Document | Document Title |
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US07709022B2 |
Sustained-release preparations of quinolone antibiotics and method for preparation thereof
The present invention relates to an orally administrable preparation comprising a quinolone antibiotic which releases the active compound with a delay. |
US07709020B2 |
Implantable device comprising phosphorus-containing macrolides
This invention concerns a new family of phosphorus-containing compounds containing a moiety JQA- in which:A is absent or is —O—, —S— or —NR2—;Q is absent or (if A is —O—, —S— or —NR2—) Q may be —V—, —OV—, —SV—, or —NR2V—, where V is an aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, or heteroaryl moiety, such that J is linked to the cyclohexyl ring directly, through A or through VA, OVA, SVA or NR2VA; K is O or S; each occurrence of Y is independently —O—, —S—, —NR2—, or a bond linking a R5 moiety to P; each occurrence of R2 and R5 is independently an aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, or heteroaryl moiety, or H; and each occurrence of R6 is independently —PK(YR5)(YR5), —SO2(YR5) or —C(O)(YR5); so long as any R2, or R5 moiety linked directly to P is not H; wherein two R2, R5 and/or R6 moieties may be chemically linked to one another to form a ring; each occurrence of G is independently —O—, —S—, —NR2— or (M)x; each occurrence of M is independently a substituted or unsubstituted methylene moiety, and any M-M′ moiety may be saturated or unsaturated; each occurrence of x is independently an integer from 1-6; and the other variables are as defined herein. |
US07709019B2 |
Method for treatment directed to agent retention in biological tissues
An increase in agent residence time at a tissue site is provided for by the presence of a barrier. The barrier is a separate entity from the agent when introduced to the tissue. A binding member is included in the barrier for coupling the barrier to the surface of the tissue. In one embodiment, agent is introduced to the tissue prior to attachment of the barrier to the tissue. In another embodiment, agent is presented after the barrier is positioned on the tissue surface. A delivery vehicle may be used to administer the agent and barrier to a patient. |
US07709015B2 |
Personal care composition comprising hydrophobic gel
Disclosed is a polyol-in-silicone emulsion consisting essentially of: (i) an alkyl dimethicone copolyol having an HLB of from about 4 to about 6, and a molecular weight of from about 10,000 to about 20,000, wherein the alkyl group is made of about 10 to about 22 carbons; and (ii) a polyol, wherein the weight ratio of the alkyl dimethicone copolyol to the polyol is from about 100:1 to about 2:8; methods to make such a polyol-in-silicone emulsion, as well as an anhydrous personal care composition comprising by weight: (a) from about 0.01% to about 15% of an alkyl dimethicone copolyol having an HLB of about 4-6, and a molecular weight of from about 10,000 to about 20,000, wherein the alkyl group is made of about 10 to about 22 carbons; (b) from about 0.01% to about 35% of a polyol, wherein the weight ratio of the alkyl dimethicone copolyol to the polyol is from about 100:1 to about 2:8; and wherein the composition is substantially free of water. |
US07709008B2 |
Polypeptides and polynucleotides from coagulase-negative staphylococci
Methods for treating or preventing infections from coagulase-negative staphylococci using proteins and polypeptides from coagulase-negative staphylococcal bacteria such as S. epidermidis, including proteins designated SdrF, SdrG and SdrH, and their effective fragments such as their respective A domains, are provided. Methods are also provided wherein antibodies that recognize the SdrG protein or its ligand binding A region are used to treat or prevent staphylococcal infection, and these methods can also be utilized to prevent the formation of infections on indwelling medical devices. |
US07709005B2 |
Method of attenuating neurogenic swelling or neurogenic inflammation
The present invention provides a method of attenuating the formation or reducing the severity of neurogenic swelling and/or neurogenic inflammation in the tissue of a patient via applying a composition comprising a hydrophilic foam substrate and a polymeric hydrophilic agent to a portion of the surface of the skin in an amount and at a location sufficient to attenuate formation of or reduce the severity of neurogenic swelling and/or neurogenic inflammation. |
US07709001B2 |
Multivalent pneumococcal polysaccharide-protein conjugate composition
An immunogenic composition having 13 distinct polysaccharide-protein conjugates and optionally, an aluminum-based adjuvant, is described. Each conjugate contains a capsular polysaccharide prepared from a different serotype of Streptococcus pneumoniae (1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 9V, 14, 18C, 19A, 19F and 23F) conjugated to a carrier protein. The immunogenic composition, formulated as a vaccine, increases coverage against pneumococcal disease in infants and young children globally, and provides coverage for serotypes 6A and 19A that is not dependent on the limitations of serogroup cross-protection. Also described is a method for making an immunogenic conjugate comprising Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 3 polysaccharide covalently linked to a carrier protein, the method including periodic acid oxidation of the polysaccharide in the presence of bivalent cations. |
US07708998B2 |
Methods of inhibiting unwanted cell proliferation using hedgehog antagonists
The present application is directed to compositions and methods for inhibiting angiogenesis and treating or preventing unwanted cell proliferation, including tumors, by inhibiting the hedgehog pathway, e.g., with an antagonist of the hedgehog pathway such as those disclosed herein. |
US07708997B2 |
Method of modulating the activity of functional immune molecules
The invention relates to a method for controlling the activity of an immunologically functional molecule, such as an antibody, a protein, a peptide or the like, an agent of promoting the activity of an immunologically functional molecule, and an immunologically functional molecule having the promoted activity. |
US07708996B2 |
DR3 antibodies
The present invention relates to novel Death Domain Containing Receptor (DR3 and DR3-V1) proteins that are members of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor family. In particular, isolated nucleic acid molecules are provided encoding the human DR3 and DR3-V1 proteins. DR3 and DR3-V1 polypeptides are also provided, as are vectors, host cells and recombinant methods for producing the same. Also provided are antibodies and fragments thereof that bind to polypeptides of the invention. The invention further relates to screening methods for identifying agonists and antagonists of DR3 and DR3-V1 activity. |
US07708994B2 |
Therapy of autoimmune disease in a patient with an inadequate response to a TNF-α inhibitor
The present application describes therapy with antagonists which bind to B cell surface markers, such as CD20. In particular, the application describes the use of such antagonists to treat autoimmune disease in a mammal who experiences an inadequate response to a TNFα-inhibitor. |
US07708991B2 |
Method for treating cancer and identifying novel anti-cancer compounds
The present invention relates to compositions and methods for treating cancer, especially epithelial and eutopic cancers using inhibitors of H-HCG or β-H-HCG, as well as vaccines for use in oncostasis or reducing the likelihood of recurrence of cancer after remission. In addition, the present invention provides a method for reducing the likelihood that a woman will become pregnant or that an unwanted pregnancy may be terminated. |
US07708985B2 |
Glycosylated IL-7, preparation and uses
The present invention relates to new and improved interleukin-7 polypeptides, as well as compositions comprising the same, their preparation and uses. The invention more particularly relates to hyperglycosylated IL-7 polypeptides having improved properties, as well as their manufacture and therapeutic uses. The invention also discloses novel IL-7 polypeptides having modified amino acid sequences containing artificially created glycosylation site(s), as well as corresponding nucleic acid molecules, vectors and recombinant host cells. The invention also relates to the use of such polypeptides, cells or nucleic acids for curative or preventive treatment of mammalian subjects, including human subjects. |
US07708982B2 |
Gels for dispensing active volatile materials
The present invention relates to the field of perfumery and more precisely it concerns a gel composition, and the consumer articles associated therewith, for dispensing an active volatile component in the surrounding space. The gel composition comprises a volatile liquid component and a thermoplastic polyether-ester-amide elastomer (PEEA). |
US07708981B2 |
Cosmetic compositions comprising at least one crosslinked copolymer, at least one insoluble mineral particle and at least one polymer, and uses thereof
Disclosed herein are a cosmetic composition comprising, in a cosmetically acceptable medium, at least one crosslinked copolymer comprising at least one methacrylic acid unit and at least one C1-C4 alkyl acrylate unit, at least one polymer chosen from cationic and amphoteric polymers and at least one water-insoluble solid mineral particle chosen from clays, particles comprising alumina, particles comprising at least 10% by weight of calcium carbonate, and selenium sulphide, and the use of the composition for washing and/or conditioning keratin materials, such as hair or skin. |
US07708980B2 |
Nonflammable propellant blend
Propellants comprising a combination of: (a) a liquid component that is soluble in the organic chemical-based material; (b) a soluble gas component that has a solubility of at least about 3% by weight in the organic chemical-based material; and, (c) a substantially insoluble gas component that has a solubility of less than about 3% by weight of the organic chemical-based material are effective for a wide range of airless applications. Adjustment of the ratios of (a) to (b) to (c) can lead to propellants that provide excellent spray patterns for a wide range of organic chemical-based formulations. |
US07708978B2 |
Targeted hydrophilic polymer, binders with interferon and medical composite comprising above binders
The present invention relates to an active targeted water-solubility macromolecule polymer, conjugate with interferon and pharmaceutical composition comprising the conjugate. The targeted agent includes, for example, glucose, galatose and the like, as well as their derivates. The conjugate of the present invention is well in water-solubility and have long physiological cycle half-life period, and have specific recognition to pathology organize, improved and increased medication effect of interferon to Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C etc. infectivity sickness and cancer, infect complication etc. |
US07708977B2 |
Method for diagnosis and treatment of vascular disease
A method for diagnosing decreased vascular function is disclosed. The method includes assaying the number of endothelial progenitor cells. A method for detecting increased cardiovascular risk is also disclosed, as is a method for diagnosing atherosclerosis. In one example, the methods include assaying the number of endothelial progenitor cells. A method for treating a subject with decreased vascular function is disclosed. The method includes administering a therapeutically effective amount of endothelial progenitor cells to the subject. In one embodiment, the subject has atherosclerosis. |
US07708969B2 |
Method of forming metal oxide
In a method and an apparatus for forming metal oxide on a substrate, a source gas including metal precursor flows along a surface of the substrate to form a metal precursor layer on the substrate. An oxidizing gas including ozone flows along a surface of the metal precursor layer to oxidize the metal precursor layer so that the metal oxide is formed on the substrate. A radio frequency power is applied to the oxidizing gas flowing along the surface of the metal precursor layer to accelerate a reaction between the metal precursor layer and the oxidizing gas. Acceleration of the oxidation reaction may improve electrical characteristics and uniformity of the metal oxide. |
US07708966B2 |
Systems and methods for on-site selective catalytic reduction
A selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system includes an on-board ammonia generation system that produces nitrogen from air and hydrogen from a source of a hydrogen-containing compound, and generates an ammonia product from the nitrogen and hydrogen to provide the ammonia product into an exhaust from a NOx generator to reduce the NOx in the exhaust. Oxygen from one or both of the nitrogen generator and the hydrogen generation cell can be supplied to the NOx generator for cleaner combustion or to a particulate filter for cleaning the filter. H2O from the NOx generator can at least partially provide a water source for the hydrogen generation cell. |
US07708965B2 |
Air purifying method
The invention concerns a novel method for purifying air and gasses, consisting of an optimized air ventilation slab, with its air ventilation pipes, air ventilation pipettes and air diffusion plugs; optionally a complementary cellular material enabling the material to be supported providing biofiltration, purification or treatment of air, and optionally a device for diffusing liquids and/or bacteria and/or enzymes, allowing the biofilter to act as the equivalent of a gas scrubbing tower. |
US07708964B2 |
Oil shale derived pollutant control materials and methods and apparatuses for producing and utilizing the same
Pollution control substances may be formed from the combustion of oil shale, which may produce a kerogen-based pyrolysis gas and shale sorbent, each of which may be used to reduce, absorb, or adsorb pollutants in pollution producing combustion processes, pyrolysis processes, or other reaction processes. Pyrolysis gases produced during the combustion or gasification of oil shale may also be used as a combustion gas or may be processed or otherwise refined to produce synthetic gases and fuels. |
US07708958B2 |
System and containers for water filtration and item sanitization
A system and containers for water filtration and item sanitization are described herein. In one embodiment, a water filtration device uses an extruded carbon sheet or granulated activated carbon to filter unpurified, gravity-fed water. The device can be a stand-alone water container or incorporated within a water purification system having a further purification technology located in a base in fluid communication with the water container. Other sanitizing containers can be used with the base to sanitize items while the water in the container is being sanitized. The base can include controls for informing a user when the water filtration or item sanitization has been completed. A method of sanitizing items is also disclosed. Practical applications include drinking water filtration, sanitization of household items, medical equipment, and the like. |
US07708957B2 |
Thermally stable ceramic media for use in high temperature environments
A chemical processing apparatus that utilizes a ceramic media sintered at a lower temperature than the apparatus' maximum exposure temperature is described. The media's physical and chemical properties may contribute to its thermal stability when exposed to temperatures that exceed the media's sintering temperature by at least 50° C. |
US07708956B2 |
Combination hot separator and reactor vessel for simultaneously desulfurizing two vapor streams
A method and an apparatus for removing sulfur hydrocarbon compounds from a naphtha stream and for simultaneously removing sulfur hydrocarbon compounds from two streams is described. A separator vessel having a top, a bottom, a primary feed inlet and a co-feed inlet is disposed vertically above the primary feed inlet. The separator vessel further includes a catalyst bed disposed between the co-feed inlet and the top. A primary feed stream comprising sulfur hydrocarbon compounds is delivered through the effluent inlet and a vaporized co-feed stream that also comprises sulfur hydrocarbon compounds is delivered through the co-feed inlet. Vaporized sulfur hydrocarbon compounds from the primary feed stream with the vaporized co-feed stream pass upwardly through the desulfurization catalyst bed. Sulfur hydrocarbon compounds from both primary feed and co-feed stream are at least partially converted to hydrogen sulfide and non-sulfur containing hydrocarbons in the catalyst bed. |
US07708949B2 |
Method and apparatus for fluid dispersion
A microfluidic method and device for focusing and/or forming discontinuous sections of similar or dissimilar size in a fluid is provided. The device can be fabricated simply from readily-available, inexpensive material using simple techniques. |
US07708948B2 |
Test system for analyzing body fluids
The invention relates to a test system for analyzing body fluids of the type comprising a test element tape carrying a plurality of test elements, a tape deflector for the test element tape for the selective application of body fluid, and a light source as well as a detector for optically analyzing test elements to which body fluid has been applied. The tape deflector has a rotatable optical element which acts as a deflection roller during transport of the test element tape. The optical element is positioned in the optical path between the light source and the detector. |
US07708945B1 |
Device and method for determining multiple analytes
A device includes a planar optical waveguide, as part of a sensor platform, and, connected to the platform directly or by means of a sealing medium, a sealing layer. The sealing layer forms either directly or by means of a sealing medium a tightly sealing layer. The sealing layer includes a multitude of recesses at least open towards the sensor platform, which form a corresponding multitude of sample compartments in a 2-dimensional arrangement. Each of the sample compartments has different biological or biochemical recognition elements, for the specific recognition and binding of different analytes, immobilized in five or more discrete measurement areas, wherein the measurement areas are in optical interaction with excitation light emanating from the optical waveguide, as part of the sensor platform which forms a demarcation of the sample compartments, and wherein the sample compartments are operable to be cleared from received sample or reagent solutions and to then receive, optionally without washing steps, further sample or reagent solutions, which are supplied to the same sample compartments. |
US07708944B1 |
Ultra-sensitive, portable capillary sensor
A portable, lightweight, rugged, easy-to-operate biosensor useful for rapidly detecting cells, viruses, antibodies, and other proteins. A capillary tube has a capture antibody immobilized on its interior surface. The specific capture antibody is selected based upon a desired target analyte to be detected. A sample potentially containing the target antigen is introduced into the capillary tube. Thereafter, a second antibody labeled with a fluorescent dye is introduced. Upon excitation by electromagnetic energy, typically supplied by a laser, the fluorescence of the sample is captured and analyzed. The apparatus is extremely compact and rugged making it ideal for field use. In addition, accurate results may be obtained by relatively unskilled operators directly from a self-contained readout. Optionally, an external device (e.g., a computer) may be connected to the apparatus via an optional interface. The analysis time provided by the biosensor system of the invention is shorter than has heretofore been possible. |
US07708936B2 |
Cemented carbide tool and method of making the same
A cemented carbide tool comprising hard constituents in a binder phase of Co and/or Ni and at least one surface portion and an interior portion in which surface portion the grain size is smaller than in the interior portion is disclosed. The surface portion with the fine grain size has a lower binder phase content than the interior portion. A method to form the cemented carbide cutting tool is also disclosed. |
US07708935B2 |
Float bath bottom refractory brick and process for its production
A process for producing a float bath bottom refractory brick which can suppress a reaction with Na2O from glass at the surface of the refractory brick and thereby prevent flaking phenomena, which process comprises adding a potassium compound to a clayey material comprising from 30 to 45 mass % of Al2O3 and from 50 to 65 mass % of SiO2 and having a Na2O content of at most 1 mass %, so that the K2O content in the float bath bottom refractory brick to be produced would be from 2 to 4 mass %; and a refractory brick useful for a float bath bottom for production of plate glass by a float process. |
US07708934B2 |
Method for producing a precursor ceramic
In a method for manufacturing a precursor ceramic by pyrolysis of elementorganic precursor polymers, carbon nanotubes are bonded to the precursor ceramic and the bonding is performed in such a way that the quantity of free carbon forming in the decomposition of the elementorganic precursor polymers is adjusted in such a way that there is a stoichiometric or moderately hypostoichiometric carbon concentration in the precursor ceramic. |
US07708924B2 |
Imprint lithography
A lithographic apparatus is disclosed that has a template holder configured to hold an imprint template, a substrate table arranged to receive a substrate, a radiation output arranged to illuminate a part of the imprint template, and a detector configured to detect radiation scattered from an interface between the imprint template and imprintable material provided on the substrate. |
US07708923B1 |
Process of molding a coupling for interconnecting tubes
A coupling and a process of molding the coupling is disclosed for interconnecting a primary and a secondary tube. The process comprises the steps of inserting a primary core pin into the primary tube. A secondary core pin is inserted into the second tube to abut with the primary core pin. The assembled tubes and core pins are placed within a mold cavity and a thermoplastic material is injected for forming the coupling. The coupling and the interconnected tubes are removed from the mold cavity. The secondary core pin is disengaged from the secondary core pin to be removed by passing the secondary core pin through the secondary tube. The primary core pin is removed by passing the secondary core pin through the primary tube. The coupling forms a smooth interconnection of the inner cross-sections of the first and second tubes. |
US07708921B2 |
Solution film-forming method
A cast web formed on a support in a casting process is peeled off the support by a first roller in a peeling and conveying process. As being peeled by the first roller, the cast web forms a film, and conveyed through a second roller to a tenter drying process. The peeling and conveying process has a length from a peeling position to a holding position of the film by clips. The length is set to be 10% to 80% of the width of the cast web. The first and second rollers are concave rollers. A couple of blowers are disposed at the end of the peeling and conveying process, to blow the lateral sides of the film in laterally outward directions of the film, to stretch curls in the lateral sides of the film. |
US07708920B2 |
Conductively doped resin moldable capsule and method of manufacture
A method to form moldable capsules of a conductively doped resin-based material is realized. The method comprises compressing a bundle of micron conductive fiber strands by passing the bundle through a compressing ring. A resin-based material is extruded/pultruded onto the compressed bundle. The resin-based material and the bundle are sectioned into moldable capsules. The micron conductive fiber comprises between about 20% and about 50% of the total weight of each moldable capsule. |
US07708914B2 |
Method of and apparatus for producing micro lens and micro lens
The steps of producing a micro lens comprises the steps of forming a resin layer on a substrate in a desired pattern, causing the resin layer to absorb from its surroundings solvent which dissolves the resin so that the resin layer has fluidity and the surface of the resin layer becomes convex under the surface tension, and then drying the solvent. |
US07708911B2 |
Titanium oxide based hybrid material, respective preparation process and uses
Titanium oxide based hybrid material usable as an electrochemical sensor which is particularly sensitive for detecting chemical and biological substances, in particular substances which act as neurotransmitters. Said material is represented by the formula: TiCxOyHz with 0.1≦x≦0.6, 2.0≦y≦3.0 and 0.1≦z≦0.9. Said hybrid material is produced and deposited on a substrate using either a polymeric precursor route or MOCVD. |
US07708909B2 |
Self orienting micro plates of thermally conducting material as component in thermal paste or adhesive
The present invention relates generally to thermally-conductive pastes for use with integrated circuits, and particularly, but not by way of limitation, to self-orienting microplates of graphite. |
US07708908B2 |
Carboxylic acid-modified EDOT for bioconjugation
An electroconductive carboxylic acid functionalized monomer corresponding to Formula (I), wherein A represents a hydrogen or a carboxyl group. Polymerized monomers of Formula (I) conjugated with a biomolecule result in conjugated PEDOT polymers of Formula (III) wherein A is a hydrogen or a carboxylic acid group and B is a biomolecule selected from the group consisting of a peptide, a protein, a lipid, a carbohydrate and a polynucleotide. The biomolecule conjugated polymers can be disposed onto an electrically conductive substrate wherein the substrate has a first layer of PEDOT polymerized on a surface of the substrate and a second layer of biomolecule conjugated PEDOT polymer of Formula (III) polymerized on the first layer of PEDOT. The first and second layers form a charge transport material in electrical communication with the conductive substrate. The electrically conductive substrate further comprises a dopant. |
US07708907B1 |
Liquid crystal compounds and liquid crystal compositions comprising the same
A liquid crystal compound of Formula (I) is provided. In Formula (I), Y1, Y2 and Y3 are, independently, hydrogen, halogen, cyano or thiocyano, and R is C1-12 alkyl or C1-12 alkoxy, preferably C3-6 alkyl. The liquid crystal compound is colorless. The invention also provides a liquid crystal composition including the liquid crystal compound. |
US07708906B2 |
Liquid crystalline di(meth) acrylate compound, phase difference film, optical film, polarizing plate, liquid crystal panel and liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystalline di(meth)acrylate compound represented by the following formula (III): wherein, in the formula (III), R1 and R2 represent each independently a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, R3 and R4 represent each independently an alkylene group of a carbon number of 2 to 12, R5 and R6 represent each independently —O—CO— or —CO—O—, A1 and A2 represent each independently —O— or —O—CO—O—, and X represents an aromatic substituent. |
US07708899B2 |
Method for forming micro lenses
A method for forming micro lenses includes the step of performing an etching treatment to an object to be processed, which includes a lens material layer and a mask layer having lens shapes and formed on the lens material layer, using an etching gas including SF6 gas and CHF3 gas, an etching gas including SF6 gas and CO gas, an etching gas including a gas having therein carbon and fluorine and CO gas, or an etching gas including two or more kinds of gases from a first gas having therein carbon and fluorine and a second gas having therein carbon and fluorine, to etch the lens material layer and the mask layer and transfer the lens shapes of the mask layer to the lens material layer, thereby forming the micro lenses. |
US07708893B2 |
System and method for providing filtration in a sun pinion bore
A filtration system for a motorized wheel off-highway vehicle transmission that is proximate a sun pinion bore within the transmission, the system includes a helix shaped element that traverses along a longitudinal axis of the sun pinion bore, a magnet proximate the helix shaped element, and a housing proximate the helix shaped element and magnet. |
US07708891B2 |
Chromatography column and method of maintenance
A chromatography column and method of maintenance is described which does not require the use of a hoist or crane for disassembly. The method provides improved operator safety by reducing the need for the operator to work below a suspended or supported load within the column. Furthermore, the removal or replacement of column components is facilitated by providing access to the interior of the column and by the provision of a handling device. |
US07708885B2 |
Anaerobic digestion apparatus, methods for anaerobic digestion and for minimizing the use of inhibitory polymers in digestion
The invention includes an anaerobic solids digestion apparatus comprising a digester, at least one draft tube; at least one nozzle and a biogas source; a method for digesting a waste stream in an anaerobic solids digestion apparatus comprises feeding a waste stream to a digester; reacting the anaerobically biodegradable material in the waste stream with anaerobic bacteria in the digester; introducing a mixed liquor into the digester and mixing the mixed liquor; and a method for minimizing the use of inhibitory polymers by concurrently digesting and concentrating the mixed liquor in the digester. |
US07708882B2 |
Water treating apparatus
A vertical membrane module unit is allowed to be installed even at a place with a low ceiling. A housing containing a vertical membrane module unit is held by a housing holder. The housing holder holds the housing tiltably such that the housing can be positioned with the longitudinal direction of the membrane module unit being substantially vertical when treated water is extracted, and the housing can be positioned with the longitudinal direction of the membrane module unit being substantially horizontal when the membrane module unit is removed from the housing. |
US07708880B2 |
Chemical liquid supply apparatus and a chemical liquid supply method
A buffer tank section (6) includes a liquid accumulation chamber (61) communicating with, through a liquid introduction flow path (42), a liquid tank (46) accumulation chemical liquid. A filter section (4) includes a filter inlet (41a) and a filter outlet (41b), wherein the filter inlet (41a) communicates with a liquid discharge vent (60d) of the buffer tank section (6). In a pump (11), a pump inlet (11a) is connected to the filter outlet (41b) and a pump outlet (11b) is connected to a discharge nozzle (50) through a liquid discharge flow path (47). A return flow path (48) is connected between the pump outlet (11b) and the buffer tank section (6), wherein the chemical liquid, discharged from the pump (11), is returned to the liquid accumulation chamber (61). An exhaust flow path (49) is connected to the buffer tank section (6), thereby exhausting air in the liquid accumulation chamber (61). |
US07708878B2 |
Multiple side draws during distillation in the production of base oil blends from waxy feeds
A process for producing a product slate, which includes at least three base oil grades having kinematic viscosities at 100° C. within the range between about 1.8 cSt and 30 cSt, from a waxy feed having an initial boiling point of about 340° C. or less and a final boiling point of about 560° C. or higher, said process comprising (a) isomerizing at least a portion of the waxy feed, whereby the amount of isoparaffins present are increased; (b) distilling a first portion of the isomerized waxy feed in light block mode operation into at least three base oil fractions having different boiling ranges; (c) distilling a second portion of the isomerized waxy feed in medium block mode operation into at least three base oil fractions having different boiling ranges; and (d) blending at least one base oil fraction produced from light block mode with at least one base oil fraction produced from medium block mode to produce a lubricating base oil blend meeting a target value for at least one pre-selected property. |
US07708874B2 |
Electrophoresis apparatus
An electrophoresis apparatus having a plate on which channels are formed, a tray on which the plate is to be set, a tray driving unit for rotary driving the tray on which the plate is set, a voltage application unit for applying voltage to a buffer agent in the channels on the plate, an optical detection part for irradiating the channels on the plate with light, and detecting fluorescence that is generated from the sample due to the light irradiation. A plate clamp pressing the plate at only the channel formation areas of the plate against the plate setting surface of the tray, thereby fixing and holding the plate on the plate setting surface of the tray. |
US07708872B2 |
Actuator in a microfluidic system for inducing electroosmotic liquid movement in a micro channel
The present invention describes an actuator in a microfluidic system for inducing an electroosmotic liquid movement in a microchannel. |
US07708871B2 |
Nanodevice for controlled charged particle flow and method for producing same
The present invention relates to an apparatus having a nanodevice (1) for controlling the flow of charged particles in an electrolyte. Such apparatus comprises an electrolytic bath container (2) divided by a polymeric membrane foil (3) into a first (4) and a second compartment (5), wherein each compartment (4, 5) comprises an electrode (6, 7) connected to a voltage supply (8). Further the apparatus comprises at least one asymmetric pore (9) forming a via hole through said foil (3), wherein said pore (9) provides a narrow opening (10) of a diameter in the range of several nanometers down to about one nanometer on a front side (11) of said foil (3) and a wide opening (12) in the range of several ten nanometers up to several hundred nanometers on a back side (13) of said foil (3). Further, the apparatus comprises an electrically conductive layer (14) surrounding said narrow opening (10) on said front side (11) and a gate voltage supply (15) connected to said electrically conductive layer (14) on said front side (11) of said foil (3) controlling the flow of charged particles within said nanodevice (1) from said first compartment (4) to said second compartment (5) vice versa. The invention further relates to a method for producing such a nanodevice (1). |
US07708866B2 |
Sputtering apparatus
A sputtering apparatus comprises a substrate unit that includes a substrate on which a target material is deposited in a chamber and a target unit on which a plurality of target sections formed of the target material are arranged. The sputtering apparatus further comprises a cathode plate that supplies electric power to surfaces of the plurality of target sections and a plurality of gas supply ports provided on regions between the plurality of target sections. |
US07708863B2 |
Process for molding a friction wafer
A process and apparatus for making die-dried friction wafers collects friction particulates in a mold defining a wafer. The mold includes at least one perforate wall portion against which an aqueous slurry including the particulates is passed to form at least one layer on the wall as the particulates collect in the mold. The collection is dried followed by curing, and may be cured in the mold by heating. |
US07708858B2 |
Method of making high temperature resistant models or tools
A method of making High Temperature Resistant Models and Tools is provided. An assembly of substrates can be formed with intermediate adhesive layer of curable paste and same curable paste can be used as topcoat or sealer. The curable paste can be machine dispensed from a mixer mixing 2 components composition. The composition can contain a resin, a filler, a chemical thixotropy agent, a latent hardener and another hardener. The method provides easy and cost-effective manufacture of models or tools. |
US07708853B2 |
System for bonding glass into a structure
The invention is a bonding process using a composition comprising a) one or more organotitanates or zirconates having four ligands wherein the ligands are hydrocarbyl, optionally containing one or more functional groups having one or more heteroatoms selected from the group comprising oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur wherein two or more of the ligands may form a cyclic structure with the proviso that one of the ligands has an acidic moiety; one or more strong organic acids or a mixture thereof; b) one or more alkoxysilanes; c) optionally one or more high molecular weight resins; and d) a solvent which dissolves the components of the composition. This composition is referred to as a clear primer hereinafter. Preferably, the composition comprises both an organotitanate or zirconate and a strong acid. |
US07708845B2 |
Method for manufacturing thin sheets of high strength titanium alloys description
Disclosed is a method for manufacturing thin sheets of high-strength titanium alloys. The method includes the steps of preparing initial blanks, assembling the initial blanks into a pack within a sheath, and heating and hot rolling the pack of the initial blanks in the sheath. The method is characterized in that, in the step of preparing the initial blanks, blanks having an (α-phase grain size of not more than 2 μm are produced by hot rolling a forged or die-forged slab to a predetermined value of a relative thickness hB/hF, where hB is a thickness in mm of the initial blank before said pack hot rolling and hF is a final sheet thickness in mm, and by heat treating the initial blanks followed by rapidly cooling; and in that the step of pack hot rolling is conducted in quasi-isothermal conditions in longitudinal and transverse directions, while changing a rolling direction by about 90° after a predetermined total reduction in one direction is achieved. The method provides big-sized thin sheets made of high-strength titanium alloys and having homogeneous submicrocrystalline structure where an average grain size is less than 1 μm. The sheets have the required mechanical properties suitable for superplastic forming (SPF) at temperatures below 800° C. |
US07708841B2 |
Component for use in oil field technology made of a material which comprises a corrosion-resistant austenitic steel alloy
An austenitic, substantially ferrite-free steel alloy and a process for producing components therefrom. This Abstract is not intended to define the invention disclosed in the specification, nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way. |
US07708834B2 |
Bolt and plasma processing apparatus provided with same
A bolt which is driven into a female screw portion disposed in a brittle member in a wear environment includes a head formed of a wear resistant material, a body which is formed of a resin having elasticity or plasticity and has a first male screw portion, and a placed member disposed between the head and the body and formed of a wear resistant resin having elasticity or plasticity. The body further includes a second male screw portion disposed along a central axis of the body and the head includes a female screw portion which the second male screw portion is driven into. The placed member is of a plate shape and has a through hole in its central portion, and a diameter of the through hole is smaller than or equal to a nominal diameter of the first male screw portion and larger than or equal to a nominal diameter of the second male screw portion. |
US07708832B2 |
Method for preparing substrate for growing gallium nitride and method for preparing gallium nitride substrate
Provided is a method for preparing a substrate for growing gallium nitride and a gallium nitride substrate. The method includes performing thermal cleaning on a surface of a silicon substrate, forming a silicon nitride (Si3N4) micro-mask on the surface of the silicon substrate in an in situ manner, and growing a gallium nitride layer through epitaxial lateral overgrowth (ELO) using an opening in the micro-mask. According to the method, by improving the typical ELO, it is possible to simplify the method for preparing the substrate for growing gallium nitride and the gallium nitride substrate and reduce process cost. |
US07708830B2 |
Method and device for the production of a silicon single crystal, silicon single crystal, and silicon semiconductor wafers with determined defect distributions
A method for the production of a silicon single crystal by pulling the single crystal, according to the Czochralski method, from a melt which is held in a rotating crucible, the single crystal growing at a growth front, heat being deliberately supplied to the center of the growth front by a heat flux directed at the growth front. The method produces a silicon single crystal with an oxygen content of from 4*1017 cm−3 to 7.2*1017 cm−3 and a radial concentration change for boron or phosphorus of less than 5%, which has no agglomerated self-point defects. Semiconductor wafers are separated from the single crystal. These semiconductor wafers have may have agglomerated vacancy defects (COPs) as the only self-point defect type or may have certain other defect distributions. |
US07708828B2 |
Dust-free and pore-free, high-purity granulated polysilicon
A polycrystalline granulated silicon is made of particles which have a density of greater than 99.9% of the theoretical solid density and therefore have a pore content of less than 0.1% and have a surface roughness Ra of less than 150 nm. |
US07708827B2 |
Highly pure, replaceable wear insert and process for manufacturing the same
A highly pure, replaceable wear insert and a process for manufacturing the same use a group of materials which is suitable for meeting the requirements of high temperature semiconductor technology processes and is chosen at the same time for producing thin layers or components therefrom. The materials are compacted and purified at high temperatures in compression molds and the products so produced are put to their intended use. The substantially thin-walled and crucible-shaped, always highly pure components, which are predominantly made of expanded graphite, are employed as a wear insert for protecting graphitic support crucibles from reactive attack by quartz glass crucibles in semiconductor technology processes at temperatures above 500° C. |
US07708826B2 |
Additive for dewaterable slurry and slurry incorporating same
A cementitious slurry comprising fly ash having a predominant particle size of up to about 10 microns, and/or aluminous material having a predominant particle size of up to about 150 microns. The additive acts as a water reduction agent and can replace either wholly or partially a conventional plasticizer. |
US07708824B2 |
C. I. pigment red 57:1 and production process thereof
In C. I. pigment red 57:1 of the present invention, the total content of 3-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid and a metal salt thereof, which is measured by quantitative analysis using liquid chromatography, is 2,500 ppm or less as converted into the 3-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid. |
US07708819B2 |
Dust-free pigment compositions obtainable by spray-drying
The invention relates to a composition comprising from 92 to 97% by weight pigment and from 3 to 8% by weight binder, in each case based on the composition, wherein the binder is a mixture comprising: from 5 to 60% by weight, based on the binder, of modified cellulose wherein, on average, per glucose unit, from 0.5 to 1.4 hydroxyl hydrogen atoms are replaced by R1, from 0.25 to 0.6 hydroxyl hydrogen atoms are replaced by R2, or from 0.5 to 1.4 hydroxyl hydrogen atoms are replaced by R1, and from 0 to 0.6 hydroxyl hydrogen atoms are replaced by R2; and from 40 to 95% by weight, based on the binder, of a compound of formula (I) wherein Q is a hydrocarbon radical containing from 8 to 24 carbon atoms, unsubstituted or mono- to tri-substituted by hydroxy or OR1, each R1, independently of any other R1, is C1-C4alkyl or C1-C4alkylcarbonyl, each R2, independently of any other R2, is an organic group different from R1 and containing from 2 to 10 carbon, from 0 to 4 oxygen and from 0 to 2 nitrogen atoms, and R3 and R4 are each independently of the other hydrogen, R1, R2, C5-C8alkyl, C5-C8alkylcarbonyl, C5-C8alkenyl, C5-C8alkenylcarbonyl, C5-C8cycloalkyl, C5-C8cycloalkylcarbonyl, C5-C8cycloalkenyl, C5-C8cycloalkenylcarbonyl, phenyl, benzoyl, tolyl, methylbenzoyl, benzyl, phenylacetyl, phenethyl or styryl. The compositions according to the invention are dust-free and produce outstanding colorations. The use thereof as colorants for, especially, polyolefins and the preparation thereof, especially by aqueous dispersal and spray-drying, are also claimed. |
US07708816B2 |
Chemical and particulate filters containing chemically modified carbon nanotube structures
A carbon nanotube filter. The filter including a filter housing; and chemically active carbon nanotubes within the filter housing, the chemically active carbon nanotubes comprising a chemically active layer formed on carbon nanotubes or comprising chemically reactive groups on sidewalls of the carbon nanotubes; and media containing the chemically active carbon nanotubes. |
US07708815B2 |
Composite hydrogen storage material and methods related thereto
Embodiments of the invention relate to a composite hydrogen storage material comprising active material particles and a binder, wherein the binder immobilizes the active material particles sufficient to maintain relative spatial relationships between the active material particles. |
US07708813B2 |
Filter media for active field polarized media air cleaner
Filter media for an active field polarized media air cleaner includes two layers of dielectric material with a higher resistance air permeable screen sandwiched between the lower resistivity electric layers. The filter media may further include a mixed fiber filter layer having fibers from different sides of the triboelectric scale. The filter media may further include a layer of relatively higher density dielectric material followed by a layer of relatively lower density dielectric material. |
US07708811B2 |
Degassing apparatus
A degassing apparatus is provided that accomplishes the connecting of a degassing element and a connecting member and/or the joining of a vacuum (reduced-pressure) chamber and the connecting member without using a fastening structure screwed together with the connecting member. A degassing apparatus includes: a reduced-pressure chamber having a through port for flowing a degassing target liquid therethrough; a degassing element, accommodated in the chamber, for passing the liquid therethrough; and a tubular connecting member joined to the chamber at the through port. The degassing element includes a gas-permeable tube, for passing the liquid therethrough, being covered with a joint piece at an end portion of the gas-permeable tube. The degassing element is fixed to the chamber by heat sealing the connecting member and the joint piece together. |
US07708810B2 |
Carbon nanocomposite membranes and methods for their fabrication
A gas permeable, carbon based, nanocomposite membrane comprises a nanoporous carbon matrix comprising a pyrolyzed polymer, and a plurality of nanoparticles of carbon or an inorganic compound disposed in the matrix. The matrix is prepared by pyrolyzing a polymer, and nanoparticles of the particulate material are disposed in the polymer prior to pyrolysis. The particles may be disposed in a precursor of the polymer, which precursor is subsequently polymerized, or in the polymer itself. |
US07708799B2 |
Dithiocarbamates and phosphite formulations
Dithiocarbamate and phosphite containing fertilizers, as well as methods of making and methods of using these fertilizers, are disclosed. |
US07708798B2 |
Inflator combustion control mechanism
A filter is provided defining an enclosure having a volume that is resiliently variable responsive to an internal pressure within the enclosure. A gas generating system, an airbag system, and a vehicle occupant protection system incorporating the filter are also disclosed. |
US07708797B2 |
Air cleaner configured for receipt of various sized filter cartridges; components thereof; and, methods
An air cleaner assembly is provided, which is configured for alternate installation therein of different sized filter cartridges. Features of the air cleaner assembly and components for use therewith, are described. Also methods of assembly and use are described. |
US07708794B2 |
Separator made of a fibrous porous material such as a felt
A separator is made of a porous material and is intended to treat gaseous effluents which contain particles whose size is substantially less than one micrometer or of the order of one micrometer. The porous material includes channels. The channels are delimited by a fibrous porous material such as batting. |
US07708793B2 |
Purge exhaust processor
A purge exhaust processor includes an inlet chamber receiving a purge exhaust. A portion of the purge exhaust including at least one of moisture, air, and oil is passed from the inlet chamber to a sump volume. A heat source changes a phase of the moisture from liquid to gas. A wick transfers the oil from the sump volume to an oil collector. |
US07708792B2 |
Air inlet assembly
An air inlet assembly for an automotive heating and ventilating air conditioning (HVAC) system includes a casing extending along an axis (A). The casing defines a plurality of inlets for receiving air and an outlet for delivering air from the inlets. A filter filters air between the inlets and the outlet. An air moving device disposed about the outlet for expelling air from the casing. A valve mechanism supports the filter. Furthermore, the valve mechanism moves along the axis (A) between an outside-air position and a cabin-air position for controlling air from the inlets to the outlet. |
US07708790B2 |
Apparatus and method for separating solids from gas streams
Disclosed herein is a cyclone for separating fine particles from a gas. The cyclone includes a cyclone body having an upper end with an inlet and a lower end with a particulate outlet, gas outlet tube with an upper end that extends upwardly into the lower end of the cyclone body, and a vortex breaker. The upper end of the gas outlet tube is connected to the lower end of the cyclone body by a slip joint. The configuration of the cyclone provides for efficient removal of fine particles as compared to conventional techniques. A vessel containing cyclones, and methods of separation using the cyclones and vessel, also are disclosed. |
US07708789B2 |
Vacuum cleaner with cyclonic dirt separation and bottom discharge dirt cup with filter
A vacuum cleaner with cyclonic dirt separation and a bottom discharge dirt cup beneath the cyclone separator and a filter beneath the dirt cup and between the dirt cup and a suction motor inlet. A separator plate separates the cyclone separator from the dirt cup. Fins project from a sidewall of the dirt cup, and fingers projecting from a bottom wall of the dirt cup. A hollow standpipe in the dirt cup transports working air from the cyclone separator outlet to the filter. |
US07708781B2 |
Lateral elbow prosthesis—proximal radioulnar joint
A proximal radioulnar joint (lateral elbow) prosthesis includes a radial brace member to be secured to the radius bone and an ulna brace member to be secured to the ulna bone. The radial brace member has a ball at its proximal end, and the ulnar brace member defines a curved cavity which receives and rotationally supports the ball. |
US07708780B2 |
Instrumentation and methods for use in implanting a cervical disc replacement device
Instrumentation for implanting a cervical disc replacement device includes cervical disc replacement trials for determining the appropriate size of replacement device to be implanted, an insertion plate for maintaining the elements of the replacement device in fixed relation to one another for simultaneous manipulation, an insertion handle for attachment to the insertion plate for manipulation of the elements, an insertion pusher for releasing the insertion handle from the insertion plate, a drill guide that cooperates with the insertion plate to guide the drilling of tap holes for bone screws to be placed through bone screw holes in the flanges of the replacement device, clips that are applied to the flanges after placement of the bone screws to resist screw backout, and a clip applicator for applying the clips to the flanges. |
US07708779B2 |
Expandable intervertebral spacers and methods of use
An intervertebral spacer is inserted between vertebral members in a compact configuration and expanded post-insertion to contact the adjacent vertebral members. The intervertebral spacer comprises a first member and a second member movable with respect to the first member between retracted and extended positions. |
US07708773B2 |
Modular stent graft employing bifurcated graft and leg locking stent elements
A modular stent graft system and associated surgical methods are provided that incorporates an external stent-based locking mechanism to prevent disarticulation of the legs from the bifurcated graft as well as other features that overcome many of the difficulties of the prior art associated with delivering and securing the bifurcated grafts to the intended deployment site within the human aorta. |
US07708772B2 |
Stent and catheter assembly and method for treating bifurcations
An apparatus and method is provided for stenting bifurcated vessels. A proximal angled stent is configured for implanting in a side-branch vessel wherein the proximal angled stent has an angulated portion that corresponds to the angle formed by the intersection of the side-branch vessel and the main vessel so that all portions of the side-branch vessel at the bifurcation are covered by the proximal angled stent. A main-vessel stent is provided for implanting in the main vessel, wherein the main-vessel stent has an aperture or stent cell that aligns with the opening to the side-branch vessel to permit unobstructed blood flow between the main vessel and the side-branch vessel. Side-branch and main-vessel catheter assemblies are advanced over a pair of guide wires for delivering, appropriately orienting, and implanting the proximal angled stent and the apertured stent. |
US07708766B2 |
Distraction screw
A simple, safe implantable bone screw, and a method for distracting two bone segments, is provided. In general, the bone screw includes a shank having a threaded proximal portion and a distal portion with a major diameter that is less than a minor diameter of the threaded proximal portion. A transitional region of decreasing diameter can be disposed between the threaded proximal portion and the distal portion, and a driver receiving element is preferably disposed on a proximal end of the bone screw. In use, the proximal and distal portions of the bone screw are adapted to engage two segments of bone, and to create a distraction force between the two segments of bone. |
US07708763B2 |
Methods and devices for minimally invasive spinal fixation element placement
Minimally invasive methods and devices for introducing a spinal fixation element into a surgical site in a patient's spinal column are provided. In one embodiment, a dissection tool is provided for separating muscles along a muscle plane without causing damage to the muscles. The dissection tool can also include a lumen extending therethrough for receiving a guide wire. The tool allows the guide wire to be positioned relative to a vertebra, and once properly positioned, the tool can be removed to allow a spinal anchor to be delivered along the guide wire and implanted into the vertebra. |
US07708754B2 |
Stretch resistant embolic coil delivery system with mechanical release mechanism
A medical device for placing an embolic device at a predetermined site within a vessel of the body including a delivery catheter and a flexible pusher member slidably disposed within the lumen of the catheter. An embolic device is retained within the delivery catheter by a mechanical interlocking mechanism which includes an engagement member attached to the distal end of the pusher member and extends through a retaining ring at the proximal end of the embolic device. A detachment member extends through an aperture at the distal end of the engagement member thereby locking the embolic device onto the pusher member. A kicker member extends from the distal end of the pusher member and is comprised of a shape memory material adapted to lift the retaining ring off of the engagement member at human body temperature when the detachment member is withdrawn from the aperture of the engagement member. |
US07708752B2 |
Implant system and method for bulking tissue
A system for placing an implant in the body includes an elongated member having at least one inner lumen extending from a proximal end portion of the member to an opening in a distal end portion of the member. At least one compressible implant is in the inner lumen of the member. The implant optionally includes anchor members projecting from its outer surface to limit migration of the implant in the body. Structure is provided to push the implant through the opening in the distal end of the member. The implant is placed between layers of body tissue to bulk the tissue. In one of the disclosed methods, the system is used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) by placing the implant between layers of body tissue at or near the gastroesophageal junction. |
US07708750B2 |
Device for separating the epithelium layer from the surface of the cornea of an eye
An automated mechanical device separates the epithelial layer of a cornea from the cornea. The device includes a separator such as a plate, wire or dull blade. The device can preserve a separated epithelial layer as a disk without rupturing the disk and without substantial epithelial cell loss. The epithelial layer is separated from the cornea without cutting the cornea. |
US07708749B2 |
Debulking catheters and methods
A method of removing material from a blood flow lumen includes providing a device having a cutting element and an opening, the cutting element being movable relative to the opening. The method then includes advancing the device through a patient's vascular system to the blood flow lumen. Finally, the method involves moving the cutting element and the opening relative to the blood flow lumen so that a continuous piece of material is severed by the cutting element and directed into the opening as the cutting element and opening move through the blood flow lumen, the continuous piece of severed material being directed into the device for removal from the patient. The method may include providing a device having a rotatable cutter that, in some embodiments, is not parallel to the longitudinal axis of the device, is movable, has retracted and deployed positions, or any combination thereof. The method may further include forcing the opening toward the wall of the vascular site after the advancing step and before the moving step. |
US07708747B2 |
Endoscopic suturing and implant system
Disclosed is a method and device for suturing tissue and implanting prosthetic grafts, the device includes 1) at least one flexible cannula having a means to remotely manipulate the configuration of its distal end, and 2) a suction capsule component that may be incorporated or fit within or about the flexible cannula. The flexible cannula and suction capsule component are of a size that allows them to be inserted, independently or as a unit, into a natural body orifice or small surgical incision. The suction component may be used to draw tissue into an opening in the suction capsule component, enabling the at least one needle to be advanced through the at least one flexible cannula thereby passing through the tissue held by the at least one opening in the suction capsule component and thereby delivering the attached suture to the tissue. |
US07708746B2 |
Method and apparatus for processing dermal tissue
A portable and disposable device is provided for processing harvested dermal tissue. The device includes a housing presenting a handle having a gripping surface and a cutting head attached to the handle. A cutting assembly is supported by the cutting head and includes a plurality of spaced cutting blades that are rotatable with respect to the housing. A receptacle is disposed downstream of the cutting assembly and receives the sliced tissue from the cutting blades. The device is thus operable to slice harvested tissue into strips, and further into fine particles, that can be used for transplantation onto a wound site. |
US07708745B2 |
Variable composite sheath with interrupted sections
A medical device includes a handle, a sheath, and an object-engaging unit. The distal end portion of the sheath is strong enough to resist being deformed by the object-engaging unit, yet another portion of the sheath is flexible enough to bend sufficiently. |
US07708743B2 |
Apparatus and method for positioning an implant during surgery
An apparatus is provided to hold and orient an implant during a medical procedure and includes an elongated member having an upper member and a lower member with a formed end. A biasing member is operatively positioned between the upper member and lower member and supplies a biasing force to the lower member. A ball joint is provided that includes a ball, and the ball joint accepts the formed end of the lower member. A biasing force is provided by the biasing member to cause the formed end of the lower member to contact the ball. A translation mechanism is used to move the upper member in a first linear direction toward the lower member to cause the formed end of the lower member to lock the ball of the ball joint and, thus, lock the ball joint and orient the ball of the ball joint in a desired position. |
US07708742B2 |
Methods for placing materials into bone
Cancellous bone is accessed through a subcutaneous access path in soft tissue. A cavity is formed in cancellous bone by a cavity forming tool that is advanced through the subcutaneous access path into cancellous bone and manipulated to form the cavity. A measured volume of bone filling material is delivered into the cavity through the subcutaneous access path by a nozzle having an interior bore defining an interior volume sized for containing bone filling material, which is advanced through the subcutaneous access path. A nested instrument is formed while clearing residual bone filling material from the interior bore by an auxiliary tool that can be manipulated independently of the nozzle, which is advanced through the interior bore of the nozzle. |
US07708740B1 |
Method for total knee arthroplasty and resecting bone in situ
A method is provided for performing a total knee arthroplasty. The method includes making a primary incision near a knee joint of a patient and resecting medial and lateral condyles of the femur of the leg to create at least one femoral cut surface. The resecting step is performed without dislocating the knee joint. The method also includes balancing various ligament tensions to obtain desired tension and moving a femoral component of a total knee implant through the primary incision. The method further includes positioning the femoral component with respect to the at least one femoral cut surface. |
US07708739B2 |
Controlled force impacting device
An impacting tool includes a trigger mechanism that is activated when a predetermined amount of energy is stored in the impacting tool. When the impacting tool is activated, the stored energy is precipitously discharged through an impact rod which is configured to transfer a controlled force to an orthopaedic component. |
US07708736B2 |
Articulation apparatus for external fixation device
An articulation element consisting of a plurality of adjustable jaw pairs for the purpose of fixating the relative position of coupled bars and/or bone pins of an external bone fixator. Each of the adjustable jaws consists of a pair of hemispherical jaw elements contained within a spherical housing. A passage is eccentrically arranged through the jaw elements to accept the pin or bar. The jaw elements have interposed between them a spring element that serves to bias the jaw elements in the closed position. Pins serve to provisionally lock the jaw elements in the closed position. Spring loaded buttons act to release the pins thereby allowing the jaw elements to open accepting the pin or bar. The jaws are attached in a back to back fashion through the use of a threaded collar which acts as a turnbuckle pulling the jaws together when tightened. |
US07708733B2 |
Electrosurgical method and apparatus for removing tissue within a bone body
A method for treating a bone body comprises inserting a probe having at least one active electrode into the target tissue and applying a voltage difference between an active electrode and return electrode to ablate the tissue. The method is particularly directed to removing tumors in a bone body and or removing cancellous bone in a bone body. The bone body may be a vertebral body. An apparatus includes a plurality of active electrodes and a distal section including two bends. The bends serve to prevent the active electrodes from impinging upon the shaft of an introducer needle. Also, a kit includes an electrosurgical probe, an electrosurgical generator, an introducer needle, and a fluid connector to connect the introducer needle to a fluid source such that liquid may be supplied to the target site during an application. |
US07708731B2 |
Electrotransport delivery device with voltage boosting circuit
An electrotransport device (10) for delivering therapeutic agents includes an adjustable voltage boos multiple controller (100, 200) for boosting the voltage from a power source (102, 202) to a working voltage Vw having a value just sufficient to provide the desired therapeutic current level II through the electrodes (108, 112), at least of which contains the therapeutic agent to be delivered. |
US07708725B2 |
Sanitary napkin
A sanitary napkin that is provided with large rear flaps to effectively prevent liquid from leaking obliquely rearward. The rear flaps are disposed rearward of fold-back flaps to be wrapped around a crotch part of an undergarment. The rear flap is of a shape spreading rearwardly from a starting point. With a pressure from the thighs acting forward of the starting point, leakage preventing walls forward of the starting point can be maintained in a rising state during wear. On the other hand, the leakage preventing walls rearward of the starting point may possibly fall outward. However, even if the leakage preventing walls fall outward rearward of the starting point, they will never project out of the rear flaps. Accordingly, they hardly leave a stain on an undergarment. |
US07708723B2 |
Device for sealing the capsular bag of an eye and a method for delivering fluid or treatment substances to the lens of an eye
Disclosed are devices and methods for the transfer of fluids and potentially toxic chemicals into the lens capsule by creating a closed system preventing the fluids from entering the anterior chamber of the eye and thus causing damage to other ocular structures.The invention comprises one or more fluid conduits which communicate with a plug which maybe inserted through the corneal incision and placed onto the anterior surface of the capsule around the capsulorhexis. The plug is adapted to seal against the anterior surface of the lens capsule.In preferred embodiments, the flow of fluids into and out of the plug (and therefore the capsule) are controlled from a separate fluid flow controller. |
US07708720B1 |
Catheter terminus protective cover
A catheter terminus protective system comprising a base panel having a pair of adjoining flaps, an adhesive patch on at least one of the flaps for securing at least one catheter terminus from which a catheter line extends, the flaps being relatively moveable between secured closed positions in which they form a protective enclosure for the catheter terminus, and free open positions in which they allow manual access to said catheter terminus. An original catheter line extends from the protective enclosure when the flaps are in the closed positions and may be replaced by an alternative catheter line when the flaps are opened. The flaps are constituted by a fluid impermeable facing and a fluid absorbent backing in superposition. |
US07708719B2 |
Medicament container, a medicament dispensing kit for administering medication and a method for packaging the same
A medicament container, medicament dispensing kit and packaging process that minimizes exposure of the medication to oxygen to prevent degradation of the medication are disclosed. |
US07708712B2 |
Methods and devices for maintaining patency of surgically created channels in a body organ
This is directed to methods and devices suited for maintaining an opening in a wall of a body organ for an extended period. More particularly devices and methods are directed maintaining patency of channels that alter gaseous flow within a lung to improve the expiration cycle of, for instance, an individual having chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. |
US07708709B2 |
Orthotic protective device
An orthotic protective device collectively including a base unit connected to a metacarpal unit by a hinge system designed to protect and prevent hyperextension and hyperflexion movements of the metacarpal, carpal, radius and ulna regions. The base unit and metacarpal unit includes a longitudinal support member and a casing, respectively, lined with at least one pad having a tongue. At least one releasable fastener is mated to the support member and casing and extends to the tongue of the pad.Apertures of the base unit are mated and connected to apertures of the hinge system which form an articulated joint allowing the hinge system to move in an upward manner allowing for natural extension of the user's wrist and in a downward fashion for unlimited flexion motion. The base unit and the hinge system may both have at least one stop formed thereon; and as these stops come into contact with one another, it limits the flexion, extension and radial-ulnar deviation. Further, an aperture of the metacarpal unit is mated and fastened to an aperture in the hinge system by a swivel joint which allows for lateral movement of the user's wrist. |
US07708708B2 |
Donning potentiating support with expandable framework fastened to garment
A method of donning a potentiating support for a body's hinge joint includes: positioning a garment proximate an area of a body; positioning an expandable and recoverable framework in abutment with the area of the body such that the framework spans a hinge joint of the body, the framework defining a plurality of permanent openings extending there through regardless of whether the support is donned; applying tension at points of the framework such that the framework is expanded and the framework is tensioned in its abutment with the area of the body, said step of applying tension being performed by pulling on one or more fastening components that are attached at one or more points to said framework; and affixing each of the fastening components to the garment while applying tension to the framework to secure the expanded framework in its forced abutment with the area of the body. |
US07708707B2 |
Inflatable device for use in impulse therapy
The invention relates to impulse therapy and particularly to a device for applying impulse pressure intermittently to a human foot to enhance blood circulation around the body. In the prior art impulse pressure is applied by means of an inflatable bladder applied to the foot. To be effective the bladder has to be filled rapidly and this produces unacceptable noise during operation. The bladder in accordance with invention is provided with internal means acting to dissipate fluid flow with accompanying reduction in fluid flow rates and consequent noise levels during the pressurization process. |
US07708706B2 |
Impact table with rotatable lift disk and shock absorber
The invention is a synchronous impact table (the impact table). The impact table includes a support system having a control system therein, a power system coupled to the control system, a lift system coupled to the power system and the support system, and a patient support system coupled to the lift system. By providing a synchronous percussion wave to a user continuously over time, body and jaw alignment can be enhanced, soft connective tissue can return to its natural position, and body fluids can again flow and balance more naturally. |
US07708703B2 |
Integrated analytical test element
A lancet integrated test element (LIT) includes an incision forming member that has a cutting end configured to form an incision in tissue. A test element is attached to the incision forming member to test fluid from the incision. The test element has a sampling end with a sample opening through which the fluid is collected. The test element is bendable from a first state where the cutting end of the incision forming member is retracted from the sampling end of the test element to a second state where at least a portion of the cutting extends past the sampling end of the test element to form the incision in the tissue. |
US07708701B2 |
Method and apparatus for a multi-use body fluid sampling device
A device for use in penetrating tissue to obtain a body fluid sample is provided. A cartridge may be included. A plurality of penetrating members are slidably coupled to the cartridge. Each penetrating member has a distal end that is sufficiently sharp to pierce tissue. Each penetrating member may be moveable relative to the other ones of the penetrating members so that the sharpened distal ends extend radially outward to penetrate tissue. The penetrating members are elongate members without molded attachments. |
US07708697B2 |
Method and apparatus for determining conditions of biological tissues
Airway monitoring apparatus 30 includes a driver 6 for applying sound in the audible frequency range to the airway of a subject and a detector 7 for monitoring the response of the airway, e.g. by detecting transmitted sound signal components and/or reflected sound signal components. Variations in the detected sound signal, e.g. energy, due to attenuation of the signal, give an indication of the state of the airway, e.g. airway patency, and can be used to monitor sleep-disordered breathing events, such as apnea and hypopnea, and to provide a breathing event index, e.g. AHI. The apparatus may provide servo-control for a respiratory assist device, such as a positive airway pressure device, so as to provide an appropriate pressure level setting. It may allow for home use of such devices and for home titration. It may also assist in discriminating central and obstructive breathing events, and in providing a measure of airway resistance. |
US07708694B2 |
Bladder-based cuff for measuring physiological parameters and method of measuring physiological parameter using same
A cuff for measuring volume and change in volume of a body appendage includes a hollow, rigid tube having an inner surface; and a bladder having an inner surface and an outer surface, the ends of the bladder being sealed to the ends of the tube to create an enclosed internal volume between the inner surface of the bladder and the inner surface of the tube and an external volume defined by the outer surface of the bladder and surrounded by the internal volume, the bladder having a normal, relaxed state, in which the internal volume is filled with a fluid and a retracted state in which the fluid is evacuated from the internal volume. Two stiffener ribs placed on the inner surface of the bladder, parallel to each other and to the lengthwise axis of the tube at diametrically opposite positions. A plurality of emitters and detectors arranged in a linear array are embedded in one of the ribs, so as to emit and detect light through the bladder. A fluid port extending through the tube and communicating with the internal volume, through which the internal volume can be filled with or emptied of the fluid. |
US07708692B2 |
Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and method for controlling the same
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes: a transmitting section for driving an ultrasonic probe sending out an ultrasonic transmitted wave toward a body tissue of an organism; a receiving section for receiving an ultrasonic reflected wave, produced by getting the transmitted wave reflected by the body tissue, through the probe; a phase detecting section for detecting the phase of the reflected wave; and a computing section for calculating the magnitudes of positional displacement at multiple measuring points on the body tissue based on a signal obtained by the detecting section and calculating the greatest thickness difference between two of the measuring points and/or an elastic property based on the magnitudes of positional displacement. The computing section calculates the maximum and minimum thicknesses or thickness variations between the two points based on the magnitudes of positional displacement at the two points during a part of one cardiac cycle, and calculates the greatest thickness difference and/or elastic property as the difference between the maximum and minimum values. |
US07708691B2 |
Apparatus and method for real time 3D body object scanning without touching or applying pressure to the body object
An ultrasonic image scanning system for scanning an organic object includes a container for containing a coupling medium for transmitting an ultrasonic signal to the organic object disposed therein whereby a simultaneous multiple direction scanning process may be carried out without physically contacting the organic object. The ultrasonic image scanning system further includes ultrasound transducers for transmitting the ultrasonic signal to the organic object through the coupling medium without asserting an image deforming pressure to the organic object. These transducers distributed substantially around a two-dimensional perimeter of the container and substantially at symmetrical angular positions at approximately equal divisions of 360 degrees over a two-dimensional perimeter of the container. The transducers are further movable over a vertical direction alone sidewalls of the container for a real time three dimensional (3D) image data acquisition. The container further includes sidewalls covered with a baffle layer for reducing an acoustic reverberation. |
US07708690B2 |
Patient care unit with a bed
A patient care unit (1) with a bed for accommodating a patient makes possible undisturbed accessibility to the patient by avoiding cable connections between sensors at the patient and the measuring instruments or treating devices (2) belonging to them. The patient care unit (1) has a receiving unit for receiving sensor signals of the patient, transmission features for passing on the sensor signals to a transmitting unit in the patient care unit (1) or to a cable connection (4) for connecting the patient care unit (1) to the power supply, so that the sensor signals enter measuring instruments or treating devices (2) that belong to them for the evaluation of the sensor signals in a wireless manner or via the power supply. |
US07708689B2 |
Endoscope and related system
An endoscope is described in which the diameter of the image relay assembly is less than that of the objective lens assembly. An endoscope sheath is also described for sheathing the endoscope and housing or directing optical fibers for use in illuminating the endoscope view of view. An endoscope-sheath system is further described comprising the combination of the endoscope and the endoscope sheath in eccentric alignment to reduce fluid flow impedance between the two. |
US07708687B2 |
Endoscope propulsion system and method
A system and method provides active propulsion of endoscopes along body lumens. The propulsion system can be attached to a commercially available endoscope, or be provide affixed together, and moves the endoscope in a lumen by pulling it forward. A rotatable toroidal wall, e.g. annular invaginated balloon, provides the propulsion. A drive assembly rotates the toroid while maintaining the toroid's position along the endoscope. The toroid is radially extended or inflated within the lumen to engage its outer surface to the lumen. The toroidal rotation tracks the lumen wall for propulsion. Stops maintain the rotating toroid's position on the endoscope. A helical screw within the toroid engages patterned protrusions around the toroid; screw rotation advances the protrusions to rotate the toroid wall. A fitted belt coupled to a groove in the toroid provides alternative actuation. Colonoscopy is substantially improved, reducing anesthesia and other requirements and costs, and improving safety. |
US07708684B2 |
Methods and devices for reducing hollow organ volume
Methods and devices for providing a minimally-invasive placement of a mechanical structure for reducing the volume of a hollow body organ. Intragastric bands may be secured within the hollow body organ and then reduced in diameter to form a stricture within the hollow body organ. The strictures may be placed anywhere within the hollow body organ, and more than one stricture may be formed within the hollow body organ. |
US07708676B2 |
“Figure-eight” track, apparatus, method, and game for sensory-motor exercise
An apparatus for cognitive and physical training has a figure-eight walking course with both or alternate inner and outer borders. Adjustable rails inside and outside the course assist rehabilitation. Gates in outer rails admit users to the course. Oppositely swinging gates at a center of course between the two loops provide supported direction from one course loop to another. The course may include a knockdown and portable track. Coordinated walking with bodily rotation and turning is promoted by a single off course focus point in a plane through the center separating the two loops. Increased motor, sensory, cognitive and other challenges are added to the walking, turning and lateral rotation. Also disclosed is a sensory-motor game and method of playing the game, which also employs a figure-eight course. |
US07708675B2 |
Exercise apparatus and method of use of an exercise apparatus
An exercise apparatus including a rigid frame assembly, a selectively rotatable seat assembly coupled to the rigid frame assembly, a pair of selectively movable actuator arm assemblies coupled to the selectively movable seat assembly by a plurality of vertical beams, a back pad assembly coupled to the plurality of vertical beams, and a high tension cable coupled to the pair of selectively movable actuator assemblies. The selectively movable actuator arm assemblies are further coupled to the selectively movable seat assembly, where a movement of the selectively movable actuator arm assemblies in a first direction causes the seat assembly to rotate in a second direction. |
US07708674B1 |
Archery exerciser
The present invention provides for in one embodiment an archery exerciser training device designed to eliminate or minimize target panic, develop muscle memory, and warn up muscles before using a bow and arrow. The training device consists of a cylindrical tube with an attached handle. Within the tube is a gas compression spring with integrated plungers mounted on either end. Each plunger further includes an axle on which two wheels are opposingly mounted. A cable is mounted to one plunger at the distal end of the device and the cable travels in a zig-zag fashion around the four wheels and out of the plunger at the proximal end of the device and terminates in a loop, thereby creating a pulley system. The exposed loop of the cable is pulled in a rearward direction, approximating the motions made when drawing a bowstring. When the exposed loop is pulled, the distal plunger is forced rearward, thereby compressing the gas spring and creating an opposing force approximately equal to a typical draw weight of a bowstring. When the cable is released, the gas spring extends, pushing the distal plunger forward, and pulling the exposed cable back within the cylindrical tube in a safe and controlled manner. The process may be repeated over and over as necessary to sufficiently develop and train the archer's shooting muscles, and to warm up the muscles prior to shooting. |
US07708671B2 |
Wellness apparatus
A wellness apparatus consisting of elastic material in which vibrations can be stimulated. Weights can be added to the ends of the object to allow different exercise purposes. The apparatus is provided for the fitness, wellness, leisure sports and aerobics field. |
US07708670B2 |
Seated row exercise system
A seated row exercise system including an exercise cycle assembly that detachably connects to a chair frame of a chair; and, an elongated support assembly. The exercise cycle assembly includes a main frame having a first end portion detachably connectable to a frame element of a chair frame, the main frame including a plurality of support legs for supporting the exercise cycle assembly relative to the floor; and, a pedal assembly securely connected to the main frame. The elongated support assembly includes a substantially vertical support member secured to the main frame; and, a pulley housing assembly attached to the vertical support member for supporting a cable assembly. |
US07708669B2 |
Pendulum striding exercise apparatus
An exercise apparatus may include a frame. A crank system may be coupled to the frame. A brake/inertia device may be coupled to the crank system. A pivotal linkage pendulum system may be coupled to the crank system. The pivotal linkage pendulum system may include one or more link members. An upper pivot point of at least one of the link members may be coupled to the crank system. In some embodiments, the upper pivot point of the at least one of the link members may be coupled to the crank system through a movable member. The upper pivot point may move in a back and forth path of motion or in a closed path motion. A foot member may be coupled to one or more of the link members. The foot member may include a footpad. |
US07708667B2 |
Trampoline and enclosure system
A trampoline has an enclosure system including a barrier of a flexible material (14) such as a net material surrounding the trampoline mat above the mat and having a lower peripheral part coupled directly or indirectly to the mat, and a plurality of resiliently flexible generally upright enclosure support members or rods (13) which are retained at or towards the lower ends of the enclosure support members and below the mat (1) by the frame (4) of the trampoline and which support the net above the mat, so that the enclosure is free to deform away from the mat when impacted by a user against an enclosure support member and/or against said barrier of flexible material. |
US07708666B2 |
Internal transmission hub assembly
An internal transmission hub assembly includes a shift control sleeve, a sleeve guide and a shifting key guide. The shift control sleeve is disposed for limited circumferential movement about the axis of rotation of a stationary hub shaft. The shift control sleeve includes a base sleeve and at least one pawl control arm, the base sleeve having a first end and a second end. The sleeve guide supports the first end of the base sleeve of the shift control sleeve about the stationary hub shaft. The first end of the base sleeve is welded to the sleeve guide. The shifting key guide supports the second end of the base sleeve of the shift control sleeve about the stationary hub shaft. The second end of the base sleeve is welded to the shifting key guide. |
US07708665B2 |
Variable torque biasing device
Various embodiments of a torque biasing device for a rotating transmission are operable to vary the proportion of the output torque transmitted to one or more output shafts. Multiple planetary gear sets are provided for speeding-up or slowing-down of one shaft with respect to another, under the control of a computer. |
US07708661B2 |
Decoupler arrangement
The decoupler for a drive wheel arrangement for an auxiliary unit of an internal combustion engine has a belt pulley connected to a flexible drive element and a shaft. A damping device is arranged between the shaft and the belt pulley and includes a spring. The belt pulley is connected to a damper cage, which is connected via at least one spring to a damper cage which is positioned such that it can rotate on the shaft. |
US07708660B2 |
Belt type continuously variable transmission
A belt type continuously variable transmission includes an adjustable sheave which is provided with a fixed rotor fixed to a revolving shaft and with a movable rotor attached to the revolving shaft by spline fit in a manner inhibiting their relative rotation and allowing axial displacement so that a groove width is adjustable between the movable rotor and the fixed rotor, wherein the revolving shaft is provided with a load supporting portion on which tip surfaces of spline teeth of the movable rotor are in slide contact, whereby a radial load from the movable rotor is supported by the load supporting portion. |
US07708654B2 |
Foam-core golf balls
A golf ball with a controlled moment of inertia and controlled spin rate is disclosed. The ball has an intermediate layer positioned between the core and the cover and the intermediate layer has a reduced specific gravity. Preferably, this reduction is less than about 30% in specific gravity and the reduction in the coefficient of restitution is less than about 2%. |
US07708653B2 |
Force diversion apparatus and methods and devices including the same
A sports implement in accordance with at least one exemplary implementation includes a golf club head and a force diversion apparatus on the golf club head. The force diversion apparatus may include a force conversion portion configured to redirect at least a portion of a force associated with an object impacting the force diversion apparatus and a strike plate. |
US07708651B2 |
Golf putter with an adjustable handle and a shaft that rotates about the handle and method for using the same
An improved putter having an adjustable handle, shaft, and putter head. The adjustable handle is configured for a first position or a second position. The shaft is connected with the adjustable handle and configured to rotate about the handle. The putter head is connected with the shaft and configured to move in a pendulum motion as the shaft rotates about the handle. The adjustable handle can be placed at a first position such that the handle is substantially perpendicular with respect to the shaft. The adjustable handle can be placed at a second position such that the handle is positioned in a vertical or upright position so that the golfer can easily place the improved putter into the golf bag after putting. In the first position, the golfer can use the pendulum motion of the putter head to putt a golf ball into the hole. Because the pendulum motion provides a stable motion for a putter head, the putter head can strike a golf ball with a higher degree of accuracy by moving along a target line and not deviating from that line. The improved putter also has a slidable grip on the shaft that allows the golfer to have a free flowing putting stroke. |
US07708648B2 |
Golf training device
A golf training device comprising an elongate member with a first positioning aid having an indicator thereon that is visually alignable with a portion of the club. When the indicator is so aligned, the training device is used to correctly position the golfer's hands around the circumference of the club handle. The training device includes additional aids to enable the golfer to correctly position the device linearly on the grip and to then correctly position his or her fingers and thumbs around the training device. The training device may further include pressure sensors and a speaker to aid the golfer in learning to grip the club correctly. |
US07708646B2 |
Low deflection cue
The present invention is related to a billiard cue (11) comprising a shaft having a tip end (2) and a butt end, wherein the shaft has a non-linear tapered section with reduced diameter compared to a linear tapering at the tip end. |
US07708643B2 |
Saving audio source identifiers for soundtracks in a gaming system
In accordance with one aspect of saving audio source identifiers for soundtracks in a gaming system, an audio track is obtained from an audio source and the audio track is saved so that a copy of the audio track is available when the audio source is no longer accessible to a game console. The audio track is at least part of a user-created soundtrack and/or a user-selected soundtrack. The identifier of the audio source is also saved, and when a database containing meta data associated with the audio track is available, the meta data associated with the audio track is obtained from the database, based at least in part on the identifier saved on the storage device, and the obtained meta data is stored. |
US07708641B2 |
Game program for touch control hand-held game device
When a selected character 50 in possession of a ball 51 enters a centering area, a button switch image 61 for “centering” is displayed on a second LCD 12 provided with a touch panel. If the player touches the button switch image 61, the selected character 50 makes a “centering” pass. The target point for the centering pass varies depending on which portion of the button switch image 61 the player touches. Each point in the button switch image 61 corresponds to a point within the centering area in the game field. This adds variety to the action of a player object by a simple operation, thereby making the game more fun. |
US07708637B2 |
Game program and game apparatus
Each time a player character performs a boom triggering act, “1” is added to the corresponding act number counter provided for each non-player character. The value of each act number counter is periodically added to a boom value provided for each non-player character. When a boom value reaches an upper limit, the corresponding non-player character performs an act related to the boom triggering act performed by the player character. Thus, the act of each non-player character is changed in accordance with the act performed by the player character in the game world, which provides the player with a fresh feeling that the act performed by the player character set a trend in the game world. |
US07708627B2 |
Method, apparatus, and program product for presenting gaming results through a player decision field
A decision field is displayed having a number of result tokens spaced apart at different locations about the decision field, with each result token displaying a respective potential result. A decision point is also displayed within the decision field. This decision point is associated with two or more direction options which are preferably graphically depicted along with the decision point, and the player is enabled to make a direction input to select one of the direction options. Once the player has made their direction input to select one of the direction options associated with the decision point, a graphically depicted player token is caused to traverse the decision field along a player token path that includes a path portion associated with the selected direction option. The player token path may eventually intersect one or more result tokens of the decision field and the player is then awarded the potential result displayed by the respective result token or tokens intersected by the player token path. |
US07708626B2 |
Air supply device for an automotive seat
An air supply device for an automotive seat includes an air duct which is arranged at the delivery side of a fan and has at least one air outlet opening provided in the upper region of the seat for supplying the head, shoulder and neck region of a seat occupant with a flow of air. A heating element is arranged in the air duct between the fan and the air outlet opening, and the air supply device has at least one sensor for detecting a parameter value as a function of which the flow of air emerging from the air outlet opening is controlled. In order to provide the air supply device with a flow of air which can be controlled in a more universal manner, the sensor is arranged inside the air duct between the air outlet opening and the heating element. |
US07708623B2 |
Cylindrical grinding method for producing hard metal tools and cylindrical grinding machine for grinding cylindrical starting bodies during the production of hard metal tools
A grinding method and to a cylindrical grinding machine grinds metal rod that is pushed through a chuck of a workpiece spindle head. Two backrest seats are ground on and two backrests are then seated. The support of an end area enables a front cone to be ground. A grinding wheel comprised of two different individual wheels serves to grind the front cone and is advanced toward the round rod in the X-direction. The front cone is lodged in a hollow punch at a front end of a quill by displacement of the quill. The desired cylindrical grinding a final contour of the end area is done. Working the rod is done with a single chucking and the end area is cut off from the round rod by one of the individual wheels. |
US07708617B2 |
Brassiere patch closure
A pair of brassiere wings having ends meeting on a longitudinal centerline are interconnected by a closure having a flexible first patch fixed to on of the wing ends and provided with a plurality of fastener members and a flexible second patch fixed to the other of the wing ends and provided with a fastener member engageable with the members of the first patch. A stiff bar extending transversely of the centerline is fixed to the second patch and concave toward a wearer of a brassiere having the wings. One of the patches is of a shape that is longest parallel to the centerline than transversely offset therefrom so that it reduces longitudinal elastic deformation of the respective wing end at the centerline more than offset therefrom. |
US07708615B2 |
Toy building system with function bricks
A toy building system with function bricks adapted to perform a function in response to a mechanical trigger action; sensor bricks with a sensor adapted to produce an output in response to a mechanical trigger action; and logic bricks with an input responsive to a sensor brick output and adapted to perform a logic function on the sensor brick output and to produce a logic output. The sensor brick output and the logic brick output are arranged in a first uniform manner relative to the coupling means, and the sensor output action and the logic output action are of uniform physical nature. The logic brick input and the function brick input are arranged in a second uniform manner relative to the coupling means. The function brick input is responsive to a logic brick output and adapted to perform the function in response to a logic brick output. |
US07708614B2 |
Method for sealing organic electroluminescence elements and manufacturing method for light emitting panel and display panel
An adhesive is applied in a shape having a straight line portion and protruding portions protruding in the direction crossing the straight line portion to the surface of one of a first substrate where organic electroluminescence elements have been formed and a second substrate for sealing the organic electroluminescence elements, and the first and second substrates are pressed together in such a manner that the first and second substrates face and approach each other, and thereby, the adhesive is spread between the first and second substrates so that the organic electroluminescence elements are sealed. |
US07708613B2 |
Method of producing light emitting apparatus
A method of producing a light emitting apparatus including a light emitting element, a light emitting element housing having a recess for housing the light emitting element, and a translucent substrate placed on the light emitting element housing is disclosed. The disclosed method includes a fluorescent-substance-containing resin forming step of forming a fluorescent-substance-containing resin on a first side of the translucent substrate which first side is opposite to a second side of the translucent substrate which second side faces the recess. In the fluorescent-substance-containing resin forming step, luminance and chromaticity of light that is emitted from the light emitting element and then transmitted by the fluorescent-substance-containing resin are measured and a thickness of the fluorescent-substance-containing resin is adjusted based on the measured luminance and chromaticity so that light emitted from the light emitting apparatus attains the specified luminance and chromaticity. |
US07708611B2 |
Sea survival device including several pneumatic liferafts
A sea survival device (1) comprising a container (2) with several shells (3, 4) enclosing respective pneumatic liferafts (5, 6) in the deflated and folded-up state, and inflation means; one half-shell (4) enclosing a liferaft (6) is closed by a closure partition (7); the automatically triggered inflation means are operationally associated with at least the first liferaft (5) in a manner such that said first liferaft (5) is inflated first when the survival device (1) is deployed operationally; and the liferaft (6) is operationally associated with inflation trigger means suitable for trigging inflation thereof only once the first liferaft (5) is inflated. |
US07708606B2 |
Knurled inner sleeve for a cable connector
Disclosed herein is an electrical connector assembly. The electrical connector assembly includes a connector member, a wedge sleeve, a wedge, and outer sleeve, and an inner sleeve. The connector member has a first end section and a second end section. The wedge sleeve has a general tube shape. The wedge sleeve includes a front end and a rear end. The front end of the wedge sleeve is mounted onto the second end section of the connector member. The wedge is configured to be located between the wedge sleeve and a core member of a cable. The outer sleeve is located around the wedge sleeve. The outer sleeve has a front end which is attached onto the connector member. The inner sleeve is configured to be fitted between the outer sleeve and the cable. An outer surface of the inner sleeve comprises a first knurled area. |
US07708602B2 |
Connector keep-out apparatus and methods
Connector apparatus and methods providing for “keep-out” functionality against improperly sized plugs or inserts are disclosed. In one embodiment the invention discloses a connector assembly incorporating an integrated keep-out feature associated with the housing. In one variant, the connector assembly comprises a modular jack connector, and the keep-out feature(s) is/are formed substantially within one or more the sidewall(s) of the housing, thereby simplifying its assembly and reducing its cost, as well as conserving on connector interior space. In another embodiment, the keep-out feature comprises an element disposed substantially within a plane parallel to the front face of the connector. Methods for manufacturing and using connectors with integrated keep-out features are also disclosed. |
US07708601B2 |
Connector
A connector reduced in depth dimension. Contact portions of first and second signal contacts and ground contacts for high-speed transmission are arranged in a housing in a row in a contact arranging direction orthogonal to a fitting/removing direction, and contact portions of contacts for non-high-speed transmission are arranged in the housing in a row in the contact arranging direction below the contact portions of the first and second signal contacts and the ground contacts. Terminal portions of the first and second signal contacts and the ground contacts are arranged in a row in the contact arranging direction, and press-fitting portions of the contracts for non-high-speed transmission are press-fitted in the housing along the direction of height of the housing, whereby they are disposed between the contacts portions and the terminal portions of the first and second signal contacts and the ground contacts. |
US07708600B2 |
Compatible electrical connector
An electrical connector (100) in accordance with the present invention is capable of mating with at least one of the first and second complementary connectors. The electrical connector includes a housing (2), a number of first terminals (41) and a pair of second terminals (42). The housing includes an upper wall (21), a lower wall (22) opposite to the upper wall, and a pair of sidewalls (23) connecting with the upper and lower walls. The housing defines a receiving space (20) circumscribed by the upper wall, the lower wall and the sidewalls. The first terminals are assembled to the upper wall, and the second terminals are assembled to corresponding side walls. Each terminal includes a mating portion (40), an intermediate portion (43) engaging with the housing to retain the terminals in the housing and a tail portion (44). The mating portions of the first terminals are exposed to the receiving space and the mating portions of the second terminal are laterally exposed outside the housing. |
US07708594B2 |
Electrical connector with magnetic module
The present invention provides an electrical connector (100) including a magnetic module (200) for noise-filtering. The magnetic module (200) includes an interior printed circuit board (21), a common mode choke and a number of transformers mounted on the interior printed circuit board (21). Each of said common mode choke and transformers has a magnetic core (20,22) and a number of magnetic wires (23) winding around the magnetic cores (20,22), wherein the magnetic core (20) of the common mode choke defines two holes (203,205) parallel extending therethrough and forms a center wall (201) therebetween. The magnetic wires (23) of the common mode choke wind around the center wall (201) and through said two holes (203,205) in a same direction. |
US07708593B1 |
Electrical connector having an encapsulant to seal the connector
An electrical connector includes a housing, a cable, a contact and an encapsulant. The housing extends from a cable exit to an opposite end along a longitudinal axis and from a mounting face to a top face along a vertical axis. The housing includes a cable opening that extends into the cable exit in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis and a window extending into the housing from the top face toward the mounting face in a direction parallel to the vertical axis. The cable extends through the window and into the housing through the cable opening. The contact is held by the housing and is configured to electrically couple the cable with a mating device when the housing face of the housing is mounted to the mating device. The encapsulant is disposed within the window to seal an interface between the cable and the housing. The encapsulant prevents ingress of moisture into the housing through the interface. |
US07708592B2 |
Adapter for a coaxial cable
An adapter for connecting a multi-core cable to a coaxial cable is provided. Adapters according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may be used in an arrangement comprising several adapters that are connected to each other using of a coaxial cable. Adapters and arrangements according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may allow a cost-effective conversion of existing mobile radio stations to modern RRH technology. |
US07708590B1 |
Electrical connector for mounting on circuit board
A circuit board includes a board body of a thickness, and a socket. The board body defines a plurality of through holes therein. The socket includes a first line of short pin groups and a second line of long pin groups engaging the through holes of the board body. The socket defines a slot. The first line of short pin groups and the second line of long pin groups are respectively located on opposite sides of the slot. The first line of short pin groups has a length less than the thickness of the board body. The second line of long pin groups has a length sufficient that the second line of pin groups protrudes the board body. |
US07708589B2 |
Panel-mount connectors with latching features
An electrical connector assembly is provided for mounting onto a panel having a panel opening. The connector assembly includes a connector and a latch. The latch is configured to mount on the connector, and attach to the panel as the housing is inserted into the opening. |
US07708579B2 |
Socket assembly with backplane
A socket assembly mounted on a printed circuit board comprises a socket mounted upon the printed circuit board; a metal backplane, mounted below the printed circuit board and configured with a board-like shape; and an insulative sheet. The insulative sheet is sandwiched between the printed circuit board and the metal backplane and is formed with at least one latching portion extending downwardly to latch the metal backplane. The insulative sheet further has a plurality of protruding portions extending upwardly to insert into corresponding circular holes defined on of the printed circuit board. |
US07708577B2 |
Electrical connection structure for a superconductor element
The invention relates to an electrical connection structure for a superconductor element cooled by a cryogenic fluid and connected to an electrical bushing, which bushing passes successively through an enclosure at an intermediate temperature between ambient temperature and the temperature of the cryogenic fluid, and an enclosure at ambient temperature, said bushing projecting outside the ambient temperature enclosure. According to the invention, said intermediate enclosure is filled at least in part with a solid material of low thermal conductivity, such as a polyurethane foam or a cellular glass foam. The invention is applicable to connecting a superconductor cable at cryogenic temperature to a device for equipment at ambient temperature. |
US07708573B2 |
Connector
The connector includes: a male connector; a female connector which fits to the male connector when the male connector enters inside the female connector; a lever which is rotatably attached to one of the male connector and the female connector, and rotates so as to allow the male connector and the female connector to approach or leave each other; and a pressing projection which projects from one of the lever and the female connector toward the other of the lever and the female connector, wherein when the male connector and the female connector fit to each other, the pressing projection presses the female connector in a direction in which the male connector and the female connector adhere to each other. The male and female connectors can be easily securely fit to each other, and the male and female connectors after fitting can be maintained watertight to each other. |
US07708570B2 |
Lip stick universal serial bus flash drive with deploying and retracting functionalities
In one embodiment of the present invention, a universal serial bus (USB) flash drive rotary device is disclosed to include a plastic frame including a USB flash drive and a USB plug connector and a rotary tube at least partially enclosing said plastic frame for deploying said USB plug connector, the USB flash drive is coupled to the USB plug connector, the rotary tube is turned to retract said USB plug connector, the USB flash drive rotary device is for deploying the USB plug connector to couple the USB flash drive to a USB port. |
US07708569B2 |
Broadside-coupled signal pair configurations for electrical connectors
An electrical connector having at least four electrical contacts that form two pairs of differential signal contacts. The first and second electrical contacts may be arranged edge-to-edge along a first direction. The third electrical contact may be adjacent to, and arranged broadside-to-broadside with, the first electrical contact along a second direction substantially transverse to the first direction. The first and third electrical contacts may define one of the pairs of differential signal contacts. The fourth electrical contact may be adjacent to, and arranged broadside-to-broadside with, the second electrical contact along the second direction. The second and fourth electrical contacts may define the other pair of differential signal contacts. The two pairs of differential signal contacts may be offset from one another along the second direction. |
US07708568B1 |
Connector assembly
A connector assembly adapted for electrically connecting with a mating plug connector includes a socket connector and a PCB. The socket connector has an insulating housing defining a front surface, a rear surface and a lateral surface. The front surface is formed with an inserting recess for receiving the mating plug connector. The lateral surface has a receiving groove communicating with the inserting recess. The rear surface has a receiving slot communicating with the inserting recess. A first terminal has a base plate received in the receiving groove and a first soldering plate exposing outside the insulating housing. A second terminal includes a fixing plate fixed in the receiving slot and a second soldering plate exposing outside the insulating housing. The PCB has two soldering portions. Two conductors are provided for connecting the first soldering plate and the second soldering plate with the soldering portions, respectively. |
US07708563B2 |
Electrical connector with slotted shield
A connector housing includes a housing and a shield. The housing has an interior chamber extending between housing mating and back ends. The inner surface has loading and transition portions, with the loading portion located proximate to the housing mating end and the transition portion located proximate to the housing back end. The shield is shaped to fit in the interior chamber and extends between a shield mating end and a shield back end. The shield back end includes a ground contact opening. The shield includes a rim protruding from the shield back end that extends around a portion of an outer periphery of the shield back end. The rim includes a plurality of rim ends separated by a gap. The rim engages the transition portion to prevent the shield being removed through the housing mating end and the gap exposes a portion of the transition portion. |
US07708561B2 |
Method and apparatus for modifying aircraft simulator wide-angled infinity display equipment mirror to enlarge field of vision and for reskinning aircraft simulator spherical mirror cell to minimize mirror stress and distortion
A method and apparatus for extending the effective circumferential extent of an original an aircraft simulator mirror cell having a base support structure mounted to a movable platform, the base support structure being in generally the shape of a portion of a sphere of a predetermined radius and having a predetermined circumferential extent defined by original edges of the support structure configured to support a vacuum-shaped reflective film. The improvement includes a pair of extension wing structures having substantially the same spherical radius as the base support structure and a substantial circumferential extent, each of the pair of wing structures being attached to one of the original edges of the base support structure and substantially sealed thereto, the extension wing structures, when attached, extending the effective circumferential extent of the base support structure by a substantial amount, each of the pair of extension wing structures having outer edges for supporting a vacuum-shaped reflective film. |
US07708558B1 |
Implant, method for producing the implant, and use of the implant
An implant comprises or consists of titanium and has one or more surfaces which can be applied in or on a bone growth area. One or more of the said surfaces are arranged with a depot for bone-growth-initiating or bone-growth-stimulating substance, which depot is formed by a pore arrangement in a relatively thick oxide layer on the titanium. The substance is acted on, for a considerable period of time, by one or more release functions for the substance which permit a controlled or optimized release of substance to the surrounding tissue or bone growth area. |
US07708554B2 |
Safety structure of a gas burner
A safety structure of a gas burner is disclosed formed of a slide, a stop device and a housing. When pressed the slide, a third spring member is compressed to lower the stop device and to further disengage the retaining blocks of the stop device from respective retaining grooves of the slide, thereby releasing the stop device from the constraint of the slide. When the user keeps pressing the slide at this time, the retaining blocks are moved to a bottom side of the guide ribs of the slide and the frame base is forced to squeeze a first spring member to release the locked state. |
US07708553B2 |
Membrane catalytic heater
This invention discloses a portable catalytic combustion heater. Fuel vapor and air are supplied to a catalyst which promotes the flameless combustion of the fuel, releasing heat. The fuel is supplied as a liquid, passes through a selectively permeable membrane such that fuel vapor exits the membrane and is fed to the catalyst. Additional features such as porous supports and means of enhancing and diminishing the catalytic rate of combustion and controlling the heat output are also shown. This invention can be used to heat apparel, blankets, food, dwellings, containers, machinery, insect attractants, humidifiers, and perfume generators. |
US07708547B2 |
Method of feeding a rubber-consumer device with rubber, and an installation for feeding the rubber-consumer device with rubber
A method of the type in which a strip of rubber is moved continuously from a rubber-supplier device to a consumer device. During the continuous movement and prior to reaching the consumer device, a portion, referred to as the residue, is taken continuously from the strip of rubber. The residue is taken by continuously cutting the strip of rubber. For example, the supplier device includes upstream storage means for storing the strip of rubber from which the strip is moved toward the extruder, and downstream storage means in which the residue is stored. After the strip of rubber on the upstream storage means has been used up, the upstream and downstream storage means are swapped with each other. |
US07708543B2 |
Stamper for magnetic recording media, method of manufacturing magnetic recording media using the same, and method of manufacturing stamper for magnetic recording media
According to one embodiment, a stamper for a magnetic recording media has patterns of protrusions and recesses to manufacture a discrete track recording type magnetic recording media having servo areas including an address portion, a preamble portion and a burst portion, and data areas including a recording track portion, the patterns of protrusions and recesses being formed at a pitch of 400 nm or less, in which a magnitude relation of depths of recesses corresponding to the address portion, the preamble portion, the burst portion and the recording track portion is inverted to a magnitude relation of area ratios of the protrusions to the recesses in the address portion, the preamble portion, the burst portion and the recording track portion. |
US07708541B2 |
Heat form coiling device
A method and apparatus for continuously producing preselected lengths of coiled tubing are disclosed. According to the method, plastic tubing is continuously wound onto a rotating main tube shaft (24). Downstream from the point where the tubing begins to wind about the shaft, a heat source (46) is directed toward the coiled tubing, softening it as it traverses thereby. Further downstream, a cool-air source (48) directed at the softened tubing sets the tubing into its coiled form. Subsequently, the coiled tubing is cut into preselected lengths by a cutter (50) downstream from the cool-air source. |
US07708536B2 |
Scroll-type refrigerant compressor having fluid flowing from gas inlet to motor winding end chamber through intermediate jacket
A scroll-type refrigerant compressor with a sealed enclosure defined by a shell and containing a suction volume and a compression volume at opposite ends of the enclosure. The shell has a gas inlet, an electric motor on the suction side having a stator and defining with the shell an annular volume. The stator is surrounded by a jacket defining an annular volume with the shell and a chamber which contains the motor winding and is directed towards the compression volume, an end of the intermediate jacket directed away from the compression volume being located at an end of the stator directed away from the compression volume. Structure is provided for conveying some of the gas arriving at the gas inlet into the chamber containing the motor winding, and gas conveyed by the structure is admitted into the chamber containing the winding through the gas intake orifice. |
US07708535B2 |
Systems and methods for providing a dynamically adjustable reciprocating fluid dispenser
Systems and methods for providing a dynamically adjustable, synchronously and/or asynchronously reciprocating fluid dispenser. A pump drive motor is coupled to the reciprocating fluid pump to actuate a pump shaft within a pump cylinder, wherein the pump shaft includes a duct that allows fluid to selectively pass thereby within the pump cylinder. As the pump shaft rotates within the pump cylinder, fluid is allowed to enter into a pump bore defined by a portion of the pump cylinder through a pump ingress port. As the pump shaft rotates, it blocks the pump ingress port. Further rotation allows the duct to allow the fluid in the pump bore to be dispensed through a pump egress port. An adjustment motor is coupled to an adjustment mechanism, which selectively adjusts the volume of the pump bore. A controller is coupled to the adjustment motor to dynamically control the adjustment motor, to cause the adjustment mechanism to be precisely and repeatably modified, and/or to control the particular waveform. As such, the volume of fluid dispensed is extremely accurate, repeatable, and dynamic. |
US07708533B2 |
Fuel feed unit
A fuel pump unit comprising a housing part (4) arranged between an electric motor (2) and a fuel pump (3). The housing part is provided with expansion joints for compensating thermal expansions or swelling of the material of the housing part (4). The gap between the impeller (6) and the housing parts (4, 5) of the fuel pump (3) can be kept constant by virture of the expansion joints, whereby the fuel pump (3) is essentially prevented from jamming especially when it runs dry. |
US07708531B2 |
Axial piston device
There is provided an axial piston device that includes a housing, a rotary shaft, a cylinder block, and a piston. The housing includes a housing body opened at a first end thereof and a plate disposed at the first end of the housing body. The rotary shaft is rotatably supported about an axis by the housing body and the plate. The cylinder block is rotated together with the rotary shaft and is accommodated inside the housing. The piston is accommodated in the cylinder block in slidable a manner in an axial direction. Furthermore, the plate is provided with a pair of first oil passages having first ends communicating with a discharge port and a suction port of the cylinder block and second ends opened to the surface of the plate, and a drain oil passage for allowing at least one of the first oil passages to communicate with an oil sump. The drain oil passage is provided with a rotary valve which can selectively switch a shutoff position at which the drain oil passage is shut off and a communication position at which the drain oil passage is communicated. |
US07708529B2 |
Rotor of a turbo engine, e.g., a gas turbine rotor
A rotor of a turbo engine, e.g., a gas turbine rotor, has a rotor base member, the rotor base member having a groove extending in the circumferential direction of the rotor base member, and having a plurality of rotor blades, each rotor blade having a blade, a blade root and a blade platform positioned between the blade and the blade root, and the rotor blades being anchored in the groove of the rotor base member by their blade roots. The groove and the blade roots have a profile, such that the blade roots of the rotor blades are insertable by a tilting motion or swiveling motion into the circumferentially extending groove of the rotor base member, and in the circumferential direction, a width of the blade root corresponds approximately to a width of the blade platform of the specific rotor blade. |
US07708528B2 |
Platform mate face contours for turbine airfoils
Gas turbine engine components having an airfoil extending outwardly of a platform are mounted in adjacent relationship, and such that cooling air flows outwardly of a gap between mating faces of the platforms. The location of localized hot spots is identified on the platform, and the mating faces are designed to provide cooling air through the gap to address these hot spots. A suction side edge of the platform has a curved portion extending inwardly into the platform, and the pressure side has a curved portion bulging outwardly away from the airfoil. When these two portions on adjacent components mate, a gap is provided between two platforms that provides leakage cooling air to the hot spot. |
US07708527B2 |
Ram air turbine with compound geartrain gearbox
An emergency power system may provide hydraulic and electrical power to an aircraft in the event of a failure of the aircraft's primary control power system. The system may be constructed as a ram air turbine in which a single ram air fan may drive both a hydraulic pump and an electrical generator. A unique gearbox may incorporate compound gearing to permit the pump and the generator to be driven at different speeds. Thus the pump and the generator may be driven at their respective optimum speeds. The pump and the generator may be detachably mounted on a gearbox that supports the ram air fan. The detachable mounting of the pump and generator may accommodate ease of maintenance of these items. The gearbox may be provided with a ground testing port through which rotational testing force may be introduced to a shaft that supports the ram air fan. This may permit ground level testing of the system. Ground level testing may reduce a need to perform periodic in-flight testing of the system. |
US07708526B2 |
Propeller assembly incorporating spindle with fins and overmolded bushing
A propeller assembly is provided for mounting on a rotatable propeller shaft of a watercraft. The propeller assembly includes a housing structure extending along a longitudinal axis. The housing structure includes an outer surface and an inner surface defining a cavity having a polygonal-shaped cross-section defined by at least one corner and at least one sidewall. A bushing assembly is receivable in the cavity of the housing structure. The bushing assembly includes a spindle having an inner surface defining a passageway for receiving the propeller shaft therethrough and an outer surface having a plurality of circumferentially spaced fin pairs extending therealong. Each fin pair includes a first fin extending from the outer surface of the spindle and a second fin extending from the outer surface of the spindle at a predetermined angle to the first fin. The bushing assembly also includes a bushing positioned between the spindle and the inner surface of the housing structure. |
US07708524B2 |
Method and system for utilizing lateral tower acceleration to detect asymmetric icing
A method and system for detecting asymmetric utilizing lateral tower acceleration data may include: providing a lateral tower acceleration monitoring system; determining from the lateral tower acceleration monitoring system whether a lateral tower acceleration is above an acceleration limit; determining whether a rotor-mass imbalance condition exists; and determining whether the lateral tower acceleration coincides with icing on a rotor. |
US07708523B2 |
Wind turbine blade assembly and method of installing the same on tower
In the aspect of the present invention, an installing a wind turbine is achieved by forming a blade assembly in which a plurality of blades are attached to a rotor head, by attaching a suspension structure to the rotor head, by lifting the blade assembly through the suspension structure by a first crane, and by installing the blade assembly to a nacelle of a wind turbine tower. |
US07708520B2 |
Gas turbine engine with concave pocket with knife edge seal
A gas turbine engine is provided with turbine sealing structures including knife edge seals which extend at an angle relative to an axial center line of the engine. Each knife edge seal is associated with a concave pocket defined between a radially inner surface and a spaced radially outer surface. The concave pockets and their associated knife edge seals create a pair of vortices which prevent leakage into radially inner portions of the turbine section. |
US07708519B2 |
Vortex spoiler for delivery of cooling airflow in a turbine engine
A vortex spoiler (180) for delivery of a cooling airflow (192) in a turbine (108) engine (100) including a plurality of inlet ports (182) formed circumferentially about a radial exterior sidewall (188), and a plurality of outlet ports (184) formed circumferentially about a radial interior sidewall (190). The plurality of inlet ports (182) are coupled to the plurality of outlet ports (184) via a plurality of ducts (186). Each of the ducts is formed having an interior diameter at the inlet port and the outlet port formed at a preselected angle normal to the surface of the each of the radial sidewalls to form a radially curved profile such that a cooling airflow (192) may pass radially inwardly through each of the plurality of ducts (186) with minimal tangential stress and minimal static pressure loss. |
US07708516B1 |
Wheel lift system
A wheel lift system for efficiently lifting and positioning a wheel and tire onto a wheel hub. The wheel lift system includes a first arm and a second arm pivotally attached to one another, a plurality of caster wheels attached to the lower portion of the arms, and a first support and a second support extending from the arms respectively for supporting a wheel and tire. A bias member is preferably attached to the arms for providing a bias force that assists in elevating the wheel and tire. Alternatively, a bias unit may be attached to the arms for providing a bias force that assists in maintaining elevation of a wheel and tire. |
US07708511B2 |
Fastening assembly
A fastener assembly includes a collar configured to be secured to a structure, and a D-ring that may include a main ring body, end joints rotatably secured to the collar, and smooth intermediate sections integrally connecting the main ring body to the end joints. The smooth intermediate sections gradually transition the main ring body to the end joints. The main ring body may have a bow-tie cross-sectional shape that provides directional strength to the main ring body. |
US07708509B1 |
Locking retainer for threaded fasteners
Retainer for threaded fasteners such as the cap screws that secure the end caps of roller bearing assemblies to railroad axles. A locking plate is constrained against rotation relative to the fastener, a lock ring having a plurality of openings disposed along a circular path is placed over the head of the fastener, with the fastener being received in a non-circular central opening in the ring and thereby constrained against rotation relative to the ring, and tabs extending from the locking plate and engaging the lock ring through the openings to retain the lock ring on the fastener and prevent the lock ring and fastener from turning. In the disclosed embodiments, the ring can be placed on the fastener in different rotative positions, and the number of tab openings is either a prime number or another number that is not divisible by factors of the number of ring positions, whereby the fastener can be selectively locked in a relatively large number of different positions no more than a few degrees apart. |
US07708508B2 |
Adjustable load stabilizer method and apparatus
A method and apparatus for stabilizing cargo within a transport container. First and second tubular elements are provided having generally cylindrical bodies and bearing members at a terminal end which can react against opposing surfaces within the transport container and stabilize cargo within the container. An extension mechanism allows for the extension and selective translation between the first and second tubular members allowing the apparatus to extend and fill the space between opposing surfaces within the transport container and stabilize the cargo. A method for stabilizing cargo within a transport container includes providing an extensible load stabilizer having first and second tubular elements, each having a bearing member, positioning the load stabilizer between opposing surfaces within the transport container, and extending the tubular members with respect to each other, and stabilizing a surface of cargo against an opposing surface. |
US07708507B2 |
Locking mechanism for wheelchair in vehicle
A locking mechanism to secure a wheelchair while transporting in a vehicle comprises a base with a guide channel adapted to accept a catch pin and has been secured to a wheelchair. The catch pin is guided into the channel by an angled portion of the base. A locking mechanism cooperates with a pivot plate to secure the catch pin within the guide channel. A release mechanism allows disengagement. The guide channel includes a deformation groove that allows the mechanism to operate even when the metal has been deformed through repeated use. Lips are also provided at critical locations to allow free rotation of the parts even when the metal is deformed due to use. |
US07708499B1 |
Clamp systems and methods for pile drivers and extractors
A clamp assembly for securing a vibratory device to a pile comprising a frame, first and second clamp members, and an actuator. The frame is adapted to be secured to the vibratory device. The first clamp member is supported by the frame and comprises a first engaging surface defined by a first surface layer formed of carbide alloy material. The second clamp member is also supported by the frame and comprises a second engaging surface defined by a second surface layer formed of carbide alloy material. The actuator is arranged to displace at least one of the first and second clamp members such that first and second engaging surfaces engage the pile such that the pile is gripped by between first and second clamp members. |
US07708496B2 |
In-situ surfactant and chemical oxidant flushing for complete remediation of contaminants and methods of using same
The present invention relates to the removal of subsurface contaminants and methods of using same. In more particular, but not by way of limitation, the present invention relates to an integrated method for remediating subsurface contaminants through the use of a low concentration surfactant solution (and methods of making and using novel surfactant solutions) followed by an abiotic polishing process to thereafter achieve a substantially reduced subsurface contaminant concentration that surfactant flushing alone cannot achieve. The present invention is focused on remediation of high viscosity hydrocarbons, such as heating oils or coal tars, with a combination of pre-injection of bio-co-solvent and surfactant (and polymer) flush approach. |
US07708495B1 |
Levee system
A levee apparatus is constructed of base panels connected end to end and supported by an underlying support such as the earth's surface. Side panels interlock with the base panels and with each other to form a generally triangular transverse cross section and a hollow interior that can be filled with a selected fill material. Interlocking projections on the side panels interlock with apertures of the base and with notches or recesses of other side panels. |
US07708493B2 |
Modifiable display marker
One aspect of the disclosure involves modifying a display marker at least partially by actuating an at least one positional display element. Another aspect of the disclosure involves modifying an effective positioning of at least one display marker relative to a supporting structure. |
US07708492B2 |
Relocatable tensioned wire road barrier
A road traffic barrier module comprises a hollow body adapted to receive ballast and adapted at either end to link with similar modules to form a barrier in which there is a pair of upper and lower horizontal bolts passing through mating ends of adjoining modules and there is also a pair of cables the ends of which are also secured by the bolts. In an alternative form adjoining modules are linked by vertical pins passing through mating ends of the adjoining modules and there is a pair of cables the ends of which are also secured by the pin. The modules are molded from a plastic material and the walls may also be clad with metal pressings to increase structural integrity and to protect against damage. |
US07708491B2 |
Splice bar for connecting cable tray sections
The invention concerns a splice bar for connecting two abutting sections of said cable tray, each cable tray section comprising longitudinal warp yarns and transverse weft yarns connecting the warp yarns. It comprises: an elongated central part (2) having two transverse support zones (18), designed each to receive one weft yarn; two anvil lugs (4) connected to the central part (2) on the same side thereof and arranged on either side of the transverse support zones (18); and two locking lugs (6) connected to the central part (2) on the side opposite to the anvil lugs (4) and arranged on either side of the transverse support zones (18). |
US07708489B2 |
Retainer and associated assembly
A pivot assembly includes a support defining a hole, a pivot insert disposed in the hole and a retainer securing the pivot insert in the hole. The pivot insert defines a circumferential groove, and the retainer is a ring having inwardly directed fingers for engagement in the groove. |
US07708486B2 |
Airtight cap structure
An airtight cap structure is provided, in which the number of parts is not increased, and moreover, a design property can be given, and air-tightness can be secured.A cap is configured by two-color molding of a soft portion comprised of an elastic soft resin, and a hard portion comprised of a hard resin, and in a state in which the cap is attached to a main body, the use end portion is inserted into the elastic soft portion to mare a direct contact to be sealed, and at the same time, the surface of the tip end portion of the main body is brought into contact with the soft portion, thereby securing air-tightness of a refill. |
US07708485B2 |
Cleaning implement
A cleaning implement includes a cleaning head having a cleaning operation surface on a bottom, a holding portion arranged on the side opposite the cleaning head, a pipe for coupling the cleaning head and the holding portion, and a valve opening and closing device provided to the pipe so as to be able to hold a first container for receiving a first fluid or a second container for receiving a second fluid. The holding portion includes a lever coupled to the valve opening and closing device so as to open and close a first valve of the first container or a second valve of the second container. A first ejection nozzle can eject the first fluid forward of the cleaning head, and a second ejection nozzle can eject the second fluid rearward of the cleaning head. |
US07708481B2 |
Selectable lens mechanism and camera having same
A camera includes a housing, a camera lens and a supplemental lens mechanism positioned on the housing and located in front of the camera lens. The supplemental lens mechanism includes a supplemental lens set, a carousel, a holder, a bracket, and a positioning ring. The supplemental lens set includes a number of supplemental lenses configured for producing different imaging effects. The carousel is disposed in front of the camera lens. The holder joins with the carousel to hold the supplemental lens set. The bracket is disposed in the housing of the camera and accommodates/carries the carousel. The positioning ring couples to the bracket to hold the carousel. The carousel can rotate in the bracket to make a selectable one of the supplemental lenses in the supplemental lens set align with the camera lens. |
US07708475B2 |
Electro-optical assembly and method for making an electro-optical assembly
An electro-optical assembly (EA) is provided in which the transmitter and receiver components are integrated together on a single circuit board, which is encapsulated in a single molded EA package. Integrating the transmitter and receiver components on a single circuit board allows the size and complexity of the EA to be greatly reduced as compared to the traditional TO-can and FOT architectures. A standard semiconductor inline automation system and process may be used to manufacture the EA packages so that they may be mass produced with improved throughput, yield and quality as compared to the method currently used to manufacture and assemble the known EA used in the traditional TO-can and FOT architectures. |
US07708469B2 |
Fiber optic connector assembly and method for venting gas inside a fiber optic connector sub-assembly
A fiber optic connector assembly and method for venting gas inside in a fiber optic connector sub-assembly. The fiber optic connector assembly includes a connector sub-assembly including a ferrule and a ferrule holder having a passage extending therethrough. A stiffener tube having a tube body disposed about a portion of at least one optical fiber supports insertion of the optical fiber into the ferrule holder passage. The stiffener tube contains at least one opening in its tube body configured to vent gas trapped inside the stiffener tube during assembly. In this manner, the trapped gas does not form a gas pocket in the bonding agent, which could compromise bonding among the optical fiber, stiffener tube, and connector sub-assembly. |
US07708461B2 |
Temperature determination of an away-facing surface of an object
A method for determining the temperature of an away-facing surface of an object, wherein at least one ultrasonic pulse is transmitted through a surface of the object facing a transmitter/receiver unit into said object; the at least one ultrasonic pulse is reflected at least partially in the direction of the transmitter/receiver unit on the surface of the object facing away from the transmitter/receiver unit; and the reflected part of the at least one transmitted ultrasonic pulse is received by the transmitter/receiver unit. At least one temperature value for the object surface facing the transmitter/receiver unit is also determined; at least one value is determined for the propagation time of the at least one ultrasonic pulse through the object, and at least one temperature value for the object surface facing away from the transmitter/receiver unit is determined by the at least one temperature value for the object surface facing the transmitter/receiver unit and the at least one propagation time value. |
US07708460B1 |
Method and apparatus for measuring temperature on a silicon device
A method for measuring temperature on a silicon device includes activating a heat source on the silicon device. A value of a parameter of an electronic component on the silicon device is measured. A temperature associated with the electronic component is determined from the value of the parameter. |
US07708459B2 |
Low-temperature comparison calibrator for thermometers
A temperature varying low-temperature comparative calibration including a vacuum jacket, a comparative calibration block in the vacuum jacket which is formed of a material of a high heat conductivity and which is maintained at a fixed temperature by a refrigerator or a heater, a reference thermometer housing portion in the comparative calibration block in which a reference thermometer is mounted, and an insertion hole in the comparative calibration block through which a calibration target thermometer is inserted from outside the vacuum jacket via an introduction pipe. The introduction pipe is filled with heat exchange gas. |
US07708449B2 |
Illumination device and liquid crystal display apparatus
An illumination device includes a light source member, a flexible wired board the light source member mounted thereon and a wiring provided thereon, and a structure to be stuck to the wired hoard via sticking members at a plurality of sticking surfaces, wherein one end of the wiring provided on the wired board is electrically connected to and terminated at the light source member, and the other end of the wiring is provided with a connecting path to be electrically connected to the outside, and wherein the bond strength of the plurality of sticking surfaces is set in such a manner that the bond strength of the sticking surface located on the one end side of the wiring is lower than that of the sticking surface located on the other end side of the wiring. |
US07708445B2 |
Light guide device and backlight module using the same
A light guide device (21) includes an incident surface (211), an emitting surface (212) and a plurality of protrusions (212a). The incident surface is configured so as to allow an incident light to pass therethrough. The emitting surface is adjoining the incident surface and configured so as to allow the light to emit out of the light guide device. The protrusions are formed on at least a portion of the emitting surface. The protrusions are configured for concentrating light that emits out from said portion of the emitting surface. The present application is also concerned to a backlight module (2) including a light source (22) and the light guide device. |
US07708442B2 |
Light emitting panels for display devices
Devices and assemblies for providing light to a display panel, including methods of attaching such devices and assemblies to a circuit board, are disclosed. An illustrative device can include a light emitting panel including at least one light interface for receiving light from a light source. The light interface may define an aperture adapted to receive a portion of the light source, forming an air gap between the light source and interface. A number of centering ribs and/or beveled sections can be used to align the light source within the aperture during assembly of the device to a circuit board. |
US07708439B2 |
Vehicle headlamp
A vehicle headlamp is provided with a lamp unit including a light source bulb having a light source for emitting light, a main reflector for reflecting the light emitted from the light source, a shade for shielding apart of the light reflected by the main reflecting face, and a projector lens for forward projecting the light having passed the shades. The vehicle headlamp unit is further provided with a first sub-reflector for reflecting the light emitted from the light source, a second sub-reflector for forward projecting the light from the first sub-reflector through the shade and the projector lens when the first sub-reflector is situated at a first position and a third sub-reflector having a third sub-reflecting face for forward projecting the light from the first sub-reflector not through the projector lens when the first sub-reflector is situated at a second position. |
US07708435B2 |
Vehicle illumination device, vehicle illumination control method and recording medium storing a vehicle illumination control program
In light that is irradiated from a front light of a vehicle illumination device, a portion thereof is modulated to include a light signal, and a camera captures light from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle illumination device identifies luminance point(s) in the captured images of the camera, and also detects for the light signal, and extracts the luminance point(s) in the captured images other than the luminance point(s) with the detected light signal. The vehicle illumination device identifies segmented region(s) in the light distribution range of the front light that correspond to the extracted luminance point(s), and control is undertaken of the light distribution such that the identified segmented regions are made in a non-illuminating state, and the segmented regions other than those identified are illuminated. By doing so, control of the light distribution for light that is irradiated from the vehicle itself may be prevented. |
US07708434B2 |
Method for the automatic adaptation of a light beam of a headlight device
A proposed method to illuminate optimally, or at least in an improved fashion compared with existing solutions, a road taken by a vehicle in question implementing the method whilst ensuring that other vehicles are not dazzled. To this end, it is not proposed in the invention to detect the distance between the vehicle in question and the first vehicle liable to be dazzled by the vehicle in question, and to generate accordingly a light beam optimized in terms of range on the road, and advantageously light intensity; according to the invention, the optimization of the light beam produced is achieved by the use of the motorway function available on the vehicle in question. The use of this function in this context also ensures a gradual transition between the function of the dipped type and the function of the main-beam type in the context of automatic switching operations between these functions. |
US07708431B2 |
Lighting device having a cylindrical lens
A lighting device includes at least a light source for emitting light rays and a guide for guiding light rays on a projection plane. The guide is formed by a lens presenting a cylindrical portion extending along an axis perpendicular to the projection plane, and at least one convex shaped surface extending at an extremity of the cylindrical portion. The convex shaped surface is adapted to direct a portion of the light rays emitted from the light source towards the projection plane. This enables to project the light towards a projection plane quasi parallel to the beam direction without using any guides on the projection plane itself. |
US07708427B2 |
Light source device and method of making the device
A light source device and method of making the device uses a substrate, which may be a glass or ceramic substrate, having thru-holes for heat dissipation. The light source device includes a number of light-emitting dies that are mounted on the substrate such that each thru-hole is positioned directly below one of the light-emitting dies. |
US07708425B2 |
Removable emergency light
A removable emergency light that can be removed from the wall and used as a flashlight. The light is hard wired into a standard power supply and will turn on during a power failure. When the power supply is functioning, batteries in the light are charged. The removable emergency light provides a light source that can be easily located during a power failure, removed and used in multiple locations as desired. The removable emergency light is sized to fit in a standard gang box and can be used with any standard electrical plan. |
US07708422B2 |
Clip type light emitter
The present invention relates to a clip type light emitter, and in particular to a clip type light emitter capable of enhancing a visual field at night by detachably engaging a clip type light emitter to a leisure cap (including hat) generally used for a mountain climbing or fishing or travel or various sports. The clip type light emitter comprises a casing forming a body; a plurality of lamps provided at a front side of the casing at regular intervals; a switch part provided in one side of the casing; a battery provided in the interior of the casing; and a clip provided in an upper side of the casing and having one side end integrally engaged with the casing and having a certain elastic force, wherein the clip type light emitter is detachably engaged to a leisure cap (including hat) used for a mounting climbing, a fishing or various outdoor leisure and sports. |
US07708420B2 |
Light fixture
A light fixture is provided which includes an improved connector arrangement between a fixture housing and a lens therefor. The connector arrangement includes a pre-mounted plunger cartridge which includes a cartridge body that mounts to the fixture housing and a resiliently biased plunger which projects through the fixture housing wall into releasable locking engagement with the lens. |
US07708417B2 |
Audio speaker illumination system
An audio system with an illumination mechanism is disclosed. One embodiment includes a device which can be mounted in the center of an audio speaker and used to create an optical effect. |
US07708416B2 |
Lighting and usability features for key structures and keypads on computing devices
A keypad is provided for a computing device. The keypad includes one or more lighting devices or mechanisms for illuminating a plurality of keys structures. In an embodiment, the plurality of key structures are formed from a milky material. |
US07708415B2 |
Mirror structure having piezoelectric element bonded to a mirror substrate
This invention concerns improvements relating to a deformable-mirror holder for holding a mirror in a desired position, to within accepted tolerances, even whilst the mirror is deforming or in a deformed state. More particularly but not exclusively, this invention relates to a holder for a bimorph mirror. A deformable mirror holder (31) is provided comprising a body with a receiving portion for receiving a deformable mirror (30), and wherein the receiving portion is defined by a passive flexible support structure (41) such that, in use, to the support structure provides a supporting surface to the mirror. This invention extends to a deformable mirror and a deformable mirror holder as described above. |
US07708414B2 |
Antiglare film
An antiglare film is disclosed including a transparent substrate; and an antiglare layer including a binder matrix and a particle, wherein reflectivity of 5° angle of a surface of the antiglare film which surface is in the antiglare layer side among both sides of the antiglare film is 2.4-4.4%, wherein image clarity (C(0.5)+C(1.0)+C(2.0)) measured by reflection method on an antiglare layer side is 20-70%, and wherein difference in refractive index between the binder matrix and the particle is equal to or less than 0.07. |
US07708413B1 |
Corner cube chemical-biological agent sensor
A sensing system comprises a corner-cube reflector that has three reflective surfaces wherein at least one of the reflective surfaces is a surface of a bimaterial cantilever. The reflective surface of the bimaterial cantilever undergoes a change between a substantially planar shape and a curved shape upon direct exposure to an agent of interest. Such a change is perceived by a suitable detector. |
US07708410B2 |
Correction of presbyopia using adaptive optics and associated methods
Devices, systems, and methods measure, diagnose, and/or treat one or both eyes of a patient. Adaptive optics systems (such as those having a deformable mirror) may be configured to an aspherical or multi-spherical presbyopia-mitigating prescriptive shape to allow objective and/or subjective measurements of a candidate prescription. A plurality of viewing distances allow subjective and/or objective evaluations of performance using a light spot or a test viewing image. Measurements of aberrations at selected viewing conditions (including distances and/or brightness) with correlating pupil sizes may also be provided. |
US07708408B1 |
Single-arm optical coherence tomography pachymetry system and method
A single arm optical coherence tomography (OCT) pachymetry system and methods for measuring layers of the eye are disclosed. The system includes an artificial lens for positioning on the eye, a light source emitting a measurement light beam along an optical path posteriorly toward the cornea, and a detector receiving and measuring a combined signal of light reflections anteriorly from a plurality of reflecting surfaces associated with the eye. The reflecting surfaces include a first reflecting surface associated with the artificial lens and one or more second reflecting surfaces corresponding to corneal layers. A processor is coupled to the detector and is configured to determine a distance between two of the corneal layers from the combined signal. |
US07708407B2 |
Eye tracking compensated method and device thereof
Motion blur associated with hold-type display devices may be reduced by eye tracking compensation. Eye tracking compensation may depend on the magnitude and direction of a motion vector, which may be used to generate a human-vision image compensation signal. An original input image signal and the human-vision image compensation signal may be used to generate and output a compensated image signal. As a result, motion blur arising from eye tracking characteristics is reduced. |
US07708406B2 |
Refractometer for determining the refraction properties of an eye
The invention pertains to a refractometer (01) for determining the refraction properties of an eye (02) of a patient with an optical projection device (03) that comprises at least one light source (08) that produces a light pattern, wherein the light pattern of the projection device (03) can be projected on the retina of the eye (02) and focused thereon, with an optical viewing device (04) that comprises at least one photoelectric sensor (12), wherein the light pattern reflected on the retina of the eye (02) can be viewed through the cornea and the lens of the eye with the viewing device (4) and projected on the photoelectric sensor (12) in the form of an image pattern, with an evaluation device for evaluating the image pattern recorded by the photoelectric sensor (12) and deriving the refraction properties of the eye, and with a distance measuring device for determining the distance between the refractometer (01) and the patient. The distance measuring device (16, 17) makes it possible to measure the distance between the refractometer (01) and the eye (02). |
US07708403B2 |
Apparatus and method for diagnosis of optically identifiable ophthalmic conditions
An apparatus that measures images of at least a portion of an eye and records data sets indicative of a neurological condition. A method of the invention employs a plurality of images, or a plurality of data sets, or at least one image and at least one data set to provide an interpretive result based on the interrelation of the images and data sets, such as by superposition. The apparatus and method thereby provide guidance as to the presence of a medical condition in a patient. The apparatus includes modules that observe images and/or data sets, that analyze the information, and that superpose the information. Modules are provided to store information, to provide data output, to provide reports, and to display information, including superposed images and data. Modules can be provided in hardware, in software, in firmware, or in combinations thereof. |
US07708399B2 |
Print engine assembly with dual motor assemblies
A print engine is provided for in an inkjet printer. The print engine includes a chassis. A print cartridge is mounted to the chassis, and includes a print roll defining a plurality of ink reservoirs and carrying a wound length of print media. A first motor assembly is mounted on the chassis and is configured to drive a roller of the print cartridge to transport the print media. A printhead assembly is engaged with the print cartridge to eject ink from the reservoirs upon the transported print media. A cutter assembly is configured to cut a printed length of print media from the remaining wound length. A second motor assembly is mounted to the chassis and is configured to drive the cutter assembly. |
US07708398B2 |
Printing apparatus and printing method
A printing apparatus includes: (A) a transport mechanism transporting a medium in a forward direction and a backward direction; (B) a head printing dots on the medium; (C) a sensor sensing existence of the medium in a non-contact manner; (D) a reversion mechanism reversing the medium; and (E) a controller controlling the sensor to sense an end of the medium when the transport mechanism transports the medium in the forward direction so as to allow the head to print the dots on the surface of the medium and controlling the sensor to sense the end of the medium when the transport mechanism transports the medium in the backward direction so as to allow the reversion mechanism to reverse the medium after the dots are printed on the surface thereof. |
US07708392B2 |
Refill unit for engaging with ink storage compartment, and fluidically isolating printhead
A refill unit for refilling a negatively pressurized ink storage compartment that supplies ink to a printhead assembly. The refill unit has a body with a variable volume container for holding a quantity of ink and an actuator for fluidically isolating the printhead assembly and the ink storage compartment as the refill unit engages the ink storage compartment. |
US07708388B2 |
Liquid ejection head
In order to provide a liquid ejection head which enables ejection of a droplet at a higher frequency, according to the invention, a piezoelectric vibrator has a multilayer structure. In the multilayer structure, an upper piezoelectric layer and a lower piezoelectric layer are laminated one on another. A drive electrode is formed at a boundary between the upper piezoelectric layer and the lower piezoelectric layer and is electrically connected to a source for supplying a drive signal. An upper common electrode is formed on the surface of the upper piezoelectric layer. A lower common electrode is formed on the surface of the lower piezoelectric layer. An inertance of a nozzle orifice and an inertance of an ink supply port are set so as to become greater than an inertance of a pressure generating portion. |
US07708383B2 |
Ink jet head and ink jet recording apparatus
The ink jet head includes a plate-like substrate having an ejection port bored therethrough and an ejection unit for ejecting ink droplets from the port, wherein at least a part of a periphery of the port convexly projects along an ejection direction of the ink droplets. The head ejects the ink droplets from the port by causing an electrostatic force to act on ink containing charged colorant particles. The head includes an ejection port substrate as the plate-like substrate, a head substrate disposed apart from the port substrate to form an ink flow path, an ink guide that is provided in the head substrate and a tip portion of which penetrates through the port, and an ejection electrode formed in correspondence to the port and causing the electrostatic force to act on the ink. The ink jet recording apparatus records an image on a recording medium using the ink jet head. |
US07708379B2 |
Method and apparatus for driving printer head and image formation
Provided are a method and apparatus for driving printing elements of a printer head in an image forming apparatus. The method includes calculating a number of driving groups among multiple driving groups in which at least a first predetermined number of printing elements are driven for each print line. The method calculates a number of print lines wherein the calculated number of driving groups are not less than a second predetermined number. The number of driving groups are increased if the calculated print lines is not less than a third predetermined number. Thus, it is possible to print with less power without a reduction in print quality or speed by controlling the driving of the printer head. In addition, the overall size of the image forming apparatus can be reduced by using low-power power supply. |
US07708377B2 |
Blade engagement apparatus for image forming machines
A blade engagement apparatus for metering release agent onto an image forming device associated moving surface, such as a Solid Ink Jet drum. The blade engagement apparatus includes a blade positioning mechanism having a blade holder rotated about a fixed pivot point disposed a distance LD from the moving surface. A plurality of metering blades extending from the blade holder each include a blade tip disposed a distance LB from the pivot point such that LB is greater than LD. A replacement blade is brought into a working position in deflected engagement with the moving surface for metering a release agent onto the surface while the used blade is moved into a non-operational suspended position. Various blade replacement strategies are used to initiate a blade replacement operation. |
US07708372B2 |
Inkjet nozzle with ink feed channels etched from back of wafer
An inkjet printhead with a wafer substrate and an array of ink ejection nozzles formed on the front side by lithographic etching and deposition techniques; and,a plurality elongate ink feed channels etched from the back side for supplying ink to the nozzles.Etching the ink feed channels from the back surface of the wafer removes the need for ink feed channels beside the chambers. This provides more room for the power and print data connections to each nozzle along the front surface of the wafer. Individual ink feed channels for each nozzle eliminates fluidic cross talk between adjacent nozzles. An ink feed channel that supplies several nozzles from the side of each chamber needs to incorporate special features such as pinch points to deal with fluidic cross talk. However, a back etched ink feed channel can supply several nozzles without fluidic cross talk. |
US07708371B2 |
Image forming apparatus
The image forming apparatus comprises: an image forming device which includes an intermediate transfer body having a transfer surface on which an image is formed according to a first image data, the image forming device performing a transfer of the image onto a recording medium from the transfer surface; a transfer state determination device which determines a state of the transfer surface after the transfer of the image onto the recording medium has been performed; and an image correction device which corrects a second image data corresponding to an image formed on the transfer surface, according to the state of the transfer surface determined by the transfer state determination device. |
US07708368B2 |
Method for evaluating color mixing, image recording method, and image recording apparatus
The method for evaluating color mixing between dots of two different colors discharged onto a recording medium, the method comprises the steps of: outputting a color mixing evaluation print having a color mixing evaluation patch formed on a recording medium by dots of two different colors in such a manner that at least a portion of the dots are adjacent or overlapping; measuring a density of the color mixing evaluation patch of the outputted color mixing evaluation print; and evaluating color mixing of the dots of two colors, according to density profiles for the dots of two colors forming the color mixing evaluation patch, as obtained by the density measuring step. |
US07708367B2 |
Printing apparatus, printing system, and printing method
The present invention provides a printing apparatus, a printing system, and a printing method which can excellently print various images while taking the advantages of driving of a print head in a time divisional manner. Dispersive driving control or sequential driving control is selected in accordance with the attributes of an image to be printed to drive a plurality of print element groups in the print head in a time divisional manner under the selected dispersive or sequential driving control. The dispersive driving control drives the plurality of print element groups in a time divisional manner so as to sequentially drive the print element groups not located close to each other. The sequential driving control drives the plurality of print element groups in a time divisional manner so as to sequentially drive the print element groups located close to each other. |
US07708363B2 |
Printing apparatus and printing method
A printing apparatus includes a head and a drive signal generating section. The head has an element performing operation for ejecting ink and ejects a plurality of types of inks, an amount of each ink ejected by the head being different depending on a designated tone value. The drive signal generating section generates a drive signal having a waveform section for operating the element and generates a plurality of types of the drive signals for a specific tone value, the waveform section of each of the drive signals for the specific tone value being different depending on the types of inks. |
US07708361B2 |
Inkjet recording apparatus and inkjet recording method
The inkjet recording apparatus initially deposits ink on a front surface of a recording medium and subsequently deposits ink on a rear surface of the recording medium in such a manner that images are formed by the ink on the front surface and the rear surface of the recording medium, wherein, when time after depositing the ink on a first region of the front surface of the recording medium until depositing the ink on a second region of the rear surface of the recording medium which corresponds to the first region is taken to be ΔT1 (sec) and viscosity of the ink to be deposited on the first region and the second region of the recording medium is taken to be η (mPa·sec), then the inkjet recording apparatus deposits the ink on the first region and the second region in such a manner that a following relationship is satisfied: ΔT1<0.45×η. |
US07708360B2 |
Combination printer and its paper
A computer network system and method for printing purchase transaction receipts includes a novel printer physical structure, data structure, and control logic for printing on both sides of a register receipt, business rules designed to facilitate the two sided printing, and print paper designed to facilitate two sided printing. |
US07708356B2 |
Host unit case with foldable front and rear walls and lower cover for a computer
A host unit case with foldable front and rear walls and lower cover for a computer includes a front wall, a rear wall, an upper cover and a lower cover. The lower end of the front wall connects with the front end of the lower cover. The lower end of rear wall pivotally connects with the rear end of the lower cover. Hence, the lower cover, the front wall and the rear wall are unfolded to allow the lower cover engaging with upper end of the front wall and upper end of the rear wall for the host unit case being set up as a complete form quickly and being folded parts thereof to reduce the volume thereof conveniently. |
US07708354B2 |
Brake control apparatus and control method thereof
The invention provides a brake control apparatus that improves the controllability of a vehicle in the control for restraining slip of the wheels. The brake control apparatus includes: wheel cylinders that apply braking force individually to wheels by supplying a working fluid; retention valves that are provided respectively upstream of the wheel cylinders and that are opened and closed so as to restrain slip of the wheels; a common control valve provided upstream of the retention valves to supply the working fluid to the wheel cylinders; and a control portion that controls the common control valve by different control laws to restrain fluctuations in pressure on a primary side of the retention valves caused by fluctuations in a capacity to which the working fluid from the common control valve is supplied, by opening or closing of the retention valves. |
US07708352B2 |
Force absorbing automobile axle having fluid chambers
A vehicle axle includes an axle housing defining a cavity. The axle includes a pair of outer drive shafts, each being coaxially received in a respective housing cavity and slidable therein, each outer drive shaft defining a splined cavity. The axle includes a pair of inner drive shafts, each having a splined end coaxially coupled to a respective outer drive shaft splined cavity such that a respective outer drive shaft is slidably movable therein. A piston is attached to the inner end of each outer drive shaft and separates an inner fluid chamber from an outer fluid chamber. A fluid channel includes opposed ends in communication with respective fluid chambers. A force absorption container is in fluid communication with each fluid channel and includes a compression spring, wherein the spring is compressed when movement of the piston pushes fluid through the channel into the force absorption container. |
US07708349B2 |
Knock down chair
An auditorium chair comprised essentially of four parts that interconnect creating a frame with a three point stability system. The auditorium chair structure has the following components: fastening with screws, snap tight buttons, or other fasteners, dimensioning in accordance with use in current auditorium chair sizes, and fabrication design enabling efficient shipment while maintaining stability and stacking capability. |
US07708346B2 |
Reclining back mechanism for a seating unit
A seating unit has a base pivotably coupled to a back by a reclining mechanism, which has a pair of arms pivotably coupled to the base side members. The arms are coupled to a rearward transverse member that swings forward and compresses a cylinder actuator as the user reclines the back. The opposed end of the actuator is coupled to a forward transverse member, which is in turn coupled between the base side members. The actuator has a release valve that is operated by pulling a manual lever of a release mechanism. The release mechanism frees the cylinder actuator from a rigid position thereby allowing the user to force the back rearward or allowing the predisposed extension force of the cylinder to return the reclining back to the fully upright position. Discontinuing the release mechanism will cause the actuator to arrest the back in a reclined position. |
US07708345B2 |
Recliner
A recliner has a chair frame that provides support to a seat and back rest. The frame includes a recliner assembly that includes a bracket that is connected to the backrest enabling reclining movement of the backrest as the bracket moves through a correspondingly shaped bracket slot in a recliner base plate, and where the bracket rotates about an axis that approximates the position of the rotational axis of the hip of a seated user. The reclining chair can also be part of a modular system of components that enable one or more seating units to be in a spanned or ganged configuration. |
US07708344B1 |
Patient chair with locking assembly
A patient chair for use in a dental operatory or the like generally comprises a base, a chair frame supported by the base, and a seatback support coupled to the chair frame. The seatback support is slidably movable relative to the chair frame. To provide a desired connection or fit between components, a locking assembly is configured to apply a clamping force between the seatback support and the chair frame. |
US07708341B2 |
Vehicle seats
A vehicle seat has a seat cushion having a cushion pad deformable to be flexed when a seating load of an occupant is applied. A seating sensor is disposed within the seat cushion for detecting a seating position of the occupant. The seating sensor is configured as a push-in switch and can detect the seating position of the occupant when the seating sensor is pressed by the cushion pad. A fragile region is interleaved between the seating sensor and the cushion pad at a pressure receiving region where the pressing force is applied to the seating sensor. The fragile region has rigidity lower than the cushion pad. |
US07708340B2 |
Massage chair
A massage chair of the present invention includes an electric reclining mechanism for moving a backrest into different sloping positions, left and right holding mechanisms for respectively holding user's left and right forearms, and a controller for controlling operations of the mechanisms. The controller separately controls operations of the electric reclining mechanism and the left holding mechanism as well as operations of the electric reclining mechanism and the right holding mechanism. When controlling the former operations, the controller controls (A) allow the left holding mechanism to hold the left forearm, (B) allow the electric reclining mechanism to recline the backrest to any of the different sloping positions, (C) allow the electric reclining mechanism to raise the backrest to any of the different sloping positions, and (D) allow the left holding mechanism to release the left forearm. Similarly, the controller controls the latter operations. |
US07708332B2 |
Convertible roof system
A convertible roof system employs a convertible roof assembly and a cover assembly which operably covers at least a portion of a vehicular area within which the convertible roof is stowed. In a further aspect of the present invention, the cover assembly includes a dual-acting deck lid. Another aspect of the present invention employs a movable main pivot bracket for the convertible roof assembly. Furthermore, an additional aspect of the present invention allows a stowed and collapsed convertible roof assembly to at least partially move with a stowage area cover when the cover is opened to allow rearward access into the stowage area. |
US07708327B2 |
Vehicle cargo floor organizer
The technology described herein provides a slidable, retractable, and foldable cargo floor organizer with a rotatable and extensible retention net frame and associated cargo retention net for the rear cargo floor area of a vehicle. The system additionally provides an interior cargo tray having multiple partitions. The system includes a cargo retention net frame disposed about the interior cargo tray, wherein the cargo retention net frame is extensible, and a cargo retention net, the cargo retention net being disposed about the retention net frame, and wherein the cargo retention net is extensible and extends as the cargo retention net frame extends. The system provides for the secure containment of cargo in the rear cargo floor area of a vehicle. |
US07708325B2 |
Systems and methods for rotation of objects
Systems and methods for rotating objects that shift the center of gravity of an object, such as a wing assembly, from a position outside the rotation axis area of the object to a position within the rotation axis area of the object. In one example, a material handling system that employs rotatable slings may be used to rotate an object by shifting the suspended center of gravity from a position outside the rotation axis area (i.e., outside the rotatable slings in at least one position of rotation) to a position within the rotation axis area (i.e., between the slings at all positions of rotation). The suspended center of gravity may be shifted using at least one ballast component (or other suitable force-applying device) that exerts a force on the object in a direction and magnitude sufficient to so shift the suspended center of gravity of the object. |
US07708321B2 |
Pipe-connector molded part for pre-insulated pipe conduits
A pipe-connector molded part for pre-insulated pipe conduits consisting of plastic, whereby the pipe conduit is pre-insulated with polyurethane foam and the pipe-connector molded part is positioned so that it can be connected to the internal wall of the pipe conduits to be connected by a method for connecting pre-insulated pipe conduits consisting of plastic by way of the molded part. |
US07708320B2 |
Plug-in part for a plug connector arrangement
A plug-in part for a plug connector arrangement is provided. The plug-in part being in the form of a piece of tubing and having a sealing portion, comprising a sealing element enclosing the piece of tubing in a circumferential direction, and a locking portion with at least one undercut, and it being possible for the plug-in part to be plugged into the receptacle of a coupling part of the plug connector arrangement in order to produce a fluid-tight connection, and for at least one locking element of the coupling part to engage behind the plug-in part in the region of the undercut. In order to develop the plug-in part so as to reduce the risk of the sealing element being adversely affected, the undercut is formed by a protrusion which projects from the outside of the piece of tubing and extends circumferentially merely over a sub-region of the piece of tubing. |
US07708318B2 |
Tube to hose coupling
A tube-to-hose coupling includes an elongated hollow insert connected between an end of the tube and defining an insert receiving portion and the end of the hose defining an insert receiving portion. The insert is disposed in the insert receiving portion of the tube end and the insert receiving portion of the hose end in fluid tight sealing relation. Thermoplastic polymeric material is bonded between the insert and the hose during insertion of the insert into the bore of the hose. The tube is connected to the insert and the hose by plastic deformation. In one embodiment the polymeric material is a layer defining the internal bore of the hose. In another, the polymeric material defines an outer layer on the insert. |
US07708312B2 |
Three-point safety belt system with integral air bag
A three-point safety belt system (20) including: a tongue (100) configured to receive portions of a safety belt assembly (200); the safety belt assembly (200) comprising a shoulder belt section (202) and a lap belt section (250), the shoulder belt section including a hollow, generally flat first tube or tubular section (202), the first tube or tubular part configured to tear apart along a preferred region (203), a web guide (300); a first and second retractor (240, 260); the lap belt section (250) extending from the tongue to the corresponding retractor (260) and the shoulder belt section (202) extending from the tongue to the other retractor (240), each retractor configured to respectively retract the lap belt section and the shoulder belt section and to permit the extension or protraction of same; an inflatable air bag (400) received within the shoulder belt section and movable with the first tubular part (202) of the shoulder belt section, and inflatable by an inflator causing the air bag to extend and break the first tubular part as the air bag inflates from a stored condition to an inflated condition. |
US07708311B2 |
Airbag for front passenger's seat
The airbag of the present invention, when completely inflated, is formed into a generally square conical shape whose top is in a front end of the airbag. A protection portion to be located in rear side of the airbag upon airbag inflation includes shoulder restraining portions disposed generally side by side in left-right orientation in an area from upper part to rear part of the completely inflated airbag. Each of the shoulder restraining portions continuously projects in upper part to rear part of the airbag. |
US07708310B2 |
Steering column including an airbag apparatus
The steering column includes a column body, a column cover formed into a generally tubular contour and mounted around the column body and an airbag apparatus. The column cover includes an upper cover and a lower cover. The lower cover is separable from the upper cover and is split into a front section disposed proximate the airbag apparatus and a rear section disposed proximate a combination switch unit disposed at the rear of the airbag apparatus inside the column cover. The rear section is configured separable from the front section as is secured to the column body. |
US07708309B2 |
Driver's airbag module assembly structure
Provided is a driver's airbag module assembly structure including: an inflator for generating gas by igniting an exploder; an airbag inflated toward a driver by the gas generated by the inflator; a cage covering the inflator; a mounting plate for accommodating the inflator, the airbag, and the cage to be fixed in a cover member disposed at a handle; and a horn plate installed between the mounting plate and a steering wheel, characterized in that the mounting plate has a plurality of fixing clips formed at its outer surface, the cover member has a plurality of coupling holes coupled with the fixing clips, the horn plate is provided with a bracket having an angled tip and a fastening hole, and the steering wheel is provided with a groove having an angled step corresponding to the bracket of the horn plate.Therefore, hooks of a mounting plate push flexible pieces formed at coupling holes of a cover to allow the mounting plate and the cover to be easily coupled with each other. In addition, since the hooks are closely inserted into lower horizontal holes, movement of the hooks can be reduced. Further, the hooks do not separate from the coupling holes when the airbag is deployed. |
US07708296B2 |
Bicycle fork having lock-out, blow-off, and adjustable blow-off threshold
A bicycle fork includes a pair of fork leg assemblies, each of the leg assemblies having an upper leg telescopingly engaged with a lower leg. A damping assembly is provided in at least one of the legs. The damping assembly includes lock-out and blow-off compression circuits. These compression circuits are externally adjustable without tools. Furthermore, these two compression circuits may be adjusted independently of each other. |
US07708294B2 |
Detachable dual-use platform apparatus and method
A vehicle is provided having a cargo area, a passenger compartment, and a detachable dual-use platform which is connectable to the cargo area to form a ramp, and to the underside of the vehicle to form a running board. The platform is supported by brackets at either end when used as a running board, and includes an internal locking mechanism. A platform apparatus is also provided for accessing the vehicle, including a first locator portion that is adjacent to the cargo area, and a dual-use platform portion having a step surface on one side and a second locator portion on an opposite side. The locator portions are mutually engageable to secure the platform to the cargo area. A method is also provided for accessing the vehicle, including configuring a platform for alternate attachment adjacently to the passenger compartment as a running board and adjacently to the cargo area as a ramp. |
US07708292B2 |
Independent four wheel vibration damping system for riding mowers
In a riding mower having a frame, a mower deck supported beneath the frame, a chair on said frame and a source of motive power also supported on said frame. The frame is supported on forward and rear wheel assemblies, and the wheel assemblies each have a supporting wheel, each wheel assembly having a vibration damping system interposed between the frame and each wheel assembly. The vibration damping system comprising at least one pillow interposed between the frame and each wheel assembly and each pillow being of a resilient material for absorbing shock and vibration resulting from a wheel contacting irregularities in the terrain traversed thereby. |
US07708291B1 |
Vehicle with improved steering system
A three wheeled vehicle that has an improved dual front wheel steering system that allows the vehicle to be maneuvered by a combination of arm and leg steering movements coupled with front end leaning that shifts the center of mass of the vehicle down and toward the inside wheel. This transfer of mass counteracts a conventional cornering vehicle's tendency to fling its mass to the outside wheel and lift the inner wheel off the ground as well as changing the angle of the line of force exerted through the tires, and enhancing the vehicles's grip on the ground. The vehicle has a reduced amount of sliding and potential of flipping when turning sharply. The steering system is compatible with traditional ACKERMAN steering geometry wherein the inner wheel turns in a smaller diameter circle than the outer wheel. |
US07708288B2 |
Locking chuck
A chuck including a cylindrical body with a nose section and a tail section, the nose section having an axial bore formed therein. A sleeve is rotatably mounted about the body. Rotation of the sleeve in a closing direction moves the jaws toward a longitudinal axis of the axial bore and rotation of the sleeve in an opening direction moves the jaws away from the longitudinal axis. An O-ring is disposed adjacent the sleeve in a plane that is transverse to the longitudinal axis. A bearing has a first race adjacent the body, a second race adjacent the sleeve and bearing elements therebetween. One race defines a ratchet and the other of the first race and the second race defines a pawl biased toward the ratchet. The O-ring biases the pawl toward the ratchet and when the pawl engages the ratchet prevents the second race from rotating in the opening direction with respect to the first race. |
US07708286B2 |
Storage tank orifice flexible center mount fitting
A storage tank orifice flexible center mount sealing device comprising a first annular member being substantially flexible having a annular channel, a central orifice and a mating surface, wherein the mating surface is operably configured to be disposed against a wall of a container; and, a second annular member being substantially rigid having a central orifice, wherein the second annular member is disposed in the annular channel and the members are coaxially aligned. The sealing device further comprises a sealing boot disposed on the first annular member, wherein an enclosed environment is defined by the first annular member, the wall and a conduit, which passes through the wall, the central orifices of the first and second members and the sealing boot, wherein mounting hardware used to secure the first and second members to the wall are protected in the enclosed environment and first annular member has a boot mounting area. |
US07708283B2 |
Mechanical seal assembly
A split mechanical composite seal assembly for providing a seal between a rotating shaft and a static surface. The split mechanical composite seal assembly includes first and second axially adjacent annular seal elements. The first and second seal elements each include a sealing edge contacting the shaft to provide a respective seal between the first and second seal element and the shaft. A static housing receives the first and second seal elements and engages the static surface to provide a static stationary seal, while concomitantly providing a flex region that engages the seal elements to form a dynamic seal therewith. A holder assembly receives one seal element and may include a double-angled lead-in to facilitate installation of the seal element. The holder assembly may include a detent groove for receiving and retaining an O-ring disposed about the seal element. The static housing may comprise two mating segments having overlapping surfaces. |
US07708281B2 |
Method of sealing a joint
A method of sealing a joint between components especially in an aircraft comprises the steps of identifying the sealing gap to be sealed; selecting a suitable sealing material having a fractional maximum sealing thickness and a fractional fully-compressed thickness and selecting a suitable thickness of that sealing material, based on a consideration of the fractional maximum sealing thickness and the fractional fully-compressed thickness of the sealing material and on the sealing gap; locating, between the mating surfaces of the components to be sealed, the suitable thickness of the suitable sealing material; and fastening the components together. |
US07708280B2 |
Poker game with variable payouts based on probabilities of winning
A poker game wherein conditions for a player's hand(s) and a dealer's hand(s) are different such that the player may have different probabilities of winning than the dealer. Payouts are adjusted such that the player's hands are disadvantaged compared to the dealer (e.g., the dealer can have more cards in the dealer's hand) so that the player's payouts may be more than even money to compensate for long odds. |
US07708270B2 |
System and method for handling print media
In one embodiment, a media handling system is provided to transfer media through an image forming device having a primary media path and a duplex media path. The media handling system includes a media feeder configured to input media into the duplex media path of the image forming device. |
US07708259B2 |
Self-standing weighted diffuser assembly
An apparatus designed to convert the dynamic of residential wastewater treatment processing bacteria from anaerobic to aerobic bacteria in existing single or multiple compartment septic tanks. The apparatus consists of a small self-standing weighted diffuser assembly designed with a center tube having a specific series of vertically lined orifices and a deflector plate that can be lowered through an 8-inch diameter opening by means of the attached flexible airline into an existing septic tank and sit directly on the bottom of the septic tank. A flexible airline attaches the diffuser assembly to a small air pump located outside of the septic tank. When the air pump is activated, air will enter the diffuser assembly and discharge through the orifices a combination of fine and coarse air bubbles. This action causes the wastewater to be forced against the deflector plate and creates a rolling action starting at the bottom of the septic tank and rolling upwards toward the outside of the tank. This rolling wastewater is forced to the top of the liquid level in the septic tank and then is pulled back down to the bottom and back toward the diffuser where the cycle begins again. This unique action takes place on all sides of the diffuser assembly very quickly breaking solids down into small particles. Additional benefits include the production of sufficient oxygen in the wastewater to proliferate the growth of aerobic bacteria. With the constant rolling action of sewage and particles, it is necessary especially in a single compartment septic tank to eliminate those particles from exiting the tank and entering into the secondary treatment system. The apparatus is designed to draw those small waste particles down and away from the septic tank discharge point, and back toward the diffuser assembly ensuring those particles do not exit the septic tank. |
US07708257B2 |
Apparatus for treating solids
Apparatus for treating solids, in particular mixing, pelletizing or drying, includes a vessel receiving a solid product, and a driveshaft which is arranged in the vessel. Disposed in fixed rotative engagement with the driveshaft is at least one mixing member which rotates in a rotation direction and has two mixing arms. Each mixing arm includes a main vane of generally triangular cross section to define an apex which is directed in the rotation direction of the mixing member. |
US07708256B2 |
Dispersing fragrances
A fragrance disperser in one form includes a single fan that passes air over a wicked single or double fragrance. A second form has the fan reversible to provide two different airstreams that evaporate respective different fragrances one after the other. Where two fragrances are provided, the evaporation may be by respective electrical heaters. A fragrance source may be formed by two sheets joined together to form two chambers each receiving a respective wick and having respective exposed wick portions. The source may incorporate a source of electrical power. An alternative source has a reservoir for fragrance and a wick located in an air passage forming part of the source so that an air flow is guided through the passage past the wick to evaporate fragrance. Where two fragrances are provided, the fragrance sources may be located side-by-side and matching fragrances may have, for example, matching indicia on the sources so that the match can be easily determined visually. |
US07708254B2 |
Actuator apparatus for operating and locking a control valve and a method for its use
A valve actuator apparatus is provided, which further comprises a linkage mechanism, which can convert rotational force into translational force. This linkage mechanism also imparts a much greater degree of mechanical advantage than typical rack-and-pinion linkages allowing either for greater closing force on the valve or for the use of smaller drive motors to actuate the valve. Furthermore, this linkage mechanism can lock the valve closed, with full seating force, even when no torque is provided by a drive motor. |
US07708249B2 |
Assembly of eggcrate substructure for bond jigs
A system for supporting a bond jig comprises a plurality of planar panels including at least one mounting hole for fasteners in each panel, wherein a first panel is arranged in a non-orthogonal position to a second panel. The system further comprises a coupling element for coupling panels, comprising a first and second planar portion, a hinge element connecting the first and second planar portion, wherein the first planar portion and the second planar portion rotate around the hinge element to form an angle, and at least one mounting hole for fasteners in the first and second planar portion. The system further comprises at least one fastener for fastening the first planar portion to the first panel via a mounting hole in the first planar portion and a mounting hole in the first panel and at least one fastener for fastening the second planar portion to the second panel via the mounting hole in the second planar portion and the mounting hole in the second panel. |
US07708247B2 |
Removable console cupholder adaptor
A removable cup adaptor is for holding a beverage container for use in a cup holder that eliminates rattling of the beverage container when both the cup adaptor and beverage container are seated in a cup holder. The removable cup adaptor has a plurality of ribs extending radially outward from the outer surface. The removable cup adaptor eliminates rattle of the beverage containers by having the ribs maintaining contact with an inner surface of the vehicle console cup holder. The ribs are made of a flexible material such as rubber, such that the removable cup adaptor may be fittingly seated into cup holders of different diameters, but rigid enough such that the ribs provide stability while the removable adaptor is seated therein. |
US07708246B1 |
Reticulated cam actuator
An actuator device operable to retract the cam elements of a spring-loaded camming device (SLCD) used in the sport of rock climbing. The actuator includes a remote finger and a remote thumb. The remote finger is mounted in a handle to permit translation of the remote finger along an axis, and rotation of the remote finger about that axis. In use, the remote finger can be rotated to present a narrow profile to pass between the trigger bar of a SLCD and a wall of a crack. Subsequent to its insertion behind the trigger bar, the remote finger can be rotated by about 90 degrees to capture the trigger bar. Then, the remote finger and remote thumb can be urged toward each other, effective to squeeze the SLCD and rotate its cam elements, to effect removal of the SLCD from the confines of the crack. |
US07708245B2 |
Multi-purpose vacuum suction apparatus
Disclosed is a multi-purpose vacuum suction apparatus which can be easily attached to or detached from a smooth and hard object surface and which can substantially increase suction force. The multi-purpose vacuum suction apparatus includes an elastic member for returning one or more operating members to the original positions thereof, and a vacuum suction plate unit having a multi-purpose connector, wherein an ornamental member for use in various ornamentation or advertisement can be fitted into or assembled with the top end of the multi-purpose connector. |
US07708244B2 |
Device for use in vehicle stabilization
A vehicle stabilization device for use in stabilizing a vehicle to enable safe and rapid victim extrication operations by first responder and other personnel. The device includes a base plate for enabling its emplacement on an underlying support surface beneath the vehicle to be stabilized. First and second extender members, each having a base end and a distal end, are hingedly connected to each other at their distal ends. The base ends are rotably mounted to the base plate and are moveable toward each other from an initial spaced position. This reduction of spacing between the base ends acts in conjunction with the hinged attachment between the distal ends to increasingly incline the extender members with respect to the base plate and thereby increasingly elevate the distal ends above the base plate. A vehicle contact and support member is secured to the distal hinged ends, and elevates with the distal ends of the extender members until contact is made with the overlying portion of the vehicle. The drawn together base portions are retained in the position where contact with the vehicle is achieved, to provide stabilizing support to the vehicle. |
US07708242B1 |
Bucket holding apparatus and associated method
A bucket holding apparatus includes first and second carriages with pivotally attached inner edges arranged in such a manner that the first and second carriages freely rotate upwardly from a horizontal plane defined on a support surface. The bucket holding apparatus further includes first and second arcuate walls directly conjoined to the first and second carriages and oppositely situated from the inner edges such that the first and second arcuate walls define a circular cavity within a combined perimeter thereof. The bucket holding apparatus further includes an arcuate lever directly and statically conjoined to the second carriage and extending laterally upwards away from an outer edge thereof. |
US07708239B2 |
Turntable and display apparatus
A turntable includes a rotatable member rotatable together with a display portion about a predetermined axis line, a fixed member disposed on one side of the rotatable member in a direction of the axis line, a first friction plate whose rotation about the axis line is restricted by the rotatable member (and movable relative to the rotatable member in a direction of the axis line), and a second friction plate whose rotation about the axis line is restricted by the fixed member (and movable relative to the fixed member in a direction of the axis line). The first friction plate and the second friction plate are disposed between the fixed member and the rotatable member in a direction of the axis line. At least, a sliding contact portion between the fixed member and the first friction plate, a sliding contact portion between the first friction plate and the second friction plate, and a sliding contact portion between the second friction plate and the rotatable member are provided. |
US07708238B2 |
Visual presenter
A visual presenter includes a base having a pivot shaft unit including a shaft support bracket, a support column mounted on the pivot shaft unit so as to be pivotable between a standing position and a forwardly-inclined position, a pivot shaft supported on the bracket, a wave washer inserted through the shaft to be tightened against the bracket by a nut in threading engagement with the shaft, and a return spring attached to the shaft so as to apply a biasing force to the shaft. The braking force and the biasing force counteract a pivotal movement of the support column, and the base includes a counterweight disposed in the base so that the base is prevented from being moved during an operation of pivoting the support column. |
US07708237B2 |
Fastening system for medical devices
A fastening system for medical devices includes a column-shaped interface profile (1) having a lens-shaped cross section with at least one convexly shaped, longer front surface (2) and with two shorter lateral surfaces (3), which are parallel to one another and pass over into the longer front surface (2) via a tappet-shaped projection (4) each. A clamping device (6), fits the longer front surface (2) of the interface profile (1) with the two tappet-shaped projections (4) in a positive-locking manner for fastening medical devices. The clamping device (6) has a concavely shaped outer surface and is provided with clamping jaws (8) that can be set on one side or on both sides for detachable fixation on the interface profile (1). This construction offers the possibility of receiving medical devices and accessories on up to a maximum of four sides simultaneously, especially also via standardized rail elements (7). |
US07708236B2 |
Method and apparatus for collecting yard debris
An apparatus for collecting leaves and other yard debris supports a flexible bag in an open configuration. The apparatus has a frame for supporting the flexible bag, and a retaining element for securing the flexible bag to the frame. A handle can be attached to the frame. The apparatus can be used as a tool to collect leaves or other yard debris directly. The frame can have a shape that defines an opening through which the flexible bag is draped. The shape of the frame can have at least one substantially straight side. |
US07708232B2 |
Railroad car lateral instability and tracking error detector
The current invention is intended to be installed in revenue service railroad tracks to detect railroad cars exhibiting wheel set lateral instability. The invention utilizes an array of inductive proximity sensors mounted at regular intervals in a section of railroad track. Each proximity sensor is oriented to sense the lateral position of railroad car wheel sets. The invention employs a computer algorithm to extrapolate the trajectory from the set of proximity sensor signals for each wheel set. A second algorithm evaluates the shape of the trajectory to detect oscillating lateral motion of the wheel set. A third algorithm assesses the severity of any wheel set lateral oscillations that are detected. An additional function of the invention is to detect railroad car trucks that exhibit “tracking errors”. |
US07708231B2 |
Aircraft trailing edge devices, including devices having forwardly positioned hinge lines, and associated methods
Aircraft trailing edge devices, including devices having forwardly positioned hinge lines, and associated methods are disclosed. An aircraft system in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes a wing and a trailing edge device coupled to the wing. The trailing edge device can be movable relative to the wing between a stowed position and a deployed position, with the trailing edge device having a leading edge, a trailing edge, an upper surface, and a lower surface. The upper surface can have an intersection point with the wing when the trailing edge device is in the stowed position. The motion of the trailing edge device relative to the wing can include rotational motion about a hinge line positioned forward of the intersection point, and a gap can be positioned between the trailing edge of the wing and the leading edge of the trailing edge device when the trailing edge device is in the deployed position. |
US07708230B2 |
Flow distribution system for inlet flow control
A nacelle structure for a gas turbine engine includes an inlet aft of an exit guide vane for supplying air flow to a forward plenum. Air is exhausted from the plenum into an air intake opening and over an inner surface of the nacelle for controlling air flow characteristics within the nacelle. |
US07708228B2 |
Sequencing device for deploying a structure as a function of the kinematics of one mobile body thereof
A device is disclosed for sequencing the deployment of a deployable structure comprising a first body, at least one second body mobile relative to the first body, and at least one third body mobile relative to either the first body or the second body and disposed, in an at least partially folded position of the structure, against or between the first and second bodies. The device comprises a first member fixedly mounted on the third body and preventing its deployment when it is immobilized and a second member mounted on the second body and immobilizing the first member until the second body has effected a selected portion of a kinematic that drives it from an initial position to a final position. |
US07708216B2 |
High turbulence mill and bi-negative pressure turbine thereof
A high turbulence mill used for producing supermicro powder and nanomaterials includes: a driving device provided on a base; a hollow grinding casing having a toothed ring-shaped guide stator fixed to an inner circumference thereof; a bi-negative pressure turbine rotatably mounted within the grinding casing; a hopper for delivering materials into the grinding casing via a material feeding pipe; a material discharging pipe communicated with the grinding casing for discharging pulverized products; and a control device for electrically controlling the high turbulence mill. When the specifically designed bi-negative pressure turbine spins at a high speed within the grinding casing under the driving operation of the motor, strong vortexes and high turbulence will be formed in the grinding casing, and thus a gas-solid two-phase flow is formed. Under the high turbulence, the materials are subjected to violent self-grinding effect, strong impact and strong shear force, and then an accelerated and effective pulverization of the materials is obtained. |
US07708215B2 |
Food processor cover
The present invention relates to a food processor and a cover thereof. The food processor cover comprises a feed tube which extends upwardly from an upper cover surface, a safety rod assembly, a locking device, and a feed tube lid assembly pivotally mounted on said feed tube; said feed tube lid assembly includes a safety food entrance. By enlarging the size of feed tubes and food entrances, larger sized food is able to go through in larger quantities. |
US07708211B2 |
Nozzle for the discharge of a flowable substance
A nozzle for the discharge of a flowable substances, for example adhesive or sealing compositions, having a discharge orifice with a variable geometry. The adjustable nozzle permits the user to select the optimal discharge profile suited to a particular application of the composition being discharged. |
US07708210B2 |
Stand for oscillating wave-type sprinkler
A sprinkler stand for holding an oscillating sprinkler in an elevated and generally vertical orientation to provide a desired sprinkler coverage pattern, wherein a sprinkler holder holds a sprinkler, a frame elevates and supports the sprinkler holder, and a base supports the frame. Preferably, the sprinkler holder includes two tracks for engaging base members of a sprinkler, wherein the tracks allow for the repositioning of the sprinkler so as to vary the sprinkler elevation, the height of the sprinkler holder is adjustable by moving the holder along the frame, or by adding a frame extender to the frame, and the sprinkler holder may be rotated, or the frame rotatably or angularly adjusted to achieve a desired sprinkler orientation. |
US07708207B2 |
Wash liquid spray nozzles for pulp mat and method to assemble nozzle
A nozzle assembly for spraying a wash liquid towards a pulp mat, the assembly including an integral fastener-nozzle having a conduit for the wash liquid, an outlet to the conduit for discharging the wash liquid and an attachment to secure the fastener-nozzle to an aperture in a wash liquid pipe, and a wash liquid direction device extending outwardly from the pipe and adapted to direct the wash liquid from the outlet towards the pulp mat. |
US07708204B2 |
Laser alignment apparatus
A laser alignment system includes a laser emitter for producing at least one fan beam. The laser alignment system further includes a target assembly with at least one CCD linear array. The CCD linear array is disposed to be impinged upon by a portion of the fan beam to provide displacement data. Mirrors are disposed to redirect a portion of the fan beam to a second position on the CCD linear array to provide a second reading. The first and second readings are used to calculate angular alignment data. |
US07708202B2 |
System and method for facilitating sales utilizing customer relationship management technology
A system and method of providing relevant sales context information that would enable vendors to reduce cost of operations, increase productivity of their mobile sales forces, and drive improved efficiencies throughout. Mobile sales force representatives can utilize a handheld computing device for reviewing relevant customer sales information prior to a sales visit; for training and other purposes during a sales visit; and inputting new customer sales information during or after a sales visit, which can then be uploaded to a server over a wireless network for future use. The handheld device can communicate with a server to download the customer information onto the handheld device and to upload from the handheld device current customer information data obtained from a customers sales visit to a server. The server can transmit the current customer information data to multiple sales force representatives who can utilize that information in the sales environment. |
US07708200B2 |
Fraud risk advisor
A fraudulent business transaction application (FBTA) is provided for monitoring application based fraud. When a consumer supplies account access information in order to carry out an Internet business transaction, the FBTA uses an online fraud mitigation engine to detect phishing intrusions and identity theft. Methods are also provided for calculating travel velocity and transaction frequency, which are useful for determining a fraudulent transaction. |
US07708198B2 |
Wallet consolidator to facilitate a transaction
A wallet consolidator to warehouse information pertaining to at least one card and to retrieve the warehoused information to facilitate a transaction is provided. An embodiment of a wallet consolidator can include a housing, one or more input devices positioned to receive information, and a memory device positioned to store at least a portion of the information received by the one or more input devices. The wallet consolidator can also include a radio frequency wireless communication interface associated with the housing and adapted to communicate with a point-of-sale terminal thereby to provide at least a portion of the information stored in the memory device to the point-of-sale terminal, a display screen, and a controller positioned within the housing in communication with and to control each of the one or more input devices, the memory device, the radio frequency wireless communication interface, and the display screen. |
US07708197B2 |
Removable card for use in a communication unit
A removable computer chip module for use in a communication unit is disclosed. The communication unit also includes a transceiver, an interface in communication with the removable computer chip module, and a controller in communication with the interface. The controller configured to receive a first access number stored on the removable computer chip module. The controller is further configured to control a transceiver in the communication unit such that the transceiver transmits the first access number to access a cellular network and receives a second access number. The controller is further configured to control the transceiver such that the transceiver transmits the second access number to the cellular network for subsequent access to the cellular network. The controller is further configured to receive count information associated with calls from the removable computer chip module. |
US07708191B2 |
Telebanking apparatus for transferring money or cash value between two parties in the same country or across national borders, for paying bills and browsing the internet
A telebanking apparatus for performing monetary transactions from remote dispersed locations and, more particularly to apparatus for transferring cash value or monetary value between two parties, either nationally or across national borders. The telebanking apparatus is equipped to receive, store and transfer cash value to or from electronic cash value cards, credit cards, debit cards and the like, as well as to use such cash value and credit cards for the electronic payment of bills online. The disclosed apparatus additionally includes a handheld electronic device also providing such value transfer and bill payment services while traveling. |
US07708186B2 |
Liquid-in-box container
The present invention is a liquid-in-box container. A liquid-in-box container in accordance with the present invention may comprise: (a) a box; (b) a liquid-containing receptacle; (c) a spout; (d) a spout outlet aperture; (e) a first hand-hold aperture; (f) a second hand-hold aperture; (g) a third hand-hold aperture; and (h) a fourth hand-hold aperture. |
US07708185B2 |
Plastic box
A plastic box formed of plastic that closes an opening by bending inner Flaps, arranged on one pair of opposite two sides at a periphery of the opening, towards the inside, and folding an outer flap arranged on one side of the other pair of opposite two sides, while inserting and latching an insertion flap piece into the inside of the opening. The plastic box includes a lock mechanism that functions by engaging respective base end parts of the inner flap with notches formed on respective end parts of a bend line bent from the outer flap of the insertion flap piece. In addition, the plastic box includes a finger-receiving brim piece protruding from the bend line towards the outside at a position shifted from the center of the bend line towards the side edge. |
US07708180B2 |
Surgical fastening device with initiator impregnation of a matrix or buttress to improve adhesive application
A material comprising a matrix or a buttress is impregnated with an adhesive initiator and is used with a surgical stapling device and an adhesive. The tissue and material are stapled together, and a knife in the surgical stapling device cuts the tissue and the material. The adhesive is applied across the cut and sets up or polymerizes to seals the cut when the adhesive contacts the adhesive initiator. The surgical stapling device can place the staples in a linear, arcuate, or circular array, and can anastomose luminal tissue. The methods of use can include stapling luminal tissue end to end, stapling two portions of material onto ether side of tissue, and stapling two portions of tissue onto a portion of material. Additionally, a portion of adhesive filed material can be stapled onto one side of portion of tissue and the adhesive initiator impregnated material can be stapled onto the other. Cutting the material and tissue provides a path for the adhesive across the cut, and catalyzes the adhesive from contact with the adhesive initiator. |
US07708179B2 |
High-start spring energized stapler
A spring energized stapler includes a “high start” design wherein a striker has a rest position above the staple track. A handle is pressed to energize a power spring while the striker remains stationary. At a predetermined position of the handle, the striker is released to eject a staple. A subassembly of a cage and the power spring provides a preload to the power spring in the rest position. The subassembly is separately movable from the handle to allow a handle pressing end to move farther than the striker's distance of travel. The handle includes a movable pivot location to enable enhanced motion of the handle pressing end. Alternatively, an optional lever links the striker to the power spring to provide leverage upon the power spring. A release latch may be mounted in front of the striker to be engaged by the lever or the handle. |
US07708178B2 |
Handheld pneumatic tool for breaking up rock
A tool (12) has a body (14) having an opening (16) forming a barrel (18) which has a top and a bottom (20 and 22), an opening (30) at the bottom (22), and a pressure input (44) for fluid communication. The barrel (18) receives a piston (24) and a magnet (23) which is contiguous with the pressure input (44). An actuator pin tube (26) is received in the opening (30) at the bottom (22) of the barrel (18), and an actuator pin (38) is engaged in the tube (26). A second opening (28) may be disposed in the top (20). A kit (110) containing the tool (12), hose (94), cartridges (84) and a pump (P). A method for using the tool (12) is also contemplated hereby. Multiple tools (12) may be detonated at the same time by hooking them up to a manifold (95 or 95′). |
US07708177B2 |
Powder-actuated fastener-driving tool
A powder-actuated fastener-driving tool includes a barrel unit inserted movably into a housing, a holder disposed movably in the housing, abutting against the barrel unit and having a through hole defined by an inner annular surface, and a spring-loaded firing pin disposed fixedly in the housing, having a free end portion extending into the through hole in the holder, and movable among normal and standby positions, where the firing pin is inclined due to engagement between the free end portion thereof and the shoulder portion of the holder, and a firing position. When a trigger unit mounted on the housing is operated to switch the firing pin from the standby position to the firing position, the free end portion of the firing pin disengages the shoulder portion of the holder to move frontwardly to thereby contact and ignite gunpowder in a chamber in a rear end portion of the barrel unit. |
US07708169B1 |
Compact powered caulking gun with scissor type dispensing mechanism
Compact powered caulking gun comprising of a body consisting of two clamshells. A removable cartridge cradle with a three position, rheostatic extrusion speed regulator, Forward-On, Off, Reverse-On switch attached to the body. A motor operatively coupled to an actuator shaft with two oppositely pitched threads thereon. An upper link member actuator with a pitched thread formed therewithin, rotatably situated on the actuator shaft. A lower link member actuator with a pitched thread formed therewithin, rotatably situated on the actuator shaft. A scissor-type mechanism, with a pusher plate, operatively connected to the upper link member actuator and operatively connected to the lower link member actuator for the purpose of dispensing caulk, adhesive and other viscous materials. |
US07708164B2 |
Volumetric dispensing fitment and package including the same
A fitment for package holding a liquid and a package including such a fitment. The fitment is a metering dispensing valve arranged to be secured to a flexible bag for selectively dispensing a metered quantity of the liquid therefrom. It includes a compressible bulb and a piercing member which when actuated pierces through the bag to enable a metered amount of the liquid to be drawn into a reservoir in the bulb. The bulb can then be compressed to dispense the metered amount of liquid from the reservoir. The dispensing valve also includes a inlet valve to the reservoir and an outlet valve from the reservoir. The fitment may include a pair of barriers to enable it to be sterilized before being secured to the bag form an aseptic package. |
US07708161B2 |
Light-weight vacuum chamber and applications thereof
A vacuum chamber with an innovative wall structure. Instead of a conventional homogenous wall structure, the invention uses an array of internally-pressurized, thin-walled cells to contain an enclosed volume. The walls are arranged so that when a vacuum is present in the enclosed volume, the cell walls are placed primarily in tension. In this way the likelihood of buckling instability is substantially reduced. The result is a much lighter vessel compared to a conventional homogenous wall vessel of similar strength. |
US07708157B2 |
Automatic central buffer coupling
The invention relates to an automatic central buffer coupling having a coupling head, a coupling rod and a shock absorber including a destructively-configured force-absorbing member in the form of a deformable tube. The invention provides additional functionality of extendability and retractability to the coupling rod, the and for the central buffer coupling to include a controllable linear drive for the axial displacement of the coupling rod relative the fixing plate and for the bearing block to include a first bearing block component against which adjoins the coupling head-side end of the deformable tube, and a second bearing block component to which the vehicle-side end of the coupling rod is articulated, whereby the second bearing block component is axially displaceable relative the first bearing block component by means of the linear drive. |
US07708156B2 |
Adjustable shelving system
An adjustable shelving storage system for use in industrial, commercial and home settings were available space is limited, the storage system having supports arms with a unique bracket for releasable attachment to side rail uprights whereby the support arms may be reversed for flat storage when not used. The system is provided in wall-mounted, floor mounted and mobile versions. |
US07708154B2 |
Dispensing system
Embodiments of the present invention provide a dispensing system (for dispensing a product) that helps prevent theft, while also providing a simple, easy to manufacture advancing or pushing system that advances product forward. In certain embodiments, the system comprises a base having a back portion, a platform having a track, a flexible plastic pushing device with a connecting end and a pushing end, wherein the connecting end is attached to the back portion of the base, and wherein the pushing end slides along the platform track to advance product to be dispensed forward, and a hood that covers the base. |
US07708152B2 |
Method and apparatus for preparing platelet rich plasma and concentrates thereof
The PRP separator-concentrator of this invention is suitable for office use or emergency use for trauma victims. The PRP separator comprises a motorized centrifugal separation assembly, and a concentrator assembly. The centrifugal separator assembly comprises a centrifugal drum separator that includes an erythrocyte capture module and a motor having a drive axis connected to the centrifugal drum separator. The concentrator assembly comprises a water-removal module for preparing PRP concentrate. The centrifugal drum separator has an erythrocyte trap. The water removal module can be a syringe device with water absorbing beads or it can be a pump-hollow fiber cartridge assembly. The hollow fibers are membranes with pores that allow the flow of water through the fiber membrane while excluding flow of clotting factors useful for sealing and adhering tissue and growth factors helpful for healing while avoiding activation of platelets and disruption of any trace erythrocytes present in the PRP. |
US07708150B2 |
Process for preparing semipermeable membranes
The invention provides methods for preparing reverse osmosis membranes having improved permeability as well as membranes prepared by such methods. |
US07708146B2 |
Hydrocyclone and associated methods
A hydrocyclone can be used for separating components of a fluid. The hydrocyclone can include a substantially open cylindrical vessel and a helical confined path connected upstream of the cylindrical vessel. The open vessel can include an open vessel inlet configured to introduce a fluid tangentially into the open vessel. The helical confined path can be connected to the open vessel at the open vessel inlet. One or more wash inlets can be used to introduce a wash fluid into the helical confined path and/or the open vessel. An overflow outlet and underflow outlet can be operatively attached to the open vessel for removal of the separated fluid components. Although a number of fluids can be effectively treated, de-sanding of bitumen slurries from oil sands can be readily achieved. |
US07708145B2 |
Dry separating table, a separator and equipment for the compound dry separation with this table
The present invention discloses a combined dry sorting bed, the sorting bed is arranged with an inclination, and the inclination between the longitudinal extending of said bed surface and horizontal plane is from −2° to +4°, and the inclination between the lateral extending of said bed surface and horizontal plane is from 0° to +15°. By reasonable setting of the angle of inclination, the material being separated spiral overturn continuously on the sorting bed under the influence of the rising air currents and the force of vibration, with the result that the light material in the upper layer is separated under the influence of weight. The material is sorted for many times during the circularly movements, the product with different content of ash can be obtained. This invention also relates to a combined dry sorting device that comprises frame, sorting bed, vibrator and air supply device. This invention further relates to an apparatus for separation that comprises a feeding device, an air supply and dedusting device and a separating device, the above mentioned sorting bed is used in the sorting device and apparatus, therefore different products with vary quantity of ash are generated according to the gravity of material, and the accuracy of separation is improved. |
US07708143B2 |
Food and beverage container
A container suitable for storage of food and drink items is disclosed that allows for a quick visual check of whether the container has been properly and completely packed. The container also can be easily and inexpensively constructed from a single sheet of fiberboard. The container includes a base, wall sections, and a lid that is hingedly connected to one of the wall sections. The lid can include a handle and an aperture that allows the top of a drink bottle to extend out of the container. This provides a way to quickly verify the contents of the container. |
US07708141B1 |
File holder with hanging mechanism
The present invention provides a file holder with a hanging mechanism, wherein the file holder includes a main body and a hanging mechanism. The hanging mechanism is arranged onto the inner wall of a front panel of the main body and includes a limiting portion, a hanging band and a locator. The first locating end of the locator can be meshed with or disengaged from the second locating end. The hanging band is penetrated into the limiting portion. The hanging band can be retractably concealed into the front panel, or pulled outwards in a hanging state. The hanging band can be limited by meshing of the first locating end with the second locating end or by abutting separately the first and second locating ends onto the first and second threading portions. |
US07708139B2 |
Recording medium storage package having improved rosette
An enclosure for securing a disc having a central aperture includes a base and a pivotable cover. A two part disc securing rosette has a first part on the base including at least two upstanding, circularly spaced apart segments with arcuate outer peripheral surfaces dimensioned for engaging the central aperture of a disc and a second part including at least two elongate, upstanding ribs extending radially from a position on the cover which is centered on the segments on the base, the number of ribs on the cover corresponding to the number of segments on the base, the ribs being positioned and dimensioned such that, when the enclosure is closed, the ribs on the cover enter the first part radially inwardly of the segments with the ribs contacting the radially inside surface of the corresponding arcuate segments for bracing the arcuate segments against breakage. |
US07708137B1 |
Box for storing candle and candle accessories
A candle box for storing individual candles and candle accessories. The box includes a housing with a top opening, a tray for storing candle accessories that fits within the top opening of the housing, and a slidable lid for covering the tray. The housing has a bottom and four side walls that define the top opening. The tray has a bottom integral with four tray side walls that, when placed within the opening of the housing, engage the interior surface of housing side walls to create an airtight enclosure. The lid has a top cover and three side walls, two of which are adapted to slidably engage any two opposing side walls of the tray. The top cover includes a snap-lock for engaging one of tray walls when the lid is in the closed position. |
US07708134B2 |
Power conveyor with corner assembly and pallet therefor
A twin strand conveyor uses roller chains to move pallets along straight conveyor sections and an unpowered corner assembly that enables the pallets to glide around corners of the conveyor. The pallets are transferred from an upstream conveyor section into the corner assembly using a corner injection unit that includes powered rollers that lift the pallets off the roller chains an onto a set of ball transfers that support the pallets as they glide through the corner assembly. Side guides are used to direct the pallets around the turn and onto the downstream conveyor section. A pickup unit having powered rollers draws the pallets off the ball transfers and onto the roller chains of the downstream conveyor section. The rollers of the corner injection unit and pickup unit can be powered by the same motor used to drive the chains of the respective conveyor sections. |
US07708133B2 |
Flexible member tensioning
An apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention includes a driven roller and a idler roller each coupled with a flexible member. A pressure roller is also included and can be forced against the driven roller to tension the flexible member. |
US07708132B2 |
Adjustment system for a speed reduction belt assembly
An automated adjustment system is provided for positioning a speed reduction belt assembly to receive an elongated wood article exiting a processing machine. The speed reduction belt assembly has opposite first and second ends. The automated adjustment system includes a horizontal adjustment mechanism operable to adjust an angle of the speed reduction belt assembly in a horizontal plane. The automated adjustment system also includes a vertical adjustment mechanism operable to adjust the height of one of the first and second ends of the belt assembly relative to the other of the first and second ends of the belt assembly, thereby adjusting an inclination of the belt assembly. The automated adjustment system further includes a control unit in communication with the horizontal and vertical adjustment mechanisms for sending control signals thereto. The control signals determine the angle and inclination of the belt assembly. |
US07708127B2 |
Fluid model control of electro-viscous fan clutch
Accordingly, a control system for controlling a viscous clutch of a fan is provided. The control system includes a delta speed module that determines one of an over speed condition, an under speed condition, and a steady state condition based on a desired fan speed and an actual fan speed. A mode module determines a mode of the clutch based on the one of the over-speed condition, the under-speed condition, and the steady state condition, wherein the mode is one of a pump in mode, a pump out mode, and a closed loop mode. A valve control module that controls an operational state of the clutch valve based on the mode. |
US07708126B2 |
Hydrokinetic coupling device intended, in particular, for a motor vehicle
A hydrokinetic coupling device is intended, in particular, for a motor vehicle. The hydrokinetic coupling device comprises a casing rotationally connecting a driving shaft and an impeller wheel, a turbine wheel fixed to a turbine hub rotationally connected to a driven shaft, a clutch locking the coupling of the driving and driven shafts, and a damping element comprising elastic washers for restricting the essentially-radial circulation of the fluid at least inside a front axial space which is located between a front guide washer and a web, such that the fluid circulates though the lockup clutch of the device. |
US07708124B1 |
Anchoring sleeve assembly and method of use
An anchoring sleeve assembly for securing a plurality of component systems to an axle tube housing. In one aspect, the anchoring sleeve assembly is pre-machined prior to installation on the axle tube housing to reduce the need for further machining operations once coupled to the axle tube housing. In particular, the anchoring sleeve assembly includes an annular portion defining a sleeve bore and a plurality of fixation apertures positioned about the annular portion. The anchoring sleeve assembly includes a plurality of extended portions projecting outwardly from the annular portion. Each extended portion from the plurality of extended portions fixedly receives a respective component system from the plurality of component systems to ultimately secure the component system to the axle tube housing. |
US07708123B2 |
Spring device with capability of intermittent random energy accumulator and kinetics release trigger
A spring device includes an intermittent accumulator and kinetics release trigger that gradually winds up to accumulate kinetic energy (kinetics) as driven by manual or other random intermittent kinetics, and drives a kinetics release control to trigger the spring to release kinetics to drive a load once the kinetics supplied to the spring is accumulated to a preset value. |
US07708122B2 |
Automatic slack adjuster
A slack adjuster for a vehicle drum brake includes a pinion that rotates about a worm axis whenever the slack adjuster pivots. Excess clearance is taken up upon commencement of the apply stroke, at an accelerated rate. This enables a larger amount of initial clearance to be built into the brake. |
US07708121B1 |
Piston dust boot seal for disc brake assembly
A disc brake system comprising a brake piston with an annular groove defined in an outer side wall of said piston disposed to slide within a cylinder. A dust boot seal made of a flexible material having a first end and a second end, the first end engaging an outboard end of the cylinder, the second end engaging the annular groove. A plurality of flexible convolutions provided in the dust boot seal between the first and second ends, and the second end defining one or more slots. |
US07708114B2 |
Sound-attenuating muffler having reduced back pressure
The present invention relates to an improvement muffler that includes an improved inlet configuration having first and second sequential chambers with a perforated central pipe passing longitudinally through a central region of both chambers for directing the exhaust gases into the third chamber in which the deflection element is deployed. Additionally, the partition separating the first and second chamber has a hole that enables some of the gas to pass from the first chamber into the second chamber not through the central pipe. |
US07708111B2 |
Acoustic diaphragm and method for manufacturing an acoustic diaphragm
There is provided an acoustic diaphragm which includes a diaphragm base material composed of a paper article comprised of fine mica flakes, pulp fibers, and polyvinyl alcohol fibers and formed to be a multi-cellular structure; and a sheet material combined with the paper article or the diaphragm base material. |
US07708110B2 |
Bandless hearing protector and method
A hearing protection device and method for a human ear. A plug member caps or enters ear canal, and may be shaped to conform to the external auditory meatus. The device is biased at least in part by a pressure pad to provide some force against the plug member. An optional handle may be provided to assist with temporarily pulling the plug member away from the ear canal or providing adjustment. An optional bow member clips about the pinna. The device may be adapted for use as an ear phone. |
US07708101B2 |
Motor vehicle seat having occupant detector
A seat for a motor vehicle is provided with an occupant detector (02) for recognizing the occupancy status of the seat (01). A foamed cushion element (05), into which the occupant detector (02) is foamed, is provided as part of the seat. |
US07708098B2 |
Brake support structure
A brake support structure for effectively utilizes a space is disposed so as to be hardly visible in appearance. In addition, the brake support structure protects the pipes. A brake support structure includes a vehicle frame having rear frames extending from main frames with a swing arm having a front end pivotally supported on the rear frames and a rear end for rotatably supporting a rear wheel. Brake pipes are connected to a brake caliper for braking the rear wheel. An upper cross member interconnects the rear frames and is disposed near the swing arm. The brake pipes extend between the upper cross member and the swing arm. |
US07708096B2 |
Snowmobile footrest having foot gripping elements
A snowmobile footrest has a top surface, a first foot gripping element extending upwardly and forwardly from the top surface, and a second foot gripping element extending upwardly and rearwardly from the top surface. A snowmobile frame and a snowmobile having the footrest are also disclosed. |
US07708094B2 |
User input for vehicle control
A user input for controlling acceleration of a vehicle. The user input has a movable member capable of deflection by a user such that a degree of deflection corresponds to a specified velocity commanded by the user. The correspondence between the degree of deflection and the specified velocity may include a plurality of zones, each zone characterized by a distinct sensitivity that may be capable of customization for a specific user. The user input may also include a neutral position of the movable member, wherein a substantially sudden motion of the movable member to the neutral position causes a slewed slowing of the vehicle. |
US07708089B2 |
Breech lock stripper rubber pot mounting structure and well drilling equipment comprising same
An upper stripper rubber canister apparatus has a canister body and a canister body lid. An upper end portion of the canister body includes a breech lock structure exposed within the canister body central passage. A lower end portion of the canister body lid is configured for fitting within the central passage of the canister body. The canister body lid includes a breech lock structure that is configured for allowing the canister body lid to be fixedly engaged with the canister body by inserting a lower end portion of the canister body lid into a canister body central passage and rotating the canister body lid with respect to the canister body such that at least a portion of the canister body breech lock structure become at least partially overlapped with a respective one of the canister body lid breech lock structure. |
US07708088B2 |
Vibrating downhole tool
A vibrating downhole tool comprising a housing, an inner mandrel disposed within the housing and configured to receive a drilling fluid, a mass coupled to the inner mandrel, and a plurality of turbine blades configured to receive the drilling fluid and to rotate the inner mandrel and the mass, thereby causing the vibrating downhole tool to vibrate. |
US07708086B2 |
Modular drilling apparatus with power and/or data transmission
The present invention relates to devices and methods for conveying power and/or data signal along a wellbore bottomhole assembly (BHA) having a steering unit, a bidirectional data communication and power (“BCPM”) unit, a sensor sub, a formation evaluation sub, stabilizers. A power and/or data transmission line enables power transfer and two-way data exchange among these BHA components. In one embodiment, a drilling motor includes a transmission unit that transmits power and/or data between modules adjacent the motor via conductive elements in the rotor and/or the stator. A power/data transfer device is adapted to transfer power and/or data between the rotating and non-rotating sections of the transmission unit. The tooling and equipment making up the BHA can be formed as interchangeable modules. Each module can include electrical and data communication connectors at each of their respective ends so that power and data can be transferred between adjacent modules via modular threaded connections. |
US07708085B2 |
Articulating drill with optical speed control and method of operation
A power tool includes an optical speed control switch for controlling the variable speed of an electrical motor in the tool. The tool includes a moveable member having a reflective surface and the moveable member traversing a distance between a stop position and a full speed position, a biasing member operatively coupled to the moveable member to bias the moveable member toward the stop position, an optical signal generator for generating an optical signal, the optical signal generator being oriented so that the optical signal is directed toward the reflective surface of the moveable member, and a speed control signal generator for generating a speed control signal that corresponds to a reflection of the generated optical signal reflected by the reflective surface of the moveable member. |
US07708084B2 |
Portable power drill with gearbox
A portable power drill or hammer drill having a housing (12) which consists in particular of half shells (13, 14) and accommodates a manual gearbox (26), wherein a shift element (59) that can be rotated by hand converts its rotary movement into a shift movement, can be produced cost-effectively and can be easily operated, without lubricant escaping from the housing (12), by the shift element (59) consisting of a shell-like handle part (100) which can be joined together with a further, shell-like shift part (102) in a sealing manner from outside and inside relative to a housing shell (13). |
US07708080B2 |
Packer
A packer includes a sealing element, a gage and a plurality of foldback rings. The rings are located between the gage and the sealing element. |
US07708074B2 |
Downhole valve for preventing zonal cross-flow
A flow control valve for use in a downhole completion tubing string, where the control valve prevents cross flow between producing zones. The control valve comprises a housing forming a plenum therein, a tubular member having a perforated end disposed in the housing, and a plug assembly disposed in the end of the tubular member having perforations. The plug assembly comprises a shaft reciprocatingly disposed in the tubular member. Produced fluids flow within the tubular member, through the perforations to the plenum, and outside of the control valve through corresponding perforations formed in the disk and housing. When pressure in the completion tubing string exceeds produced fluid pressure, the plug will close thereby preventing fluid flow from the completion tubing to the tubular member. |
US07708070B2 |
Shaft plugging system
A shaft plug for a mine shaft, the shaft plug comprising an inflatable bladder adapted to be inflated by pressurised gas, the bladder being adapted to be positioned within a shaft prior to inflation and to be inflated to contact the walls of the shaft to thereby seal the shaft and provide support to the shaft wall. A plurality of shaft plugs are adapted to by linked together in a manner to provide gas communication between the shaft plugs to provide a shaft plug to enable the shaft to be substantially filled by the shaft plug when inflated. Also defined is a method of sealing a mine shaft and supporting the shaft wall by use of a shaft plug. |
US07708069B2 |
Method to enhance proppant conductivity from hydraulically fractured wells
A method of mitigating proppant settling in a hydraulic fracture in order to better suspend the proppant as well as ensure a more uniform pack, by mixing a pre-determined volume percent of low density additive, such as glass beads or other suitable material, such as polylactic acid particles, into the fracturing slurry along with the standard high-density proppant, it is anticipated that density gradients can be induced inside the fracture. Upward movement of low density additive due to them having density lower than the carrier fluid will interfere with downward movement of high-density proppant and vice versa. This mutual interference between the two proppants confined in the narrow fracture will significantly hinder the settling/segregation of the high-density proppant. The low density material has a specific gravity of about 0.3, particle size distribution similar to that of standard proppant, and sufficient mechanical strength to survive fracture closure stress. |
US07708064B2 |
Wellbore pipe centralizer having increased restoring force and self-sealing capability
A centralizer includes two stop collars configured to be affixed to an exterior surface of a pipe. A plurality of circumferentially spaced apart spacers is each coupled at each end to one of the stop collars, a first plurality of circumferentially spaced apart bow springs is each coupled at one end thereof to the first stop collar and at an opposite end thereof to a first floating collar disposed between the first and second stop collars. A second plurality of circumferentially spaced apart bow springs is each coupled at one end thereof to the second stop collar and at an opposite end thereof to a second floating collar disposed between the first and second stop collars. A shape of the bow springs is selected to cooperatively engage the spacers and the floating collars such that when compressed the centralizer provides a substantially fluid-tight seal. |
US07708060B2 |
One trip cemented expandable monobore liner system and method
An apparatus to protect the mounting area of casing and a locating profile and optionally a sliding sleeve valve and a flow path from the outside of the valve to the annulus when subsequent attachment of an expanded liner is intended and the expanded liner is to be cemented in place. A barrier sleeve, nose, and outer sleeve define a sealed cavity having a loose incompressible material inside that covers the mounting location on the casing. A locating profile and an optional sliding sleeve valve and a flow path from the outside of the valve to the annulus can be provided. The cementing of the casing takes place through the barrier sleeve. After the cementing, the sleeve and nose are drilled out and the incompressible material is removed to the surface with the drill cuttings. A liner is inserted in the casing and is preferably expanded into sealing contact with the mounting location on the casing. After expansion a cement retainer positioned at the bottom of the expanded liner and the sliding sleeve located either above the mounting location of the liner in the casing shoe or in the liner below the mounted top section allow cement to be delivered outside the expanded liner and the displaced wellbore fluid to return into the casing through so that the liner can be cemented. The cement retainer can be delivered with either the liner or the expansion tools to allow expansion and cementing in a single trip. A shifting tool can be run on the expansion string to actuate the sliding sleeve and if necessary to allow for cement to be pumped from the drill string into the annulus through the sliding sleeve. The cement retainer can be milled out in a separate trip. |
US07708058B1 |
Selectably elevatable injector for coiled tubing
A selectably elevatable coiled tubing injector is described that is suitable for a mobile self-contained unitized coil tubing rig for the drilling and workover of petroleum wells. The selectably elevatable coiled tubing injector includes a mechanism for positioning a trailer mounted coiled tubing injector either in a first stowed position on the deck of the transport trailer or in a second position resting on an elevated rig floor of a drilling rig. Furthermore, the selectably elevatable coiled tubing injector includes a further mechanism for selectably elevating the injector above its second position on the rig floor while clamping the tubing in order to provide additional tension on the tubing string or to raise the tubing deployed within a well. |
US07708054B2 |
Heat exchanger
A heat exchanger includes a heat exchange core including a plurality of heat exchange tubes, a refrigerant inlet header and a refrigerant outlet header arranged toward one end of each heat exchange tube, and a refrigerant inflow header and a refrigerant outflow header arranged toward the other end of each heat exchange tube. The outlet header has an interior divided into two spaces by a flow dividing resistance plate, and some of the heat exchange tubes are joined to the outlet header so as to communicate with the space. The resistance plate has a plurality of refrigerant passing holes formed therein that are different in shape and/or size. The outlet header is provided on the outer surface thereof with identification marks for discriminating the positions of the refrigerant passing holes and representing the shapes and/or sizes of the holes. |
US07708053B2 |
Heat transfer system
A thermodynamic system includes a cyclical heat exchange system and a heat transfer system coupled to the cyclical heat exchange system to cool a portion of the cyclical heat exchange system. The heat transfer system includes an evaporator including a wall configured to be coupled to a portion of the cyclical heat exchange system and a primary wick coupled to the wall and a condenser coupled to the evaporator to form a closed loop that houses a working fluid. |
US07708051B2 |
Method for manufacture of a physical quantity detector
A physical quantity detector, such as a pressure sensor and a load sensor, includes a cylindrical part of which one end is closed with a strain generating part and a sensor part formed on the strain generating part. The cylindrical part is produced by melting an alloying material having a composition capable of yielding an amorphous alloy, injecting the resultant molten alloy into a metal mold, and cooling the molten alloy in the metal mold to confer amorphousness on the alloy. The metal mold includes a split mold having at least two split parts for forming a cavity and an insert pin to be inserted into the cavity so as to define the inner configuration of the cylindrical part, or further an insert core to be inserted into the mold so as to form the surface of the cavity corresponding to the surface of the strain generating part. |
US07708049B2 |
Sheet door system with transition wheels
A door system includes a flexible corrugated closure member guided between door open and closed positions in spaced apart opposed vertical and horizontal sets of guide tracks and further guided by transition guide wheels mounted on an enclosure frame for guiding the closure member between the sets of guide tracks. The transition guide wheels are supported for movement between working and non-working positions to facilitate storage or shipping the door system or an enclosure unit including the door system, as a substantially planar stack of wall, ceiling and floor members forming the enclosure. |
US07708048B2 |
Automatic barrier operator system
An automatic barrier operator system for operating a gate or upward acting garage door, for example, includes a controller for operating a reversible motor, a base radio frequency transmitter and a base radio frequency receiver. One or more remote control units include a radio frequency remote receiver and remote transmitter. The controller is operable to automatically close or open the barrier in response to a query signal sent from the base transmitter to the remote receiver and when the remote receiver is within range, returning a signal to effect operation of the barrier. The system is operable to effect operation or maintain the status quo of the barrier depending on the state of the barrier and a particular signal or lack of signal received by the controller from an authorized remote control unit or units. The system provides essentially hands-free automatic operation of opening and closing a garage door and the like. |
US07708045B2 |
Spindle for fitting vehicle wheel rims on workshop machines, particularly tire-changing machines or the like
The spindle for fitting vehicle wheel rims on workshop machines, particularly tyre-changing machines or the like, comprises a frame associable in rotation around a work axis with a workshop machine, at least three gripping adapters of the rim of a wheel associable with the frame and moving along respective approach and away movement directions with respect to the work axis, at least a fluid-operated actuator cylinder associated with one of the gripping adapters and suitable for moving the adapter along the corresponding approach and away movement direction, at least three racks, each of which is associated with one gripping adapter and extends substantially parallel with the corresponding approach and away movement directions, and a pinion meshed with the racks. |
US07708042B2 |
Method and apparatus for delivering barcode-to-dose labels
A labeling apparatus has a source of printed labels that have adhesive backing, a vacuum pickup with two opposable arms, a blower bar to support a label on air. Each opposable arm has its own vacuum head and each head is removably attachable to a respective end portion of the label. The apparatus also has a label position sensor, and the vacuum pickup is movable from a pickup position to a wrap position. Each pickup arm has a plurality of spring loaded pins. A two layer label has a backing strip, an inner layer, and an outer layer, and at least one removable portion of the outer layer. The label has a neck portion and two end portions, such that the label set may be wrapped a container with the two end portions adhered back to back to each other. The neck portion is relatively narrower than either of the two end portions and is relatively offset so that it is closer to a front edge of the label. |
US07708037B2 |
Tree pusher
A tree pusher for safely felling a tree. The tree pusher includes (a) a base; (b) a frame mounted on the base; (c) a mechanism for pushing the frame against the tree to fell the tree; and (d) a mechanism for connecting the base of the tree pusher to the tree, so that the base will not move while the tree is being pushed over to fell the tree. The frame includes a detachable pronged head which engages the trunk of the tree, and which disengages itself from the frame of the tree pusher and remains with the trunk of the tree as the tree falls. The frame includes a series of tubes connected end-to-end by locking pins, making it very easy to assemble and disassemble the tree pusher. If a tree has accidentally fallen against a house, a building, or an electrical power line, two tree pushers are positioned on opposite sides of the fallen tree and used to lift the fallen tree. |
US07708028B2 |
Fail-safe vacuum actuated valve for high pressure delivery systems
A high pressure storage and delivery system having a fail-safe vacuum actuated valve is provided. In particular, through the innovative design of the vacuum actuated check valve, the system can accommodate up to three times the volume of product in similar size cylinders. |
US07708022B2 |
Umbrella assembly with tilt adjustment
An umbrella is provided that comprises a support pole, a suspending pole mounted transversely to the support pole, a hub, a canopy, and means for coupling and decoupling the hub from the suspending pole. The suspending pole has first and second ends and a longitudinal axis that defines an arc. The hub is attached to second end of suspending pole. The canopy is suspended in use from the hub. The coupling and decoupling means permits the canopy to be rotated about the longitudinal axis of the supporting pole. |
US07708018B1 |
Double quick release mouth guard assembly
The present invention is a mouth guard which is worn to protect a person's teeth when the person is engaged in a sports activity such as football. A strap which has a quick release mating member at each end interconnects the mouth guard with a bar on a helmet worn by the person. One quick release mating member is removably connected to a bar on the helmet and the other quick release mating member is removably connected to a receiving member in the mouth guard. In the event of a collision between participants in the sport which results in the helmet flying off the person's head, one or both of the quick release members will disengage the strap from either the bar on the helmet, the mouth guard, or both to thereby avoid damage to the person's teeth. |
US07708017B2 |
Compact oronasal patient interface
A breathing arrangement includes a patient interface, at least one inlet conduit, and a headgear assembly. The patient interface includes a mouth covering assembly including a cushion structured to sealingly engage around exterior of a patient's mouth in use, a nozzle assembly including a pair of nozzles structured to sealingly engage within nasal passages of a patient's nose in use, and an element connecting the mouth covering assembly and the nozzle assembly. The at least one inlet conduit is structured to deliver breathable gas into at least one of the mouth covering assembly and the nozzle assembly for breathing by the patient. The headgear assembly is removably connected to at least one of the mouth covering assembly and the nozzle assembly so as to maintain the mouth covering assembly and the nozzle assembly in a desired position on the patient's face. |
US07708013B2 |
Apparatus and method for delivering water vapor to a gas
An apparatus for delivering water vapor to a gas is formed from a plurality of hollow fiber membranes each defining a passage for the flow of gas from an upstream end of the passage and enclosed by an enclosure. The hollow fiber membranes have a combined surface area in the range of about 90 square centimeters to about 110 square centimeters. The enclosure contains an air inlet positioned to direct air to the upstream end of each of the passages of the hollow fiber membranes and an air outlet positioned to direct air from the downstream end of each of the passages of the hollow fiber membranes. The enclosure preferably has a water inlet positioned to direct water toward the outer surfaces of the hollow fiber membranes and a water outlet positioned to direct water from the enclosure. |
US07708012B2 |
Dry top snorkel having a locking device to prevent inadvertant closure
The improved snorkel dry top has a fulcrum to which a float member and a diaphragm yoke are attached. The fulcrum has a blocking tab that rests in an aperture in the float member attaching hook when the snorkel is above the surface of the surrounding water. The diaphragm yoke cannot rotate the diaphragm when the blocking tab is in the hook aperture. Therefore, even when tilted, the snorkel remains open allowing free flow of air into the snorkel tube. Another significant improvement is the connection of the float member, diaphragm and yoke to the snorkel top's splashguard mask. This improvement assures that the delicate structures of these components are not exposed to potentially destructive impact forces in the event that the splashguard mask is removed from the snorkel tube. |
US07708006B2 |
Removable flame heat regulating apparatus including an inner hollow shell and an outer wall for a burner of a gas stove
A flame heat regulating apparatus for a cooktop of a gas stove, having an inner hollow shell and an outer wall which are both placed onto the stove cooktop. The shell further positioned to surround a gas burner is arcuate in shape, having a smaller sized bottom side and a larger sized top side. A plurality of air passages are through the shell, wherein the air passages are more densely distributed onto a lower part of the shell, as compared with the air passages which are less densely distributed onto an upper part of the shell. The outer wall further positioned to surround the shell has a plurality of air passages which are evenly distributed therethrough. In addition, a plurality of extensions projecting upwardly are spaced on a top side of the wall to support a cookware. The apparatus increases heating efficiency of the flame, and prevents undesirable heating of a handle of the cookware in cooking. |
US07707998B2 |
Internal combustion engine and method for operating an internal combustion engine
The invention relates to a method for operating an internal combustion engine, in which the exhaust gas generated by the internal combustion engine is returned to the internal combustion engine by means of an exhaust gas recirculation device having at least two cooling devices which are each associated with a bypass, the exhaust gas being cooled in the exhaust gas recirculation device as a function of the load state of the internal combustion engine. The operation of the internal combustion engine is divided into at least four load states, and as a function of the instantaneous load state the exhaust gas is returned to the internal combustion engine via a flow path in the exhaust gas recirculation device specifically assigned to this load state. The invention further relates to an internal combustion engine having an exhaust gas recirculation device. |
US07707996B2 |
High pressure fuel supply pump for internal combustion engine
An intake valve automatically opened and closed by pressure of a pressuring chamber is provided in a fuel intake passage, the intake valve is pushed to open by a plunger of an electromagnetic plunger mechanism, pulling-in operating timing of the plunger is controlled according to the operating condition of an internal combustion engine, and opening time of the intake valve during compression stroke of a pump is controlled to make discharge flow-rate of high pressure fuel variable. |
US07707994B2 |
Fuel injection controller
A single fuel injection is performed in either one of cylinders during fuel cut control of a diesel engine to sense torque generated with the single fuel injection based upon an increase amount of rotation speed of a crankshaft at the time. Presence/absence of abnormality in an injection start timing of an injector is determined based on a difference in torque caused when the single fuel injection is performed at multiple command injection start timings. Thus, the presence/absence of the abnormality in the injection start timing can be sensed without using a nozzle lift sensor, whereby inhibiting an increase in the number of components. |
US07707993B2 |
Electronic pressure relief in a mechanically actuated fuel injector
A mechanically actuated electronically controlled fuel injector includes a first electrical actuator that controls the position of a spill value, and a second electrical actuator to control pressure on a closing hydraulic surface associated with a nozzle check valve. The fuel injector is actuated via rotation of a cam to move a plunger to displace fuel from a fuel pressurization chamber either to a spill passage or at high pressure out of a nozzle outlet of the fuel injector for an injection event. Pressure in the fuel injector is moderated when the plunger is moving and the nozzle check valve is in a closed position by briefly cracking open the spill valve to relieve some pressure during the dwell between injection events, such as between a large main injection event and a small close coupled post injection event. This strategy allows for longer dwell times between injection events as well as smaller injection quantities in the post-injection. |
US07707992B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling exhaust gas recirculation and start of combustion in reciprocating compression ignition engines with an ignition system with ionization measurement
An apparatus and method to detect combustion conditions using ion signals for use in a feedback control of a reciprocation engine is presented. The ion signals are used as a feedback signal to control EGR and diesel injection timing. The apparatus is an ignition system with a spark plug type of sensor. The ignition system is used to provide a cold start mechanism for diesel engines and start of combustion for spark ignition engines. The ignition is combined with ion sensing feedback that can control the engine. |
US07707989B2 |
Intake port structure for engine
In an engine combustion chamber, a first intake port (19) formed from a straight port has a throat portion (43) formed in a linear shape and opening in a tangential direction of the inner periphery of a cylinder (11a), thus generating a first swirl (S1), and a second intake port (20) formed from a helical port has a throat portion (44) formed in a helical shape, thus generating a second swirl (S2) inside the first swirl (S1) in the same direction as that of the first swirl (S1). In this way, even with the first and second intake ports (19, 20) hardly curved overall, it is possible to efficiently generate first and second swirls (S1, S2) that do not interfere with each other, and it becomes possible to reduce the cost of machining the cylinder head, make the cylinder head compact, and simplify the structure of the cylinder head. |
US07707985B2 |
Electrode for an ignition device
An electrode for an ignition device formed from a dilute nickel alloy with improved resistance to high temperature oxidation, sulfidation, corrosive wear, deformation and fracture. The electrode includes at least 90% by weight of nickel; zirconium; boron and at least one element from the group consisting of aluminum, magnesium, silicon, chromium, titanium and manganese. The weight ratio of Zr/B may range from about 0.5 to 150, and may include amounts of, by weight of the alloy, 0.05-0.5% zirconium and 0.001-0.01% boron. The oxidation resistance may be improved by the addition of hafnium in an amount that is comparable to the amount of zirconium, which may include an amount of, by weight of the alloy, 0.005-0.2% hafnium. Electrodes of dilute nickel alloys which include aluminum and silicon, as well as those which include chromium, silicon, manganese and titanium, are particularly useful as spark plug electrodes. |
US07707982B2 |
Valve rotating mechanism for exhaust valves, especially of marine diesel engines
A valve rotating mechanism for exhaust valves, especially of marine diesel engines, which mechanism is braced in a valve housing for the valve stem (1) between an upper and a lower drive element, is linked to the lower drive element via a freewheel device, which transmits rotation of the valve stem (1) during closing movement thereof, and is also braced relative to the upper drive element via a rotary cylinder (15), which brings about rotation of the valve stem (1) through engagement with a fixed support cylinder (13). Therein the rotary cylinder (15) and support cylinder (13) are engaged with one another via a helical gearing, wherein the rotary cylinder (15) is linked to the valve stem (1) via the freewheel device and the support cylinder (13) is fastened on the housing side. |
US07707981B2 |
Device for the variable adjustment of the control times for gas exchange valves in an internal combustion engine
A device (1) for the variable adjustment of control times of an internal combustion engine, including a stator (2), a driven element (3) arranged coaxially thereto, with both components being assembled so as to rotate relative to one another, and both components define at least one pressure chamber (10) at least in the radial and circumferential directions, and a housing (11), separate from the stator (2) and the driven element (3) which encloses the stator (2) and the driven element (3) in an oil-tight manner, whereby the housing (11) seals and defines the pressure chamber in an axial direction. |
US07707980B2 |
Variable valve actuation mechanism for an internal combustion engine
A variable valve actuation mechanism for an internal combustion engine includes a drive shaft that rotates in operative association with rotation of a crankshaft, thereby to drive an intake or exhaust valve to open or close by way of a rocker arm; and a control shaft that is rotated by driving of a control shaft actuator and that causes variation of the position of the rocker arm, thereby to cause a lift characteristic of the intake or exhaust valve to be continuously variable. The control shaft includes a flange portion protruding from an outer circumferential surface of the control shaft to thereby regulate movement in an axial direction of the control shaft. A cylinder head rotatably supporting the control shaft includes a flange bearing portion that contacts the flange portion. The flange portion includes a stopper protrusion that protrudes from the flange portion and that contacts the flange bearing portion, thereby to regulate a rotation range of the control shaft. |
US07707978B2 |
Internal combustion engine with torque adjustable in each cylinder
Multi-cylinder internal combustion engine wherein the intake valves, the injector means and the ignition means are controlled so as to adjust the enthalpy value of the exhaust gases produced by each cylinder independently from the other cylinders. |
US07707977B2 |
Variable valve performance detection strategy for internal combustion engine
A method for operating a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine includes varying the opening or closing of engine valves including intake or exhaust valves, in fluid communication with each of the cylinders of the engine. The method further includes generating a signal indicative of engine valve status in response to monitoring an acceleration parameter of the engine. An engine includes a computer configured to determine a performance status of intake or exhaust valves of the engine responsive to monitoring an engine acceleration parameter such as crankshaft acceleration. The computer is configured via fault detection and cylinder trimming routines to adjust valve performance based on a nominal crankshaft acceleration for the engine. |
US07707976B2 |
Efficient 5-phase motor with turbo and two compressible chambers
An efficient novel motor is described which works with hydrogen. The motor has 2 compressible chambers for better control of fuel and oxidant ratios. A turbogenerator is utilized to ventilate interior and exterior parts as well as generate electricity to transform waste water into fuel. |
US07707975B2 |
Radial impulse engine, pump, and compressor systems, and associated methods of operation
Radial impulse engine, pump, and compressor systems are disclosed herein. In one embodiment of the invention, a radial impulse engine includes first and second movable V-members operably disposed between first and second end wall portions. The first V-member can have a first wall portion with a first distal edge portion and a second wall portion with a first cylindrical surface. The second V-member can have a third wall portion with a second distal edge portion and a fourth wall portion with a second cylindrical surface. In this embodiment, the first distal edge portion of the first wall portion can be configured to slide across the second cylindrical surface of the fourth wall portion, and the second distal edge portion of the third wall portion can be configured to slide across the first cylindrical surface of the second wall portion, when the first V-member pivots about a first pivot axis and the second V-member pivots about a second pivot axis. |
US07707973B2 |
Handheld examination holder for avian hatchlings, and gender examination process
A handheld, hatchling holder not only simplifies manual examinations but also better protects the hatchling's welfare. The welfare concerns include not only bruising but also yolk-sac rupture. The handheld, hatchling holder has a cupped seat portion for cupping the ventral-end of a hatchling. The cupped seat portion is apertured, as with an opening. The hatchling is seated on the handheld, hatchling holder such that the cupped seat portion provides support to portions of the hatchling's perineal area that surrounds the alimentary vent (cloaca) as the alimentary vent is situated for exposure by the opening. The holder and opening facilitates not only welfare-friendly discharge of the meconium in the hatchling's alimentary vent through the opening but also welfare-friendly examination of the distended innards of the vent for markers of gender. The quality of the meconium discharge (or absence thereof) also facilitates determining whether the hatchling exceeds a hydration standard or not. |
US07707971B2 |
Multiple function animal furniture system
An animal housing. In an embodiment, the animal housing includes a top side, wherein the top side comprises open and closed positions. The animal housing also includes a plurality of sides. The plurality of sides provide support to the top side. In addition, the plurality of sides comprise a front side comprising a front side opening. Moreover, the animal housing includes a front side grate. The front side grate is vertically moveable with the top side in the closed position. |
US07707966B2 |
Liner contact automatic teat dip applicator
A teat dip applicator and method direct a teat dip to a teat cup liner head that defines a chamber and nozzle through which teat dip flows to coat an animal teat prior to and during detachment of a milker unit from a dairy animal. |
US07707962B2 |
Apparatus for forming carbon nanotube film
An apparatus for forming a film of solution of carbon nanotubes includes a retaining member, an array of spray nozzles, and a supply tube. The spray nozzles are mounted on the retaining member. The spray nozzles being in communication with the supply tube. The apparatus can deposit a film of solution of carbon nanotubes having high thickness uniformity. |
US07707961B2 |
Apparatus for applying chemical coatings
A fully temperature controlled apparatus comprising a thermoplastic stage assembly having solids processing components and a finishing stage assembly having liquid processing components and liquid applicator components or finishing assembly. |
US07707960B1 |
Flag restraint
An apparatus for the prevention of flag entanglement upon a flagstaff that is comprised of a specifically milled wood block which acts as an attaching mechanism to the flagstaff and is the hinge point for a metal rod that is attached to the flag. The hinge point of the block allows the rod to swing in a 180 degree arc from the 90 degrees to 270 degrees. The length of the rod being equal to or greater than the width of the flag in conjunction with the hinge block action prevents the flag from flipping over and tangling on the staff. |
US07707956B2 |
Wake control mechanism
The present invention is a wake control mechanism for watercrafts comprising flat or upwardly curved wake control plate(s) which is/are connected to the stern in a variety of ways, either fixed or adjustable, such that the water passing beneath and/or beside the transom is scooped upward by the plate(s) and the watercraft is therefore pushed deeper into the water causing a larger wake. Additionally the plate(s) may have walls so that the scooped water is held above water level thus adding weight and further increasing wake size. Adjustments to the plate(s) position may be used to control the shape as well as the size of the wake. |
US07707954B2 |
Floating dry dock system
A floatable dry dock includes a lifting cradle having two spaced arms pivotally mounted on a buoyant base and, one or more flotation tanks interconnecting the arms. A platform is mounted on the arms and a platform support is operable to ensure that the platform remains horizontal when the arms pivot about their pivotal attachment to the base. |
US07707947B2 |
Table
A table may include a table top, a frame and one or more support members such as legs. Advantageously, the table top may include a generally planar upper surface and a generally planar lower surface. In particular, the lower surface of the table top may be substantially free of any downwardly extending projections such as a lip. Desirably, the table includes a frame and at least a portion of the frame is exposed and visible when the table is being used. In addition, the table may include one or more guard members that are sized and configured to protect portions of the table, such as the corners. Significantly, the guard members may be selectively connected to the table top or the frame, which may allow the guard members to be repaired or replaced. |
US07707946B2 |
Adjustable work surface support
An adjustable work surface support for use with a primary work surface and a secondary work surface comprising primary work surface connector; secondary work surface connector; a parallelogram link support comprising a support bar mounted to the primary work surface connector to define a first axis; and a pair of parallel arms, each arm attached at one end to the support bar and a second end attached to the secondary work surface connector to define a second axis; a connecting plate; attached adjacent one of the parallel arms to the primary and secondary work surface connector; having a first pivot point rotatable about the first axis and a second pivot point being rotatable about the second axis; such that when the arm is pivoted about the first axis, an angular position of the secondary work surface with respect to the primary work surface is substantially constant. |
US07707945B2 |
Safety system for a locomotive walkway
A safety system for a walkway of a locomotive. The safety system includes an operator cabin adjacent to a front end of the locomotive, and a walkway extending from the operator cabin along a first side of the locomotive to facilitate a locomotive operator performing regular maintenance. More particularly, the safety system includes a resistive grid exhaust in a sidewall of the first side of the locomotive for directing hot air along a path from a resistive grid within the sidewall to external the locomotive during a self-load mode of the locomotive. A barrier bar is positioned adjacent to the base of the resistive grid exhaust, and is extendable to an extended position over the walkway during the self-load mode to prevent the operator from walking into the path of the hot air from the resistive grid exhaust. Upon the barrier bar retracting from the extended position over the walkway, the locomotive switches out of the self-mode into a normal mode to shut off the supply of the hot air from the resistive grid through the resistive grid exhaust to permit the operator to safely walk in front of the resistive grid exhaust. |
US07707943B2 |
Self-propelled rail unloading machine
A rail unloading vehicle is self-propelled and able to travel either over-the-road on conventional roadway tires or along railway tracks on railway wheels. Threading mechanisms for unloading the rails are arranged to retract so they provide a narrow profile for transport over the road. The threading mechanisms have thread boxes with jaws that open to accommodate easy reception of rails, and close to apply rollers to the rails for unloading operations. A special rail clamp has a pair of oppositely pivoting dogs to allow rail manipulation in opposite directions without slippage. A special saw allows safe on-site cutting of rails. |
US07707938B2 |
Apparatus and method for avalanche control
At least two gases combine to form a detonable mixture that is detonated near an avalanche start zone. Each gas is separately supplied at a pressure above ambient pressure so that the pressure differential drives the gases through a mixer and to deploy as a detonable cloud in open air near the start zone. An igniter is located in communication with the detonable cloud near its discharge point from the mixer so that the igniter will be in communication with the cloud near the end of a predictable time interval. A controller releases the gases to initiate the mixing and deployment of the gas cloud and measures the interval. At the end of the predictable time interval, the controller fires the igniter to detonate the explosive gas mixture in open air. |
US07707935B2 |
Printing group including cylinders supported for movement
A printing group of a printing machine is comprised of a pair of cylinders each having a circumference that corresponds essentially to a length of a section of a side to be printed. The effective generated surface of at least one of the cylinders comprises, at the most, one break in the circumferential direction. The surface forms, in the longitudinal direction, a plurality of adjacently arranged breaks which, when viewed in the circumferential direction, are arranged in a staggered manner with respect to each other. |
US07707934B2 |
Printing formes of a printing press, and web-fed rotary presses
The invention relates to a printing form (19) to be used in a printing unit of a printing press. Said printing form (19) is embodied as a panoramic printing form (19) and supports side by side printed images of a specific number n (n>1) of printed pages having a specific format (F1, F2). The printing form (19) has a width that substantially corresponds to a number of n=3 vertical printed pages in newspaper format (F1, F2) and supports side by side printed images of n=3 pages in newspaper format (F1, F2). |
US07707931B2 |
Clean room food processing systems, methods and structures
Some food pathogens are not well controlled by lethality treatments followed by refrigeration. A food processing facility according to this invention reduces the likelihood that food pathogens will be able to enter the food processing facility, or spread should they be able to enter. The food processing facility is divided into a plurality of area, with different areas having different allowed actions that can be taken on the food product, different rules and/or procedures for persons who are allowed entry, and/or different levels of cleanliness. The food processing facility includes a plurality of separate rooms for processing the food product, each including separate food processing machines, air handling systems, drain systems and/or often-used supplies and tools. Different air pressures within different areas limit the possible movement of airborne food pathogens. Sanitizing stations are placed between various ones of the different areas. |
US07707927B2 |
Beverage machine with height-adjustable device for controlling distance between beverage recipient and outlet
A beverage machine having a height-adjustment device that includes a movable support plate for adjusting the position of the recipient relative to at least one beverage outlet. The support plate is movable relative to the at least one beverage outlet. The machine also includes a displacement mechanism for displacing the support plate relative to the outlet. The displacement mechanism includes a motorized driver for driving the displacement mechanism, a controller for controlling the actuation of the driver and which is configured to set a predetermined distance between the outlet and the recipient. A drip-collecting device can also be selectively provided to collect liquid falling from the beverage outlet when the recipient is not present. |
US07707924B2 |
Linear actuator
A groove is provided to the rear of an inner wall of a cylinder. A locking ram capable of freely sliding in a radial direction and a cam rod having a profile changing with a transition from the rear to the front from a small diameter part to a large diameter part that are provided relative to a piston. The inner end of the locking ram makes contact with the profile, and the cam rod is urged to the rear by the spring, so that the cam rod can be pushed to the front by a push rod. The piston can therefore be locked with a simple structure, and it is possible to provide a linear actuator where locking can be released with a straightforward operation even when a pressurized oil source fails. |
US07707923B2 |
Short recoil semi-automatic shotgun
A smooth-bore barrel semi-automatic shotgun include a frame comprising a breech. A barrel is slidingly mounted on the frame relative to the breech. A slide-bolt assembly, which slides relative to the breech, is adapted to close the barrel. A friction spring opposes the barrel's sliding movement relative to the frame. |
US07707922B1 |
Mobile carrier for a projectile launcher
A mobile projectile launcher is disclosed having a tiltable launching platform for supporting a plurality of canisters in each of which projectiles to be launched are stored and fired, a support plate pivotally connected to a horizontal cargo bed, and at least one linear actuator by which the support plate is swingable from a closed position substantially perpendicular to the cargo bed to an open position substantially parallel to the cargo bed. The support plate is made of a material that is resistant to the projectile plume following launching and is sufficiently sturdy to support a technician during the loading of projectiles when set in an open position, yet is adapted to protect and hide the loaded canisters when set in a closed position. |
US07707920B2 |
Table saws with safety systems
Improved table saws and table saws designed to implement safety systems that detect contact between a person and a dangerous portion of the saw are disclosed. The table saws may include an elevation mechanism, a tilt mechanism, and an adjustment system configured to adjust the parallelism between a tilt axis and a blade. The elevation mechanism may include a vertical slide that includes two shafts, and the adjustment system may include a mechanism to adjust the parallelism of the two shafts. |
US07707919B1 |
One-piece stripper retainer for a punch
A one-piece stripper retainer for plastic cup shaped strippers with a universal snap-in design that can be used with both older style and newer style punch retainers. The stripper retainer incorporates an anti-rotation heel with a snug fit around a portion of the punch retainer body and clamps to the punch itself. In a second version, the stripper retainer also clamps to the punch itself but lacks the heel. In a third version, the stripper retainer bolts to the punch retainer with a separate threaded screw. In all three versions, the plastic stripper is locked in place by the snap-in feature without any additional clamping force. |
US07707918B2 |
Detection systems for power equipment
Improved methods to detect when a human body contacts a predetermined portion of a machine are disclosed. The methods distinguish contact with a person from contact with other materials. The methods are particularly applicable in woodworking equipment such as table saws to distinguish contact between a person and the blade of the saw from contact between the blade and wet or green wood. |
US07707916B2 |
Adjustable socket
An adjustable socket having a housing with a longitudinal axis. A collar is couplable to and movable along the housing. The collar's lower end is bevelled. A plurality of circumferentially spaced apertures extend through the housing. A jaw is mounted in each aperture for slidable, radial movement through the aperture. Each jaw has a flat inward face and a bevelled outward face. The jaws are biased radially outwardly away from the axis. Rotation of the collar around the housing in a first direction forces the collar's bevelled end against the jaws' bevelled faces, forcing the jaws radially inwardly and forcing their inward faces against a fastener located between the inward faces. Rotation of the collar in the opposite direction allows the jaws to be biased radially outwardly to release the fastener. |
US07707915B2 |
Double acting spanner wrench
An apparatus includes first and second coupling devices each having a lever end, a gripping end, and an elongated slot: an axle disposed within the elongated slot of each coupling device where the coupling devices may pivot relative to each other about the axle: a threaded shaft operatively attached to both a bushing pivotally disposed at the first coupling device lever end and a threaded seat pivotally disposed at the second coupling device lever end and configured to advance the lever ends toward each other as the threaded shaft is rotated in a first direction; and a pair of latches rotatably attached to a respective gripping end of a respective coupling device, each latch having a distal toe plate configured to engage a circumference of one of a pair of washers, the apparatus configured to tighten or loosen the pair of washers by imparting opposite rotational forces to the washers. |
US07707913B2 |
Method of disconnecting a pipe length
A method of using a power tong (2) for use in the pipe make-up and pipe break-out of pipe lengths (22) during drilling in the ground as it is known from, for example, the recovery of petroleum, the power tong (2) being part of an assembly (1) which includes a back-up tong (4) movable relative to the power tong (2) in the longitudinal direction of the pipe length (22), and at least one guide column (10). The tong is releasably connected to a chassis and is arranged to be lifted up from a drill floor to a level higher up in order to break out a pipe from a pipe string, should the pipe string get stuck in the borehole. |
US07707912B1 |
Disposable oil filter wrench
A disposable oil filter wrench includes an adhesive layer for adhering the wrench to an oil filter. |
US07707911B2 |
Hydraulic control for a dual clutch transmission
A dual clutch transmission which has a first clutch, actuated by a first hydraulic cylinder, a second clutch, actuated by a second hydraulic cylinder, shift devices for shifting gears, which are actuated by respective hydraulically operated cylinders, and a hydraulic energy source for supplying the hydraulic cylinders and the hydraulically operated cylinders with hydraulic energy. The hydraulic energy source has a first pump, a second pump and an electric drive driving the second pump. |
US07707910B2 |
Gearbox module
A gearbox module having a gearbox input and at least one gearbox output; having a starting element coupled to the gearbox input, having an input and an output that can be coupled at least indirectly to the gearbox output; having a gear-shifting device, having at least two inputs and one output, which can be connected to the gearbox output; a first input of the gear-shifting device is connected to the output of the starting element and a second input is connected to the input of the starting element; each input of the gear-shifting device is selectively connected by means of a synchronously shiftable coupling, thereby producing a first power branch and a second power branch. |
US07707908B2 |
Steering unit support device for a vehicle
A steering column is attached to a fixing bracket of a vehicle body through a support bracket such that the steering column is inclined with respect to a vertical plane perpendicular to the width direction of the vehicle body. A guide plate is attached to one of both side portions of the fixing bracket. The one side portion is located on the side toward which the rear portion of the steering column is inclined. When the support bracket moves due to external force acting thereon, the guide plate restricts movement of the support bracket in the width direction of the vehicle body to permit the steering column to move toward the front of the vehicle body while at the same time suppressing swaying motion of the steering column, thereby stabilizing the load at the time of absorption of impact. |
US07707907B2 |
Planar parallel mechanism and method
A planar parallel mechanism having a platform movable in a plane along three degrees of freedom is described Existing technology fails to provide a manipulator with three degrees of freedom, wherein the mechanisms for moving the manipulator move in a decoupled fashion A manipulator and method of supporting and displacing an object which provides a solution to this problem comprises a base (1) and a moving portion (2) and articulated support legs (A1,A2,A3) between the moving portion (2) and the base (1) The articulated support legs (A1,A2,A3) are connected to the base (1) by a first translational joint, and jointly restrict movement of the moving portion to displacements in a plane in two translational degrees of freedom and one rotational degree of freedom A decoupled displacement of the moving portion (2) along a first of the two translational degrees of freedom and a decoupled displacement of the moving portion (2) along the rotational degree of freedom both result from actuation of at most two of the first translational joints Actuators (3,3a,3b,6,7) are operatively connected to a different one of the first translational joints so as to selectively control the displacements of the moving portion (2) in the three degrees of freedom of the moving portion (2). |
US07707903B2 |
Actuator employing a standby mechanism
An actuator includes a motor, an input rotation member driven by the motor, an input contacting portion formed on the input rotation member, a bush disposed so as to be relatively rotatable to the input rotation member, a first contacting portion and an engaging portion formed on the bush, a spiral spring including an outer circumferential hook portion in contact with the input contacting portion of the input rotation member, and an inner circumferential hook portion engageable with the engaging portion of the bush, the spiral spring storing a rotational force of the input rotation member as an potential energy via the input contacting portion, an output member disposed so as to be relatively rotatable to the input rotation member, an output contacting portion formed on the output member and in contact with the outer circumferential hook portion of the spiral spring; the output contacting portion transmitting the potential energy stored in the spiral spring to the output member; wherein the bush includes a second contacting portion positioned at a predetermined angle with the first contacting portion in a rotational direction of the bush and, the second contacting portion formed so as to contact with the input rotation member and the output member during the rotation of the bush relative to the input rotation member and the output member. |
US07707895B2 |
Method and device for testing the strength of a connection using centrifugal force
The invention relates to a method for examining the resistance of a connection between two bodies, whereby one of the bodies only has a small mass. A correspondingly directed force is exerted upon the connection until disconnection thereof. The force used is the centrifugal force which acts at a distance from a rotational axis in a concentric manner about said rotated connection. Said method is particularly advantageous if the body having a small mass is a coating which is applied to the other body. In order to obtain a sufficiently high centrifugal force, an examining stamp is applied to the body having the small mass and/or the coating on the side oriented away from the connection. The adhesion between the body and/or the coating and the examining stamp is greater than between both of the bodies and/or the coating and the other body. |
US07707892B2 |
Pressure sensor
A mounting structure for a pressure sensor serves to facilitate easy attachment of the pressure sensor as well as easy detachment thereof without requiring any large work space. A pair of elastic snap fit portions (8) are formed on a surge tank (4) so as to protrude from a surface thereof, and have engagement protrusions (8a) formed at their one end, respectively, so as to protrude to a side opposite to a case (2). A pair of engaged portions (2b) are formed on the case (2) so as to be engaged with the engagement protrusions (8a), respectively. The snap fit portions (8) are forced to flexibly deform to the pressure sensor (1) when the pressure sensor (1) is attached to and detached from the surge tank (4). |
US07707888B2 |
Vibration sensor and method of detecting vibration
A vibration sensor for detecting a vibration of a vibrating object includes a plurality of detecting members. Each of the detecting members includes a vibrating portion disposed to be separated from the vibrating object, a transmitting portion for transmitting the vibration from the vibrating object to the vibrating portion, and a detecting portion disposed on a vibrating face of the vibration portion. The detecting portion outputs an electrical signal corresponding to a resonance of the vibrating portion. At least two of the vibrating portions of the detecting members have resonance frequencies, which are different from each other. |
US07707887B2 |
Passage detection apparatus of object
A passage detection apparatus is configured to detect the change in the properties (propagation state of sound wave, dielectric constant, etc.) of a specific space, which changes according to the passage of an object in the specific space and the size of the object. The passage detection apparatus includes a pair of detection units configured to transmit and receive signals to and from an external device. The specific space is formed by the space between the first detection unit and the second detection unit. The first detection unit is supported by a first substrate. The second detection unit is supported by a second substrate that is parallel to the first substrate, and arranged at the position corresponding to the first detection unit supported by the first substrate. |
US07707885B2 |
Method for temperature-compensated gyrometric measurement and gyrometric measurement device using same
The invention concerns gyrometric measurement compensated as a function of the instantaneous internal temperature of a mechanical resonator in a gyrometric measurement device comprising a loop controlling the amplitude of the resonator vibration and a gyrometric loop delivering a gyrometric signal (S); the gain control (P) of the loop varies as a monotonous function, preferably increasing and of the first order, of the internal temperature of the resonator in a given range of temperature; during a calibrating step, a correspondence is established and stored between the values of the gyrometric scaling factor (Fe) and the gyrometric bias (S0) and the values of the gain control signal (F), that is F(P) and Q(P) respectively; in operation, the following operations are carried out: P→F(P), P→Q(P), and Ω′est=F(P)·S+Q(P) which is a more precise analog estimate, compensated as a function of the internal temperature of the resonator, of the mechanical rotation of the sensitive axis of the resonator. |
US07707878B2 |
Circulation pump for circulating downhole fluids, and characterization apparatus of downhole fluids
A circulation pump for circulating downhole fluids is provided. The circulation pump includes a cylindrical pump housing, a shaft secured in the pump housing extending in a longitudinal direction thereof, an impeller rotating around the shaft in the pump housing, a cylindrical magnetic coupler rotating around the pump housing, the cylindrical magnetic coupler including a magnet, and a motor positioned outside of the pump housing and connected to the magnetic coupler to rotate the magnetic coupler around the pump housing. The impeller is provided with a magnetic piece, which is capable of being magnetically connected with the magnet of the cylindrical magnetic coupler to cause the impeller to rotate around the shaft by rotating the cylindrical magnetic coupler around the pump housing. |
US07707877B2 |
Volume measuring device and method
A volume measuring apparatus is provided with: an acoustic tube whose one end is communicated with a container in which an object to be measured is contained; another container communicated with the other end of the acoustic tube; a partition chamber which defines a sealed space disposed adjacent to the another container and which includes a partition plate for dividing the sealed space and an inner space of the another container; and an electromotive-type speaker which is disposed in the sealed space and whose acoustic wave output surface is disposed opposite to the partition plate. A processing device obtains a volume of the object to be measured, on the basis of an acoustic signal associated with an acoustic wave outputted into the another container via the partition plate from the acoustic wave output surface. |
US07707861B2 |
Vehicle lock
The brake bolt and the lock cylinder of the vehicle lock are mounted in a part of the vehicle for preventing the rotation of a wheel of the vehicle in a locked state. The brake bolt and lock cylinder are mounted in a brake bolt bore and a lock bore, respectively, located in the swing arm, the chain guard, or a lock body mounted over the axle-retaining nut. The vehicle lock engages a ventilation hole on the rotor, a ventilation hole on the sprocket, the teeth of the sprocket, or a hole on the hub to prevent rotation of the wheel in the locked state. Preferably, the lock cylinder is mounted to the vehicle in both the locked state and the unlocked state, and in the unlocked state the brake bolt is removed from the brake bolt bore for operation of the vehicle. |
US07707859B2 |
Water supply control for a steam generator of a fabric treatment appliance
A fabric treatment appliance comprises at least one of a tub and drum defining a fabric treatment chamber, a steam generator having a steam generation chamber and configured to supply steam to the fabric treatment chamber, and a conduit fluidly coupling a water supply to the steam generation chamber. The fabric treatment appliance can also include a flow controller and/or a flow meter fluidly coupled to the conduit to facilitate controlling the supply of water to the steam generation chamber. The disclosure provides methods of water supply control that can employ the flow controller and/or the flow meter. |
US07707851B2 |
Air conditioner
An air conditioner is provided. The air conditioner includes two or more heat exchangers, a refrigerant pipe, a compressor, an accumulator, and an overcooler. The heat exchangers perform heat exchanging between air or water and refrigerant. The refrigerant pipe guides refrigerant circulating between the two or more heat exchangers. The compressor compresses refrigerant flowing in the refrigerant pipe to a high temperature and pressure. The accumulator is provided on one side of the compressor, to separate an inflowing refrigerant into a liquid refrigerant and a gaseous refrigerant. The overcooler is provided on one side of the heat exchangers, to further cool refrigerant passing through the heat exchangers. |
US07707850B2 |
Drainage mechanism for a flooded evaporator
A liquid refrigerant drainage mechanism is described for use in a flooded evaporator to mitigate liquid carryover. The drainage mechanism can trap liquid refrigerant droplets, create a liquid column to overcome a pressure difference across the mechanism and drain liquid back to the pool in the evaporator. The drainage mechanism is disposed in a suction baffle, and has a mesh pad and a tapered pipe secured to the bottom of the baffle. The pipe has a drainage aperture at one end to allow the accumulated liquid refrigerant to return to the refrigerant pool below. The mesh pad helps to separate liquid droplets that coalesce and fall into the tapered pipe. By using this liquid drainage mechanism in conjunction with a suction baffle, liquid carryover can be reduced and chiller performance improved. |
US07707834B2 |
Diffuser for an annular combustion chamber, in particular for an airplane turbine engine
A diffuser for a single-head annular combustion chamber of an airplane engine, the diffuser comprising a separator formed by a thin sheet connected by structural arms to inner and outer circularly-symmetrical walls of the diffuser, the diffuser angle for each diffusion stream defined by the separator lying in the range about 12° to about 13°. |
US07707830B2 |
Pressurized vapor cycle liquid distillation
Embodiments of the invention are directed toward a novel pressurized vapor cycle for distilling liquids. In some embodiments of the invention, a liquid purification system is revealed, including the elements of an input for receiving untreated liquid, a vaporizer coupled to the input for transforming the liquid to vapor, a head chamber for collecting the vapor, a vapor pump with an internal drive shaft and an eccentric rotor with a rotatable housing for compressing vapor, and a condenser in communication with the vapor pump for transforming the compressed vapor into a distilled product. Other embodiments of the invention are directed toward heat management, and other process enhancements for making the system especially efficient. |
US07707829B2 |
Flushing system having a single charge relief valve
A flushing system for a transmission is disclosed. The system has a first pump and a first actuator connected to the first pump to form a first loop. The system also has a second pump and a second actuator connected to the second pump to form a second loop. The system further has a charge pump configured to replenish the first and second loops. The system also has a single charge relief valve situated to receive fluid from the first pump, the second pump, and the charge pump. |
US07707825B2 |
Apparatus and method for reductant dosing of an exhaust
A high-pressure metering pump for providing reductant in a single fluid engine exhaust dosing system having a solenoid for actuating a piston slidably received within an inner bore of a valve housing of the pump, the inner bore having a pressure chamber with an inlet check valve and an outlet check valve; and wherein movement of the piston causes high pressure reductant to be received at an atomizer of the system, the atomizer being disposed in a location to cause a maximum reduction of undesirable pollutant in the combustion gases of an engine. |
US07707824B2 |
Excess NH3 storage control for SCR catalysts
A method of regulating an amount of NH3 stored in a catalyst of an exhaust after-treatment system includes determining a mass of NH3 into the catalyst based on a dosing rate of a dosing agent that is injected into an exhaust stream upstream of the catalyst and determining a mass of NH3 out of the catalyst. An accumulated mass of NH3 within the catalyst is calculated based on the mass of NH3 into the catalyst and the mass of NH3 out of the catalyst. The dosing rate is regulated based on the accumulated mass of NH3 within the catalyst. |
US07707822B2 |
Cylinder air-fuel ratio controller for internal combustion engine
An air-fuel ratio of each cylinder is estimated on the basis of a detection value of an air-fuel ratio sensor disposed in an exhaust confluent portion. An air-fuel ratio correction quantity is computed on the basis of the estimated air-fuel ratio of each cylinder. The air-fuel ratio of an air-fuel mixture to be supplied to each cylinder is corrected on the basis of the cylinder air-fuel ratio correction quantity to reduce a variation in the air-fuel ratio between the cylinders. When a state in which the cylinder air-fuel ratio correction quantity or its learning value of any cylinder is outside a specified range continues for a while during a period in which this cylinder air-fuel ratio control is performed, a combustion is stopped for the cylinder outside the specified range and the cylinder air-fuel ratio control is continuously performed only for other normal cylinders. |
US07707821B1 |
Control methods for improved catalytic converter efficiency and diagnosis
A controlling method for adjusting concentrations of, for example, individual cylinder's exhaust gas constituents to provide engine functions such as catalytic converter diagnosis, increased overall catalytic converter efficiency and rapid catalyst heating, before and/or after initiating closed loop fuel injection control, using a selected temperature sensor location within a low thermal mass catalytic converter design. |
US07707818B2 |
Exhaust stacks and power generation systems for increasing gas turbine power output
An exhaust stack having a junction tube and a flue is provided. The flue has a silencer portion, a converging duct portion, a tubular portion, and a diverging diffuser portion. The silencer portion fluidly communicates with the junction tube. The silencer portion has a first hydraulic mean cross-sectional flow path, and the tubular portion has a second hydraulic mean cross-sectional flow path less than or equal to the first hydraulic mean cross-sectional flow path. The converging duct portion is coupled between the silencer portion and the tubular portion. The diverging diffuser portion is coupled to an end of the tubular portion opposite to the converging duct portion, such that exhaust gases flowing through the junction tube, the silencer portion, the converging duct portion, the tubular portion and the diverging diffuser portion have a reduced overall pressure drop, at least in part due to the diverging diffuser portion and the second hydraulic mean cross-sectional flow path being less than or equal to the first hydraulic mean cross-sectional flow path. |
US07707817B2 |
Fuel processor
A fuel processor (10) comprises a supply of natural gas (12) and a compressor (14), which compresses the natural gas and supplies the natural gas to a partial oxidation reactor (16). A supply of oxygen (20) supplies the oxygen to the partial oxidation reactor (16). The partial oxidation reactor (16) partially reacts the natural gas and the oxygen to form a mixture comprising hydrogen and carbon dioxide. The partial oxidation reactor (16) supplies the mixture of hydrogen and carbon dioxide to a turbine (20). The turbine (20) is arranged to drive the compressor (14). The turbine (20) expands and cools the mixture of hydrogen and carbon dioxide and supplies the mixture of hydrogen and carbon dioxide to a fuel cell stack (22) requiring hydrogen and/or carbon dioxide. |
US07707816B2 |
Gas turbine system burning heavy-oil modified fuel and method of operating same
A gas turbine system burning heavy-oil modified fuel and a method of operating the gas turbine system, which covers from a stage of modifying heavy oil and producing gas turbine fuel to a stage of operating a gas turbine, including startup, ordinary shutdown and emergency shutdown of the gas turbine. The gas turbine system burning heavy-oil modified fuel comprises a reactor for mixing heavy oil and water to cause reaction, thereby separating and removing a heavy component from the heavy oil, a gas-liquid separator for separating hydrocarbon gas and modified oil obtained in the reactor from each other, a gas turbine combustor for burning the hydrocarbon gas supplied from the gas-liquid separator, and a gas turbine driven by combustion gas produced in the gas turbine combustor. The system further comprises another line for extracting the hydrocarbon gas externally of a relevant system region. The other line is branched from a line for supplying the hydrocarbon gas from the gas-liquid separator to the gas turbine combustor. |
US07707815B2 |
Axial flow positive displacement worm gas generator
An axial flow positive displacement engine has an inlet axially spaced apart and upstream from an outlet. Inner and outer bodies have offset inner and outer axes extend from the inlet to the outlet through first, second, and third sections of a core assembly in serial downstream flow relationship. At least one of the bodies is rotatable about its axis. The inner and outer bodies have intermeshed inner and outer helical blades wound about the inner and outer axes respectively. The inner and outer helical blades extend radially outwardly and inwardly respectively. The helical blades have first, second, and third twist slopes in the first, second, and third sections respectively. The first twist slopes are less than the second twist slopes and the third twist slopes are less than the second twist slopes. A combustor section extends axially downstream through at least a portion of the second section. |
US07707812B2 |
Compact lawn mower
In an exemplary embodiment, a compact lawn mower that includes at least a shroud positioned a fixed distance from a lawn, by a common rear axle extended between and supported by a pair of rear wheels, is provided. The exemplary embodiment further includes a motor adjustment member confined within and supported by the shroud. The motor adjustment member interacts with a motor, which includes a cutting member attached to a motor shaft of the motor. In the exemplary embodiment, by manipulating the motor adjustment member, the height of the cutting member relative to the surface is set. That is, the motor adjustment member is rotated in a first direction to move the motor closer to the lawn, and in the opposite direction to move the motor further from the lawn, allowing the grass to be cut to a desired length, while the shroud remains a fixed distance from the lawn. |
US07707810B2 |
Apparatus and method to vary the reel speed versus ground speed of an agricultural windrower
An apparatus and method for varying the speed of a reel versus ground speed of an agricultural windrower, wherein a programmable control module in connection with a signal operated device operable for controlling operation of the reel, is programmed to operate in an automatic mode to control the reel speed as a percentage of the ground speed, while preventing the reel speed from falling below a minimum value. |
US07707808B2 |
Cassette for an automated waste disposal device
A cassette for a waste disposal device, the cassette including an outer wall, an inner wall, a flexible tubing positioned between the outer wall and the inner wall, and a rim having a top surface and a bottom surface. The rim is positioned between the outer wall and the inner wall and extends from a top surface of the outer wall toward the inner wall. The bottom surface of the rim faces the flexible tubing, and the rim includes a plurality of protrusions on the top surface of the rim to engage with a rotation mechanism of a waste disposal device. |
US07707806B2 |
Floral easel
The present invention relates to an erectable and/or collapsible floral easel for holding a floral object, and more particularly but not by way of limitation, to an erectable or collapsible floral easel for holding a floral object. In one aspect, the present invention relates to a floral easel for holding and/or supporting a floral object. In yet another aspect, the present invention relates to methods of shipping a floral easel, methods of using a floral easel, methods of storing a floral easel, and methods of placing a floral object on a floral easel. |
US07707804B2 |
Method of wrapping a soap bar
Soap bars that are not of essentially a square or rectangular shape, but of a generally rectangular shape, can be packaged using a single plastic film wrapper. This plastic film preferably is biaxially oriented polypropylene of from about 60 micron to about 180 microns. It can be a monolayer or a multilayer laminated. However, any plastic film having a Taber stiffness of more than about 5 and preferably about 7 to 20 can be used. The soap bar in order to facilitate making an effective longitudinal seal on the bottom of the soap bar package should have a planar surface adjacent to the position of the overlapping longitudinal edges of the wrapping film. This provides a surface for the sealing plate to seal the longitudinal edges against. |
US07707801B2 |
Method for dispensing a predetermined amount of film relative to load girth
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for dispensing a predetermined fixed amount of pre-stretched film based upon load girth. A non-rotating ring carries a belt. A film dispenser is mounted on a rotating ring, and the rotating ring includes a pulley that connects to the belt. Based upon the girth of the load to be wrapped, an amount of pre-stretched film to be dispensed for each revolution made by the rotating ring is determined. Good wrapping performance in terms of load containment (wrap force) and optimum film use is obtained by dispensing a length of pre-stretched film that is between approximately 100% and approximately 130% of load girth. Once the amount of film to be dispensed per revolution is determined, a mechanical ratio of ring drive to final pre-stretch surface speed (i.e., number of pre-stretch roller revolution/ring rotation) can be set. Thus, for each revolution of the rotating ring and dispenser, a predetermined fixed amount of film is dispensed and wrapped around the load. |
US07707799B2 |
Self supportive panel system
A self supporting panel system used to fabricate ceilings, floors, walls, or roofs. The panel system is assembled from a plurality of panels, each having a core that is sandwiched between opposing plate members. In a preferred embodiment, the core of each panel includes a unifying material to enhance the load bearing capacity of the panel. |
US07707798B1 |
Screening device
A screening device is provided with multiple channel upper and lower panel retaining members that allow multiple panels to be laterally moved past each other. Channel end caps, a panel rolling member assembly and close spacing of the upper and lower panel retaining members prevent removal of the panels from the screening device. A support structure uses angled castings and extrusion members for rapid custom screen device assembly that avoids long welding assembly times as well as subsequent weld failure due to screen device vibration. The panel rolling member assembly uses balls, rollers or wheels to easily move the panels in their channels. A trim member with oppositely faced channels engages upper and lower projections on the panel retaining members and covers fastener heads located in a recess in the panel retaining members. |
US07707796B2 |
Curtain wall system and method
A connector device is provided for a curtain wall system of the type having structural members secured to the building framing to define frames to support glazing panels. The glazing panels each have a sash by which they are secured to the frames of structural members to form an outer wall portion of a building. The curtain wall system has connector devices securing one of the glazing panels to the frames of structural members. The connector device comprises a keeper secured to a frame, and a latch mechanism secured opposite the keeper on the sash. The latch mechanism has a latch bolt automatically displaceable to a locking position upon contact with the keeper. The keeper and the latch mechanism cooperate in the locking position to lock the glazing panel to the frame in a secured position. A method for installing the connector device is also provided. |
US07707795B2 |
Wall panel with gusseted open frame
An upright space-dividing wall panel having an inner rigid frame. The frame is of an open ring-shaped construction utilizing detachable corner gusset structures for rigidly joining the transverse frame rails together, thereby providing the frame with a high degree of flexibility with respect to assembly thereof. |
US07707792B2 |
Flooring system with grout line
A flooring panel includes a decorative upper surface and a lower surface. The flooring panel further includes a plurality of edges extending between the decorative upper surface and the lower surface. The plurality of edges are shaped and dimensioned for selective coupling with adjacent flooring panels, wherein each of the plurality of edges includes an edge profile having at least a male coupling member or a female coupling member. The flooring panel also includes at least one notched transition section that extends between one of the plurality of edges of the flooring panel and the decorative upper surface of the flooring panel. When adjacent flooring panels are brought together, the at least one notched transition section of the adjacent flooring panels defines a grout receiving recess into which a material may be poured for creation of the a grout line between the adjacent flooring panels. |
US07707788B2 |
Buckling restrained brace for structural reinforcement and seismic energy dissipation and method of producing same
A buckling restrained brace includes a deformable core contained within an outer casing. Ends of the core protrude from the casing for connection to a frame or other structure. A length of the deformable core between its ends, referred to as the gauge or yielding section, is capable of deforming during an earthquake or blast loading. The gauge section is differentially heat treated from the ends so that the gauge section has a lower yield strength than the ends. The casing provides containment of the core to prevent buckling of the core. A metal foil interface or unbonding layer is provided between the deformable core and the casing so that the deformable core does not bind to the casing. The buckling restrained brace provides significant performance improvements over prior art BRBs coupled with simplified assembly. |
US07707787B2 |
Damping device and method for setting natural frequency of damping body in the damping device
Installed on a top of a structure (1) is a base stand (11) against which damping body (3) movably rests via a linear guide mechanism (12). Mounted between the damping body (3) and the structure (1) or between the damping body (3) and a top of a support housing (14) erected on the structure (1) is a characteristic-frequency adjusting spring or springs (13) with an initial tension being applied vertically. Movement of the damping body (3) causes the spring or springs (13) to be obliquely and longitudinally expanded to apply horizontal component to the damping body (3) upon restoring. |
US07707782B2 |
Absorber tower metal hood to concrete shell attachment
An assembly and method for facilitating the attachment of a metal alloy hood to the concrete shell of a spray absorber tower, and compensating for relative radial thermal expansion of the hood and the shell during start up, shut down, and operation of the spray absorber tower, while also providing accurate and effective distribution of shear forces circumferentially along a horizontal plane from the metal alloy hood to anchor rods partially embedded in the concrete shell of the spray absorber tower. |
US07707779B2 |
Frame assembly for window with vertically sliding sash
A frame assembly for a window including a sash that slides vertically within a master frame. The master frame is substantially of unitary, one-piece construction that can advantageously be manufactured by an injection moulding process. The sash frame can also be of unitary, one-piece construction, and can also be manufactured by injection moulding. The master frame can be provided with liner support structures along the jambs to receive jamb liners in snap-fit. The liner support structures can advantageously be integrally moulded with the master frame. |
US07707776B2 |
Frameless glass door
A frameless glass door arrangement for a doorway bounded in part by a top section and a bottom section is disclosed. The frameless glass door arrangement includes two hinge parts rotatably embedded in the respective top section and bottom section; and a glass door leaf including a main body including a top edge, a bottom edge and a lateral edge, the glass door leaf further including two tongue-shaped extensions disposed adjacent to the lateral edge. The extensions extend outward from the respective top edge and bottom edge of the main body and into the respective hinge parts so that the doorway is completely transparent after the glass door leaf is installed in the doorway. |
US07707771B1 |
Plant cultivation apparatus
A plant cultivation apparatus includes a water resistant sheet of material, with at least one opening formed in the sheet to enable growth of a plant through the opening. A fertilizer band, which can be contained within a membrane, is affixed to an underside of the sheet and includes a predetermined amount of a plant nutrient. The inventive apparatus is placed on top of a growing medium. With the fertilizer band in contact with the growing medium, a nutrient gradient is established so that plants growing through the openings formed in the sheet receive nutrition. |
US07707767B2 |
Termite control system, method and apparatus
The present invention provides a method, system and apparatus for controlling the movement of insects such as termites by using a vibration device that produces mechanical vibrations within a certain frequency range. The frequency range may be chosen to attract or repel. The source may be coupled with insect food sources or other attractants. The present invention can be used to protect a natural or man-made structure from termite infestation. The present invention can also be used for controlling activity of other social insects such as ants, bees and wasps. |
US07707763B2 |
Gun barrel assembly
A firearm barrel assembly having a gun barrel with a muzzle opening on a distal end, a shroud coaxially surrounding at least a portion of the barrel, the shroud having a distal portion extending beyond the muzzle opening defining a shroud front region having a distal end portion, a proximal portion extending proximally from the muzzle opening defining an annular region between the barrel and shroud, the shroud front region and annular region in fluid communication with substantially no obstruction between the shroud front region and the annular region, and a front wall disposed at the distal end portion of the shroud. The wall has an opening to allow passage of a projectile fired from the firearm. |
US07707762B1 |
Modular integrated rail assembly for firearms
A modular integrated rail system for a firearm includes an upper hand guard having a dovetail rail extending longitudinally between the forward end and the rearward end thereof. The rearward end of the upper hand guard includes a clamp that removably secures the upper hand guard to the barrel nut of the firearm. The rearward end of the upper hand guard and the clamp include clamping surfaces configured to cooperatively engage the outer surface of the barrel nut. The upper hand guard further includes mounting channels that are used to mount accessories, such as a lower hand guard or a grenade launcher, to the upper hand guard. The rear end of the upper hand guard includes alignment tabs for automatically aligning the dovetail rail of the upper hand guard with the dovetail rail of the upper receiver during mounting. The tabs also prevent rotation of the rail system relative to the upper receiver during use. |
US07707761B2 |
Process for manufacturing double barrel shotgun barrels, and the resulting double barrels
A method for manufacturing double barrel shotgun barrels, including the steps of providing an elongated metal stock material having a first end and a second end, forming two index holes in both the first end and the second end of the material, forming a first and second bore hole through the material, and then profiling the material into a desired gun barrel profile. 16. Double barrel shotgun barrels formed from a single piece of elongated solid metal stock material according to the process of the invention are also taught. |
US07707760B2 |
Safety apparatus for weapons
Methods and apparatus are described for safety apparatuses for weapons. An example safety apparatus includes an interchangeable barrel and a safety mechanism. The safety mechanism can be moved between an open position that corresponds to an unlocked position and a closed position that corresponds to a locked position. The safety mechanism includes a feeder cover that is part of cartridge loading equipment that supplies cartridges to the weapon. The feeder cover includes a locking mechanism that engages with a barrel locking device and prevents the feeder cover from entering the closed position if the interchangeable barrel is not coupled to the weapon via the barrel locking device. Further, the unlocked position prevents the weapon from being fired and the locked position allows the weapon to be fired. Additionally, the barrel locking device couples the interchangeable barrel to the weapon and wherein the barrel locking device interacts with a safety mechanism and prevents the safety mechanism from entering the locked position if the interchangeable barrel is not coupled to the weapon via the barrel locking device. |
US07707757B2 |
Multi-panel display product
By providing a unique housing member within which a plurality of separate display and holding members are operatively interconnected for sequential display relative to each other in a unique, cooperative, continuous, extending manner, a unique, hands-on, visually exciting and interest generating multi-panel display and holding system is realized. In the preferred construction of the present invention, a plurality of separate and independent display and/or holding members are cooperatively interconnected to each other for sequential movement relative to each other. Furthermore, each of the display/holding members are also constructed for being automatically positioned in a precisely desired continuous array in response to the receipt of pulling or movement force applied to one of the display/holding members or to a designated lead element. |
US07707755B2 |
Removable device for attaching two mechanical parts
A removable device for attaching two mechanical parts includes a pin removably locking a first part with respect to a second part, a retainer member on the pin and a resiliently loaded tension member which collaborate to prevent the pin from coming out of its locked position; the removable device further includes at least two inclined surfaces, the general shape of which is that of a projection oriented in the axial direction of the pin, such that when the pin rotates, the retainer member runs along the inclined surfaces and the pin moves between the locked position and unlocked position against a force exerted on the pin along a longitudinal axial direction of the pin exerted by the tension member. |
US07707752B2 |
Trench wall in the ground and method for the production thereof
The invention relates to a method for producing a trench wall in the ground and which is penetrated by an obstacle, lateral trench wall recesses being sunk on either side of the obstacle and below the obstacle is produced a lower trench wall recess by laterally pivoting in a soil-removing trench wall apparatus from at least one of the two trench wall recesses. The invention also relates to a trench wall. |
US07707746B2 |
Footwear outsole construction
An outsole for a footwear construction to provide added softness in the heel strike area of a foot while providing added stability to the outer edge of the outsole, comprises: a top layer contoured to the shape of a foot, thereby providing cradle support to the foot; and, a lower layer having a bottom most layer with a heel portion so constructed as to achieve different degrees of softness, the heel portion including a wedge-shaped piece positioned on the heel portion, positioned over the heel strike area and being of a softer durometer value material and having an outer edge of a harder durometer value material thereby providing added stability to the footwear construction and avoiding lateral collapsing. The top layer and bottom layer are cemented together, encapsulating the wedge-shaped piece in the footwear construction between the top layer and bottom most layer to form a stable walking platform for the footwear construction. The wedge shaped piece is apertured vertically, the number and size of the apertures in the wedge-shaped piece being larger than those in the outer edge area. The apertures in the wedge-shaped piece outer edge may be moon-shaped. A sock may be provided to cover the top contoured layer for added cushioning for a foot. |
US07707745B2 |
Footwear with a sole structure incorporating a lobed fluid-filled chamber
A fluid-filled chamber for an article of footwear and a method for manufacturing the chamber are disclosed. The chamber may be incorporated into a sole structure of the footwear and includes a central area and a plurality of lobes extending outward from the central area. The lobes are in fluid communication with the central area and are formed from a first surface, a second surface, and a sidewall. The sidewall joins with the first surface with the second surface to seal the fluid within the chamber, but no internal connections are generally utilized to join interior portions of the first surface with interior portions of the second surface. The fluid within the chamber may be air at a pressure that is approximately equal to an ambient pressure. |
US07707743B2 |
Article of footwear with multi-layered support assembly
An article of footwear including an upper and a sole assembly secured to the upper and including a support assembly having an upper member and a lower member spaced from the upper member. A first layer is positioned beneath and in contact with the upper member and has a wave shaped profile with a plurality of first wave crests and first wave troughs. A second layer is positioned above the lower member and has a wave shaped profile with a plurality of second wave crests and second wave troughs. |
US07707741B2 |
Method and apparatus for dehydrating high level waste based on dew point temperature measurements
A system and method for drying cavities loaded with high level waste (“HLW”) is devised. The invention utilizes a non-intrusive procedure that is based on monitoring the dew point temperature of a non-reactive gas that is circulated through the cavity. In one aspect, the invention is a method comprising: a) flowing a non-reactive gas through the cavity; b) repetitively measuring the dew point temperature of the non-reactive gas exiting the cavity; and c) upon the dew point temperature of the non-reactive gas exiting the cavity reaching and remaining below a predetermined dew point temperature for a predetermined time, discontinuing the flow of the non-reactive gas and sealing the cavity. In another aspect, the invention is a system designed to carry out the method. |
US07707740B2 |
Height scale
A height scale includes a base, a column assembly mounted on the base and a height rod assembly movably mounted along and within the column assembly, the height rod assembly including a lever assembly with a lever, a lever bracket and a rod cap having self-locking release tabs on opposite sides thereof. |
US07707736B2 |
Apparatus and method for optimizing a surgical incision on the breast
A device for establishing an area of incision on a breast includes a positioning component adapted to be positioned on or adjacent to a nipple areola complex of the breast and a template component connected to the positioning component. The template component includes at least one substantially arcuate-shaped stencil to facilitate a curved incision marking or curved incision on the breast. The device may include an elongated member connecting the template component to the positioning component. The template component may be pivotally attached to the elongated member and may be adjusted to move along the length of the elongated member. The positioning component may be substantially circular or substantially semi-circular. One or more handles may be attached to the device. A method for utilizing the aforementioned device is also disclosed. |
US07707734B2 |
Hands free chalk line snapper
A chalk line marking device includes a chalk line that is held in a storing, dispensing and retracting device. The device comprises a housing and an element for gripping the chalk line when it is extended from the dispensing device and lifting it from the workpiece surface at a point remote from the device. A spring mechanism causes the gripping element to suddenly snap back to its original position, when released, thereby causing the chalk line to leave a linear chalk mark on the workpiece surface. The device may also comprise a gripping element arranged within the housing that includes a plunger responsive to movement of the housing, for lifting and suddenly releasing the gripping element. A worker can extend the chalk line with one hand while holding the dispensing device in the other hand. The hand holding the dispensing device can actuate the gripping element with the thumb, for example, of that same hand while the other hand holds the extended end of the chalk line in position, thereby not requiring a third hand to snap the chalk line. |
US07707732B2 |
Constant force mechanical scribers and methods for using same in semiconductor processing applications
A scribing system comprising a mounting mechanism, stylus, and force generating mechanism is provided. The mounting mechanism is configured to rotate an elongated object in such a manner that the object is subjected to a bow effect wherein a middle portion of the object bends relative to the end portions of the object. The stylus is for scribing the object at a position x along the long dimension of the object while the mounting mechanism rotates the object. The force generating mechanism is connected to the stylus so that the stylus applies the same constant force to the elongated object regardless of the position x along the long dimension of the object that the stylus is positioned, while the mounting mechanism rotates the object and thereby subjects the object to the bow effect, thereby scribing the object. |
US07707728B2 |
Engagement system for connecting gardening tools and similar to a power unit
An engagement system for removably connecting gardening tools and similar type devices to a power unit comprising a drive motor, the system comprising a base element suitable for being fixed to a crankcase housing the drive motor, a fastening element of a tool that can be actuated by a shaft of the drive motor, suitable for coupling with the base element, a button mounted on the base element and suitable for cooperating with a corresponding opening formed on the fastening element to removably lock the elements in an engagement position, the base element being equipped with at least one electrical safety switch actuated elastically by a rod between a first position in which the electrical safety switch is closed and prevents the operation of the drive motor, and a second position in which the electrical safety switch is open and allows the operation of the drive motor, the second position only being obtainable when the fastening element is engaged with the base element. |
US07707726B2 |
Reciprocating electric shaver
A reciprocating shaver including an inner cutter upwardly pushing spring for pressing the inner cutter against the inner surface of the outer cutter; slide members held on the outer cutter frame so as to be able to slide; outer cutter elastically supporting members which are for elastically supporting the outer cutter and mounted in the outer cutter frame with one end of each one of them engaging one of the slide members, and another end thereof engaging the outer cutter; and float setting members which are provided in the shaver main body and respectively engage the slide members, in linkage with the mounting motion of the outer cutter frame relative to the shaver main body, so as to determine the position of the slide members. |
US07707724B2 |
Manufacturing method for a drive wheel rolling bearing unit and manufacturing apparatus therefor
To avoid a difficulty of inserting a spline shaft into a spline hole, respective holding members 29 constituting a holding device 28 for holding a hub 3 are displaced in a radial inward direction of a small diameter stepped portion 15. The inner peripheral surface of the inside end of an original hole 25 is elastically deformed radially inward the same as or slightly greater than the elastic deformation caused by externally securing tightly an inner ring to the small diameter stepped portion 15. In this condition, a female spline portion for constituting a spline hole is formed in the original hole 25. |
US07707722B1 |
Technique for setting precious stones such as diamonds by a combination of prongs and a groove in a peripheral wall
A novel technique for setting a multiplicity of precious stones such as diamonds into a unique setting to enhance the beauty and presentation of the multiplicity of set stones, with the technique including setting a center stone into a socket and having it held by a multiplicity of prongs, an outer series of small stones wherein each outer stone is respectively placed in a socket and is held in most designs by a pair of the same prongs which hold the center stone and is also held by a lower groove in the interior facing surface of the outer wall, and an intermediate series of stones which are placed in a respective socket and are held by a pair of the prongs which also retain the center stone and in most designs all of the smaller stones and are also retained by a groove in the interior facing surface of the outer wall, the intermediate series of stones also serving to retain the small series of stones. |
US07707721B2 |
Modular transmission system
In a method of manufacturing multiple transmission units with individually selectable gear ratios that vary from unit to unit, a gear pair having a desired transmission ratio is selected from a multiplicity of interchangeable gear pairs that includes both spiroplan gears and conventional crown gear and pinion combinations. The selected gear pair is then installed into a housing having first and second bearing sections configured to support bearings in which the shafts of the selected gear pair are rotatably mounted. The bearing sections are configured such that, for every gear pair that may be selected from among the multiplicity of gear pairs, the bearing sections support the first and second shafts in such a position and orientation that teeth of the gears engage with each other and a longitudinal axis of one of the gears of the gear pair is offset by a fixed distance from a longitudinal axis of the other. The fixed distance is maintained at a constant value which does not vary with or depend on the tooth configuration of the gear pair that is selected. A modular transmission system is thus provided, which can achieve a wide range of gear ratios, by an appropriate selection of interchangeable gear pairs, without need of modification of the basic components of the apparatus. |
US07707720B2 |
Method for forming a corrosion-resistant impeller for a magnetic-drive centrifugal pump
A method for forming an impeller for a pump provides a reliable protective barrier that prevents or eliminates the ingress of pumped fluid that might otherwise attack the magnetic assembly of the impeller. An inner barrier is hermetically connected to an internal impeller section at one or more seams to cover at least part of a first magnetic assembly. Filler is introduced into a spatial volume of the first magnet assembly associated with the internal impeller section. The remainder of an impeller is molded over or in association with the internal impeller section to form the impeller with the inner barrier and an outer barrier overlying the inner barrier for protection of the first magnet assembly from the pumped fluid. |
US07707713B2 |
Component-embedded circuit board fabrication method
A method of fabricating a component-embedded board including detecting, before the board is covered with an insulating layer, the actual position of an electronic component formed on the surface of the board, calculating a displacement between the design position of the electronic component and the actual position of the electronic component on the surface of the board, and for holding the displacement as displacement data, and correcting, based on the displacement data, design data to be used for processing the board after the board is covered with the insulating layer. |
US07707712B2 |
Apparatus for assembling camera module
Provided is an apparatus for assembling a camera module comprising a support frame that is formed in a rectangular shape and has a jig horizontally connected to an upper end thereof; a plurality of stages that are vertically stacked and installed in the support frame and adjust a printed circuit board (PCB) in three-axis directions; a board holder that is formed to extend from one end of the uppermost stage and has the PCB mounted on the extending end thereof; and a jig assembly that is disposed on an opening of the jig and has a barrel-integrated housing mounted on the central portion thereof. |
US07707711B2 |
Acoustic noise reduction in a computer system having a vented cover
A vented cover includes a pair of cross-flow ventilation ducts each including an acoustic noise reduction lining. The ducts are “cross-flow” in that they cross and bypass one another. The cover is affixed to an enclosure containing components of a computer system and abuts against a panel of the enclosure having an airflow aperture. An air moving device (AMD) passes air through the enclosure from the ducts if the cover is an intake cover, and/or into the ducts if the cover is an exhaust cover. The ducts increase the air path length, and the acoustic absorbing surface, thereby increasing acoustic attenuation. Airflow resistance is reduced by reducing surfaces perpendicular and close to the area where air enters and by reducing sharp turns in the ducts. The cover has a relatively thin depth because the ducts cross and bypass each other in a very space efficient manner. |
US07707709B2 |
Pneumatic bearing race and pinion race driver set
A bearing race and pinion bearing race installation tool kit or set includes a pneumatic and manual driver handles in combination with a multiplicity of separate drivers. The component parts may be selected from the kit, combined and then used for installation of a bearing raceway. |
US07707706B2 |
Method and arrangement for producing a smart card
A method is provided for producing a smart card comprising a chip module with at least one contacting area, the chip module arrangeable in a mounting location of a substrate, wherein one contacting loop is formed from a wire connector fed by a wire guiding unit for at least one of the contacting areas, respectively by attaching a first section of the wire conductor to a surface of the substrate outside the mounting location, wherein a second section of the wire conductor proximate to the first section is guided to form the contacting loop along with and protruding from the surface, wherein a subsequent third section of the wire conductor is attached to the surface outside the mounting location, wherein the chip module is inserted into the mounting location and wherein the second section is bent over and electrically contacted to the contacting area. |
US07707705B2 |
High-speed milling cutter system and method for producing metallic guide elements
Metallic guide elements having a functional area are made from profiled blanks by hot forming the profiled blanks and subsequently milling in a high speed milling cutter system the profiled blanks by a position-controlled milling cutter head with milling disks of a great diameter, wherein in the step of hot forming the profiled blanks are matched with regard to a cross-sectional mass distribution of the profiled blanks, respectively, to the subsequent step of milling such that by a partial cutting removal in the areas of the profiled blanks that become the functional area of the guide element narrow dimensional tolerances are produced. The material flow of the profiled blanks within the high-speed milling cutter system is controlled autonomously by an integrated stacking device that has manipulators and turning stations. |
US07707704B2 |
Sealing methods
The invention relates a method for providing reconnection to a ferrule to a service line from within the bore of a lined host pipe adapted to carry a fluid, comprising lining the host pipe with a liner, locating the ferrule from within the lined host pipe, forming a passage for fluid through the liner to the ferrule, and forming a seal of the liner with the system whereby to obviate leakage of fluid between the liner and host pipe. |
US07707703B2 |
Flexible couplings
Addressed are couplings for transferring rotational motion from one shaft to another. The couplings may include flexible components and may be designed to accommodate angular, axial, and parallel misalignments. Included as components of the couplings may be hub portions, each having dowel pins and clearance holes, and a center member positioned intermediate the hub portions. |
US07707694B2 |
Positioning mechanism for positioning means, in particular of a shoe
The invention relates to a positioning mechanism (1) for releasably fixing at least one position of a positioning means (3) which can be displaced more or less linearly relative to positioning means (2) fixedly connected to a structure (45), e.g. a shoe, which provides a mount for at least one displaceable coupling means (9) which engages under the action of a spring system (39) in a female coupling part (20) of the positioning means (2) connected to the structure (45) in a position which fixes the position of the positioning means (2, 3) relative to one another. The coupling means (9) is mounted in the displaceable positioning means (3) so that it can be linearly displaced in a direction perpendicular to the displacement direction of the positioning means (3) and, in a position fixing the position between the positioning means (2, 3), engages by means of a coupling projection (21) with the female coupling part (20) of the positioning means (2) connected to the structure (45) and in a positioning seat (42) disposed in the displaceable positioning means (3). |
US07707690B2 |
Bi-directionally operating hinge assembly
A device has a closed position and at least first and second open positions. The device includes a base. A hinge assembly is engaged with the base. The hinge assembly has first and second axes. A hinged portion is engaged with the hinge assembly. The hinged portion is individually pivotable with respect to the base about each of the first and second axes of the hinge assembly. Pivoting of the hinged portion about the first axis moves the device between the closed position and at least the first open position. Relative pivoting of the hinged portion about the second axis moves the device between the closed position and at least the second open position. |
US07707676B2 |
Toothbrush
The toothbrush of the present invention comprises an elongated handle having a head attached to one end. The head has a bristle-bearing face having longitudinal perimeter portions adjacent longitudinal edges and at least two perimetric, elastomeric massaging elements alternately arranged with groups of bristle tufts along each of the longitudinal perimeter portions. The brush can comprise further massaging elements which are not located along the longitudinal perimeter portions though the use of such additional elements is preferably minimized. The perimetric massaging elements have rotational symmetry through an angle of 120° or less, preferably being circular. The cross-sectional area proportion of elastomeric massaging elements to bristles on the brush head is less than 25%. Alternately there are four or fewer elastomeric massaging elements which are not perimetric massaging elements A brush with both bristles and gum massaging elements arranged as set out above provides both cleaning and gum massaging benefits without creating an undesirable aesthetic impression derived from the use of rubber-like materials in the part of the brush head traditionally comprising only bristles. |
US07707675B2 |
Pipe-cleaning device
A pipe-cleaning device (1) comprising a cutting head (2) for cutting away material on the interior of a pipe, a body (111) on which the cutting head is rotatably mounted and drive means (3, 4) for driving the rotation of the cutting head (2) with respect to the body (111). In a first aspect the cutting head (2) is provided with one or more inwardly collapsible cutting elements (21) and the body (111) has a plurality of arrays of inwardly collapsible support elements (30) extending in longitudinal direction of the body (111) for supporting the body (111) on the interior of a pipe. In a second aspect the cutting head (2) comprises at least one first collapsible cutting element (21) which extends radially from a rigid central part (11), ends in a first cutting block (22) and is provided with at least one mass increasing element (22) at an intermediate location. In a third aspect, the drive means comprise a stator (3) and a rotor (4), the stator having at least one nozzle (7) for directing a liquid stream successively onto a plurality of drive elements (5) of the rotor (4), the at least one nozzle (7) extending substantially within a plane (V) perpendicular to the rotation axis (9) of the rotor and being located inwardly from the rotor (4). |
US07707671B2 |
Dehydration controlling apparatus for washing machine and method thereof
A spin cycle controlling apparatus for a washing machine includes a storage unit in which an acceleration rate, an allowable maximum unbalance amount and an allowable minimum unbalance amount according to an amount of laundry are pre-stored; and a controlling unit for repeatedly controlling an operation of increasing and decreasing revolutions per minute (RPM) in a region between the allowable maximum unbalance amount and the allowable minimum unbalance amount until an unbalance amount detected is less than the allowable minimum unbalance amount. |
US07707667B1 |
Padded backboard coverslip
A backboard pad assembly comprising a body pad and cranial pad with side wrappings and a back coverslip attached to the body pad. The side wrappings and back coverslip may be of one piece are typically of an elastic material and extend around an associated backboard so as to retain the body pad to the backboard. The body pad has a width that is less than the distance between side handholds of an associated backboard such that the handholds are not covered by the body pad and have a length such that any end handholds of the associated backboard are not covered by the body pad. The body pad follows the profile of the associated backboard. The body pad, cranial pad, side wrappings, and back coverslip are made of or are covered with a coating of material that is waterproof and chemically resistant and capable of being medically disinfected. |
US07707662B2 |
Obstacle avoidance method for pool covers using lockable zipper elements
A cover for a swimming pool includes a flexible sheet of material covering substantially all of an opening into the swimming pool. A split extends within the cover. Zipper elements line edges of the cover along the split to close the split, thereby preventing debris from entering the swimming pool through the split. A locking plate member covers top and bottom sides of the zipper to secure the zipper during the off-season. The locking member includes spaced apart upper and lower plates, forming a slot therebetween, whereby the slot provides clearance for fabric edges of the zipper. A bridge section joins the plates adjacent to a rear side of the locking plate member. A recess is formed in facing surfaces of the lower and upper plates between the bridge section and a front side of the locking plate member, to accommodate the zipper elements therein. |
US07707660B2 |
Protective garment and drag harness with flap
A protective garment for a fire fighter or emergency worker is provided. The protective garment includes an outer shell and a drag harness located at least substantially within the outer shell. The drag harness includes a wearer portion, a gripping portion and a flap operably coupled to the gripping portion. The flap is releasably secured to the outer shell in a stored state. The flap and the gripping portion remaining operably coupled to one another and extend away from the outer shell in a deployed state to drag a wearer. |
US07712147B2 |
Method and device for protection of an mram device against tampering
Data, stored in MRAM-cells (12) should be protected against misuse or read-out by unauthorised persons. The present invention provides an array (10) of MRAM-cells (12) provided with a security device (14) for destroying data stored in the MRAM-cells (12) when they are tampered with. This is achieved by placing a permanent magnet (16) adjacent the MRAM-array (10) in combination with a soft-magnetic flux-closing layer (18). As long as the soft-magnetic layer (18) is present, the magnetic field lines (20) from the permanent magnet (16) are deviated and flow through this soft-magnetic layer (18). When somebody is tampering with the MRAM-array (10), e.g. by means of reverse engineering, and the flux-closing layer (18) is removed, the flux is no longer deviated and affects the nearby MRAM-array (10), thus destroying the data stored in the MRAM-cells (12). |
US07712143B2 |
Trusted enclave for a computer system
A trusted enclave for a software system of a computer node provides relatively high assurance protection of a section of the software system. The trusted enclave attempts to stop malware from compromising parts of the software system within the trusted enclave. If a software system process outside the trusted enclave becomes compromised, the compromised process may be prevented from compromising software system resources within the trusted enclave. Compromise of a process or resource of the software system refers to, for example, malware access, alteration or control of the process or resource. |
US07712141B1 |
Determining advertising activity
A system may obtain a first group of information when an advertising link is requested and a second group of information when the advertising link is selected. The system may further detect illegitimate advertising-related activity based on the first group of information and the second group of information. |
US07712140B2 |
3-prong security/reliability/real-time distributed architecture of information handling system
The present invention is directed to a distributed architecture of an information handling system, including a buried nucleus inaccessible for inspection without heroic means while the buried nucleus is in operation, and a trusted authority for generating a secure protocol. The secure protocol controls the operation of the buried nucleus. |
US07712137B2 |
Configuring and organizing server security information
A server security schema that can incorporate server security-related expertise into an information model is provided. The novel server security schema component can be applied to an application server, a web server and/or a database server to converge knowledge into securing the server by identifying categories, vulnerabilities, threats, attacks and countermeasures. The novel schema can create a common framework that converges knowledge with respect to any server type. More particularly, the novel server security schema can address server categories including a share, a service, an account, an audit and log, a file and directory, a registry, a protocol, a port, and a patch and update category. |
US07712132B1 |
Detecting surreptitious spyware
Tools and techniques are provided for detecting a particular type of spyware. Network activities and user update activities are monitored automatically, and the results are analyzed to identify related processes which perform network transmissions without performing substantive user updates. These processes are identified to a user and/or an administrator as potential spyware, and are then quarantined or otherwise handled based on instructions received from the user or administrator. In some cases, the monitoring and analysis begins with selection of a group of processes to monitor, while in other cases it begins with monitoring of network and/or user update activities in order to narrow the group of suspect processes. Devices, configured media, and method products are also described. |
US07712130B2 |
Multiconfigurable device masking shunt and method of use
A multiconfigurable device masking shunt for a network device, preferably, on a secure network having a first mode and a second mode. In the first mode, the shunt cloaks the network device by rendering the network device invisible to upstream and downstream relay devices. During cloaking, the network device's media access control address is substituted with the upstream or downstream relay devices media access control address. In a second mode, the shunt passes inbound and outbound traffic through one of two alternate paths to the secure network from an unsecure network and can monitor such traffic. |
US07712126B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing dynamic security management
Methods and devices provide dynamic security management in an apparatus, such as a mobile telephone terminal. The apparatus includes a platform for running an application; a security manager for handling access of the application to functions existing in the apparatus; an application interface (API) between the platform and the application; a set of access permissions stored in the apparatus and used by the security manager for controlling access of the application to functions through the application interface. Methods can include downloading into the apparatus an object containing access permissions applicable to at least one function; verifying the object; and installing the access permissions together with the existing permissions. |
US07712124B2 |
VSB communication system
A VSB communication system comprises a VSB transmission system and a VSB reception system. The VSB transmission system multiplexes a coded MPEG data and a coded supplemental data having a null sequence inserted therein, with required multiplexing information included in a field synchronization signal or in a supplemental data according to a number of the supplemental data packets being transmitted. The VSB reception system detects the required multiplexing information from the field synchronization signal or the supplemental data and decodes the multiplexed data by using the null sequence and the detected multiplexing information, as well as demultiplexes the multiplexed data into the MPEG data and the supplemental data. |
US07712119B1 |
Multimedia communication terminal
The invention relates to a multimedia communication terminal that enables error resilience control according to a situation of a communication channel and the preference of a user based upon a multimedia communication terminal using a communication channel where a transmission error occurs, means for directly receiving a request of a user in relation to error resilience is provided to a receiving terminal, the information is transmitted to a transmitting terminal and the level of error resilience of a coded bit stream is changed. |
US07712117B1 |
Multiple channel presenter
An implementation of a technology, described herein, for multiple channel display on a multimedia presentation system. One implementation, described herein, simultaneously presents video content, audio-based content, and/or electronic program guide (EPG) data of multiple television channels. With this implementation, a user may greatly increase his speed and efficiency when channel surfing. This abstract itself is not intended to limit the scope of this patent. The scope of the present invention is pointed out in the appending claims. |
US07712116B2 |
Program-display control apparatus and program-display control method
A program-display control apparatus can display information on each of a plurality of programs in a state that can be recognized by the user with ease without regard to the display configuration of the display data of the program. A display-configuration modification unit changes the display configurations of the program table of a BS digital broadcast, the program table of a ground wave broadcast, and a WEB program table into a new display configuration which increases the amount of information on the programs without regard to the display configuration of each of the programs. Furthermore, a program-table creation unit creates display data according to the new display configuration and outputs the display data. |
US07712115B2 |
Handling of program ratings for digital television
When a digital data transmission such as a digital television transmission is received by a receiver (100), the receiver attempts to locate parental rating data for a program in the transmission for a home country or jurisdiction (105, 220) in which the receiver is located. If the home jurisdiction rating data is available, it is used to control blocking of the program (270). If the home jurisdiction rating data is not available, rating data is obtained from the transmission for a foreign jurisdiction to control blocking of the program (270). If ratings for multiple foreign jurisdictions are available, the highest, most strict rating (240), may be used to control blocking of the program. |
US07712113B2 |
Multimedia service system based on user history
Disclosed is a user history based multimedia service system, wherein user history data include a multimedia consumption type and/or consumption behavior of the user. The consumption type data includes a start time or end time of the multimedia content consumption (i.e., simple view data), content recording time and format, content backup time and format, and content transfer time and format. The consumption behavior data includes a content access/play data such as a normal finish, skimmed, skipped, slowed, or replay, and a stopped data of the content access/play. The consumption type or consumption behavior data include information on program identification and information on access to the consumption type/consumption behavior data. The respective data is provided for each user and program. |
US07712112B2 |
Optical disk device having motor with spacer assembly
An optical disk drive includes a spindle motor for rotating an optical disk, and an optical pickup head. On a base plate, a pickup moving motor moves the optical pickup head in a disk radial direction. A motor plate supports the spindle motor. A spacer holder has a small thickness, and is secured to the base plate. A spacer boss is disposed to project from the spacer holder toward the motor plate. A first hole is formed through the spacer boss. A retaining screw has first and second shaft portions. A screw hole is formed in the base plate, for engagement with the first shaft portion inserted through the first hole, to retain the retaining screw. A great diameter peripheral surface is positioned at the second shaft portion, for applying pressure to fit the spacer boss tightly on the motor plate. Further, the spacer is formed from plastic material. |
US07712106B2 |
System and methods for generating and managing filter strings in a filter graph
A method comprising generating a source chain for use in a development project, generating an identifier which is uniquely assigned to the source chain, and caching the source chain when it is not currently required in the development project. As execution of the development project continues, or during a subsequent project, if the source processing chain is required, it is retrieved from cache. |
US07712104B2 |
Multi OS configuration method and computer system
A computer system of a multi-operation-system (multi-OS) has a main memory having a memory area for a first OS and a memory area for a second OS, both the areas being independent from each other, and a plurality of I/O devices divisionally allocated to the first OS and the second OS. The first OS is loaded in the first OS memory area, and thereafter when the first OS is operated, the second OS is loaded in the second OS memory area and initialized. When the first OS is operated, the first OS hardware resources and the second OS hardware resources are registered by the first OS. Thereafter when the first OS is operated, the first OS inhibits the registration of an interrupt number already allocated to the second OS I/O device. In response to an interrupt request from a second OS I/O device, the second OS starts operating. |
US07712091B2 |
Method for predicate promotion in a software loop
A method and system for optimizing the execution of a software loop is provided. The method involves the determination of an edge in a critical recurrence cycle in the software loop. The edge is a dependency link between two instructions and contains a dependee and a dependent. The dependee is an instruction that produces a result, and the dependent is an instruction that uses the result. The method further involves performing predicate promotion of at least one of the dependee and the dependent if one or more pre-determined conditions are met. |
US07712088B2 |
Method and system for a batch parser
A method of generating commands for a database server includes accessing a script having parser-specific commands, a first set of database-specific commands and optional shell commands. A componentized batch parser splits out the different command types and converts the parser-specific commands into a second set of database-specific commands. The first set and second set of database-specific commands may be sent to a target database for execution. The optional shell commands may be executed by a user tool at a local console. The batch parser offers features including separation of parsing functions using batch separators, performing automatic substitution of tokens in the script with defined values or substitution of tokens by requesting token values via a client tool, stripping off comments and blanks spaces from processed commands, referencing and editing files outside the script, and the ability to connect to different servers. |
US07712087B2 |
Methods and systems for identifying intermittent errors in a distributed code development environment
A distributed code development environment includes baseline code that is logically divided into a plurality of labels, each including a plurality of transactions authored by respective developers. A computer-implemented method for identifying intermittent errors in the baseline and determining whether errors generated by a test of transactions are intermittent or consistent may include steps of providing the baseline code and providing the plurality of transactions, each of the plurality of transactions including code authored by a developer. A selected test may be carried out on a selected one of the plurality of transactions, the selected test generating an error that represents an unsuccessful completion of the selected test. The generated error may then be compared against errors generated by the selected test on other transactions or labels. The generated error may be identified as intermittent with respect to the transaction and spurious in the baseline if a selected number of errors generated by the selected test on the other transactions or labels are identical or similar to the generated error, according to a selected metric. |