for pivoting the inflatable bag.
US07678026B2 Mobile physical training system and method thereof
A mobile physical training system and method, wherein a wheeled platform is secured to a user via a bodyworn harness and/or belt, wherein the user can easily and selectively manipulate the amount of resistant weight carried by the platform, and wherein consistent, hands-free delivery the resistant weight force is realized for both pushing and pulling actions, thereby enabling the physical training system of the present invention to target speed, strength, and endurance training for individuals of virtually any skill level during a variety of training activities, such as walking, jogging, forward, backward and lateral running, push training, mobility training, and wheelchair training.
US07678022B1 Loading device of leg extension machine
A loading device of a leg extension machine includes: a set of symmetric left and right gear disks linked and engaged with each other and installed onto two axles of left and right leg extension elements respectively, such that if the leg extension elements are pulled apart or pressed together, the two axles drive the left and right gear disks to rotate in opposite directions synchronously; a motor having a first gear installed on a main shaft and engaged with one of the left and right gear disks and a second gear engaged between the first gear and the gear disks for producing a driving resistance to the left and right gear disks synchronously; a current controller, provided for an exerciser to adjust the current transmitted to the motor through a microcomputer control panel; and a movement path sensor, for using pulse signals generated by a pair of optical couplers as feedback positions and determining the positive or negative rotation if the axle drives the optical interrupt disk, so as to control a curved load, and appropriately compensate the load current to provide a smooth and real-world setting.
US07678020B2 Vehicle control apparatus
A vehicle clutch has a pushing member that is energized against a friction plane and transfers power from a driving power source when it touches the friction plane. The location of the pushing member can be retained even when power is shut off. After a signal from the key switch ends, the control apparatus stops the driving power source and the vehicle, engages the friction transfer mechanism, and then stops the system.
US07678019B2 Control device and control method for friction engagement element
An ECT_ECU executes a program including the step of prohibiting a lockup clutch from engaging if the lockup clutch is disengaged and a number of revolutions or speed NE of an input shaft of a torque converter minus a number of revolutions or speed NT of an output shaft of the torque converter is smaller than a threshold value ΔN (1).
US07678017B2 Shift control device and ratio control method for automatic transmission
In a shift control device and a shift control method for an automatic transmission, when the shift range is switched from a non-travel range to a travel range, a squat control of temporarily forming a high-speed step that is smaller in speed change ratio than the first speed change step by engaging a first engagement element and a second engagement element, and then forming the first speed change step by releasing the second engagement element. In the case of standing-start of the vehicle in the high-speed step, the squat control is ended before the first speed change step is formed by releasing the second engagement element.
US07678015B2 Efficiency based integrated power train control system
A power train control system for a mobile machine is disclosed. The power train control system has a power source configured to produce a power output, a transmission device operatively connected to receive the power output and propel the mobile machine, and a control module. The control module is configured to receive an indication of a power demand, receive an indication of a current travel speed of the mobile machine, and reference the power demand and the current travel speed with a power train efficiency map to determine a desired power source speed. The power train control system is also configured to control operation of the transmission device to bring a speed of the power source within a predetermined amount of the desired power source speed.
US07678010B2 8-speed transmission
The transmission has a plurality of members that can be utilized in powertrains to provide at least eight forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio. The transmission includes four planetary gear sets having five torque-transmitting devices, four fixed interconnections and a grounded member. The powertrain includes an engine and torque converter that is continuously connected to at least one of the planetary gear members and an output member that is continuously connected with another one of the planetary gear members. The five torque-transmitting devices provide interconnections between various gear members, and with a stationary member, and are operated in combinations of two to establish at least eight forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio.
US07678008B2 Multi-step automatic gearbox
A multi-step automatic gearbox comprising a drive shaft (AN), a driven shaft (AB), a double planetary front mounted gearset (VS), a main gearset (HS) which is embodied as a coupled planetary gearset comprising at least three non-coupled input elements and an output element, in addition to six shift elements (A to F) and closing takes place in pairs enabling at least eight forward gears to be shifted therein. One input element of the front mounted gearset is connected to the drive shaft. One output element of the front mounted gearset rotates at a rotational speed which is slower than the rotational speed of the input of the drive shaft. One element of the front mounted gearset is secured to a gearbox housing (GG). The fifth and sixth shifting elements (E, F) together form a component comprising a disk support (ZYLEF) for the fifth and sixth shifting element and for the fifth and sixth shifting element, respectively, a disk packet (500, 600) and a servodevice (510, 610) which is used to activate the respective disk packets.
US07678007B2 Reclining device incorporation by reference
The present invention relates to a reclining device that includes an external teeth gear and an internal teeth gear and in which the rotation axis of one of the external teeth gear and the internal teeth gear revolves around the rotation axis of the other. The present invention aims to provide a reclining device of which the operation force is small and the operation force varies little. To achieve the aim, one of (a) the plane of each of the external teeth 31b that engages with the internal teeth 32b and (b) the plane of each of the internal teeth 32b that engages with the external teeth 31b is arranged to be flat, and the other of (a) and (b) is arranged to be convex.
US07678006B2 Automatic transmission of motor vehicle
A first data section is provided that has a given data actually used when a frictional element is operated under a manual shift mode for providing an engine brake, and a second data section is provided that is actually used when an automatic shift is carried out. A control unit is so configured that when, during a shift from a second speed stage to a first speed stage under the manual shift mode, a mode change from the manual shift mode to the automatic shift mode is instructed, releasing operation of the frictional element is carried out by using the given data of the first dada section.
US07678005B2 Fixed speed operation in a hybrid transmission including sport and economy modes
A method of operating a hybrid transmission includes controlling the transmission according to a drive mode, which includes a continuously variable speed ratio, and according to automatic and manual fixed speed relationships modes, which include a plurality of fixed speed relationships including mechanics gear ratios and virtual gear relationships. The method also includes receiving a driver request for transmission operation in one of an Economy or a Sport mode, and operating the transmission in the requested Economy or Sport modes.
US07678002B2 One-way clutched damper for automatic belt tensioner
A new tensioner is disclosed that achieves asymmetric damping in part by using a moveable ramp plate. The moveable ramp plate is in frictional contact with the arm provides asymmetric frictional damping for the tensioner arm when the arm experiences wind-up and begins to move away from the belt. The ramp plate is rotatably associated with the movement of the tensioner arm through a spring. The tensioner arm may pivot in two directions. As the tensioner arm pivots in a direction toward the belt the ramp plate is urged such that friction between the ramp plate and tensioner are minimized. When the tensioner arm pivots in the opposite direction, as potentially typified by wind-up, the ramp plate is urged such that friction between the ramp plate and tensioner is increased thereby minimizing wind-up of the tensioner arm.
US07677999B2 Chain tensioner
A chain tensioner includes a housing defining a cylinder chamber, and a plunger having a small-diameter end and a spring both mounted in the cylinder chamber. A register ring is fitted in a ring-receiving groove formed in the inner periphery of the cylinder chamber near its open end. A plurality of annular grooves are formed in the outer periphery of the plunger so as to be axially spaced from each other at equal intervals. The register ring is adapted to be press-fitted in one of the annular grooves. With the register ring trapped between an engaging surface of a first annular groove which is one of the annular grooves located nearest to the front end of the plunger and a locking surface of the ring-receiving groove, an outer cylindrical surface of the plunger extending forwardly from the first annular groove has its front portion supported by an inner cylindrical surface of the cylinder chamber extending forwardly from the ring-receiving groove.
US07677994B2 Ball throwing and retrieving device
An apparatus for throwing and picking up a sphere. A user may employ the apparatus, for example, to throw a sphere. The user may also employ the apparatus to pick up the sphere without requiring any portion of the user come into contact with the sphere. The apparatus may include a claw or gripper for holding the sphere. The claw may have three or more prongs for gripping the sphere and may be attached to a handle. The handle may telescope from a retracted position to an operating position. The handle may include gripping surfaces to aid a user in holding the handle, and a clip for attaching the throwing apparatus to a belt, a hanger or other suitable support.
US07677991B2 Par one
A golf system that includes a tee or other area for striking a golf ball; and a golf green having a concave surface with a ball receptacle located at the lowest point in the surface so that a ball landing and remaining on the green will roll into the ball receptacle. The green includes a resiliently compressible layer coinciding with the concave surface. The resiliently compressible surface may include at least one layer of corrugated plastic material and may be covered with an artificial turf surface. The golf system may be used to play a unique game, wherein a plurality of balls are rolled on the green and travel in a spiral manner into the ball receptacle. The golf green may be mounted on a portable frame.
US07677989B2 Golf club stand for remembering clubs
A golf club stand to prevent the forgetting of spare clubs by standing them upright in a noticeable position when they are carried to a shot but are not used. The club stand folds into a compact configuration resembling a golf club for convenient carrying in a gold bag when not in use. The device generally comprises a shaft with a grip-handle similar to that of a golf club, and a sharp point at the distal end of the shaft to allow the club to be inserted into the ground. In addition, a dual-pivot arm is secured to the upper end of the shaft for supporting the handle(s) of one or more golf clubs. The ends of the dual-pivot arm are formed as cradles and may be pivoted into a transverse in-line position relative to the shaft. When the shaft is inserted vertically into the ground and the cradle ends of the pivot arm are horizontally disposed, a plurality of clubs may be supported by the club stand, the head of each club resting on the ground and the handle of all clubs supported by the transverse arm in one of the cradle ends. This keeps the clubs off the ground and highly visible. When they are standing upright in plain view they are harder to overlook and forget.
US07677986B2 Shifting guides for gutter ball prevention on a bowling alley
Bowling game apparatus allowing children to get strikes and spares for a high score. Two guides (10) are provided longitudinally along lane (3); two first retainers (15) are arranged outside the end of lane (3) near approach (2) for retaining first ends of the guides (10); two second retainers (20) for retaining the second ends of the guides (10) are provided over lane (3) between first retainers (15) and pins (5), and allow, as driven by a second-retainer drive unit, the guide second-end retaining portions of the second retainers (20) to shift between a guide position and a retract position apart from the guide position. The guides (10) diagonally intersect the longitudinal direction of the lane (3), where they come into contact with the height-wise center of a ball rolling down the lane (3) ball when the second-end retaining portions of the second retainers (20) are in the guide position.
US07677985B1 Cue stick
A cue stick includes a shaft, a solid force-transmitting pipe, a butt, and a wooden fitting portion. This shaft includes a tip, a solid portion, a hollow portion and a connecting portion. This solid force-transmitting pipe contains an inner space. The butt connects with the shaft. The wooden fitting portion fills in the inner space. The density of the wooden fitting portion is between 80% and 120% of the density of the solid portion. So, the weight and size are nearly same as the ones of a traditional solid wood cue stick. The total weight of the cue stick is proper. Its internal force transmission is evenly distributed. Plus, the feedback feeling for striking the cue ball is excellent.
US07677984B2 Protected connection interface for direct torque flow constant velocity joint and method thereof
A direct torque flow constant velocity joint connection interface includes a drive unit, a direct torque flow constant velocity joint connector and a sealant. The drive unit includes a shaft having a second interface surface. The direct torque flow constant velocity joint connector includes a unitary inner joint part having a first interface surface, where the first interface surface is connected to the second interface surface of the drive unit. The sealant provides filling between the first and second interface surfaces. Also provided is a direct torque flow constant velocity joint connector having sealant on an interface portion of an inner joint part and a method thereof.
US07677983B2 Drive assembly with an intermediate bearing
A drive assembly of a propeller shaft for use in the driveline of a motor vehicle, includes an intermediate bearing (31); a constant velocity universal joint (34); a shaft journal (33) having a first journal diameter (D1), and a free journal end which is connected to the constant velocity universal joint (34) and having a second journal diameter (D2), wherein a first journal length (L1) is measured between the bearing center of the intermediate bearing (31) and the joint center (34), and a second journal length (L2) is measured between the axial securing ring and the joint center; a rolling boot (43) is connected to an outer joint part (35) by a first collar and is positioned on the shaft journal (33) by a second collar; wherein the ratio between the second journal length (L2) and the second journal diameter (D2) is less than 2.0.
US07677981B2 Sealed joint assembly
A sealed joint assembly includes an outer joint part (3) with outer ball tracks (9), an inner joint part (4) with inner ball tracks (10), torque transmitting balls (6) which are guided in pairs of tracks and held in a cage (7) with cage windows (8). A sleeve (16) is connected to the inner joint part (4) and is coaxially arranged thereto. A sealing mechanism (12) with an annular cap (13) is fixed to the outer joint part (3) and includes a sealing diaphragm (15) with an outer collar (18) connected to the annular cap (13) and an inner collar (19) sealingly connected to the sleeve (16). A securing ring (20) fixes the inner collar (19) on the sleeve (16). The sleeve (16) has an annular groove (33) which is engaged by the sealing diaphragm (15) by an inner annular bead (32) formed on the inner collar (19).
US07677978B2 Game apparatus and game program
A game apparatus provided with a touch panel that a player can use to enter an instruction by touching a touch panel with a stick or a finger. A touch panel image, including multiple button switch images, is displayed on the touch panel, and the player can enter a desired instruction by touching a button switch image associated with the desired instruction. Thus, the player is able to provide an instruction concerning the action of a selected character with a simple operation.
US07677977B2 Video game processing apparatus, a method and a computer program product for processing a video game
A movement determining map is stored in addition to a field display map. The field display map is a three-dimensional map for displaying a field of the video game on the image display screen. The movement determining map is a two-dimensional map in which an enterable region. An unenterable region is distinguishably provided for the characters existing in the field. A control section determines a movement route of the sub character, in which no unenterable region exists, using the movement determining map when a predetermined movement route determining condition is met. The sub character is caused to move in accordance with the determined movement route. The predetermined movement route determining condition is met every predetermined period of time or in the case where the main character moves apart from the sub character in a predetermined distance or more.
US07677975B2 Video game with registration of funding sources
The disclosure provides novel video game methods and systems for obtaining funding for developing game environments. Methods and systems include a variety of funding sources including taxes, fees, licenses, bond issuance, loans, investors, commercial paper, convertible debt, bills, notes, debt issuance, promissory notes, venture capital, the issuance of private shares, transforming the game environment into a public company through an initial public offering, or through a follow on offering such as the issuance of common stock, preferred stock, or treasury stock.
US07677970B2 System and method for social matching of game players on-line
A matchmaking service that selects matches based on personal/social characteristics as well as skill and experience. The service takes into account direct feedback from other players about positive and negative experiences with a particular player and expectations about appropriate conduct and type of game being played before a player joins the game session.
US07677969B2 Bill acceptor for a gaming machine
A bill acceptor for a gaming machine including a receiving zone for receiving a tendered bill. A sensing device is arranged at an input region of the receiving zone for sensing at least one characteristic of the bill. A controller is in communication with the sensing device for receiving an output signal from the sensing device. An annunciator is controlled by the controller to be activated when a bill acceptance rate of the controller drops below a predetermined threshold.
US07677968B2 Wagering game with symbol combinations providing virtual mapping to table with game outcomes
A gaming machine for conducting a wagering game includes a display for displaying three or more reels, one having at least one triggering symbol representing a guaranteed award when it lands along an active payline selected by the player. When the triggering symbol lands along the selected payline, resulting in a triggering outcome, a corresponding outcome is retrieved from a table containing mappings of each triggering outcome with a corresponding outcome. The table is predetermined such that at the time the triggering outcome is presented to the player, the outcome is preordained. The outcome can further include another triggering symbol, in which case that winning outcome is further mapped to a retriggered winning outcome. In addition to mapping to each triggering outcome with a outcome, each outcome can be mapped to a game enhancement parameter.
US07677967B2 Battle school
Educational materials are presented in the format of games such as role-playing where participants progress through game storylines within a game environment. Each game participant is assigned a game character having unique and dynamic attributes that can be modified as the character progresses through the game storylines. The characters encounter challenges and participate in game actions that require the participant to answer questions that correspond to educational materials that are contextually unrelated to the game storylines. In order to successfully modify a character's attributes, obtain possessions for the character, progress through the storyline, to be successful in battle sequences or to obtain a desired reward, the participants must correctly answer the questions they are presented. To obtain a successful result, it is also sometimes necessary for a participant to recruit other participants having different assigned characters with different attributes to collaborate and work with the participant.
US07677964B1 Air exhausting apparatus with draining passage
An air-exhausting apparatus, device, method of assembly and use for an attic and rooftop fan, which prevents water intrusion into the housing. The fan can include a tubular base having a bottom side mounted on a roof of a room, and an upper end portion converging toward a top side of the base. A coupling sleeve unit has a first coupling end portion sleeved fixedly on the base and cooperating with the base to define an annular draining passage therebetween, and a second coupling end portion opposite to the first coupling end portion. A fan unit is mounted in the coupling sleeve unit, and is operable so as to exhaust air outwardly of the room via air holes in the second coupling end portion of the coupling sleeve unit. A cover unit includes a cover body disposed on the second coupling end portion of the coupling sleeve unit, and a supporting frame interconnecting fixedly the cover body and the coupling sleeve unit. Wear and/or sound absorbers can also be included.
US07677962B2 Electronic device and filtering unit
A filtering unit for receiving an electronic device. The filtering unit includes a housing, a filter, a fan, a detector, and a controller. The housing includes an inlet. The filter is disposed at the inlet of the housing. The fan is disposed in the housing. The detector detects the number of particles in the filter. The controller is coupled to the fan and the detector. When the number of the particles in the filter exceeds a threshold value, the detector outputs a signal to the controller to change the rotating direction of the fan.
US07677960B2 Hand held knife
An electrically operated knife includes a handle and a first set of dual cutting blades connected together for reciprocal side-to-side linear motion. A first stationary motor connected to a power source and a first reciprocating assembly is removably connected to the first set of dual cutting blades and coupled to an output shaft of the first motor for reciprocally moving the first set of dual cutting blades. There is a second set of dual cutting blades mounted in spaced relationship to the first set of dual cutting blades. A second motor and a second reciprocating assembly are provided for reciprocally moving the second set of dual cutting blades. A mounting member and a pivotable lever are provided for selectively adjusting a spaced relationship between the first set of dual cutting blades and the second set of dual cutting blades and a switch which operates both motors.
US07677959B2 Multilayer polishing pad and method of making
A polishing pad has a polishing layer with a polishing surface and a first registration mark, and a backing layer connected to the polishing layer and having a second registration mark aligned with the first registration mark. The polishing pad may have a window that includes an aperture in the backing layer aligned with a solid transparent portion in the polishing layer.
US07677955B2 Grinding method for wafer
A grinding method for a wafer having a plurality of devices on the front side, wherein the back side of the wafer is ground by a grinding wheel to suppress the motion of heavy metal in the wafer by a gettering effect and also to maintain the die strength of each device at about 1,000 MPa or more. The grinding wheel is composed of a frame and an abrasive member fixed to the free end of the frame. The abrasive member is produced by fixing diamond abrasive grains having a grain size of less than or equal to 1 μm with a vitrified bond. A protective member is attached to the front side of the wafer and the wafer is held on a chuck table in the condition where the protective member is in contact with the chuck table. The grinding wheel is rotated as rotating the chuck table to thereby grind the back side of the wafer by means of the abrasive member so that the average surface roughness of the back side of the wafer becomes less than or equal to 0.003 μm and the thickness of a strain layer remaining on the back side of the wafer becomes 0.05 μm.
US07677954B2 O.D. centerless grinding machine
In one aspect of the present invention, an outer diameter (O.D.) centerless grinding machine for use in grinding a diamond workpiece has a grinding wheel positioned parallel to a regulating wheel which is adapted to press a cylindrical workpiece into the grinding wheel as the regulating wheel rotates. Electronic equipment may be adapted to adjust a pressure of the regulating wheel against the grinding wheel. Also, a carrier may be adapted to house the workpiece, the carrier being attached to a translation mechanism adapted to move the carrier between the wheels such that the workpiece is in contact with both wheels.
US07677951B2 Adjustable breast positioning system for women's garment
Adjustable breast positioning system for a breast received within a breast cup of a woman's garment comprising a platform situated within a lower region of the breast cup; a shaping member at least partially overlaying the platform wherein the platform and shaping member are open to the top portion of the breast cup; and a connector having one end coupled to the platform and another end connected to an anchor moveably mounted to the garment for adjusting the platform for reducing the available volume for the breast within the breast cup and for concomitantly pushing the shaping member upward and inward for displacing the breast upward, forward, and inward toward the center of the wearer's chest while simultaneously increasing the volume of the breast outside the top portion of the breast cup for providing an improved visual presentation of the breast.
US07677950B2 Decorative element for the human body
A decorative element for the human body in the form of a breast clasp which can be worn on the person. One breast clasp can be worn in the crease beneath a female breast and is held in place by means of a clamping and adhesive effect. The breast clasp is designed as a curved element and performs a shaping or supporting function, or both, for the female breast.
关于PatentHub
关于我们 加入我们 联系我们 帮助中心
PatentHub产品
专利百科 商标查询 专利交易 大学排行榜 行业专题库
API接口 排行榜 专利资讯 最新中国发明专利 最新美国发明专利
PatentHub联系方式
QQ：3307693423 QQ：3236401158