| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US07767284B2 |
Optical recording medium, and, method for manufacturing the same, and method and apparatus for optical recording and reproducing thereof
The object of the present invention is to provide an optical recording medium which comprises a substrate, and a first information layer and a second information layer disposed on the substrate, and an intermediate layer disposed between the first information layer and the second information layer, wherein any one of recording and reproducing is performed in the first information layer and the second information layer by irradiating a laser beam from the first information layer side, the second information layer comprises a protective layer, a second dye layer which comprises an organic dye, an oxidized layer, and a reflective layer in this order from the laser beam irradiation side, and the oxidized layer comprises an oxide which is a material constituting the reflective layer. |
| US07767274B2 |
Plasma boriding method
The present invention relates to a method of preparing wear-resistant metallic surfaces. |
| US07767269B2 |
Method for coating a support with a material
The invention concerns a method for coating a support (10) comprising a first material with a coating layer comprising a second material, including at least a phase (A, A′) for deposition of a layer of given thickness of coherent material (11, 13) on the support surface during which the interaction between an ion source and a plasma is used. The invention is characterized in that each phase (A, A′) of material deposition is followed by a phase (B, B′) for exposure of the support and the deposited layer of material (11, 13) to a pulse of limited duration of an ionic bombardment with high energy density of selected energy density level. |
| US07767264B2 |
Method for producing resin substrate coated with titanic acid film
A method for producing a resin substrate coated with a titanic acid film, characterized in that it comprises providing a suspension of a scaly titanic acid by treating a layered titanate with an acid or warm water and allowing a basic compound having a force swelling the interstice of the layer to act thereon, to swell or separate the layer, applying the suspension on a resin substrate, and subjecting the resultant substrate to a heat treatment at a temperature less than the softening temperature of said resin substrate, preferably at a temperature less than 100° C., to thereby form a titanic acid film on the resin substrate. The above method can be suitably used for forming an inorganic coating film excellent in transparency, surface hardness, gas-barrier property and the like on any type of resin substrate with good adhesion property. |
| US07767259B2 |
Methods of manufacturing hot mix on site utilizing a composition of pellets of tacky, deformable material dispersed within a flowable fine material
Methods of manufacturing hot mix on site utilizing a composition of discrete substances that are capable of being mixed together to form a composite material are disclosed. The composition includes a plurality of pellets of a tacky, deformable material at an ambient temperature dispersed within a flowable fine material. Stone aggregate is placed in a mixing chamber that has been moved within proximity of the location where the hot mix is to be used. At least a portion of the stone aggregate is heated in the mixing chamber to a temperature sufficient to soften the pellets of the tacky, deformable material. The composition of discrete substances is added into the mixing chamber. The mixture of the composition of discrete substances and the stone aggregate is agitated until the pellets of a tacky, deformable material soften and uniformly coat the stone aggregate. |
| US07767256B2 |
Method for preparing a porous inorganic coating on a porous support using certain pore fillers
Methods for preparing porous inorganic coatings on porous supports using certain pore fillers, and porous supports coated with porous inorganic coatings. The porous inorganic coatings may serve as membranes useful in, for example, liquid-liquid, liquid-particulate, gas-gas, or gas-particulate separation applications. |
| US07767252B2 |
Multilayer structure forming method, method of manufacturing wiring board, and method manufacturing of electronic apparatus
A droplet discharge apparatus is used in a multilayer structure forming method of the invention. The multilayer structure forming method includes: discharging droplets of a first conductive material to form a first conductive material pattern on a surface of an object; baking the first conductive material pattern to form a wiring pattern; discharging droplets of a first insulating material including a first photo-curable material to form a first insulating material pattern bordering via holes on the wiring pattern; curing the first insulating material pattern to form a first insulating pattern bordering the via holes; making the surface of the object lyophilic; discharging droplets of a second insulating material including a second photo-curable material to form a second insulating material pattern that covers the wiring pattern and the surface of the object which has been made lyophilic, and surrounds the first insulating pattern; and curing the second insulating material pattern to form a second insulating pattern that surrounds the first insulating pattern. In addition, preferably, the first conductive material includes silver (Ag) nanoparticles. |
| US07767248B2 |
Soft chew confectionary with high fiber and sugar content and method for making same
The confectionary product described herein has an enhanced solids and fiber content and the method described herein permits higher loading of fiber, sweetener and other solids in a soft chewy confectionary product. In another aspect, the product and method contemplate high loading fiber, solids and sweetener where the sweetener masks poor tasting active ingredients, such a vitamins and minerals. |
| US07767247B2 |
Method for reducing acrylamide formation in thermally processed foods
A process and apparatus for a method for reducing the amount of acrylamide in thermally processed foods. This invention permits the production of foods having significantly reduced levels of acrylamide. The method relies on the manipulation of various unit operations used in the production of food products, particularly the washing and cooking unit operations. For example, the washing unit operation can be modified to provide a contacting step at an increased time and temperature, and adding components such as calcium chloride and L-cysteine to an aqueous solution used for the contacting. The cooking unit operation can be modified by dividing it into at least a higher-temperature first heating step and a lower-temperature second heating step in order to avoid the high-temperature/low-moisture conditions most favorable for acrylamide formation. |
| US07767243B2 |
Combinations of cooling agents for use in confections
A method of preparing a liquid flavoring composition includes combining menthol and at least one physiological cooling agent selected from the group consisting of N-substituted p-menthane carboxamides, acyclic carboxamides, menthyl succinate and combinations thereof. The menthol and the at least one physiological cooling agent are heated to form a liquid composition. The composition of the menthol and the at least one physiological cooling agent is cooled to about 25° C. while maintaining the composition in a liquid state to create the liquid flavoring composition. |
| US07767236B2 |
Plant seed extract composition and process for producing the same
Plant seed extract compositions obtained by washing a defatted plant seed with water, and extracting the resulting washed seed product with an organic solvent and safflower seed extract compositions wherein the weight ratio of the total content of (a) p-coumaroylserotonin, feruloylserotonin, p-coumaroylserotonin glycoside, and feruloylserotonin glycoside to (b) 2-hydroxyarctiin is 1:0.01 to 0.2, are effective for reducing the risk of developing atherosclerosis and diseases caused by atherosclerosis and also exhibit a reduced tendency to cause diarrhea. |
| US07767234B2 |
Compositions and methods for controlling a honey bee parasitic mite
As described below, the present invention provides methods and compositions for controlling a honey bee parasitic mite. In addition, the invention features compositions useful for the treatment or prevention of a parasitic mite infestation in a honey bee hive. |
| US07767231B2 |
Taste-masking pharmaceutical compositions
The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition for oral administration suitable for the preparation of a ready-to-use suspension comprising coated particles comprising an active substance having an unpleasant and/or bitter taste, such as clarithromycin, and a suspension base comprising an osmotically active substance capable of providing a high osmolality to the admixture of the suspension base with an aqueous suspending medium in the ready-to-use suspension. Said ready-to-use suspension maintains its palatability over a prolonged period of time by those defined osmotic conditions. |
| US07767230B2 |
Organic compounds
A depot formulation comprising iloperidone and a biodegradable, biocompatible polymer. Preferably, the polymer is a star polymer. |
| US07767227B2 |
Galenical form for oral administration with prolonged release of molsidomine
The present invention relates to a novel sustained-release oral galenical form of molsidomine for the treatment of all forms of angina attack (angina of effort, spastic angina, mixed angina). According to the invention, this novel galenical form contains a therapeutically effective amount of molsidomine or one of its active metabolites and has an in vitro dissolution rate [measured spectrophotometrically at 286 or 311 nm by the method described in the European Pharmacopoeia, 3rd edition (or USP XXIV), at 50 rpm, in 500 ml of a 0.1 N HCl medium, at 37° C.] of: 15 to 25% of molsidomine released after 1 hour, 20 to 35% of molsidomine released after 2 hours, 50 to 65% of molsidomine released after 6 hours, 75 to 95% of molsidomine released after 12 hours, >85% of molsidomine released after 18 hours and >90% of molsidomine released after 24 hours, the plasma peak of molsidomine obtained in vivo occurring 2.5 to 5 hours, preferably 3 to 4 hours, following the administration of said form, and having a value of between 25 and 40 ng/ml of plasma. Application: therapeutics industry. |
| US07767223B2 |
Methods for reducing or preventing transplant rejection in the eye and intraocular implants for use
Methods for reducing or preventing transplant rejection in the eye of an individual are described, comprising: a) performing an ocular transplant procedure; and b) implanting in the eye a bioerodible drug delivery system comprising an immunosuppressive agent and a bioerodible polymer. |
| US07767222B2 |
Apparatus and method for preventing adhesions between an implant and surrounding tissues
An anti-adhesion membrane is placed onto an implant introduced into a surgical site of a patient to prevent post-surgical adhesions between the implant and surrounding tissue. The implant may comprise either biological material, whcu as a transplanted organ, or non-biological material such as a medical device. The membrane may be applied in a variety of ways. In one example, a membrane according to the present invention is shrink-wrapped around a pace-maker. In another example, a breast implant is spray-coated or dipped with the membrane material. |
| US07767221B2 |
Multi-phased, biodegradable and osteointegrative composite scaffold for biological fixation of musculoskeletal soft tissue to bone
Methods and apparatuses are provided for musculoskeletal tissue engineering. For example, a scaffold apparatus is provided which comprises microspheres of selected sizes and/or composition. The microspheres are layered to have a gradient of microsphere sizes and/or compositions. The scaffold provides a functional interface between multiple tissue types. |
| US07767218B2 |
Pain relief implant pellet and method using same
An emplantable pellet comprising one or more pain relief agents. A method to relief pain at the injection site of one or more implanted pharmaceutical pellets comprising the step of implanting one or more of Applicant's implantable pellets. A method to adjust the in vivo rate of release of one or more pain relief agents from Applicants' implantable pellets. A method to adjust the rate of systemic delivery of one or more pharmaceutical agents implanted adjacent one or more of Applicants' implantable pellets. |
| US07767216B2 |
Antimicrobial compositions and methods of use
The present invention relates to compositions and methods for decreasing the infectivity, morbidity, and rate of mortality associated with a variety of pathogenic organisms and viruses. The present invention also relates to methods and compositions for decontaminating areas colonized or otherwise infected by pathogenic organisms and viruses. Moreover, the present invention relates to methods and compositions for decreasing the infectivity of pathogenic organisms in foodstuffs. In particular, decreased pathogenic organism infectivity, morbidity, and mortality is accomplished by contacting the pathogenic organism with an oil-in-water nanoemulsion comprising an oil, an organic solvent, and a surfactant dispersed in an aqueous phase. |
| US07767204B2 |
Method and composition for protecting neuronal tissue from damage induced by elevated glutamate levels
A method of reducing extracellular brain glutamate levels. The method comprises administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of an agent capable of reducing blood glutamate levels thereby reducing extracellular brain glutamate levels. |
| US07767203B2 |
Methods for the dietary management of irritable bowel syndrome and carbohydrate malabsorption
The invention relates generally to digestive disorders, and in particular to methods for treating irritable bowel syndrome by increasing carbohydrate absorption by administering a composition containing a Bacillus coagulans bacterium. |
| US07767201B2 |
Vascular cells genetically altered to over-express angiogenic proliferation and maturation factors; treatment of atherosclerosis using same
This invention relates to a method for producing angiogenesis in a tissue of a patient by administering vascular cells genetically altered to over-express an angiogenic proliferation factor and an angiogenic maturation factor to the affected tissue. |
| US07767200B2 |
Cancer treatment using viruses, fluoropyrimidines and camptothecins
Mammalian subjects having a neoplasm are treated with a virus, a fluoropyrimidine, for example 5-fluorouracil, and a camptothecin compound. The virus is selected from the group consisting of a Newcastle disease virus, a measles virus, a vesicular stomatitis virus, an influenza virus, a Sindbis virus, a picornavirus, and a myxoma virus. |
| US07767189B2 |
Methods for preparation from carbonate precursors the compounds of lithium transition metals oxide
A method for preparing lithium transitional metal oxides, comprises the steps of: preparing a carbonate precursor using the following substeps: forming a first aqueous solution containing a mixture of at least two of the ions of the following metal elements (“Men+”): cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), and manganese (Mn); forming a second aqueous solution containing ions of CO32−; and mixing and reacting the first solution and the second solution to produce the carbonate precursor, Ni1-x-yCoxMnyCO3; and preparing the lithium transition metals oxide from the carbonate precursors using the following substeps: evenly mixing Li2CO3 and the carbonate precursor; calcinating the mixed material in high temperature; and cooling and pulverizing the calcinated material to obtain the lithium transition metal oxide, Li Ni1-x-yCoxMnyO2. |
| US07767187B2 |
Method and apparatus for separating carbon product from used tire with microwave
An apparatus for separating carbon products from used tires includes a decomposing chamber into which used tires are charged, a nitrogen gas supply device that supplies nitrogen gas into the decomposing chamber, one or more magnetrons that generate microwave of predetermined frequency and one or more phase shifters that removes interference between microwaves generated by the magnetrons, a receiving plate that is adapted to receive carbon black and iron cores generated by the decomposing process, a tire support that is adapted to support used tires, an opening and closing device that opens or closes a door on which used tires are placed, conveyor belt that moves carbon black and iron cores to a desired location after decomposition is complete, and a cooling plate that is provided in an upper portion of the apparatus and cools down gaseous oil that is generated by decomposition by microwave into liquid oil. |
| US07767186B2 |
Method for selective enrichment of carbon nanotubes
A method for treating carbon nanotubes with microwave energy to selective remove metallic-type carbon nanotubes is provided. A sample containing carbon nanotubes is positioned in a microwave cavity at a location corresponding to a maximum in the electric field component of a stationary wave having a microwave frequency. The sample is exposed to the microwave energy for a sufficient period of time to increase the proportion of semiconducting-type carbon nanotubes within the sample. Alternatively, a sample consisting essentially of metallic-type and semiconducting-type carbon nanotubes is exposed to microwave energy for a sufficient period of time to increase the proportion of semiconducting-type carbon nanotubes within the sample. |
| US07767181B2 |
System and method for ammonia production
A method of ammonia production for a selective catalytic reduction system includes producing a first exhaust flow and a second exhaust flow. The first exhaust flow has a higher NOx concentration than the second exhaust flow. The method also includes directing a portion of the second exhaust flow to a reformer. The method further includes combining the portion of the second exhaust flow directed to the reformer with the first exhaust flow upstream of an ammonia-producing catalyst. |
| US07767173B2 |
Apparatus for filtering volume-reduced gel-state polystyrene resin
The invention provides a filtration apparatus for volume-reduced gel-state polystyrene resin which can remove foreign matter contained in volume-reduced gel-state polystyrene resin by continuously and effectively filtering the volume-reduced gel-state polystyrene resin.The filtration apparatus includes a filtration unit 11 in the form of a hollow cylinder having an outer peripheral surface formed of a filter portion 12 for filtering volume-reduced gel-state polystyrene resin; a spiral plate 31 provided on the inner surface of the filtration unit 11, projecting toward the inside of the filtration unit 11 and spiraling in the axial direction of the filtration unit 11; and a holding/driving portion 19 for holding both axial ends of the filtration unit 11 and for rotating the filtration unit 11 about the axis thereof; wherein the filtration unit 11 is disposed so that the axial direction thereof is positioned generally horizontal, and the volume-reduced gel-state polystyrene resin is fed from the first end of the filtration unit 11 to the inside thereof while the filtration unit 11 is rotated by means of the holding/driving portion 19, whereby the volume-reduced gel-state polystyrene resin is continuously separated into volume-reduced gel-state polystyrene resin having passed through the filter portion 12 and foreign matter contained in the volume-reduced gel-state polystyrene resin and transferred to the second end of the filtration unit 11 by means of the spiral plate 31. |
| US07767171B2 |
Shell-type reactor with radial baffles
The object of the present utility model is to cope with the problems of large volume of the presently known cellpacking type of reactor and the poor effect of heat transfer, and to provide a shell-type reactor with radial baffle, which transfers heat well and reduce the volume of the reactor, comprising a shell (1) and an internal cold plate assembly (2), the internal cold plate assembly (2) fixed within the shell (1); wherein a gas radial distribution vessel (9) and a radial gas cylinder (10) fixed within the shell (1); the radial distribution vessel (9) and the radial gas cylinder (10) could counterchange according to the difference of the gas flow direction; several circles of radial baffling assemblies (12) are provided between the radial distribution vessel (9) and the radial gas cylinder (10), the radial baffling assemblies (12) consisting of several baffling components fixed in an interval mode, an axial baffling through groove or hole is provided between the adjacent baffling components. The present utility model has advantages of the great effect of heat transfer, the simple structure, the small overall size. |
| US07767170B2 |
Cracking hydrocarbon feedstock containing resid utilizing partial condensation of vapor phase from vapor/liquid separation to mitigate fouling in a flash/separation vessel
A process is provided for cracking hydrocarbon feedstock containing resid comprising: heating the feedstock, mixing the heated feedstock with a fluid and/or a primary dilution steam stream to form a mixture, optionally further heating the mixture, flashing the mixture within a flash/separation vessel to form a vapor phase and a liquid phase, partially condensing the vapor phase by contacting with a condenser within the vessel, to condense at least some coke precursors within the vapor while providing condensates which add to the liquid phase, removing the vapor phase of reduced coke precursors content as overhead and the liquid phase as bottoms, heating the vapor phase, cracking the vapor phase in a radiant section of a pyrolysis furnace to produce an effluent comprising olefins, and quenching the effluent and recovering cracked product therefrom. An apparatus for carrying out the process is also provided. |
| US07767167B2 |
Dielectric barrier discharge cell with hermetically sealed electrodes, apparatus and method for the treatment of odor and volatile organic compound contaminants in air emissions, and for purifying gases and sterilizing surfaces
A Dielectric Barrier Discharge Plasma Generation Cell includes a plurality of hot electrodes interspersed with a plurality of ground electrodes whereby a power supply connected between the hot and ground electrodes creates a non-thermal plasma between the electrodes. The hot electrodes are hermetically sealed by a rubber material such as a siloxane material surrounding portions of the hot electrodes. The cells are useful in odor removal systems to neutralize odors and VOC emissions in commercial and/or industrial air streams and in gas purification and sterilizing systems which utilizes Non-Thermal Plasma (NTP) to create a range of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) to cause the oxidation and/or reduction of odor causing molecules, VOC's, and other contaminants. Where a plurality of cells are electrically connected in parallel, shorts in a cell can be detected by sensing the difference in currents feed to each of the plurality of cells. |
| US07767166B2 |
Packed-bed radial-flow non-thermal plasma reactor
A non thermal plasma reactor for treating gases. The reactor has a tubelike housing, which contains four concentric channels. A central channel is a gas inlet channel. Two inner channels are a non thermal plasma reactor channel and a catalytic channel. The outer channel is a gas outlet channel. |
| US07767165B2 |
Personal electro-kinetic air transporter-conditioner
A personal electro-kinetic electro-static air conditioner includes a self-contained ion generator that provides electro-kinetically moved air with ions and safe amounts of ozone, and includes a water retaining element to increase humidity of the output air flow. The ion generator includes a high voltage pulse generator whose output pulses are coupled between first and second electrode arrays. Preferably the first electrode array includes first and second pointed electrodes, and the second electrode array includes annular-like electrodes having a central opening coaxial with the associated pointed electrode. The surface of the annular-like electrodes is smooth and continuous through the opening and into a collar region through which the air flows. A water retaining member is disposed surrounding the output airflow to increase humidity of the output air, which is substantially cleansed of particulate matter, and contains safe amounts of ozone. |
| US07767161B2 |
Fluidized bed apparatus for batch-by-batch or continuous process control and method for operating a fluidized bed apparatus
A fluidized bed apparatus for batch-by-batch or continuous process control is provided that allows the processes in the fluidization region to be influenced as desired, especially in terms of material movement and dwell time. The fluidized bed apparatus is formed from at least two processing regions and the processing regions are connected to each other by overflow channels. The first processing region is provided with a solids inlet and the last processing region is provided with a solids outlet. For influencing the dwell time, the material to be treated is supplied to at least two processing regions one after the other and flows through these regions, wherein the material transport direction is a cross flow relative to the flow of the fluidization means. |
| US07767158B2 |
Surface light-emitting device, filtering device using same, and optically assisted ceramic filter
A surface light-emitting device having a surface emitter for emitting visible light or ultraviolet light by electroluminescence also has multiple through-holes that define fluid channels for fluid flow in a direction orthogonal to the surface of the surface emitter. The present invention also provides an optically assisted ceramic filter composed of a ceramic filter having multiple channels, and a photocatalytic layer and surface emitter disposed on a side surface of the ceramic filter. |
| US07767155B2 |
Microreactor apparatus having integral connectors
A microreactor apparatus includes; a microreactor body that includes first and second substrates; a microchannel that is formed inside the microreactor body; and integral connectors that are disposed detachably on the microreactor body, and through which supply/discharge pipes are to be connected to end portions of the microchannel, respectively. |
| US07767153B2 |
Microtitration plate
A microtitration plate has a frame (2) made of a first stiff plastic and having a plate (4) with multiplicity of holes (2′), and a multiplicity of vessels (3) made of a second plastic suited for the PCR and/or exhibiting permeability to oxygen, which are fixedly connected to the plate (4) by directly molding them to the holes (6), which have a receiving portion (9, 10, 11) protruding from an underside (8) of the plate (4), and which are accessible from an upper surface (7) of the plate through apertures (15). |
| US07767152B2 |
Reagent container and slide reaction retaining tray, and method of operation
A sample, or slide, retaining tray includes a reagent reservoir, or recess, and a reaction chamber. A slide, or other sample container, can be positioned on the sample retaining tray as desired, with a tissue specimen face down, between a platen on the tray and the slide. A reagent from the reservoir is rendered flowable, such as by heating, and flows from the reservoir into the reaction chamber. Optionally, reagents or other fluids can be provided from above, by dripping onto a drip surface of the sample retaining tray, or below via an inlet port in the platen. |
| US07767150B1 |
Aerosol collection apparatus and methods
Apparatus and methods for detecting the presence of an airborne chemical or biological analyte utilise:a substantially gas- and liquid-impermeable container; means for introducing a substantially analyte-free collection liquid into said container; means for rapidly sampling ambient air and transferring said analyte therefrom into said collection liquid, said sampling means comprising an air intake means and and an air venting means; and-means for removing from said container an analyte-enriched collection liquid; wherein said volume of air passes through a substantially horizontal air inlet and upwardly through a substantially vertical collector electrode tube with means for applying an electric field between said tube and a co-axial spiked wire- or rod-shaped discharge electrode. |
| US07767149B2 |
Health monitoring and diagnostic device and network-based health assessment and medical records maintenance system
A health monitoring and diagnostic device (LIFESTREAM cholesterol meter) configured as a self-contained testing and diagnostic unit in a clam-shell type case. One side of the case includes a spring-loaded finger stick and a compartment for carrying one or more packages of disposable items including a test strip, a needle for the finger stick, and an alcohol swipe. The other half of the case includes a test strip reader, a key pad, and a liquid crystal display. The meter reads a test strip carrying a droplet of blood and receives additional diagnostic information from the patient, such as age, gender, weight, and family history of heart disease. Within minutes, the meter displays test results, including total cholesterol levels. The meter also displays additional diagnostic results, such as the patient's “cardiac age,” recommended weight loss, and a cardiac risk assessment. The meter also works in connection with a network-based comprehensive health analysis and reporting system. The meter writes patient data to a smartcard. This patient data typically includes patient identification information, the test results, the diagnostic information, and the diagnostic results. A computer station reads the smartcard and establishes a network connection with a health report server over the Internet. The computer then downloads the patient data to the health report server, which prepares a comprehensive health report. Within minutes, this report is transmitted back to the computer station, where it is printed out and delivered to the patient. |
| US07767144B2 |
Rapid diagnosis device with locking by test strip
The invention relates to a rapid diagnosis device with a device housing, on which there is provided a push-in opening for a test strip. The test strip is evaluated inside the rapid diagnosis device. On the device housing there is formed a housing opening, which can be closed by a cover or flap element. The cover or flap element is assigned a locking body. The locking body is formed as a spring element which comprises a clip portion, which assumes a position locking the spring element when the test strip has been pushed into the push-in opening of the rapid diagnosis device. |
| US07767143B2 |
Colorimetric sensors
Colorimetric sensors comprising a reflective surface and a curable layer are disclosed. Devices comprising the colorimetric sensors and methods of making the sensors and devices are also disclosed. Methods of using the sensors and devices in numerous applications are also disclosed. |
| US07767142B1 |
Medical waste processor and processing method
An apparatus for processing medical waste is provided. The apparatus includes: (i) a drum defining a substantially cylindrical treatment chamber having a closed end and a substantially open end, wherein the drum is rotationally balanced about a rotational axis; (ii) an enclosing body supporting the drum so that the drum can be rotated within the body about the rotational axis of the drum, the body having an opening for accessing the open end of the drum, wherein the opening is located substantially in a plane perpendicular to the rotational axis of the drum; (iii) a movable barrier for selectively closing the opening for accessing the open end of the drum; (iv) a structure for supporting the enclosing body so that the pitch of the rotational axis of the drum is positioned or can be positioned in at least one position between about 0 degrees and about 30 degrees. |
| US07767138B2 |
Process for the production of a molybdenum alloy
Semi-finished or finished parts are made from a molybdenum alloy with intermetallic phases, preferably molybdenum-silicide, molybdenum-boron-silicide, optionally also molybdenum-boride phases. Starting from mechanically alloyed powder, hot compacted material exhibits superplastic forming behavior. It is thus possible to lower the forming temperature by at least 300° C., thus permitting processing on conventional plants. |
| US07767135B2 |
Method of forming a sintered microfluidic device
Disclosed is a method of forming a structured sintered article including providing a mixture comprising a sinterable particulate material and a binder, the binder comprising, as a function of total resin content of the binder, at least 50% by weight of a thermoplastic binder material and at least 5% by weight of a radiation-curable binder material; shaping the mixture with a mold to form a structure; setting the structure by cooling the structure or by allowing the structure to cool; separating the structure from the mold; irradiating the structure so as to at least partially cure the radiation-curable binder material, and debinding and sintering the structure so as to form a structured sintered article. Shaping may include forming a structure having one or more open channels, and sintering may include sintering in together in contact with at least one additional structure so as to cover or enclose the channels. |
| US07767131B2 |
Method for production of moulded bodies, in particular optical structures and use thereof
The present invention relates to a method for manufacture a body from a thermoplastic plastic with a three-dimensionally structured surface, wherein molding is performed directly from a master made of glass coated with metal oxide, without deposition of further coatings on a surface of the master. The invention also relates to bodies manufactured with this method from a thermoplastic featuring a three-dimensionally structured surface, as well as to planar optical structures likewise manufactured with this method for generating evanescent-field measuring platforms and to a use thereof. The invention furthermore relates to a planar optical structure for generating an evanescent-field measuring platform, comprising a first essentially optical transparent, waveguiding layer (a) with refractive index n1 and a second essentially optical transparent layer (b) with refractive index n2, where n1>n2, in a case of an embodiment of a planar optical film waveguide, or comprising a metal layer (a′) and a second layer (b), in a case of an embodiment for generating a surface plasmon resonance, wherein the second layer (b) comprises a material from a group comprising cyclo-olefin polymers and cyclo-olefin copolymers. |
| US07767126B2 |
Embossing assembly and methods of preparation
The invention is directed to an embossing assembly comprising an embossing sleeve having a three-dimensional pattern formed thereon, an expandable insert; and a drum over which said sleeve and said expandable insert are mounted. The present invention is also directed to a method for preparing an embossing drum or an embossing sleeve. The present invention is further directed to a method for controlling the thickness of a plating material over the surface of a drum or sleeve in an electroplating process. |
| US07767124B2 |
Method of treating polymer compound and treatment system for the same
A method of treating a polymer compound has the steps of: mixing and agitating the polymer compound and a chemical agent in an extruder while controlling the inside of the extruder to be kept at a high temperature and a high pressure to have a reaction mixture containing a polymer treated product; supplying the reaction mixture continuously into a high-pressure container disposed following the extruder and retaining the reaction mixture at the high temperature and high pressure for a predetermined time; then supplying the reaction mixture continuously to a chemical agent separator to separate the polymer treated product; and supplying the separated polymer treated product continuously to a molding means to form it into a molded material. |
| US07767122B2 |
Process and apparatus for continuous production of foam sheets
Foam sheets are continuously produced by metering foam particles, which are free of any added binder or adhesive, from a storage location onto a moving conveyor at a controlled volumetric rate so as to continuously form a layer of the particles on the conveyor, heating the layer of particles to a temperature sufficient to render the particles tacky such that the particles adhere to one another so as to form a substantially integral sheet, compressing the sheet with a compression device that applies pressure on the advancing sheet so as to compress the sheet to a smaller thickness and enhance the integrity of the sheet; and cooling the compressed sheet. |
| US07767119B2 |
Gas injecting device of cylinder for injection molding machine, and method for controlling amount of gas injected into barrel of injection molding machine
A gas injecting device for an injection molding machine is equipped at one side of a cylinder of the injection molding machine, and includes a pin inserted into a gas injection hole of the gas injecting device. The pin has flat sections formed around an outer lower portion of the pin to define gaps between the flat sections and an inner surface of the gas injection hole, such that a gas is injected uniformly through the gaps, thereby allowing the gas and a resin to be easily mixed while preventing the resin from flowing backwards through the gas injecting device. An amount of gas injected to a barrel of the injection molding machine is accurately controlled according to a pressure difference between a gas line and the barrel, and time data, allowing an article to be injection molded according to a kind of resin or characteristics of the article. |
| US07767117B2 |
Manufacturing method of a flexible optical disk
A flexible optical disk, includes a disk substrate, wherein a rigidity of the disk is equal to or more than 5 Pa and equal to or less than 5000 Pa where the rigidity is defined as Young's modulus of the disk×(thickness of the disk/radius of the disk)3. |
| US07767114B2 |
Gas-phase functionalization of carbon nanotubes
In a method for functionalizing a carbon nanotube surface, the nanotube surface is exposed to at least one vapor including at least one functionalization species that non-covalently bonds to the nanotube surface, providing chemically functional groups at the nanotube surface, producing a functionalized nanotube surface. A functionalized nanotube surface can be exposed to at least one vapor stabilization species that reacts with the functionalization layer to form a stabilization layer that stabilizes the functionalization layer against desorption from the nanotube surface while providing chemically functional groups at the nanotube surface, producing a stabilized nanotube surface. The stabilized nanotube surface can be exposed to at least one material layer precursor species that deposits a material layer on the stabilized nanotube surface. |
| US07767112B2 |
Method for inducing or enhancing the threshold voltage of an electrophoretic display
This invention relates to electrophoretic displays having improved performance. The invention also relates to a method for inducing or enhancing the threshold voltage of an electrophoretic display, which method comprises adding a threshold promoter into an electrophoretic fluid which comprises charged pigment particles or pigment-containing microparticles dispersed in a dielectric solvent or solvent mixture. |
| US07767111B2 |
Surface conditioner and method of surface conditioning
A surface conditioner contains zinc phosphate particles of D50 of 3 μm or less and has a pH of 3 to 12, and also contains at least one of (1) carboxylate group-containing copolymers obtained by copolymerizing a monomer composition containing at least one species selected from acrylic acid, maleic acid, maleic anhydride, itaconic acid and itaconic anhydride in an amount less than 50% by weight and at least one species selected from the group consisting of a sulfonic acid monomer, styrene, olefin monomers, amino group-containing monomers and certain polyoxyalkylene derivatives, (2) certain polyamino acids, and (3) certain phosphate esters. |
| US07767109B2 |
Liquid crystal medium for polymerization alignment process and method for manufacturing a liquid crystal display having the same
A liquid crystal (LC) medium for polymerization alignment process includes at least a set of LC molecules, at least a set of reactive monomers, and at least one inhibitor at a concentration in a range of 0.01-1% wt of the reactive monomer. The inhibitor quenches polymerization of radicals of the reactive monomers, which is triggered by light or heat before the polymerization alignment process. Therefore influence on the reactive monomers before the polymerization alignment process is reduced and stability of the LC medium is improved. |
| US07767108B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and method for manufacture of same
In a method for manufacture of a liquid crystal display device in which a liquid crystal composition is placed between two substrates, after which ultraviolet irradiation is performed to form a liquid crystal layer, a specific polymerizable compound is used, or specific ultraviolet irradiation conditions are adopted, or processing is comprised midway through the ultraviolet irradiation to activate the molecular motion of liquid crystal molecules or to deform the liquid crystal layer. A method for manufacture of a liquid crystal display device and a liquid crystal display device manufactured by this method are provided, in which an alignment control film is rendered unnecessary, and which has such advantages as improved quality of the liquid crystal panel, enhanced production yields, streamlined manufacturing facilities, simplified processes, and reduced costs. |
| US07767105B2 |
Method of fixing a stator core and an electric compressor
A method of fixing a stator core in a cylindrical housing includes the following steps. The first step is a step of blanking a plurality of stator core sheets from an electromagnetic steel sheet by using a die. The die has a circular outside contour for blanking the stator core sheets from the electromagnetic steel sheet and each of the blanked stator core sheets has an outside contour. The second step is a step of forming the stator core by laminating the blanked stator core sheets one on another. The third step is a step of setting a non-fixing position of the stator core to the housing in such an angular position where difference in diametral dimension of the outside contour between the die and the stator core is relatively large. |
| US07767104B2 |
Method for repairing errors of patterns embodied in thin layers
A fabrication method in thin layers, for example of integrated electronic circuits or MEMS. A correction method allows design errors made for example by photolithography in a thin layer to be repaired, and without necessarily having to utilize a new mask or without having to correct an erroneous mask. A lithography device allows certain of operations of such a method to be employed. |
| US07767101B2 |
Method for fabricating probe for use in scanning probe microscope
A method of fabricating a probe tip for use in a scanning probe microscope, includes the steps of: forming a triangular prism provided with a passivation film by patterning a {111} general silicon wafer, the passivation film being deposited on two sidewalls of the triangular prism; etching the silicon wafer to make the triangular prism into a probe tip of a triangular pyramid shape; and removing the passivation film. |
| US07767093B2 |
Method for end-to-end control of water quality
A method of providing end-to-end water quality control from a water system operator to a point of delivery proximate a consumer. The method includes treating the water and delivering the water to the consumer at the point of delivery, filtering/purifying the water at the point of delivery, monitoring water quality at the point of delivery, reporting water quality at the point of delivery to the water system operator over a network, monitoring total water volume at the point of delivery, and reporting total water volume at the point of delivery to the water system operator over a network. |
| US07767085B2 |
Oil-sludge filtration system having a free floating weir box
A system for consolidating and removing contaminate such as paint sludge or oils from a fluid mixture. A contaminate tank receives a supply of the fluid mixture containing contaminate from a source such as a manufacturing line where overspray of paints or cleaning solutions containing washed away oils are collected. A free floating weir floats on the surface of the contaminate tank and mechanically separates and removes contaminate from a surface of the contaminate tank and concentrates the contaminate in a consolidation tank. In the consolidation tanks the contaminate is further separated and collected for disposal. |
| US07767083B2 |
Fluid treatment arrangements and methods for operating fluid treatment arrangements
Fluid treatment arrangements (10) and methods for operating fluid treatment arrangements (10) may include fluid treatment assemblies (11) and manifold assemblies (12) that direct fluids to and/or from the fluid treatment assemblies (11). |
| US07767082B2 |
Molecular arrangement magnetic treatment apparatus and method
A molecular arrangement magnetic treatment apparatus and method includes an apparatus including a material passageway configured for having material flow therethrough and at least one pair of magnets oriented such that material in the material passageway passes through a magnetic field effect produced by the at least one pair of magnets. Further, each magnet of the at least one pair of magnets is allowed to move independent of each other such that the magnetic field effect at least partially influences relative placement of each magnet of the at least one pair of magnets. |
| US07767071B1 |
Dielectric and conductive imaging applied to gel electrophoresis
A system for displaying the positions of substances in electrophoretic separations comprises a gel (635) a substance to be separated into a region (450), plates (400, 401) with electrodes (405-420 and 430-445) placed on either side of the gel. A source (315) applies a voltage to an electrode on one side of the gel, and an electrode on the other side of the gel is connected to the input of an amplifier (320). Multiplexers (605, 610) connect the source and amplifier to electrodes on either side of the gel. A computer (600) issues commands to the multiplexers to connect the source and amplifier to individual electrodes, and while a pair of electrodes is so connected, the computer activates a sample-and-hold circuit (620) and an A/D converter (630) to record the value of the electrical impedance within the gel at the location of the selected electrodes. The impedance value is stored in the computer's memory and also displayed on a monitor (635) connected to the computer. The result is visualization of a gel-electrophoretic separation without requiring the use of stains, radioactivity, or molecular tags. |
| US07767059B2 |
Strong and dispersible paper products
The invention relates to a flushable paper product comprising a fibrous substrate having (i) at least one strength region comprising a reacted cationic or a reacted nonionic strength agent and (ii) at least one dispersibility region, wherein the paper product has (a) a dispersibility of at least one tenth of a second, (b) a dry strength, and (c) a wet strength of at least about five percent of the dry strength. |
| US07767052B2 |
Method of assembling an electronic device into a tire
A method for affixing an electronic device having an elongate dipole antenna to a substrate surface includes: positioning picking apparatus adjacent to the electronic device, the picking apparatus having at least one antenna positioning means such as a magnet positioned adjacent the electronic device; activating the antenna positioning means; moving the opposite antenna ends into a captured relationship with the picking apparatus by means of the antenna positioning means; moving the picking apparatus to a position adjacent the substrate surface; engaging the substrate surface with the picking apparatus; and depositing the electronic device to the substrate surface. |
| US07767050B2 |
Laminating roller assembly, credential substrate laminator and method of laminating a credential substrate
A laminating roller assembly comprises a frame, a movable support supported by the frame, a laminating roller and a lift mechanism. The laminating roller is attached to the movable support. The lift mechanism is attached to the frame and is configured to move the movable support and the attached laminating roller relative to the frame. Additional embodiments of the invention are directed to a credential substrate laminator and a method of laminating a credential substrate using a credential substrate laminator. |
| US07767045B2 |
Ammonium nitrate crystals, ammonium nitrate blasting agent and method of production
A blasting agent comprised of an ammonium nitrate component and an organic carbonaceous fuel component. The ammonium nitrate component includes ammonium nitrate crystals having a particle size of from about 1 to about 500 microns and further includes one or more crystal habit modifiers. |
| US07767034B2 |
Soft magnetic material, powder magnetic core and method of manufacturing soft magnetic material
A soft magnetic material is a soft magnetic material including a composite magnetic particle (30) having a metal magnetic particle (10) mainly composed of Fe and an insulating coating (20) covering metal magnetic particle (10), and insulating coating (20) contains an iron phosphate compound and an aluminum phosphate compound. The atomic ratio of Fe contained in a contact surface of insulating coating (20) in contact with metal magnetic particle (10) is larger than the atomic ratio of Fe contained in the surface of insulating coating (20). The atomic ratio of Al contained in the contact surface of insulating coating (20) in contact with metal magnetic particle (10) is smaller than the atomic ratio of Al contained in the surface of insulating coating (20). Thus, iron loss can be reduced. |
| US07767033B2 |
Method for surface treatment of an internal combustion piston and an internal combustion piston
A method for surface treatment capable of easily improving a mechanical strength of an internal combustion piston at a reasonable cost is provided. A modified surface layer is formed by injecting injection powders containing a reinforcing element to be collided with an Al—Si alloy-based piston obtained by casting and forging by injecting under predetermined conditions, the reinforcing element being diffused and penetrated in the piston to improve the strength thereof. When a function, such as fuel modification, is imparted to the modified surface layer, an element exhibiting a photocatalytic function by oxidation, such as Ti, Sn, Zn, Zr, or W, is selected as the reinforcing element. By locally heating and cooling performed on the piston surface by the collision with the injection powders, alloy elements are fine-grained by recrystallization, the reinforcing element in the injection powders is diffused and penetrated in the piston surface by activated adsorption, and a modified layer having a uniformly fine-grained microstructure containing the alloy elements and the reinforcing element is formed. As a result, besides improvement in strength of the piston, by the selection of the above element, such as Ti, the photocatalytic function, such as fuel modification, can also be obtained. |
| US07767030B2 |
Cleaning device
The present application relates to a method and device for cleaning surfaces. In one embodiment, a cleaning device includes a cleaning tool, a motor, a reservoir, an extractor, and a recovery tank. The reservoir stores fluid and may act as a base of the cleaning device. The extractor suctions used fluid from the surface and may be removably attached to the reservoir such that the extractor may be raised and lowered relative to the surface. The recovery tank stores the used fluid from the extractor and may be located adjacent the reservoir. The reservoir may also be formed to fit at least partially around the motor. The cleaning device may also be designed such that at least a portion of the weight of the fluid in the reservoir and the used fluid in the recovery tank is over the cleaning tool. |
| US07767021B2 |
Growing method of SiC single crystal
A growing method of a SiC single crystal includes the steps of thermal treatment of a high purity SiC source for decreasing a specific surface area and increasing a ratio of α-phase and making a mole fraction of C greater than that of Si in the source, providing the SiC source into a crucible, arranging a SiC seed in the crucible, and growing the SiC single crystal by heating the SiC source. |
| US07767014B2 |
Castable mass reduced machinable mold material
A mold material castable to provide a mass reduced work piece machinable to produced a mold and methods of utilizing such mold material to cast mass reduced work pieces machinable to produce a mold. |
| US07767013B2 |
Non-aqueous pigment ink
A non-aqueous pigment ink includes a colorant and a non-aqueous solvent, wherein the colorant is a pigment complex of a pigment, a dispersant and a polymer compound, the polymer compound contains 2 or more primary and/or secondary amino groups within each molecule, and the dispersant contains 2 or more reactive functional groups within each molecule that exhibit reactivity with the amino groups of the polymer compound. |
| US07767012B2 |
Recording liquid, liquid cartridge, liquid discharge device, and liquid discharge method
A recording liquid to be attached in a droplet state to an object for the purpose of recording on the object is disclosed, which contains a coloring matter, a solvent for dissolving or dispersing the coloring matter therein, and at least one cyclic aliphatic compound represented by the following chemical formula (1): wherein Ra and Rb each represents an alkyl group of from 1 to 3 carbon atoms and are satisfied with the relation of [2≦(Ra+Rb)≦4]. |
| US07767008B2 |
Vapor/liquid separation apparatus
A vapor/liquid separation apparatus for treating a flow of vapor/liquid mixtures of hydrocarbons and steam comprises a vertical drum with a side inlet to introduce hydrocarbon/steam mixtures, an overhead vapor outlet, and a lower section in communication with a cylindrical boot of less diameter than the drum, the boot comprising sufficient gas-liquid contact surface, e.g., that provided by one or more sheds, baffles and/or distillation trays, to provide at least a partial theoretical distillation stage, and a lower portion for receiving liquid from the drum, a lower outlet for removing the liquid, and an inlet for introducing a stripping gas such as steam, hydrogen, light crackable hydrocarbon, and/or methane, below the distillation tray and preferably above the level of liquid in the boot. |
| US07767007B2 |
Mercury adsorbents compatible as cement additives
Solid adsorbents, following their use for mercury removal from flue gas, that do not interfere with the ability of air-entraining additives (such as surfactants) to form stable bubbles when added to fly ash containing the adsorbents. The interference is overcome by heating the materials used in the manufacture of the adsorbent so that magnesium hydroxide and/or one or more alkali compounds containing one or more silicate, aluminate, and/or phosphate moiety, added or already present in the materials, binds multivalent cations present in the materials that could otherwise interfere with the surfactant activity. |
| US07767003B2 |
Removal of contaminants from a contaminated gas or vapour stream
A method of removing contaminants from a contaminated gas or vapor stream, which method includes passing a contaminated gas or vapor stream through a bed of curled separating media linearly in an upward direction at a linear velocity of up to 6 m/s; allowing a contaminant in the contaminated gas or vapor stream to collect on the separating media as the gas or vapor stream passes through the bed of separating media, thereby removing the contaminant from the gas or vapor stream and thus purifying the gas or vapor stream; allowing the contaminant that has collected on the separating media to pass from the separating media into a collection zone; removing the contaminant from the collection zone; and withdrawing a purified gas or vapor stream from the bed of separating media. |
| US07766993B2 |
Dumbbell-like nanoparticles and a process of forming the same
Dumbbell-shaped or flower-shaped nanoparticles and a process of forming the same, wherein the process comprises forming a mixture of a nanoparticle with a precursor in a first solvent, wherein the nanoparticle comprises a hydrophobic outer coating; heating the mixture; cooling the mixture to room temperature; modifying the hydrophobic outer coating into a hydrophilic outer coating; precipitating a solid product from the mixture, and dispersing the product in a second solvent. The nanoparticles comprise any of a semiconducting, magnetic, and noble metallic material, wherein the nanoparticles comprise a first portion comprising any of PbSe, PbS, CdSe, CdS, ZnS, Au, Ag, Pd, and Pt, and wherein the precursor comprises any of a cationic, neutral or particulate Au, Ag, Pd, Pt, or transition metal (Fe, Co, Ni) precursors of Fe(CO)5, Co(CO)8, Ni(CO)4 or their analogues. The first and second solvents comprise any of alkanes, arenes, ethers, nitrites, ketones, and chlorinated hydrocarbons. |
| US07766987B2 |
Apparatus and method for collection of particulate matter during percutaneous procedures
An apparatus and method used in a urological procedure. The apparatus includes a sheath capable of insertion into a passageway within a patient. A filter is provided that includes a mesh that retains any particulate matter that is entrained with the liquid and allows the liquid to pass therethrough. The filter may be removeably attached to receive flow from an outlet of the sheath. |
| US07766986B2 |
Dehydrogenation of liquid fuel in microchannel catalytic reactor
The present invention is an improved process for the storage and delivery of hydrogen by the reversible hydrogenation/dehydrogenation of an organic compound wherein the organic compound is initially in its hydrogenated state. The improvement in the route to generating hydrogen is in the dehydrogenation step and recovery of the dehydrogenated organic compound resides in the following steps: introducing a hydrogenated organic compound to a microchannel reactor incorporating a dehydrogenation catalyst; effecting dehydrogenation of said hydrogenated organic compound under conditions whereby said hydrogenated organic compound is present as a liquid phase; generating a reaction product comprised of a liquid phase dehydrogenated organic compound and gaseous hydrogen; separating the liquid phase dehydrogenated organic compound from gaseous hydrogen; and, recovering the hydrogen and liquid phase dehydrogenated organic compound. |
| US07766973B2 |
Eversion resistant sleeves
The invention relates to improved means for preventing eversion and subsequent obstruction of thin-walled, floppy gastrointestinal liners implanted in the digestive tract of an animal. The implantable devices include an anchor adapted for attachment within a natural body lumen and a thin-walled, floppy sleeve open at both ends and defining a lumen therebetween. A substantial length of the sleeve has material characteristics that result in the sleeve being prone to eversion in the presence of retrograde pressures. Exemplary eversion-resistant features provide an increased stiffness and/or an increased friction coefficient between the anchor and the proximal end of the sleeve to resist eversion. In some embodiments, the eversion-resistant feature includes an anti-buckling element, such as a wire coupled along the substantial length of the sleeve. |
| US07766970B2 |
Method and apparatus for wrist arthroplasty
A prosthetic wrist having at least one of a radial insert, which is configured to be fixed to a radius of a patient, a carpal implant and a wrist bearing component. The carpal implant includes a body and a pair of flanges, each of which being skewed to the axis of the body in a manner that permits them to abut the ulnar side of the hamate bone and the radial side of the distal portion of the carpal bone complex, respectively. The radial insert may be provided with a plurality of modular portions to allow for selection and customization of an implant. |
| US07766968B2 |
Modular cannulated total joint prosthesis
A modular joint prosthesis is intended for implantation in a patient. According to an exemplary embodiment, the modular joint prosthesis includes a head and a stem coupled to the head. The stem has a proximal portion coupled to the head and a distal portion configured to extend into a long bone of the patient. The distal portion may be removed from the stem after implantation of the prosthesis without also removing the proximal portion. |
| US07766967B2 |
Intervertebral disc nucleus replacement implants and methods
Intervertebral disc nucleus replacement implants and methods are provided. The nucleus replacement implant, which is configured to reside within an intervertebral disc nucleus space, includes a core support structure, including a rotatable member and multiple vertebral support structures. The vertebral support structures are disposed in spaced relation with the rotatable member positioned therebetween. The implant further includes an elastic body at least partially surrounding the core support structure. When the rotatable member is in the first orientation, the implant is in a compressed height configuration to facilitate insertion of the implant into the intervertebral disc nucleus space, and when the rotatable member is in the second orientation, the implant is in an extended height configuration to facilitate use of the implant as a prosthetic intervertebral disc nucleus replacement. |
| US07766959B2 |
Variable length endovascular graft prosthesis adapted to prevent endoleaks
A variable length endovascular prosthesis adapted to prevent endoleaks is provided that includes a substantially tubular first graft member having an interior surface, an exterior surface, and a proximal end, and a substantially tubular second graft member slidably engaged coaxially within the first graft member. The prosthesis further includes a substantially tubular fluid-tight connecting member attached at one end to the first graft member and attached at another end to the second graft member. The connecting member is axially compressible and expandable to facilitate engagement of the second graft member within the first graft member while maintaining a seal between the graft members. |
| US07766949B2 |
Fever regulation method and apparatus
A device and method for providing body cooling for treating fever. The cooling device applies cooling to blood flowing in a vein or artery, e.g., the vena cavae, that is then distributed throughout the body. |
| US07766948B1 |
Bone fixation assembly
A bone fixation assembly. The bone fixation assembly includes a fixation member defining at least one aperture, wherein the aperture is adapted for engaging non-threadably and selectively a locking or a non-locking fastener. |
| US07766946B2 |
Device for securing spinal rods
The present invention is directed to a device for securing a spinal rod to a fixation device such as a pedicle screw or a lamina hook. The device disclosed herein includes a head portion configured to receive a spinal rod, a locking cap configured to engage the head portion and the spinal rod upon rotation of the locking cap relative to the head portion to secure the position of the head portion and the locking cap relative to the spinal rod, and a fastener portion extending from the head portion and configured to engage the spine. The fastener portion of the device can be in the form of a screw, hook or clamp, or any other configuration known in the art. |
| US07766945B2 |
Screw and rod fixation system
The present invention provides a stabile construct to facilitate connecting a spinal fixation rod to a plurality of vertebral bodies. The construct or implant comprises a housing and an insert. The housing and insert are shaped to cooperatively engage the bone screw and rod to provide a stable construct that allows for polyaxial orientation between the bone screw and the remainder of the construct. |
| US07766943B1 |
Modular percutaneous spinal fusion system and method
A posterior spinal fusion system may include pedicle screws and one or more segments designed to be attached to the implanted pedicle screws via nuts to fuse spinal motion segments in a modular fashion. The pedicle screws may have semispherical receiving surfaces, and each segment may have mounting portions at both ends, with corresponding semispherical engagement surfaces. The nuts may also have semispherical surfaces. The semispherical surfaces permit polyaxial adjustment of the relative orientations of the segments and pedicle screws. Each mounting portion may have a passageway therethrough to receive the proximal end of the corresponding pedicle screw; each passageway may intersect the edge of the corresponding engagement surface to facilitate percutaneous placement. Such placement may be carried out through cannulae to provide a minimally invasive (MIS) implantation procedure. |
| US07766941B2 |
Spinal support, stabilization
Spinal support assemblies, and methods of use, provide stabilization of the treated portion of the spine while accommodating limited, controlled angular movement of the treated portion of the spine, also while limiting transverse movement of the spine. Adapters, such as lamellar hooks and/or bone screws attach the spinal support assembly to support vertebrae. Reinforcing rods in the spinal support assemblies embody any of a variety of structures and configurations, all of which provide for support and force transfer while providing for limited and controlled levels of dynamic, ongoing bending of the rod. The reinforcing rod can bend to accommodate limited bending of the treated portion of the spine, as the subject bends the spine in normal activities. The reinforcing rod stabilizes the vertebrae against vertical and/or transverse lateral movement of the reinforcing rod, members of the reinforcing rod, and/or vertebrae. |
| US07766937B2 |
Minimally invasive surgical assembly and methods
A minimally invasive surgical assembly broadly includes an outer hollow needle which has an outer diameter of approximately 2 mm or smaller, and a coaxial surgical instrument having a shaft which extends through the outer hollow needle. The coaxial surgical instrument includes end effectors at the end of the shaft which are biased to an open position such that when the end effectors of the surgical instrument extend out of the needle they open, and they are closed by relative movement of the needle over them. The assembly preferably includes a first fixing element which is used to fix the relative location of the surgical instrument and the needle. The assembly also preferably includes a second fixing element which moves relative to the needle and is located on the outside thereof and which is used to fix the relative location of the needle to the patient. |
| US07766928B2 |
Surgical device and method
A surgical device 20 for attaching staples 40 to a portion of a body comprising an anvil 23; a smart memory material (SMM) 50, 75 capable of going from one physical state to another physical state; a supply of staples in communication with the smart memory material and placed near the anvil; and an activating apparatus 21 which is in communication with the smart memory material and which can cause the change in the physical state of the smart memory material, which change in state causes the movement of the staples against the anvil thereby securing the staples 40 to the desired body portion. The device utilizes a source of electricity which when activated causes the SMM to expand in volume thereby moving an individual staple from the supply of staples. The device may also contain a surgical knife 62 to cut a body portion wherein a SMM is in communication with the knife whereby when the SMM expands it engages the knife causing the knife to cut the desired body portion. |
| US07766926B2 |
Sling for supporting tissue
A sling for supporting a urethra in a patient has characteristics for resisting pull-out, roll-over and a combination of both pull-out and roll-over. To facilitate resistance to pull-out, sling material has protuberances or serrations to resist movement once placed in the patient by the surgeon. Improved resistance to roll-over or roll-up is achieved by providing relief on the sling in areas potentially subjected to roll-over forces by endopelvic fascia. The sling may be used on female or male patients, and may be used in conjunction with a wider support portion to support a bladder and a urethra, rather than a urethra alone. The sling may also be used to support other tissues within a patient. |
| US07766923B2 |
Integrated handle assembly for anchor delivery system
Integrated system and associated method for manipulating tissues and anatomical or other structures in medical applications for the purpose of treating diseases or disorders or other purposes. In one aspect, the system includes a delivery device configured to deploy and implant anchor devices for such purposes. |
| US07766922B1 |
Burr hole caps and methods of use
In one embodiment, an apparatus comprises: a base structure adapted to be inserted within the burr hole; a lead securing member for securing the lead, the lead securing member comprising a first arm structure and a second arm structure, at least one spring loaded structure adapted to exert a force to bring the first arm structure and the second arm structure together; and a positioning tool having a distal end adapted to be inserted within the lead securing member. When the positioning tool is positioned within the lead securing member, the distal end holds the first and second arm structures a sufficient distance apart to receive a lead between the first and second arm structures; wherein the positioning tool comprises a control structure at a proximal end that, when engaged, causes the distal end of the positioning tool to be released from between the first and second arm structures. |
| US07766921B2 |
Systems, methods and devices for removing obstructions from a blood vessel
Devices and methods for removing an obstruction from a blood vessel are described. The devices are deployed in a collapsed condition and are then expanded within the body. The devices are then manipulated to engage and remove the obstruction. |
| US07766920B2 |
Cannulated fastener system
A cannulated fastener system is provided for orthopedic applications that include attaching bone plates to bone. The bone fastener has a cannulation with an inner shape. One or more screwdrivers is provided with a shaft having a shape that matches the cannulation of the fastener to rotationally fix the fastener to the screwdriver. In addition, the screwdrivers have a cutting blade that begins the drilling of a hole for the bone fastener. The screwdrivers may either be for use with a single fastener or have multiple fasteners loaded within a retaining sleeve for automatic or controlled dispensing. |
| US07766918B2 |
Spinal disc replacement surgical instrument and methods for use in spinal disc replacement
A spinal disc replacement surgical instrument includes a first contacting member positionable along an endplate of a first vertebra and a second contacting member positionable along an endplate of second vertebra. The second contacting member is moveable relative to the first contacting member. A handle assembly is coupled to the first contacting member and the second contacting member. At least one actuating member is positioned between the first contacting member and the second contacting member. The at least one actuating member is moveable by the hand assembly from a first position, wherein the first and second contacting members include an unexpanded configuration relative to one another for insertion in the spinal cavity, to a second position providing expanded configuration relative to one another. The actuating member is configured to displace at least one of the first contacting member and the second contacting member away from each other to move the first contacting member and the second contacting member between the first position and the second position. The first contacting member has a first distal end and the second contacting member has a second distal end. The first end has a first end shape configured to conform to a shape of the first vertebra and the second end has a second end shape configured to conform to a shape of the second vertebra. The first end shape and the second end shape are different shapes. |
| US07766915B2 |
Dynamic fixation assemblies with inner core and outer coil-like member
A dynamic fixation medical implant includes a longitudinal connecting member assembly having an elongate coil-like outer member and an inner cylindrical core attached to the outer member at only one end thereof. Some assemblies include a second longitudinal connecting member in the form of a rod that is fixed to the inner core and extends outwardly from the assembly. Certain assemblies include a threaded core or threaded inserts that cooperate with a helical slit of the coil-like outer member. Two or more cooperating bone screw assemblies attach to the connecting member assembly. The bone screw assemblies may include upper and lower compression members for affixing to and cradling the coil-like outer member only, allowing relative movement between the outer member and the inner cylindrical core. Press fit or snap-on features attach one end of the coil-like outer member to one end of the inner cylindrical core. |
| US07766914B2 |
Adjustable drill guide
An intervertebral disc space preparation guide comprises a first member and a second member. The first member includes a first spacer portion adapted for insertion in an intervertebral disc space and a first cutting block portion through which a first bore extends. The second member includes a second spacer portion adapted for insertion in an intervertebral disc space and a second cutting block portion through which a second bore extends. The first member is movably connected to the second member. |
| US07766913B2 |
Bone shaping instrument and method for using the same
A bone resection tool for resecting an end of a bone along a surface having a curvature comprises a guide, a cutting tool and a track follower. The guide is configured to be removably attached in a fixed position to the end of the bone. The guide is configured to include a track exhibiting a curvature generally corresponding to the curvature of the surface to be resected in the bone. The cutting tool includes a cutting face. The track follower is configured to couple to the cutting tool and cooperate with the track to facilitate reciprocation of the cutting tool relative to the guide to induce the cutting face to resect the bone along the surface having the curvature. A method for cutting a bone along a curved surface conforming to the curvature of a curved surface of the underside of a prosthetic component comprises the steps of incising the tissue surrounding the surface of the bone, positioning a guide alongside the surface of a bone to be cut, affixing the guide to the bone, interconnecting a cutter having a cutting face with the guide, maintaining the cutting face generally parallel to the tangent of the curved surface and traversing the cutting face along the bone while guiding the cutter along the track. The tissue incision incises the tissue surrounding the surface of the bone to be cut in a minimally invasive fashion. The positioned guide includes a track configured to assimilate the curvature of the curved surface of the underside of the prosthetic component. |
| US07766911B1 |
Fixed and variable locking fixation assembly
A locking screw assembly is provided which allows installation into a plate-like member using relatively little force, but which requires relatively great force for removal. The fastener has an annular locking ring provided within a groove in the head of the screw to allow the screw to sit within or flush with the anterior surface of the plate. The through-hole in the plate which receives the locking screw comprises a ledge and an undercut. When the fastener is installed into the plate, the locking ring resides within the undercut and is prevented from backing out by the ledge. The locking ring has a leading surface that may be chamfered or radiused and a trailing surface that may be flat. The chamfer allows the locking ring to easily be inserted into the through-hole by interacting with the through-hole. After installation, the trailing surface contacts the ledge. |
| US07766909B2 |
Sphincterotome with stiffening member
A sphincterotome is disclosed including an elongate shaft having a lumen extending through at least a portion of the elongate shaft. The lumen includes a proximal segment and a distal segment. A cutting element extends within the lumen through the proximal segment of the lumen and extends exterior of the elongate shaft along the distal segment of the lumen. A stiffening member is positioned within the distal segment of the lumen. |
| US07766908B2 |
High-frequency treating instrument for endoscope
A high-frequency treating instrument for an endoscope, includes: a spatula-form high-frequency electrode which is adapted to be protruded from and housed within an insulated flexible sheath of the endoscope; and a concavo-convex portion which serves as an antiskid member when the concavo-convex portion is brought into contact with a mucous membrane and is formed on at least one of side edge portions of a portion closer to a tip end of the high-frequency electrode. |
| US07766906B2 |
Occlusion apparatus
Methods, apparatus, and systems for occluding a tissue opening are provided. One embodiment includes a catheter having an elongate body and a first lumen to direct hypertonic saline through an opening in the lumen to tissue of a fossa ovalis. The embodiment includes a radiofrequency (RF) electrode coupled to the elongate body proximal a distal end of the elongate body. The RF electrode can emit RF energy to the tissues of the passage and the hypertonic saline can facilitate a distribution of the RF energy along the tissue to fuse the tissue of the passage. |
| US07766904B2 |
Adjustable laser probe for use in vitreoretinal surgery
A laser probe including a handpiece and a rigid cannula fixed to the handpiece to prevent relative translational movement-therebetween. An optical fiber for delivering laser energy is supported for translational movement relative to the handpiece. A slidable button is fixed to the optical fiber via a rigid sleeve such that the button and optical fiber move together in the same direction during operation. The fiber may be selectively positioned relative to the button to cause the button to act as a visual indicator of the direction in which the fiber will extend from the cannula. The button may be specially configured with an enlarged head portion to enhance grippability and smooth operation of the button. |
| US07766901B2 |
Device for treating bladder-emptying dysfunctions of a human
The invention relates to a device for treating bladder emptying dysfunctions of a human, in which a catheter that can be inserted into the urethra is provided with a bladder emptying channel and with a balloon arrangement, which serves to seal the bladder and to hold the catheter inside the bladder lumen and which can be filled with a fluid. In addition, an automatically closing valve having an elastically held closure part is provided in a proximal end area of the catheter and is connected via a connecting channel filled with an actuating fluid to an actuating balloon placed at the distal end section of the catheter. Without the use of mechanical means, the closure part can be lead out of a sealing system solely due to a hydraulic action effected by the actuating balloon via the hydraulic pressure built up in the connecting channel at said proximal end section. This closure part can be lead out of the sealing system to such an extent as to open the bladder emptying channel of the catheter for an unobstructed passage of urine. |
| US07766898B2 |
Non-circular side port bore for introducer sheath
The present invention is directed towards a side port for an introducer sheath which precludes the inadvertent excursion a guide wire (or other article or material) through a side port while advancing through the main lumen of an introducer sheath. To prevent inadvertent excursions of a guide wire, the introducer sheath has one or more non-circular side ports. The non-circular component of the side port has a minimum transverse dimension that is smaller than the diameter of the guide wire to be introduced through the lumen of the introducer sheath. Therefore, the small diameter of the non-circular component of the side port prevents a guide wire from inadvertently entering the side port. |
| US07766893B2 |
Tapered multi-chamber balloon
A catheter for carotid artery dilatation that includes a multi-chamber balloon assembly mounted at the distal end of the elongated tube that has at least two tandem chambers. Each chamber communicates with a separate lumen and each separate lumen terminates at the proximal end at a lumen valve head. The chambers have an inflated configuration with a diameter that progressively tapers in a direction from proximal to distal, said taper extends substantially continuously from the proximal end of the balloon assembly to the distal end thereof. |
| US07766892B2 |
Apparatus and methods for treating congestive heart disease
Methods and apparatus are provided for treating congestive heart by actively or passively enhancing perfusion to the renal arteries. A first embodiment comprises a specially configured balloon catheter and extracorporeal pump, wherein the pump operates in a “once-through” fashion or alternating volume displacement mode. In another embodiment the catheter includes a pair of balloons to isolate a region of the aorta, and a third balloon that directs flow into the renal arteries. In still further embodiments, a stent or cuff having a constricted region is deployed in or around the aorta, respectively, to create a backpressure upstream of the stent or cuff. Methods of enhancing renal perfusion also are provided. |
| US07766890B2 |
Paper diaper
A disposable diaper includes a hook and loop fastener which includes: (i) a plurality of hook components, which are fixed in place on both lateral sides of a rear side of the disposable diaper, and (ii) a hook receiving component that is fixed in place at a belly side of the disposable diaper. The hook components are engageable with the hook receiving component to form a fixing member for putting the disposable diaper on a user. The hook receiving component includes a base material section having a target that is visible from a front surface side of the hook receiving component, and a plurality of loops which are fixed in place on a surface of the base material section. Each of the loops is formed of a non-crimp treated continuous filament yarn that is straight or slowly curved. |
| US07766884B2 |
Polymers of fluorinated monomers and hydrophilic monomers
A polymer blend that contains a polymer of fluorinated monomers and another biocompatible polymer. The polymer blend can form a coating on a medical device. The medical device can be used for treat, prevent or ameliorate a medical condition. |
| US07766882B2 |
Syringe piston
A rubber-made syringe piston with a film laminated on it includes a plurality of annular ridges of different outer diameters formed continuously and integrally on a sliding surface of a liquid-contacting, leading end portion of the piston. The annular ridges may preferably be different by from 0.01 to 0.2 mm from one to another in outer diameter. |
| US07766879B2 |
Flashback blood collection needle
A needle assembly includes a transparent or translucent housing with a fluid inlet end, a fluid outlet end, a flashback chamber, and a venting mechanism therebetween. Substantially axially aligned inlet and outlet cannulas extend from the housing and communicate with the chamber. A sealable sleeve covers the external end of the outlet cannula. Relative volumes of the cannulas, the chamber, and the sleeve are selected to provide rapid reliable flashback indicative of venous entry with an internal vent positioned within the housing so as to divide the interior into first and second chambers, with the second chamber being adapted to maintain a negative pressure therein relative to the external environment so as to inhibit leakage of blood from the needle on withdrawal from the patient. |
| US07766878B2 |
Entry needle and related method of use
An embodiment of the invention includes an entry needle. The entry needle may include a cannula, a needle extending within a lumen of the cannula, and a hub operatively associated with a proximal portion of the cannula. The hub may include a branch in communication with the lumen of the cannula. The needle may be movable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the needle may prevent communication between an opening in an outer wall of the cannula and the branch. In the second position, the needle may allow communication between the opening in the outer wall of the cannula and the branch. |
| US07766877B1 |
Medical device and a set of parts for the assembly thereof
A set of parts for providing a medical device, including a lumen element adapted for mounting at a location on the skin of the patient, and a valve member. The lumen element and the valve member have releasable connection members such that, when the connection members are engaged, an assembled medical device is provided which is adapted for accessing an internal organ of a patient. |
| US07766873B2 |
Method and apparatus for detecting occlusions in an ambulatory infusion pump
An improved pump, reservoir and reservoir piston are provided for controlled delivery of fluids. A motor is operably coupled to a drive member, such as a drive screw, which is adapted to advance a plunger slide in response to operation of the motor. The plunger slide is removably coupled to the piston. A method, system, and an article of manufacture for automatically detecting an occlusion in a medication infusion pump is provided. The electrical current to an infusion pump is measured. Based on a series of measurements of one or more variables, the infusion pump detects whether there is an occlusion in the system. |
| US07766866B2 |
Milk pump
A milk pump for pumping milk from a woman's breast comprises a breast hood for receiving tightly a woman's breast. Furthermore, there is a milk collecting arrangement for receiving milk pumped from said woman's breast. This milk collecting arrangement includes a support and a downwards directed opening in the support for providing a suction communication to the breast hood. Moreover, the milk collecting arrangement comprises a manual pumping unit above the said opening. The manual pumping unit includes a wall forming and surrounding a displacement space which comprise a front wall and a peripheral wall extending in longitudinal direction. A suction device is displaceable inside the displacement space to provide suction through the opening, wherein the displacement is provoked by an actuation device. Furthermore, there is a latching arrangement for releasably connecting at least part of the wall of the displacement space to the support for an easy exchange. |
| US07766865B2 |
Breast cap part and breast cap for using the breast cap part
The invention relates to a breast cap part for a breast pump, which is disposed on an areola of a female breast when used. The breast cap includes a truncated base body (1) having a large rear opening (13) and a small front opening (14), the base body being embodied in order to receive a breast cap (6) in a funnel. The truncated base body (1) is at least partially made of a heat accumulating and/or heat conducting material and is heated when required. The heating does not exclusively occur when the body temperature of the female breast is transmitted. Other means for heating the breast cap part are used. |
| US07766864B2 |
Fluid delivery device with autocalibration
A micro fluid delivery device is particularly useful in medical applications. The device may be worn or carried by the user and may deliver drugs or other medicaments to the user or patient. The device has a control system that accepts input from the user and controls all aspects of operation of the device. The control system measures the output of the pump and adjusts the output of the pump to achieve the desired dosage rate and size. This eliminates differences from pump to pump that result from inevitable variations in the manufacturing of such small scale affordable devices. |
| US07766863B2 |
Infusion pump
An infusion pump which includes a fingerprint reader to verify that a patient or a user is authorized to activate a patient-controlled analgesic button. The fingerprint reader can be integrated into the patient-controlled analgesic button. The infusion pump delivers a dose of medication to the patient if the fingerprint of the patient or user matches a pre-loaded fingerprint. |
| US07766861B2 |
Anti-obesity devices
Method and apparatus for limiting absorption of food products in specific parts of the digestive system is presented. A gastrointestinal implant device is anchored in the pyloric portion of the gastrointestinal system and extends beyond the ligament of Treitz. All food exiting the stomach is funneled through the device. The gastrointestinal device includes an anchor for anchoring the device in the pyloric portion and a flexible sleeve that extents into the duodenum. The anchor is collapsible for endoscopic delivery and removal. |
| US07766860B2 |
Catheter systems having flow restrictors
Catheter systems including one or more flow restrictors are disclosed. The catheter systems may include two or more delivery branches. The delivery branches may be connected to a supply catheter section using a branching catheter connector that may include one or more flow restrictors. The flow restrictors may include a restrictor body located within a lumen with a channel located between the restrictor body and interior surface of the lumen, the channel restricting flow through the lumen past the flow restrictor. The channel may be defined by a groove formed in the restrictor body and/or the interior surface of the lumen. Methods of providing pressure relief by flowing fluid past a flow restrictor are also disclosed. |
| US07766858B2 |
Portable hand-operable device for applying pneumatic pressure pulses to an ear canal
A hand-held device (10) for creating a pressure change in a person's ear canal. It has an interior space forming an air chamber (50), a plunger (58) and a valve means (52) frictionally engaged with said plunger (58), a tube (14) with an earpiece (48), and a finger-actuated diaphragm (60) in an external wall of the air chamber (50). The diaphragm (60) moves the plunger (58) from a resting position, and in a first direction. A spring (56) returns the diaphragm (60) to its undepressed position. Initial movement of the plunger (58) in said first direction from said resting position displaces the valve (52) from a first position to a second position at which the valve means (52) is stopped from further movement in said first direction. Further movement of the plunger (58) in said first direction causes the plunger (58) to slide relative to the valve (52). The device (10) is intended for treatment of Mënière's disease and ear pain from other causes.A1 |
| US07766857B2 |
Non-invasive determination of cardiac output, gas exchange and arterial blood gas concentration
A system and method for monitoring the arterial gas concentrations of a patient receiving percutaneous oxygenator support. The system comprises a percutaneous oxygenator for providing medical gases to the venous system of the patient via a catheter. Gases are also removed from the venous system via a catheter. The concentrations and flow rates of the gases provided and removed from the patient are monitored. A CPU analyzes the concentration and flow rate information to compute the arterial gas concentration of the patient. |
| US07766856B2 |
System and methods for advancing a catheter
An advancer system is described for moving an elongate medical device within a body. The system includes a drive unit having a motor. The drive unit is configured to translate movement of the motor to the device so as to alternately advance and retract the device relative to the body. The advancer system also includes a user-operable control system configured to control the drive unit. The control system can interface with a magnetic navigation system. The above-described system allows an operating physician to control catheter advancement and retraction while remaining outside an x-ray imaging field. Thus the physician is freed from repeated x-ray exposure. |
| US07766855B2 |
Adjustable hydrocephalus valve
Hydrocephalus valves, the valve pressure of which, when the patient is in the standing position, is determined at least partly by the weight of an additional gravitation part, are provided with an adjustable spring which partly or fully neutralizes the action of the weight. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner. |
| US07766852B2 |
Nerve treatment apparatus
Nerve treatment/mobilization apparatuses are configured to mobilize a user's peripheral nervous system. The nerve treatment apparatus includes a back support, a pair of force applying members and a neck cradle. Additional optional attachments include upper body nerve mobilization tracks and a lower peripheral nerve mobilization device. |
| US07766851B2 |
Below knee orthosis
A below-knee orthosis comprises a footplate, which is carried by a connecting element projecting therefrom, the upper end part of which has a releasable coupling that can be coupled to an upper part of a patient's lower leg, a longitudinal section of the connecting element being formed of a spring element, which extends in a curved path at a radial distance from a fulcrum of the spring element, and said fulcrum being placed to be essentially aligned with the patient's ankle-joint axis. |
| US07766850B2 |
Derotational brace for treatment of idiopathic scoliosis
A brace for correction of scoliosis is disclosed, comprising at least one thoracic shell element and a pelvic shell element and at least one working element having a main longitudinal axis to be oriented parallel to the trunk to be treated, anchored on one of its opposite ends to the thoracic shell element and on the other to the pelvic shell element, and having spring characteristics adapted to apply continuous de-rotational force about said longitudinal axis. |
| US07766847B2 |
Puncturing device
A puncturing device for generating a puncture wound to sample a body fluid is provided and comprises a press-on part or contact element to be pressed against a body part to generate a puncture, a test sensor for measuring a test parameter value, and an analytical unit for determining whether the value of the measured test parameter satisfies a predefined minimum requirement for successful sampling. In one embodiment, the value of the test parameter is monitored during a waiting period by the test sensor once the value satisfies the predefined minimum requirement. After the waiting period has elapsed, so long as the values of the test parameter monitored during the waiting period are in a range of values that predicts sampling to be successful, the analytical unit initiates a puncture. |
| US07766846B2 |
Rapid blood expression and sampling
Body fluid sampling device comprising a skin-piercing element having a collection zone for receiving body fluid, the device further comprising a fluid receiving means remotely spaced apart from the collection zone so that body fluid in the collection zone will not contact the fluid receiving means initially. The collection zone takes up a very small volume of body fluid of about 10 to 500 nl in a very short time period of less than 0.5 seconds. The fluid receiving means may have a test zone for performing an analytical reaction. Fluid sample from the collection zone is automatically or manually transported to the fluid receiving means to contact the fluid with the test zone. |
| US07766844B2 |
Surgical instrument aspiration valve
A surgical instrument includes a movable member having a proximal portion, the movable member defining an opening at the proximal portion. The instrument includes a stationary member defining an aperture. The stationary member is arranged relative to the movable member with a close fit between the stationary member and the movable member such that aspiration occurs through the movable member substantially only during a portion of a repetitive motion of the movable member. The instrument includes a surgical handpiece coupled to the movable member and the stationary member to provide suction and motion to the movable member. A method of regulating aspiration through a surgical instrument includes providing a close fit between a moving member having an opening at a proximal portion and a stationary member having an aperture such that aspiration occurs through the moving member substantially only during a portion of a repetitive motion of the movable member. The moving member and the stationary member are coupled to a surgical handpiece to provide suction and motion to the moving member. |
| US07766842B2 |
Detection of disordered breathing
Devices and methods for detecting disordered breathing involve determining that the patient is asleep and sensing one or more signals associated with disordered breathing indicative of sleep-disordered breathing while the patient is asleep. Sleep-disordered breathing is detected using the sensed signals associated with disordered breathing. The sensed signals associated with disordered breathing may also be used to acquire a respiration pattern of one or more respiration cycles. Characteristics of the respiration pattern are determined. The respiration pattern is classified as a disordered breathing episode based on the characteristics of the respiration pattern. One or more processes involved in the detection of disordered breathing are performed using an implantable device. |
| US07766841B2 |
Sleep diagnosis device
The sleep diagnosis device 1 of the present invention comprises three-dimensional acceleration sensors 2a and 2b, a posture detector 5 which detects a posture of the patient from a DC component of the three-dimensional acceleration sensors, and a breathing movement detector 4 which detects a breathing movement of the patient from the AC component of the three-dimensional acceleration sensors. The sleep diagnosis device of the present invention can detect the posture (sleeping posture) and the breathing movement of the patient by using one three-dimensional acceleration sensor, so it is possible to reduce the number of sensors. Furthermore, the sleep diagnosis device can detect the breathing movement accurately by the three-dimensional acceleration sensors. |
| US07766840B2 |
Method and system for heart failure status evaluation based on a disordered breathing index
An evaluation of heart failure status is provided based on a disordered breathing index. Patient respiration is sensed and a respiration signal is generated. Disordered breathing episodes are detected based on the respiration signal. A disordered breathing index is determined based on the disordered breathing episodes. The disordered breathing index is trended and used to evaluate heart failure status. The disordered breathing index may be combined with additional information and/or may take into account patient activity, posture, sleep stage, or other patient information. |
| US07766835B2 |
Ultrasound system and method for forming ultrasound images
The present invention provides an ultrasound system for forming an ultrasound image by using a plurality of sub-frames, comprising: a plurality of transducers for transmitting and receiving ultrasound signals along a plurality of scan lines to obtain sub-frames; a determination unit for locating a common point where extensions of said scan lines with respect to the transducers intersect, determine a plurality of virtual common points based on the located common point and determine a plurality of transducer groups, steering angles and a plurality of scan-line groups; a controller responsive to a change of the sub-frames to select scan lines corresponding to the changed sub-frame and adjust steering angles of the selected scan lines based on the plurality of transducer groups, the steering angles and the plurality of scan-line groups; and a processor for synthesizing the plurality of sub-frames to form an ultrasound image. |
| US07766830B2 |
System for monitoring physiological characteristics
Apparatuses and methods for medical monitoring physiological characteristics values such as blood glucose levels for the treatment of diabetes, are presented. The apparatuses and methods provide dynamic glucose monitoring functions that perform predictive analysis to anticipate harmful conditions, such as glucose crash and hyperglycemic incidents for a patient. The dynamic functions can also be used to maximize athletic performance and warn of inadequate nocturnal basal rate. Other aspects include advanced alarm and reminder functions, as well as advanced data presentation tools to further facilitate convenient and efficient management of various physiological conditions. |
| US07766825B2 |
Retractor with interchangeable retractor blades
The present invention relates to a surgical retractor. The surgical retractor may include a handle having a longitudinal axis and proximal and distal ends, a first coupling mechanism adjacent the proximal end of the handle, and a blade member having a proximal end and a distal end. The blade member may have a coupling element, and the coupling element may be configured and dimensioned to connect with the first coupling mechanism. The present invention also relates to methods for treating bone. |
| US07766823B2 |
Endoscopic inflatable retraction device, method of using, and method of making
A method of providing access to tissue for a surgical instrument through a body wall is provided. The method includes providing an expandable retractor having a flexible sheath, the retractor being in a collapsed state; introducing the retractor into the body and placing the retractor adjacent the tissue; expanding the retractor; deploying the flexible sheath by engaging the flexible sheath with a tool and driving the flexible sheath through the body wall with the tool; and inserting the surgical instrument from outside the body through the flexible sheath to provide access to the tissue by the surgical instrument. |
| US07766822B2 |
Hand assisted laparoscopic seal assembly with a ratcheting mechanism
A seal assembly for permitting hand assisted laparoscopic procedures includes a seal cap having a seal positioned within a housing. The housing includes a lower seal ring having a track which supports an upper seal ring for relative rotational motion, wherein the seal is supported between the upper seal ring and the lower seal ring for rotation between an open orientation and a closed orientation. The track includes an inner upstanding annular wall and an outer upstanding annular wall connected by a base member. A ratchet mechanism controls motion of the upper seal ring relative to the lower seal ring. The ratchet mechanism includes a ratchet arm oriented to engage a ratchet surface. The ratchet surface extends outwardly from a center of the seal assembly. |
| US07766819B2 |
Endoscope and endoscope tip forming member
An endoscope including an elongated insertion section configured to be inserted into a lumen of a subject's body from the distal end side thereof, a tip forming portion which forms a distal end portion of the insertion section, and a bending section which is formed on the insertion section and is bent to move the tip forming portion in a given direction. A slope portion is formed on the given-direction side of the tip forming portion. The slope portion is located so that the tip forming portion is tapered from the rear end side toward the distal end side and abuts against an inner wall of the lumen. |
| US07766817B2 |
Organ manipulator having suction member supported with freedom to move relative to its support
An organ manipulator including at least one suction member or adhesive disc mounted to a joint providing freedom of movement of the at least one suction member or adhesive disk relative to its support. A method for retracting and suspending an organ in a retracted position using suction (or adhesive force) so that the organ is free to move normally (e.g., to beat or undergo other limited-amplitude motion) in at least the vertical direction during both steps. |
| US07766814B2 |
Vessel or sac wall treatment and a cardiac assist device
The present invention provides a device and method of treating a vessel in a human or animal body. |
| US07766810B2 |
Probing method and holding method for luminal organ
The present invention enables the desired area on a luminal organ to be held correctly during laparotomy or laparoscopic surgery, even without carrying out dot inking which requires a high degree of skill. In the present invention, a magnetic body is pre-anchored at a specific position inside a luminal organ. During surgery, a magnet is brought close to the outside of the luminal organ, such that the magnetic body is adsorbed to the magnet, along with the body tissue of the luminal organ, enabling traction. |
| US07766809B2 |
Apparatus for separating discrete volumes of a composite liquid
A method for separating at least two discrete volumes of a composite liquid into at least a first component and a second component, comprising centrifuging at least two separation bags containing two discrete volumes of a composite liquid respectively, so as to separate therein the first and second components; transferring at least one fraction of a first separated component from the separation bags into satellite bags connected thereto respectively; detecting a characteristic of a component at determined location in each separation bag; and stopping transferring the at least one fraction of the first component from each separation bag into the first satellite bag connected thereto, upon detection of the characteristic of a component at the determined location. |
| US07766806B2 |
Method for the production of a rotating member and rotating member of a printing press
A rotating member of a printing press is typically a cylinder that is provided with a circumferential area. A securement channel or a flow channel, which is at least partly open toward the circumferential area of the cylinder, is formed in the cylinder. A profiled member, which at least partly covers the securement channel or flow channel, with respect to its circumferential area, is inserted into the cylinder to form an integrated joint with the cylinder. |
| US07766805B1 |
Triceps exercise apparatus
The triceps exercise apparatus is self-contained and needs no anchor or attachment, whether to a user or to an external object. The pouch of the apparatus is pliable and filled with a conforming, pliable weight mass that allows the pouch to rest comfortably over a user's shoulder. The apparatus requires only one hand for use. There is no requirement for grasping with a second hand or anchoring via any other body part. The advantages afforded by this feature are important. For example, an amputee having only one hand or arm can still use the apparatus as effectively as another. A person who cannot, for whatever reason, use a second hand or arm can also use the apparatus. A person undergoing rehabilitation with a focus on only one arm can effectively use the apparatus. Full triceps concentric and eccentric contraction is provided. |
| US07766803B2 |
Push/pull exercise apparatus, device, and method
An apparatus, a device, and corresponding methods for exercise which involve a frame having a substantially right-angle configuration for facilitating its accommodation into a corner of a room and for optimizing its footprint in the room, a pulley system having an adjustable resistance device using a pulley ratio technique, a fixed high pull mechanism, a fixed low pull mechanism, a cross-over exercise mechanism, and a lifting bar, the lifting bar having linear bearings and handles, and the handles subtending an angle in a range of approximately 0 degrees to approximately 45 degrees. |
| US07766799B1 |
Boxing training device
A boxing training device of the present invention includes a base, a support portion and a hit portion. The support portion is disposed on the base, and the hit portion is disposed on the support portion. The hit portion may he stored in a cavity defined by a bottom surface of the base while being removed from the support portion. Therefore, the storage space of the present invention is reduced. |
| US07766797B2 |
Breakaway or folding elliptical exercise machine
An elliptical exercise machine comprising a base support structure having a front portion, a rear portion, and a pivot joint comprising a pivot mechanism configured to pivotally connect the front and rear portions, the pivot mechanism being configured to facilitate a breakaway of the base support and an upward rotation of the rear portion with respect to the front portion, thereby enabling the elliptical exercise machine to fold into a compact configuration; an upright support structure extending upward with respect to the base support structure; a drive assembly operably supported about the rear portion of the base support structure and comprising a drive component configured to rotate about a pivot axis; and a reciprocating foot support operable with the drive assembly and configured to travel about a closed path upon rotation of the drive component and operation of the elliptical exercise machine. In a preferred embodiment, the reciprocating foot support is configured to releasably engage the drive component, thereby allowing the rear portion to fold upward and the reciprocating foot support also to be folded upward and out of the way. |
| US07766793B2 |
Passive-type exercising device and its control device
A passive-type exercising device and its control device are provided in which accuracy of deriving exercise intensity is improved. The passive-type exercising device includes an exercise assistance mechanism for assisting exercise of a user; a load setting value acquisition unit 131 for obtaining a load setting value which is a setting value of a degree that the exercise assistance mechanism assists the user's exercise; an assistance load value derivation unit 132 for deriving an assistance load value that the exercise assistance mechanism assists the user's exercise; a sensor value acquisition unit 134 for obtaining a sensor value outputted by a sensor unit 32 provided at the exercise assistance mechanism; a combined load value derivation unit 135 for deriving a combined load value which is a combined value of the assistance load value and an effective load value of the user's active exercise based on the obtained sensor value; and an exercise intensity derivation unit 150 for deriving an exercise intensity indicating the user's exercise intensity based on the effective load value computed as a difference between the assistance load value and the combined load value. |
| US07766792B2 |
Power train structure for hybrid vehicles
Disclosed are a power train structure that can operate hybrid vehicles in an electric mode at its startup and/or lower speed stages and a method of operation of the same. |
| US07766788B2 |
Drive force output apparatus, method for controlling same apparatus, and vehicle
A drive force output apparatus has a controller that sets an upper limit of power allowed to be consumed by an auxiliary based on at least a reference power storage amount corresponding to the reference of the range in which the power storage amount of a power storage is monitored and controls a power generator, an electric motor, and the auxiliary such that drive force corresponding to target drive force is output to a drive shaft while the power consumed by the auxiliary remains equal to or smaller than the upper limit. |
| US07766786B2 |
8-speed transmission
The transmission has a plurality of members that can be utilized in powertrains to provide eight forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio. The transmission includes four planetary gear sets, five torque-transmitting devices, one grounded member and three fixed interconnections. The powertrain includes an engine and torque converter that is continuously connected to one of the planetary gear members and an output member that is continuously connected with another one of the planetary gear members. The five torque-transmitting devices provide interconnections between various gear members, and the transmission housing, and are operated in combinations of two to establish eight forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio. |
| US07766781B2 |
Differential
A differential for a vehicle having a first output shaft and a second output shaft for wheels is provided. The differential includes an input member for inputting a driving force from an outside of the differential, a first face gear and a second face gear, both of which can be rotated by the input member, the first face gear and the second face gear being rotatable together with the first output shaft and the second output shaft and a pinion member that meshes with both the first face gear and the second face gear so as to allow a differential motion between the first face gear and the second face gear. |
| US07766780B2 |
Continuously variable transmission
A continuously variable transmission comprises a drive shaft which has first and second drive shafts and is provided with rotational power, a planetary gear unit which is meshed with the first drive gear of the drive shaft and has a sun gear secured to an output shaft, and a transmission which receives a portion of driving force to provide additional output. Interruption of power transmission when shifting is prevented. Also, since the construction of the continuously variable transmission is simplified to minimize the load generated due to a shifting operation, power loss resulting from shifting is reduced, and the manufacturing cost is decreased. In particular, since vibration and noise generated upon shifting are decreased, the continuously variable transmission can be widely applied, from a small power device such as a bicycle or a motorcycle to a large power transmission apparatus such as an industrial machine. |
| US07766776B2 |
V-shaped belt, belt-type transmission, and saddle type-vehicle
To enhance the durability of the V-shaped belt by allowing the strength and the heat-radiating property of the resin blocks to stand together at high levels in the V-shaped belt, which has a plurality of resin blocks and endless connecting members connecting the resin blocks. The V-shaped belt includes a plurality of resin blocks arranged in a direction and an endless connecting member that is impacted into the resin blocks and that extends in the arrangement direction of the resin blocks. Depressions are longitudinally and vertically formed in the upside and downside of the front surface and the rear surface of each resin block. The depressions are separated from the connecting member and are also separated from the lateral surfaces of the resin block. |
| US07766772B2 |
Lacrosse handle
A handle for a lacrosse head is provided. The handle includes a hollow metal tube having an interior surface and an exterior surface. The hollow metal tube has a first end for communicating with a throat portion of a lacrosse head and a second end opposing the first end. The hollow metal tube has a first thickness defined by a distance between the interior surface and the exterior surface at one location along the hollow metal tube and a second thickness defined by a distance between the interior surface and the exterior thickness at another location along the hollow metal tube. The first thickness has a greater magnitude than the second thickness. |
| US07766769B2 |
Multi-functional golf tool
An improved multi-functional golf tool having a handle portion formed at its proximal end, and a pair of prongs formed at its distal end and disposed in angular relation with the handle to facilitate the pivotal movement of the golf tool in repairing ball marks or other irregularities on the playing turf, and further providing pivotal leverage when the tool is reversed to aid in removing tees embedded in the ground is disclosed. The handle portion includes a top adapted to removably receive a ball mark. The handle includes a top side that defines a longitudinally aligned, generally U-shaped structure disposed at the handle distal end thereof approximately mid-length on the device that serves multiple functions, such as a thumb-rest, cigar holder, and club grip holder. In a corresponding position on the bottom side of the device a contoured surface runs in a transverse direction thereby providing a comfortable support for the user's index finger. The proximal end of the handle includes a projecting tab that functions as a club face scraper for removing dirt and debris, as well functioning as an opening tool for use with ring-pull tab opening mechanisms commonly found on aluminum drinking cans. The projecting tab further includes opposing left and right thin edge projections that function as clubface groove cleaning structures. Alternate embodiments including a belt clip holder and hat visor clip holder are also disclosed. |
| US07766768B2 |
Golf balls having two or more core layers formed from HNP compositions
The present invention is directed to golf balls having a layer formed from a relatively soft HNP composition and a layer formed from a relatively hard HNP composition. Golf balls of the present invention have at least three layers, including an inner core layer, an outer core layer, a cover, and optionally an intermediate core layer. The present invention is not limited by which golf ball layers are formed from an HNP composition, so long as at least one layer is formed from a relatively soft HNP composition and at least one layer is formed from a relatively hard HNP composition. Relatively soft HNP compositions of the present invention comprise a highly neutralized acid copolymer preferably having a modulus of from 1,000 psi to 50,000 psi. Relatively hard HNP compositions of the present invention comprise a highly neutralized acid copolymer preferably having a modulus of from 25,000 psi to 150,000 psi. |
| US07766762B2 |
True aim putter
The putter according to the invention comprises a putter head having a forward-facing striking surface, a heel, a toe, a top surface and a rear alignment section. The rear alignment section comprises one or more elongated indicator bars of uniform width that project backwards and that are arranged perpendicularly to the striking surface at a first upper level. Arranged at a second, lower level is a corresponding number of elongated warning strips of a contrasting color, each warning strip having approximately the same width as, and being arranged in vertical alignment with, its corresponding elongated indicator bar. |
| US07766758B2 |
Golf training device
A golf training device (100) includes first and second positioning members (110, 120) movably attached to a planar base portion (101). The first and second positioning members (110, 120) are movable from a stowed configuration to a pitch and chip shot setup configuration. The first and second positioning members (110, 120) include one or more indicia (114, 124) for positioning one or more golf balls (20) when moved to the shot setup configuration. The first and second positioning members (110, 120) position the one or more golf balls (20) a predetermined distance from an edge (103) of the device (100). The first positioning member (110) positions one or more golf balls (20) a first predetermined distance (D1) from the device (100) corresponding to a pitch shot. The second positioning member (120) positions one or more golf balls (20) a second predetermined distance (D2) from the device (100) corresponding to a chip shot. |
| US07766756B2 |
Billiard equipment
A cushion for a billiard table is disclosed. The cushion includes an extruded member having a substantially triangular or L-shaped cross-section and a layer of tape on one surface thereof for affixing the cushion to a billiard table. Also disclosed is an improved cue for billiards wherein a substantial portion of the weight of the cue is disposed in a distal portion of the cue located near the tip of the cue, which is used to strike a ball. The cue is preferably modular to allow substitution of various portions of the cue to permit it to be customized to a specific player. Also disclosed is a device for metering the speed of the surface of a billiard table. Also disclosed is a quick-change tip for a cue which includes an elastomeric material that is sized to snugly fit over the distal end of a cue to releasably secure the quick-change tip to the cue. |
| US07766754B2 |
Amusement ride system and method of use thereof
One embodiment of the invention discloses a method for animating an advertising device. The method comprising multiple steps such as providing a track system and a tower that is operatively coupled to the track. The tower can comprise one or more substantially transparent sections. The method further comprises providing a base support system that is operatively coupled to the tower. The base can be operatively coupled to a facade with one or more substantially non-transparent sections. The method further includes providing a vehicle system comprising a passenger-carrying vehicle that is operatively coupled to the track. Finally, the method includes animating the advertising device by transporting the vehicle between the substantially transparent section of the tower and the substantially non-transparent section of the facade. The vehicle movement can, for example, simulate fluid movement between the tower and the facade. |
| US07766753B2 |
Methods and systems for modular self-contained floating marine parks
A water transportation system and method are described, generally related to water amusement attractions and rides. This transportation system comprises at least two water stations and at least one water channel connecting the at least two water stations for the purpose of conveying participants between the at least two water stations. In addition, a floating water park positioned in a body of water is described, as well as, a floating marine park. A floating marine/water park may include one or more floating containers positioned in a body of a first fluid. One or more of the floating containers may function to hold a second fluid, marine life, and/or participants in water amusement activities. A floating marine park may include two or more of the floating containers, which may be assembled and used at a first site, dissembled, and then assembled and used at a second site. |
| US07766751B2 |
Torque limiting devices for actuators
A torque limiting includes first and second rotational plates, first and second springs, and a slip device. The first rotational plate is coupled to a torque input device. The second rotational plate is coupled to a drive shaft, and is configured to be movable along an axial direction thereof. The first spring has a first free length, and exerts a first spring force against the second rotational plate toward the first rotational plate. The second spring has a second free length, smaller than the first free length, and selectively exerts a second spring force against the second rotational plate toward the first rotational plate. The slip device, disposed at least partially within or between the first and second rotational plates, causes relative motion between the first and second rotational plates when torque overcomes the combined first and second spring forces exerted against the second rotational plate. |
| US07766749B2 |
Centralized gaming system with modifiable remote display terminals
A centralized gaming system comprises a central server system and a plurality of display terminals remote from and linked to the central server system. The central server system includes a master game server, a game execution server, and a database server. The master game server stores a plurality of games of chance. Each game includes respective game play software and respective audiovisual software. In response to one of the games being selected for play at one of the display terminals, the game play software for the selected game is loaded from the master game server into the game execution server and is executed by the game execution server to randomly select an outcome. The audiovisual software for the selected game is selectively executed at the display terminal to visually represent the outcome on a display of the display terminal. The database server collects game activity data based on the outcome and maintains such data for report generation and player tracking purposes. The master game server may evaluate the collected game activity data and, in turn, modify one or more of the display terminals for maximizing earnings and target marketing. |
| US07766746B2 |
Game apparatus and game program
The game apparatus comprises a first LCD 11 for displaying a first game image, a second LCD 12 for displaying a second game image relating to the first game image, character display control means for displaying a player character 80 on at least one of the first LCD 11 and the second LCD 12, and character ability changing means for changing the ability of the player character 80 depending on whether the player character 80 is displayed on the first LCD 11 or the second LCD 12. With the above-described game apparatus having two display sections, it is possible to realize amore novel and interesting game. |
| US07766744B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing customizable player bonuses
A method and apparatus for tracking play of a game is disclosed. A first set of game outcomes from play of a game associated with a first enterprise is received and stored in a database. A second set of game outcomes from play of a second game associated with a second enterprise independent from the first enterprise is received and stored in the database. |
| US07766740B2 |
Methods and apparatus for providing a lottery game
A gaming apparatus and method of play including a value input device and a controller operatively coupled to the value input device. The controller receives wager data in response to a wager made by a person on a game, with the wager data including a first plurality of indicia of a first type, a second plurality of indicia of the first type, where the second plurality of indicia potentially randomly selected to replace one or more of the indicia of a first type in at least one of the first plurality of indicia, and the second plurality of indicia also having an indicia of a second type. A winner is determined from matching any of the first plurality of indicia of the first type with any of the second plurality of indicia of the first type, including any replaced indicia, and a value payout is associated with the level of matching. |
| US07766736B2 |
Conveyor chain support for feeder house
A pivoting mid-floor section for use in a feeder house in an agricultural combine is located between the transverse drum and the transverse sprocket means. The pivoting mid-floor can move or adjust when a large volume of crop material is fed into the feeder house, while providing support for the conveyor chain along substantially the entire length of travel between the transverse drum and sprocket means, thus reducing the friction on the chain, and preventing the system slow downs that occurred in feeder house systems using a fixed mid-floor. Additionally, replaceable wear-resistant surfaces can be affixed to the runners or guides of the mid-floor to further extend wear life and reduce friction between the chain slats and mid-floor. The friction occurs between the wear pads on the runners or guides and the chain slats, rather than between the chain components and the mid-floor. |
| US07766733B2 |
Storage control apparatus equipped with a logic board for carrying out storage control
A storage control apparatus comprises a vertical logic board; and a cooling mechanism for cooling the logic board. This cooling mechanism is constituted such that air taken in from the front of the storage control apparatus travels to the rear side of the storage control apparatus and then rises up, this risen air rises further while cooling the vertical logic board, and the risen air is discharged from the rear of the storage control apparatus. |
| US07766732B2 |
Ductless fumehood system
A ductless fumehood system comprising: at least one ductless fumehood comprising a housing; a workspace formed within the housing; a door for selectively closing off the workspace; an air inlet for introducing air into the workspace; a master module for receiving air from the workspace, purging unwanted substances from that air, and then exhausting that filtered air to the ambient room atmosphere; and a slave module for receiving air from the workspace, purging unwanted substances from that air, and then exhausting that filtered air to the ambient room atmosphere; wherein the slave module is in communication with the master module such that the master module central processing unit is capable of (i) controlling the operation of the active elements of the slave module, (ii) detecting a function failure of the slave module, and (iii) activating the master module alarm in the event of a failure within that slave module. |
| US07766729B2 |
Smoking rail feed means and method of accurately feeding the same
A smoking rail feed device as well as a method of accurately positioning a smoking rail in sausage loops or in loops of other products suspended from a hanger, and having, for improved insertion of the smoking rail into the loops, a smoking rail support, on which the smoking rail rests, at least partially, and oriented in the direction of the hanger. The smoking rail support is adapted to be displaced such that the smoking rail is transferred substantially in the longitudinal direction from the smoking rail feed device to a pick-up area of the hanger, in which the loops are arranged for being picked up. |
| US07766728B2 |
Collapsible enclosure for a machine tool
A method and apparatus are provided for a collapsible enclosure for a machine tool. According to one embodiment, a collapsible enclosure for a machine tool comprises a substantially waterproof pan. The pan comprises a base portion and a wall portion extending from the base portion around substantially all of an outer edge of the base portion. The collapsible enclosure further comprises a collapsible frame resting on the base portion of the pan and erected inside of the wall portion of the pan. A substantially waterproof cover substantially surrounds the collapsible frame and extends into the pan to overlap an inner side of the wall portion of the pan. |
| US07766726B2 |
In-situ compressor blade tip cropping assembly and method
An assembly is provided for cropping the trailing edge tip of a stator zero blade in-situ. The cropping assembly includes a base plate that is secured to the end of the compressor stator blade to be cropped; a removable, rotational guide block; and a drill that is mounted to the guide block and rotatable relative to the base plate to crop the trailing edge tip of a stator blade. |
| US07766725B2 |
Shot-blasting machine
A loader arrangement 7 of a shot-blasting machine includes a bucket loader 29 having a tip opening that can be opened and closed by means of a lid 35. The loader arrangement 7 also includes a swivel arm 32, which is vertically and pivotally attached to a frame 4 via a linkage 31, for vertically swiveling the bucket loader 29, and a chain block 34 for swiveling the arm 32. Once the bucket loader 29 has reached the upper position above a rotary drum 5 by means of the swivel arm 32, a guide means 30, which is attached to the arm 32, allows the bucket loader 29 to approach the drum 5 through its top opening by driving a hydraulic cylinder 33, while the tip of the bucket loader 29 is opposed to the bottom wall of the drum 5. Once the tip of the bucket loader 29 is close to the bottom wall or the inner peripheral wall of the drum 5, the lid 35 is opened to drop the work pieces in the bucket loader 29 into the drum 5. Because the work pieces thus tumble from the low level relative to the bottom wall or the inner peripheral wall of the drum 5, the impact of the work pieces being dropped can be inhibited, and thus damage to the work pieces and the noise of the sounds of hitting can be reduced. |
| US07766720B2 |
Play set for toy vehicles
A racing play set for toy vehicles includes a first track segment, a second track segment disposed in intersection with the first track segment, a return portion disposed in communication with the first and second track portions, and a scoring mechanism, where the return portion is configured to be shared by toy vehicles traveling on the first and second track segments, where the return portion is configured to receive a first toy vehicle from the first track segment and return the first vehicle to the first track segment, where the return portion is configured to receive a second toy vehicle from the second track segment and return the second vehicle to the second track segment, where the scoring mechanism is configured to record a pass of the first vehicle through the return portion and a pass of the second vehicle through the return portion. |
| US07766716B2 |
Doll that can be assembled in various ways
The invention relates to the technical field of toys, and more specifically, to a doll capable of being assembled in multiple directions, comprising: a head member, a middle body member, and a foot member, wherein projection members or recessed areas are set on all sides of the head member, except the bottom side, which serves to connect with the middle body member of the doll, with said projection members or recessed areas at the top, left, and right sides of the head member being in the shape of a column or cavity. Through the engagement of the columns with the groove cavities and the engagement of the recessed areas with the projection members at the front and back sides of the head member, the doll is capable of being assembled with other dolls in multiple directions. Therefore, the doll of the invention can provide more fun and entertainment value, providing more opportunities for children to exercise their imaginations. Optionally, a set of key rings can be installed on the head member of the doll of the invention. |
| US07766715B2 |
Method of manufacturing plasma display panel and setter for substrate used therein
In a method of manufacturing a PDP, in which a glass substrate on which a panel structure member precursor is formed is put on a setter and the panel structure member precursor is fired/solidified, the setter mainly includes a material obtained by coupling silicon carbide and silicon nitride, and a difference between a linear expansion coefficient of the setter and a linear expansion coefficient of the glass substrate is 5×10−6/K or less. |
| US07766713B2 |
Method of manufacturing barrier rib for plasma display panel
Disclosed herein is a method of manufacturing a barrier rib for a plasma display panel, including a silicon compound resin. The method according to a first embodiment of this invention includes providing a silicon compound resin layer on a substrate; pressing the silicon compound resin layer using a master having a pattern corresponding to the shape of a barrier rib to be transferred; and curing the silicon compound resin and then releasing the master. In addition, the method according to a second embodiment includes loading a silicon compound resin into grooves of a master having a pattern corresponding to the shape of a barrier rib; pressing the master on a substrate to transfer the silicon compound to the substrate; and curing the transferred silicon compound resin and then releasing the master. |
| US07766709B2 |
Amphibious vehicle steering
An amphibious vehicle has retractable wheels (2, 3) attached to hubs (2), and a planing hull (10, 11, 3). Front wheels are arranged to be steered by a power assisted transversely mounted element (16), which may be a rack and pinion unit. The element may be linked to the wheels by links (14, 14′), which fold up to position (14″) when the wheels are retracted. Actuating rod (28) is mounted to said element, and arranged for transverse movement. A flexible coupling means, such as cable (34) and sleeve (36), connects rod (28) to a steerable part (42, 4) of a marine propulsion unit, to effect marine steering. Road and marine steering may be operable simultaneously. More than one front steered axle, and/or marine propulsion unit, may be fitted. The steering system is readily adapted to all kinds of power assisted steering, and also to “steer by wire”. |
| US07766706B2 |
Female terminal assembly with compression clip
A female terminal assembly includes a core terminal part and a generally U-shaped clip part. The core terminal part is fabricated from an electrically-conductive material and includes a generally U-shaped channel member. The generally-U-shaped channel member defines a generally U-shaped channel extending therethough and an opening into the generally U-shaped channel by a pair of side members interconnected together by a base member. The generally U-shaped clip part is fabricated from a stiff yet resilient material and includes a generally U-shaped clip part channel member defining a generally U-shaped clip part channel. The generally U-shaped clip part is sized to substantially cover the generally U-shaped channel member and is operative to apply opposing compression forces to generally the pair of side members of the U-shaped channel member urging the pair of side members towards each other and into the generally U-shaped channel. |
| US07766705B2 |
Connector arrangement
A connector arrangement comprises a rigid inner conductor (107), a dielectric sleeve (111) arranged around the inner conductor and a rigid outer conductor (109) arranged around the sleeve. A surface of at least one of the inner conductor, the sleeve and the outer conductor is provided with a taper, such that the sleeve fixes the relative transverse positions of the inner and outer conductors at a first end of the arrangement and not at a second end of the arrangement. The inner conductor is longitudinally slidable relative to the outer conductor. Such an arrangement is suitable for use in hostile environments, such as in high temperature pipelines, in which there are large temperature variations and in which the positional variation of mating connectors is high. |
| US07766704B2 |
Lay-in lug nut plate retainer
A lay-in lug has two spaced apart and substantially parallel lug walls. A nut plate is supported between the first lug wall and the second lug wall. A plate retainer exerts force on a lug wall and restricts the plate from moving in a direction substantially parallel to the first and second lug walls. The plate retainer has a flexible retaining base and a pair of retaining legs extending from the retaining base. Snap protrusions extend from each of the retaining legs and are formed to interlock with a portion of the wall of the lay-in lug and restrict movement the nut plate. The plate retainer either snaps around the edge of the lug wall or along the wall's length. It may also clip around the nut plate and prevents its movement in a direction along the inner surfaces of the lug walls. |
| US07766701B2 |
Vertical cable management system with ribcage structure
A cable management system is provided including a rack for holding telecommunications equipment, and a ribcage cable support member along a vertical side of the rack. The ribcage cable support member includes a plurality of forwardly and rearwardly extending ribs. The ribs each include cable retention tabs. A plurality of spools are provided for cable storage on the ribcage cable support member. Holes through the ribcage cable support member allow access between the front and rear portions. An additional rack may be positioned on an opposite side of the ribcage cable support member to the first rack, and two columns of ribs are provided. |
| US07766697B2 |
Connector
Retaining projections are formed on and project outwardly in a right-left direction respectively from right and left side walls of a spacer. The retaining projections are used for achieving a provisionally-retained condition and a completely-retained condition of the spacer. When the side walls are elastically deformed, the retaining projections slide over respective retaining portions of a connector housing to thereby achieve the retained condition. The side walls which can be elastically deformed inwardly in the forward-rearward direction form portions of right and left outermost terminal passage holes, and therefore must hold respective metal terminals, respectively. Therefore, holding projections are formed on and project inwardly in the right-left direction respectively from the side walls. These terminal holding projections serve to hold the respective metal terminals in predetermined positions. |
| US07766695B1 |
Power inlet box with removable socket mounting member
A power inlet box suitable for outdoor or external use is configured in such a manner that an electrical socket may be electrically coupled to an interior load before the electrical socket is secured within the power inlet box. The power inlet box may be formed from weather or otherwise corrosion resistant material such as plastic and is designed such that the electrical socket faces downward toward an exposed lower end of the power inlet box. The electrical socket is supported by a mounting member that may be removably mounted to the power inlet box to secure the electrical socket within the power inlet box. |
| US07766694B2 |
Electrical connector
An electrical connector including a housing, conductive contacts arranged in the housing, each of which has a fixed beam fixed to the housing, a movable beam having a contacting projection and an engaging portion and a connecting strut for connecting the movable beam with the fixed beam, and an actuator rotatable for taking up first and second stations selectively and for engaging with the engaging portion of the conductive contact to cause the contacting projection of the conductive contact to come into press-contact with one of connecting terminals arranged on a circuit board having been inserted into the housing when rotated to shift from the first station to the second station, wherein a first side edge portion of the connecting strut on the side of the contacting projection of the movable beam is substantially perpendicular to the fixed beam and a second side edge portion of the connecting strut on the side of the engaging portion of the movable beam slants from the movable beam to the fixed beam so that a first end portion of the connecting strut connected with the fixed beam is wider in a direction along which the fixed beam elongates than a second end portion of the connecting strut connected with the movable beam, and the movable beam swings with a fulcrum at the second end portion of the connecting strut. |
| US07766693B2 |
Connector systems for electrosurgical generator
A connector system for coupling electrosurgical instruments to electrosurgical generators is provided. The connector system includes a plug portion connectable to an electrosurgical instrument, the plug portion of the electrosurgical instrument having a shape specific to a particular manufacturer; and a plug receptacle portion supported on the electrosurgical generator; the plug receptacle portion being shaped to receive the plug portion of the electrosurgical instrument of the particular manufacturer and the plug portion of the electrosurgical instrument of any other manufacturer. |
| US07766684B2 |
Connector actuation mechanism
A mechanism for electrically connecting a first electronic component to a second electronic component. The mechanism includes an actuating member disposed in the first electronic component including a first connector half and an actuation screw having a head and a threaded end. The actuation screw is located in the first electronic component wherein rotation of the actuation screw urges the actuating member in a direction substantially perpendicular to an axis of the actuation screw thereby engaging the first connector half to a second connector half disposed in the second electronic component. A method for electrically connecting a first electronic component to a second electronic component includes rotating an actuation screw disposed in the first electronic component and in operable communication with an actuating member disposed in the first electronic component, the actuating member including a first connector half. The actuating member is urged in a direction substantially perpendicular to an axis of the actuation screw by the rotation of the actuation screw and the first connector half is engaged to a second connector half disposed in the second electronic component. |
| US07766677B2 |
Dustproof receptacle connector
A dustproof receptacle connector includes a dielectric housing, a plurality of terminals, a shield and a dustproof cover. The dielectric housing defines a plurality of terminal grooves therein for receiving the terminals. The shield surrounding the dielectric housing has a top board. A sliding groove is defined in the top board and extends longitudinally to pass through a rear end of the top board. An engaging portion extends from the rear end of the top board. A receiving groove is surrounded by the engaging portion and the rear end of the top board and communicates with the sliding groove. The engaging portion is bent downward to be attached to a rear portion of the dielectric housing. The dustproof cover is slidably received in the shield and located between the dielectric housing and a front end of the shield. The dustproof cover has a positioning portion slidable along the sliding groove. |
| US07766673B1 |
Fusible link busbar for starter and alternator with dual battery application
An electrical coupling for electrically linking at least one battery to an actuator in a vehicle includes a housing having a base including at least two spaced apart connectors. A busbar has a first conductive portion, a second conductive portion spaced from the first conductive portion, and a fuse portion connecting the first and second conductive portions. The first conductive portion has at least two spaced apart junctions and the second conductive portion has at least one junction. The busbar is sized and configured to fit in the housing in at least a first position and a second position in which the busbar is rotated relative to the first position. |
| US07766671B2 |
Electronic component and method of forming the same
An electronic component includes a substrate, an interconnection element, and a connector. The interconnection element has conductivity. The interconnection element is present over the substrate. The connector is present on the interconnection element. The connector may further include, but is not limited to, a base, at least one stopper, and at least one sloped guiding surface. The base projects from the interconnection element in a first direction that is vertical to the surface of the substrate. At least one stopper projects from the base in a second direction that is parallel to the surface of the substrate. The one stopper has a stopper surface. |
| US07766668B1 |
Low profile electrical conductor assembly for interconnecting conductive components in a stacked configuration
A thin profile electrical connector assembly for interconnecting conductive components, such as circuit boards, in a stacked configuration, includes a frame-shaped insulating body member having opposite ends and opposite leg members. A plurality of adjacently disposed and spaced apart connector elements are configured on at least one of the leg members. Each connector element includes a lower arm held in the leg member and that terminates at a contact tail that extends outward from an outer side of the leg member, and a resilient arm that extends from the lower arm at an obtuse angle towards the opposite leg member. The resilient arm terminates in a resilient contact nose that extends above an upper surface of the leg members. The insulating body defines an open space between the opposite leg members whereby the resilient arms of the connector elements are pressed into the open space upon use of the connector assembly such that the connector assembly has a profile height in use that corresponds essentially to the thickness of the leg members. |
| US07766664B2 |
Power connector and power connector assembly with contact protection mechanism
The present invention relates to a power connector. The power connector includes a housing and a number of contacts received in the housing. At least one of the contacts includes a pair of opposite walls spaced apart at a predetermined distance. The walls have a front end respectively. The contact may further include a contact protection mechanism for protecting the contacts, wherein the contact protection mechanism bridges the front ends of the walls. The present invention also relates to a power connector assembly. |
| US07766660B1 |
Electrical connector housing
The present invention is an electrical connector housing comprising a central segment and two connector holders. The central segment has two sides and two wings. The wings are formed respectively on and protrude respectively from the sides of the central segment, and each wing has parallel grooves. The connector holders are mounted pivotally respectively on the wings, and each connector holder has a notch. Each notch has two edges and two tracks. The tracks are formed respectively near the edges, are mounted pivotally respectively in the grooves and enable the connector holder to pivot up to 180 degrees relative to the central segment. |
| US07766658B2 |
Systems and methods for intra-oral diagnosis
Systems and methods are disclosed for detecting or diagnosing diseases by sampling and testing intra-oral fluids. |
| US07766651B2 |
Reflow furnace
A reflow furnace comprises: a carrier device to carry a printed circuit board with electronic components mounted thereon; a heating chamber to heat through an ambient gas the printed circuit board carried therein to solder the electronic components on a surface of the printed circuit board; and an ambient gas purification equipment including a retrieving device to retrieve a part of the ambient gas containing vaporized flux component when soldering, a heating device to heat the retrieved ambient gas to a desired temperature, an oxidation catalyst to burn the flux component contained in the heated ambient gas, and a returning device to return a high temperature gas after being burned to the heating chamber. |
| US07766647B2 |
Open loop pressure control for injection molding
An injection molding system is disclosed having a self-regulating valve for balancing melt flow. The self-regulating valve includes a control rod configured to balance the melt flow rate through a hot runner system. The self-regulating valve reacts to an injection or melt pressure within the hot runner system and a pre-set force provided by an external force device. The self-regulating valve is an open-loop system as it requires neither a measurement of pressure by a sensor nor feedback from a processor in order to regulate the melt flow. The self-regulating valve mechanically reacts to changes in melt pressure on control surfaces thereof by “bobbing” upwards/downwards to decrease/increase the melt flow accordingly. The self-regulating valve compensates for conditions that affect melt pressure, such as an increase/decrease in melt viscosity, changes in melt temperature, and/or mold cavity size without the use of a processing device. |
| US07766640B2 |
Contact lithography apparatus, system and method
A contact lithography apparatus, system and method use a deformation to facilitate pattern transfer. The apparatus, system and method include a spacer that provides a spaced apart parallel and proximal orientation of lithographic elements, such as a mask and a substrate, when in mutual contact with the spacer. One or more of the mask, the substrate and the spacer is deformable, such that deformation thereof facilitates the pattern transfer. |
| US07766636B2 |
Oscillating variable displacement ring pump
An oscillating variable displacement ring pump provides both positive and variable displacement. A housing circumscribes a pump chamber. The pump chamber encases an oscillating ring driven by a crankshaft. The crankshaft's offset shaft is located inside the pump chamber. The ring encircles the offset shaft. A bearing rotatably attached to the offset shaft rolls inside the ring. When the pump chamber is sealed, rotation of the offset shaft causes ring oscillation in the chamber. Ring oscillation creates vacuum pressure, which draws substances into pump chamber via an inlet port while pumping out substances of the pump chamber via an outlet port. A valve within the pump chamber contacts the ring and follows ring oscillation to help separate incoming substances from outgoing substances. The pump can include an adjustable internal by-pass means to control the volume and pressure of substances delivered by the pump. |
| US07766634B2 |
Crescent gear pump with novel rotor set
A novel crescent gear pump and pump rotor set for a crescent gear pump. The rotor set includes an outer rotor with teeth having a composite profile formed over the portion adjacent their root to conform to a circular arc and formed over the portion adjacent their tip to conform to a hypocycloid arc. The unique shape allows for increased volumetric capacity of the rotor set, when compared to trochoidal rotor sets of the same size. Further, operating noise is reduced, as are pulsations in the output of the pump when compared to the same pump with a trochoidal rotor set. |
| US07766632B2 |
Scroll compressor with improved oil flow pathways
A scroll-type compressor includes a compression unit, a main frame supporting the compression unit, and a driving shaft having an oil supply path. The oil supply path is located eccentrically with the driving shaft and an upper part of the driving shaft is supported by the main frame. The compressor also has a motor for rotating the driving shaft, an oil cap located on an upper side of a rotor of the motor, and a balance member to compensate the driving shaft. |
| US07766631B2 |
Piston pump
To provide an efficient piston pump having a small number of parts and simple assembly steps, and consuming less current in achieving a relatively low ultimate pressure. The piston pump comprises: a suction port (28) through which gas sucked by varying the volume of a pump chamber (22) defined by a cylinder (12) and a piston (14) fitted in the cylinder (12) passes as the piston (14) is reciprocated, an exhaust port (20) through which the gas discharged by varying the volume of the pump chamber (22) passes, a suction valve (26) installed in the suction port (28) disposed on a piston top, and an exhaust valve (18) installed in the exhaust port (20) disposed on a top of the cylinder (12). |
| US07766628B2 |
Sealed compressor with structure on lower housing shell to assist weld placement
A compressor is provided with a dimple and a lower end cap to receive a positioning fixture pin to position the lower end cap prior to a welding operation. The use of the dimple ensures the lower end cap is properly positioned when welding occurs. In the past, lower end caps have often been mis-aligned when welded to the center shell. Further, the dimple provides the dual function of positioning a magnet within the compressor housing. |
| US07766623B2 |
System for manufacturing a rotor having an MMC ring component and an airfoil component having monolithic airfoils
A system for manufacturing an integrally bladed rotor is provided. This system includes a ring component, wherein the ring component further includes at least one metal matrix composite and a plurality of radially outwardly facing blade conical surfaces; an airfoil component, wherein the airfoil component further includes: a plurality of individual airfoil blades, wherein each of the plurality of airfoil blades further includes a radially inwardly facing blade conical surface; and inertia welding means for frictionally engaging under an axially applied weld load the ring component and the airfoil component to effect an inertia weld therebetween along the conical surfaces. |
| US07766622B1 |
Quick assembly blades for ceiling fans
Easy to attach and detach blades for overhead ceiling fans. A first version has a ceiling fan blade with keyhole slots that fit over flat topped fasteners on a mounting arm. Pulling the blade away from the arm locks the slots to the fasteners. A second version is similar to the first and has a decorative bottom cover having snappable tapered protrusions which attach through the keyholes and into mateable through-holes in the mounting arm connection. The third version has a protruding end portion of the blade that fits into a slot in the mounting arm where spring loaded pistons press into grooves in the protrusion end portion of the blade. Latching handles allow users to manually move the pistons. A fourth version has a slot in the blade which fits about a mateable housing in the mounting arm where opposing spring loaded pistons press into interior wall grooves in the slot of the blade. A fifth version has the blade with slots fit over the end of the mounting arm so that pulling the blade from the mounting arm causes spring loaded piston to interlock into a interior wall groove in the slot of the blade. |
| US07766618B1 |
Turbine vane endwall with cascading film cooling diffusion slots
A turbine stator vane for use in a gas turbine engine, the stator vane having an endwall that forms a hot gas flow path through the vane, where the endwall includes a row of diffusion slots extending around both the pressure side and the suction side of the airfoil to provide film cooling. Each diffusion duct is connected to a plurality of film diffusion channels that are slanted with respect to the endwall surface. Each of the film diffusion channels is connected to a metering and impingement hole to supply cooling air to the slots. Cooling air is metered through the metering holes, then impinged against the diffusion channel and then diffused into the ducts and discharged as film cooling air over the endwall surface. The row of diffusion ducts extends along both sides of the airfoil and around the leading edge region to provide film cooling along the entire endwall. |
| US07766617B1 |
Transpiration cooled turbine airfoil
A turbine airfoil or a substrate exposed to a high temperature environment having a plurality of modular formed cooling circuits with diffusion chambers and cooling holes for each module. Each module includes diffusion chambers and transpiration cooling holes and is placed on the airfoil substrate and a refractory material is formed over the modules. The modules are then leached away leaving the diffusion chambers and cooling holes formed between the substrate and the refractory coating. |
| US07766614B2 |
Compressor casing
A compressor or fan casing is provided with a casing treatment to improve the surge margin of an unshrouded rotor stage. The casing treatment takes the form of an insert (20) let into the casing wall (10) to provide a plurality of re-circulation grooves (22) in the wall circumscribing the path of the rotor blade tips. The insert consists of a plurality of arcuate insert segments (20) made of a carbon fiber reinforced resin. In the preferred construction each arcuate segment (20) is formed with axially extending tangs (28,29) on either side that are received into the correspondingly shaped sides (38,40) of a receiving channel (16) in the casing wall (10). The casing (10) may be split on a diametric plane, thus exposing groove ends (38,40), into which the tangs (28,29) carried by the inserts (20) can be slid before the casing (10) is finally assembled. |
| US07766610B2 |
Turbomachine
Annular or ring-segment-shaped cavities (2, 7) which are formed in particular in multi-shell (11; 12, 13) casings of turbomachines are preferably provided with suitable means for compensating for forming temperature stratifications. According to the invention, an overflow passage (14) connects two points of the cavity to one another which are situated in different circumferential positions. Arranged in the overflow passage (14) is an ejector (17) which can be operated with a motive fluid and which serves to drive a flow through the overflow passage from an upstream end (15) to a downstream end (16). |
| US07766599B2 |
Plasma lifted boundary layer gas turbine engine vane
A plasma boundary layer lifting system includes at least one gas turbine engine vane having a spanwise extending airfoil with an outer surface extending in a chordwise direction between opposite leading and trailing edges and chordwise spaced apart plasma generators for producing a plasma extending in the chordwise direction along the outer surface. Each plasma generator may include inner and outer electrodes separated by a dielectric material disposed within a spanwise extending groove in the outer surface. The airfoil may be hollow having an outer wall and the plasma generators being mounted on the outer wall. A method for operating the system includes forming a plasma extending in the chordwise direction along the outer surface of the airfoil. The method may further include operating the plasma generators in steady state or unsteady modes. |
| US07766597B2 |
Loader work machine
The invention provides a loader work machine with improved front visibility and improved aesthetic appearance. The loader work machine includes a self-propelled machine body, a work device having a boom, a boom cylinder, and a side frame for vertically pivotally supporting base portions of the boom and the boom cylinder, and a frame unit for attaching the work device to the self-propelled machine body. The frame unit has a support platform projecting laterally outward from the self-propelled machine body and a main frame mounted erect on the support platform for supporting and connecting a lower portion of the side frame. An accumulator is connected to the boom cylinder for absorbing shock occurring during a vertical pivotal movement of the work device and this accumulator is attached to the frame unit. |
| US07766596B2 |
Attachment for a telescopic material handler for manipulating a load with five degrees of freedom
An attachment for a telescopic material handler supplies five degrees of freedom (DOF) for the task of picking, manipulating and aiding in the installation of vertical and horizontal wall cladding and other construction materials. The cladding can be of a size up to 1.3×8.0 m and a mass of 350 kg. The control and positioning of the load is accomplished through standard operation of the telehandler in conjunction with wireless control of the five DOF of the device. Hydraulic power for the device functions may be supplied through the telehandler auxiliary circuit. The auxiliary flow also powers a hydraulic generator, which supplies the device with electrical power for both system logic and control and vacuum generation. The cladding panels are handled by the vacuum system. |
| US07766594B2 |
Slot nut for securement of channel
A slot nut is provided for securing a threaded rod to a section of channel where the channel defines a slot and the slot nut is affixed to the threaded rod prior to receipt within the slot. A method of securing threaded rod to channel defining a slot using a slot nut is also disclosed wherein the slot nut is affixed to the threaded rod prior to the threaded rod being positioned within the channel slot. |
| US07766592B2 |
Screw nut for torque limiting, and the use of such a screw nut in a retainer module for limiting the clamping force
The present application describes to a screw nut for limiting the torque or the clamping force that is produced by screwing a screw onto a component to be screwed into place, as well as to the use of such a screw nut in a retainer module. The screw nut comprises a clamping body which during screwing comes to rest against the component to be screwed into place. Furthermore, the screw nut comprises a screw body, by means of which the screw nut can be screwed onto the screw. The clamping body and the screw body are movably arranged between an unlocked position and a locked position so that when a defined clamping force is exceeded the unlocked position is taken up, with a restoring force continuously acting against this state transition. |
| US07766591B2 |
Method of transporting roof construction panels
A method of transporting insulation panels to a location, the method comprising providing a plurality of insulation panels; placing a predetermined number of said insulation panels into stacks, said stacks including a top surface, lateral sides and a bottom surface; covering said stack with a heat shrinkable material, wherein said heat shrinkable material covers said top surface and said lateral sides, at least a portion of said material extending below the intersection between said bottom surface and said lateral sides; heating said heat shrinkable material, thereby shrinking said heat shrinkable material substantially flush against said lateral sides; loading a plurality of stacks on a vehicle; and moving said vehicle with said plurality of stocks to the location. |
| US07766581B2 |
System, method, and apparatus for independent retention of a locking device on mooring connections
A tendon or riser connector has a separate lock-down device that overrides the connector's ability to unlock if the riser or tendon goes slack. The connector has a lock ring that engages a groove profile on a receptacle and is prevented from accidentally unlocking with a cam ring and set of blocks. The blocks are movably positioned between engaged and disengaged positions that correspond to the locked and unlocked positions of the lock ring. |
| US07766578B2 |
Method and apparatus for recovering and transporting methane gas
This invention relates to the field of the recovery of methane gas from a coal mine and conventional Natural Gas. More particularly, it involves an apparatus and method for economically recovering methane gas from a coal mine and transporting the methane gas to an end user or other location. The invention further provides an apparatus and method for economically recovering Natural Gas that is stranded due to high impurities that requires processing and/or Natural Gas that is not located near a pipeline. According to a first preferred embodiment of the invention, such methods for recovering and transporting gas comprise (a) transferring gas from a producing well to a first subterranean capacitor and storing the gas in said capacitor and (b) transferring gas from the first subterranean capacitor to a second subterranean capacitor, a pipeline, an end user, a gas processor, or a power plant. |
| US07766576B2 |
Implement frame tube joint with weldable connector
A tube over tube joint for an implement frame includes a self-fixturing weldable connector positioned between upper and lower tubes. Standard fillet welds connect the tubes to the connector. A unitary casting can be used made from material selected to optimize load transfer between the top and bottom tubes to improve the fatigue life of the joint. The casting is self-fixturing so the top tubes can be located by simply placing in the casting on the lower tubes. A tube end connector provides fixturing and weld surfaces for butt joints in planar frames. Outwardly extended weld edges on the connector increase resistance to parallelogramming. |
| US07766571B2 |
Accessory for a writing implement or the like
There is provided an accessory for a writing implement including a body assembly comprising a barrel and a split plug and defining a passage therethrough adapted to receive a pencil. The barrel is provided with an internally threaded end adapted to be engaged by an outer threaded portion of the split plug which is provided with a pair of opposed slots. The respective threaded portions are relatively tapered whereby threaded engagement of the split plug with the barrel causes the slots to close up such that the pencil is retained thereby. The barrel is provided with a pocket clip. |
| US07766568B2 |
Printhead carrier having zero clearance bearing arrangement
A printhead carrier having a zero clearance bearing arrangement includes a first open-faced bearing coupled to a dampener frame. The first open-faced bearing has a first bearing surface positioned to contact the cylindrical guide surface of a guide rod of an imaging apparatus. A second open-faced bearing is coupled to the dampener frame. The second open-faced bearing has a second bearing surface positioned to contact the cylindrical guide surface of the guide rod. The guide rod is diametrically positioned between the first open-faced bearing and the second open-faced bearing. An elastic foam member is interposed between the first open-faced bearing and the dampener frame. The elastic foam member is compressed to exert an expansion force between the first open-faced bearing and the dampener frame to load the second open-faced bearing on the guide rod in a zero-clearance relationship with the guide rod. |
| US07766560B2 |
Connector module and method of manufacturing the same
A connector module (31, 71) has a base body (21) having a first contact (27) for electrically contacting an optoelectronic module (72) to be positioned into a depression (36) in the base body, a second contact (25) for electronically contacting a board, and a conductive trace (23) for electrically connecting the first (27) and second (25) contacts on a surface of the base body (21), and a molded part (33), the molded part (33) being cast onto the base body (21) across a first part of the surface, and the base body (21) and/or the molded part (33) defining a through-opening (13, 19, 37) for introducing a fiber (73). The base body (21) and the molded part (33) form two jaws for gripping the fiber (73). |
| US07766557B2 |
Expanded beam connector and expanded beam optoelectronic device
The fiber optic connector includes a housing, a first lens, a second lens, a first ferrule, a second ferrule, a first optical fiber, a second optical fiber, an o-ring, and a clip. The housing includes a collar, a mounting portion, and a groove formed in the mounting portion. The first and second lenses, and the first and second ferrules are attached to the housing. The first and second optical fibers are attached to the first and second ferrules, respectively. The first and second lenses are in optical communication with the first and second optical fibers, respectively. The o-ring is attached to the collar. The clip is mounted to the groove formed in the mounting portion of the housing. The fiber optic connector is mountable to a back-plane of a host device. |
| US07766556B2 |
Field terminatable fiber optic connector assembly
A fiber optic connector assembly includes a connector and a carrier. The connector, defining a longitudinal bore extending through the connector and having a first end region and a second end region, includes a ferrule assembly, having an optical fiber extending through the connector, at least partially disposed in the longitudinal bore at the first end region, a tube, defining a passage and having a first end portion disposed in the longitudinal bore at the second end region and a second end region, and a spring disposed in the bore between the ferrule assembly and the tube. The carrier includes a cable end and a connector end engaged with the connector, a termination region disposed between the connector end and the cable end, a fiber support region disposed between the connector end and the termination region, and a take-up region disposed between the connector end and the fiber support region. |
| US07766555B2 |
Roller bearing and method of assembling the same
A roller bearing utilizing a roller retainer, which has an excellent assemblability in the sense that the assembly line can be automated and which eliminates various problems inherent in the full complement roller bearing The roller bearing includes an outer race having a raceway, a plurality of rollers held in rolling contact with the raceway, and a ring-shaped roller retainer having a plurality of pockets, each rollingly receiving the respective roller, spacedly defined therein in a direction circumferentially thereof to form a ladder-like structure. The roller retainer has a plurality of slits that are spacedly defined in a direction circumferential thereof so as to extend from one axial end or the other axial end of the roller retainer to a position adjacent the other axial end or one axial end. |
| US07766554B2 |
Wheel rolling bearing apparatus
Crowning is applied to a side surface of an inner ring which abuts against a side surface of a drive shaft in a radial direction. With this construction, when the two side surfaces abut against each other by a pressing operation of a threadedly-engaged nut at the time of connecting the drive shaft and an inner shaft, a contact pressure distribution of abutting surfaces is made generally uniform, thereby suppressing the occurrence of an edge load. By thus preventing a contact pressure from increasing at part of the abutting surfaces, energy released by a stick-slip phenomenon is reduced, and a sound pressure level of an abnormal sound generated at this time is reduced. |
| US07766553B2 |
Ball bearing retainer, and ball bearing employing the same
An inventive ball bearing retainer (4) is entirely composed of a resin composition, and has pocket surfaces (6) for retaining balls (5) and projections (8) provided on the pocket surfaces (6) and containing a solid lubricant (CB). A ball bearing (1) incorporates the ball bearing retainer (4). By the effect of the solid lubricant (CB), the projections (8) are less liable to be worn out in a short period particularly when the ball bearing (1) is used in a higher temperature environment. The projections (8) define clearances between the balls (5) and the pocket surfaces (6), making it possible to maintain the effect of preventing noise, increase in the torque of the ball bearing (1), reduction of the service life of a lubricant and the like for a longer period of time. |
| US07766552B2 |
Bearing lubricating device
A bearing lubricating device, reducing the manufacturing cost and facilitating the dimensional control and the assembly process, comprises a casing provided around an outer ring rotating relatively to a support shaft; and a lubricating member provided in the casing, which is, after the casing has been fitted over the outer periphery of the outer ring, in contact with the outer ring to apply a lubricant contained in the lubricating member to the outer periphery of the outer ring. When the casing is fitted around the outer ring, the lubricating member is in contact with the outer ring in a position either on a line, that extends in parallel to a tangent passing through a contact point between the outer ring and a supported item borne on the outer ring and passes through the center of the outer ring, or on the opposite side of the line to the contact point. |
| US07766550B2 |
Centering mechanisms for turbocharger bearings
An exemplary spring for positioning a turbocharger bearing in a housing includes a free standing inner diameter, a free standing outer diameter and a substantially sinusoidal shape to provide an inward radial bias and to provide an outward radial bias wherein the spring balances the inward radial bias with the outward radial bias to thereby position a turbocharger bearing in a housing. Various exemplary springs, bearings, housings, assemblies, etc., are also disclosed. |
| US07766546B1 |
Beta variation cancellation in temperature sensors
An apparatus and method for canceling variations in the beta for a bipolar junction transistor so that the diode equation can be employed to accurately measure the temperature of the transistor based at least in part on a ratio of two target collector currents and two measurements of the base-emitter voltage of the transistor. If the determined collector current of the transistor is relatively equivalent to one of the first and second target collector currents, the transistor's base-emitter voltage is measured and stored. An analog feedback circuit can be employed to change the determined collector current to be relatively equivalent to the first and second target collector currents. The analog feedback circuit can include an optional sample and hold component to further reduce power consumption and reduce noise. A digital circuit can be employed to change the determined collector current to be relatively equivalent to the first and second target collector currents. Additionally, the transistor can be remotely located in another integrated circuit. |
| US07766545B2 |
Safety lid and method for use of same
A safety lid is disclosed for use in combination with a drinking cup. In one embodiment, a body of integrally molded construction is provided that is shaped to fit a lip of the drinking cup. A fluid passageway traverses the body to permit a liquid in the drinking cup to be sipped therethrough. Microcomponents are embedded in the body and operably connected for measuring a temperature of the liquid and if the measured temperature is outside of a temperature range closing the fluid passageway. |
| US07766542B2 |
Apparatus, system, and method for determining a catalyst bed temperature
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for determining a catalyst bed temperature. The method may include receiving a current fluid mass flow within an exhaust pipe and a total amount of unburned fuel available for catalytic combustion. The method may further include determining a plurality of fluid enthalpy values corresponding to various locations within the exhaust pipe. The method may continue with calculating an amount of fuel burned on an upstream catalyst based on the plurality of fluid enthalpy values, and determining an amount of fuel remaining that is available for combustion on a downstream catalyst. The method may determine a combustion efficiency of the downstream catalyst based on the temperature rise across the downstream catalyst, and an amount of heat generated within the downstream catalyst based on the combustion efficiency and the amount of fuel remaining that is available for combustion on the downstream catalyst. The method may conclude with determining a downstream catalyst bed temperature based on the net heat generation, the fluid mass flow through the downstream catalyst, and the thermal response of the downstream catalyst. |
| US07766541B2 |
Method for detecting abnormality of temperature sensor in machine tool
The invention relates to a method for detecting an abnormality of a temperature sensor. A plurality of temperature sensors are preliminarily grouped for each of predetermined attachment areas of a machine tool, and after a temperature of each part is measured in S1, the detected temperatures are classified in S2 for each of the grouped attachment areas, and then sorted in descending order in S3. Subsequently, a difference ΔT between any closest two of the detected temperatures is obtained in S4, and then compared with a preset limit value γ in S5, when ΔT exceeds the limit value γ, temperature sensors in a corresponding attachment area are determined abnormal in S6, and an alarm is displayed. |
| US07766540B2 |
Kitchen blender
A kitchen blender provides improved efficiency of mixing and cleaning by positioning the motor and electrical components in an enclosed top component which mounts snuggly into a pitcher with a smooth, easily cleaned interior surface and an enlarged base. |
| US07766537B2 |
Lightweight foamed concrete mixer
An apparatus for on-site manufacturing of lightweight concrete used for insulation in roof decks and roof systems of building structures. The apparatus is supported on a transportable trailer frame and includes a mixer, a concrete pump, and one or more tanks for holding a mixture of water and chemical products, such as foaming agents. The chemical agents/water solution is mixed with pressurized air according to a desired foam density and volume and is pumped through a foam cylinder ejector. The air/solution mixture exiting the ejector is directed into a carburetor which generates a foam product by mechanical impact of the air/solution mixture with beads contained in the carburetor. Concrete and the foam product are combined in the mixer, in accordance with a predetermined mixture ratio, and released into the concrete pump for forced discharge from the apparatus and application to a roof structure. A programmable logic controller controls the discharge rate and the amount of cement and foam product needed per batch according to the desired mixture ratio. |
| US07766534B2 |
Planar lighting device
The planar lighting device includes a pair of light sources, a light guide plate and a housing. The light guide plate is disposed between the light sources and includes a light exit plane and a pair of opposite light entrance planes respectively provided opposite to the light sources. The planar lighting device thus configured features a heat dissipation structure whereby a heat sink is connected to each of the light sources and heat pipes are attached to the heat sink so as to extend toward the center of the housing. Disclosed is a thin and lightweight planar lighting device suitably used for a large display television or the like, capable of emitting illumination light free from brightness unevenness or with a reduced level of brightness unevenness, allowing increase of dimensions of the display area, and capable of optimally releasing heat generated by the light sources. |
| US07766528B2 |
Back-lit displays with high illumination uniformity
A directly illuminated display unit has a display panel and one or more light sources disposed behind the display panel. A diffuser is disposed between the one or more light sources and the display panel, and a light diverting layer is disposed between the one or more light sources and the diffuser. The light diverting layer has a first light-diverting surface facing the one or more light sources and a second light diverting surface facing the display panel. The light diverting layer diverts light passing from the one or more light sources to the diffuser, thus improving the uniformity of the light in the display unit. |
| US07766521B2 |
Aircraft interior sidewall paneling systems provide enhanced cabin lighting and ventilation
An interior sidewall panel assembly for a passenger aircraft includes a generally planar sidewall structural panel having a D-shaped window opening with an apex that is directed rearward and tilted slightly upward relative to the horizontal, a window assembly disposed in the window opening, an indirect lighting module disposed at a forward edge of the D-shaped window assembly and arranged to direct light forwardly such that the light washes onto a rear margin of a structural panel of a next adjacent panel assembly located immediately forward of the light module, and a kick panel disposed at a lower margin of the structural panel that incorporates cabin ventilation or decompression ducts and vents and an accent light adapted to direct light onto a cabin floor of the aircraft. |
| US07766520B2 |
Lighting unit with replaceable and rotatable lens
A lighting unit with a replaceable and rotatable lens. The lens unit can be removed and replaced. A lens rotating motor is off axis, and is counterbalanced by the light bulb holding structure that is located at the other side of the lighting unit. |
| US07766518B2 |
LED-based light-generating modules for socket engagement, and methods of assembling, installing and removing same
Modular lighting fixtures that allow convenient installation and removal of LED-based light-generating modules and controller modules. In one example, a modular lighting fixture includes a housing configured to be recessed into or disposed behind an architectural surface such as ceiling, wall, or soffit, in new or existing construction scenarios. The fixture housing includes a socket configured to facilitate one or more of a mechanical, electrical and thermal coupling of the light-generating module to the fixture housing. The ability to easily engage and disengage the LED-based light-generating module with the socket, without removing the fixture housing itself, allows for straightforward replacement of the light-generating module upon failure, or exchange with another module having different light-generating characteristics. Modular lighting controllers for such fixtures also may be easily installed in or removed from the fixture housing via the same access route by which the light-generating module is installed and removed. |
| US07766517B2 |
Active enclosure for computing device
A computing device is disclosed. The computing device includes a housing having an illuminable portion. The computing device also includes a light device disposed inside the housing. The light device is configured to illuminate the illuminable portion. |
| US07766515B2 |
Light source with non-imaging optical distribution apparatus
A light transforming method and device that includes a lens having one or more specifically shaped surfaces designed to generate an output image by directing the appropriate amount of electromagnetic energy from a substantially collimated beam to the required regions of the output image for the purpose of recreating the output image. The lens has one or more non-imaging radiant energy distribution surfaces that is of a non-uniform. shape. |
| US07766508B2 |
LED lighting fixture
A light emitting diode (LED) lighting fixture for achieving a desired illumination pattern includes a panel and one or more LEDs attached to a surface of the panel. One or more of the LEDs may be mounted at an angle to the surface. |
| US07766503B2 |
Medical-patient-room ceiling light fixture
A ceiling light fixture for medical patient rooms and a method for the same. The fixture comprises a body which defines a middle region and two side regions along opposite sides of the middle region. A cover is movably attached to the body and includes a lens over at least the middle region. A graphics image is associated with the middle region and is substantially parallel to the lens. At least one graphics-light source is within the middle region and configured for illuminated display of the graphics image. At least one exam-light source is located within each of the two side regions. |
| US07766501B2 |
Lighted article manufacturer
A lighting system for clothing, footwear, backpacks, and other accessories incorporates a battery, a switch, a counter circuit, a flasher and lamps or LEDs driven by the flasher. The switch has a tubular housing of electrical insulating material which may be round or square in cross section. A pair of electrical contact pins extend into the interior of the housing and are aligned longitudinally. The external ends of the contact pins are wired to the counter circuit and the battery. A free-floating contact bar of electrical conducting material normally resides on the bottom of the pins thus closing the switch and causing an input signal to the counter circuit and causing the lamps or LEDs to be illuminated momentarily. The contact pins can alternatively extend through the bottom of the housing and the contact bar may rest against the contact pins. An electrical timer circuit responsive to closing of the switch limits the flashing of the LEDs to one sequence of flashes until further movement of the switch causes it open and close again. |
| US07766500B2 |
Backlight unit, and a display device including the same
A backlight unit is capable of preventing optical sheets from experiencing deformation due to thermal expansion and the like. The backlight unit includes a backlight chassis arranged to house a lamp via a diffusion plate and optical sheets, where a thickness of the optical sheets is less than a thickness of the diffusion plate, the backlight chassis including a support surface arranged to support the diffusion plate and the optical sheets, and a frame arranged to hold the diffusion plate and the optical sheets with the support surface, the diffusion plate and the optical sheets being interposed between the frame and the support surface, and the backlight chassis has a positioning piece arranged to position and support the diffusion plate at a predetermined position with respect to the support surface and not to position and support the optical sheets. |
| US07766499B2 |
Light source unit, backlight unit and liquid crystal display including the same, and method thereof
A light source unit including light emitting diodes mounted on a printed circuit board by not using a soldering method but a fitting method, and a backlight unit and liquid crystal display including the light source unit. The light source unit includes light emitting diodes including lead terminals and a printed circuit board including a fitting hole. Each of the lead terminals includes a base part and a fitting part protruding from the base part. The fitting part of the light emitting diode is fitted into the fitting hole of the printed circuit board and so that the light emitting diode is mounted on the printed circuit board. |
| US07766498B2 |
Linear solid state illuminator
An illuminator for a display is provided that includes a light guide plate to substantially cover a viewable portion of the display, and a thin film light-emitting source. Light from the thin film light-emitting source is directed into an edge of the light guide plate to provide light for the viewable portion of the display. |
| US07766496B2 |
Compact lighting device fulfilling a bending light function
A lighting device for a motor vehicle producing a global light beam, the lighting device comprising a first fixed optical module comprising at least one first light source for producing a first light beam of the type consisting of a light beam with a substantially flat and horizontal cutoff. The lighting device also comprises a second movable optical module comprising at least one first light source for producing a second light beam of the type consisting of a light beam with non-flat cutoff able to be moved with respect to the first light beam. |
| US07766495B2 |
Reflector shapes for light emitting diode-polarized light sources
A light-emitting device including a light source that exhibits polarization anisotropy and a reflector that is shaped so that for light emitted in at least two directions from the light source, the angle between the dominant polarization directions after reflecting from the reflector is smaller than the angle between the dominant polarization directions before reflecting from the reflector. In the light-emitting device the light source may be a light-emitting diode chip or one of a plurality of light sources. |
| US07766494B1 |
Light-weight mirror blank assembly
A light-weight mirror blank assembly, having at least one sheet of corrugated material; and at least one face sheet in intimate contact with a surface of the sheet of corrugated material forming the light-weight mirror blank assembly. The light-weight mirror blank assembly has an areal density less than an equivalent blank assembly having a solid support structure for supporting a mirrored surface. |
| US07766493B2 |
Optical display device with asymmetric viewing area
The present disclosure provides optical devices having an asymmetric viewing area imparting improved optical properties to the device. |
| US07766489B2 |
Device for projecting a pixelated lighting pattern
A lighting device is provided for projecting a pixelated lighting pattern to be viewed onto a surface facing said device is provided. The device comprises a plurality of independently controllable lighting units (1), each lighting unit comprising at least one light-emitting diode (3, 4, 5, 6), and a controller (7) for controlling the emission of light from said lighting units. A device according to the present invention allows ambient illumination of a surface and projection of images and patterns. |
| US07766484B2 |
Structure for cooling a lamp for a projection display apparatus having an integrated exhaust duct
A structure for cooling a lamp used for a projection type display apparatus is provided. The structure comprises a lamp house for housing a lamp that is operable as a light source, said lamp house being configured to be installed in a housing of said projection display apparatus; and a fan for supplying cooling air into said lamp house. The lamp house comprises a removable lamp house cover, and an exhaust duct for said cooling air is integrated with said lamp house cover. |
| US07766479B2 |
View point detecting device
A gaze point detecting device 1 detects a gaze point of an object person by projecting a display image displayed by an LCD 8 to outside via a finder 4 and capturing an eye image of the object person by a CCD 11 in response to illumination light irradiated toward outside from the finder 4, and the device comprises an optical system 5 arranged spaced only a focal length apart from a display surface 8a on an optical path of an image displaying optical system between the LCD 8 and the finder 4; the optical system 5 being arranged on an optical path of an imaging optical system between the finder 4 and the CCD 11; a telecentric optical system including a diaphragm 9 arranged spaced only a focal length apart from the optical system 5 on the optical path; and a controller 3 that detects a position of the gaze point of the object person based on the eye image captured by the CCD 11. |
| US07766478B2 |
Contact lens and method for prevention of myopia progression
A method of slowing the progression of myopia in a person, comprises applying to the eye of the person contact lens or lenses each including a vision correction area for correcting in use the myopic vision of a wearer, and a myopic defocus area having a less negative focal power, to simultaneously present a controlled myopic defocus to the retina both when viewing in the distance and also when viewing at near. Contact lenses and their use are also claimed. |
| US07766476B2 |
Recording paper magazine and ink-jet printer having the same
A photographic printing device includes an ink-jet printer with recording paper magazine. The recording paper magazine includes a housing and a humectant. The housing is configured to receive a recording paper. The humectant is provided in order to moisturize the inside of the housing of the magazine. The humectant is preferably placed at an upper portion of the magazine in order to allow efficient moisture transfer by way of natural convection. |
| US07766471B2 |
Ink set for ink-jet recording
An ink set for ink-jet recording includes a black ink containing a black pigment having an average particle size of from about 100 nm to about 150 nm, and color inks containing color pigments having an average particle size of from about 60 nm to about 90 nm. The dynamic surface tension of the black ink is from about 40 mN/m to about 45 mN/m, and the dynamic surface tension of each of the yellow ink, the magenta ink and the cyan ink is from about 35 mN/m to about 40 mN/m measured on the condition of 25° C. according to a maximum bubble pressure method at lifetime of 100 ms. |
| US07766470B2 |
Ink jet printhead cartridge having an ink fill access port in fluid communication with the filter tower
An ink jet printhead cartridge includes a cartridge body including a base and a plurality of side walls extending upwardly from the base. A filter tower having a tower wall has an interior surface that defines a location of a tower passageway. A printhead chip assembly is attached to the base of the cartridge body in fluid communication with the tower passageway. A filter is attached to the filter tower at a distal end thereof. An ink fill access port is formed through a side wall of the plurality of sidewalls, and through the tower wall of the filter tower, to define a fluid path from the atmosphere external to the cartridge body to the tower passageway of the filter tower to facilitate the injection of ink directly into the filter tower during an ink filling operation for the ink jet printhead cartridge. |
| US07766468B2 |
Print cartridge of photofinishing system having slitter
A print media and printing fluid cartridge is provided which is removably mounted to a support structure of a digital photofinishing system in juxtaposition with a printer mounted to the support structure together with a digital processor and print media drive mechanism for the printer. The cartridge has a roll of print media, a print media delivery arrangement arranged to couple with the print media drive mechanism so as to feed the print media from the roll to the printer on demand, and at least one removable printing fluid first cartridge for feeding printing fluid to the printer on demand. A slitting device is located in series with the printer so as to receive printed media therefrom. The slitting device has a printed media guide for transporting the printed media in a longitudinal direction away from the printer, and a slitter for slitting the printed media in the longitudinal direction. |
| US07766464B2 |
Piezoelectric element, piezoelectric actuator, ink jet recording head, ink jet printer, surface acoustic wave element, frequency filter, oscillator, electronic circuit, thin film piezoelectric resonator, and electronic apparatus
A piezoelectric element is provided that is equipped with a seed layer formed on a base substrate and a piezoelectric film formed on the seed layer. The seed layer is formed of a perovskite type piezoelectric material preferentially oriented to pseudo cubic (100). The piezoelectric film is formed of a relaxor material that has a perovskite type rhombohedral structure, and is preferentially oriented to pseudo cubic (100). |
| US07766455B2 |
Flexible adhesive materials for micro-fluid ejection heads and methods relating thereto
Micro-fluid ejection head structures, methods of making micro-fluid ejection head structures having improved operability, and methods for improving the durability of micro-fluid ejection head structures are provided. One such micro-fluid ejection head structure includes a micro-fluid ejection head having a substrate and nozzle plate assembly adhesively attached adjacent to a substrate support using a substrate adhesive. The nozzle plate is adhesively attached adjacent to the substrate with a nozzle plate adhesive. A thermally, UV or other cure mechanism encapsulant material is attached adjacent to the ejection head and substrate support. Each of the substrate adhesive, and the encapsulant material, after curing, have a Young's modulus of less than about 2000 MPa, a shear modulus at 25° C. of less than about 15 MPa, and a glass transition temperature of less than about 90° C. |
| US07766452B2 |
Ink jet recording head, liquid storage container and ink jet recording apparatus
An ink jet recording head is detachably attached to an ink jet recording apparatus including a carriage operable to reciprocally move and an optical encoder scale. An ink jet recording head, a liquid storage container, or an ink jet recording apparatus includes at least one of a light emitting element configured to emit light to an encoder scale and a light receiving element configured to receive light through the encoder scale. |
| US07766450B2 |
Ink jet recording apparatus
An ink jet recording apparatus that includes: a recording head that discharges an ink from a plurality of nozzles constituting a nozzle train to a recording medium; a cap that covers a nozzle surface of the recording head with a hollow cap member; and a wiper that wipes the nozzle surface of the recording head with a wiper member by a relative movement of the wiper member with respect to the recording head, wherein at least one of the wiper member and the nozzle surface comprises a removing portion that removes a foreign matter from the nozzle surface. |
| US07766446B2 |
Position detector and liquid ejecting apparatus incorporating the same
A light emitter is operable to emit light. A light receiver is adapted to receive the light emitted from the light emitter, and operable to output a signal in accordance with an amount of the received light, thereby detecting a position of an object. At least one transparent member is disposed between the light emitter and the light receiver. A first line pattern is provided with the transparent member so as to oppose the light emitter, and includes first light transmitting sections and first light shielding sections which are alternately arranged in a first direction with a first pitch. A second line pattern is provided with the transparent member so as to oppose the light receiver, and includes second light transmitting sections and second light shielding sections which are alternately arranged in the first direction with a second pitch. Each of the first light transmitting sections is adapted to allow the light emitted from the light emitter to pass through. Each of the first light shielding sections is adapted to shield the light emitted from the light emitter. Each of the second light transmitting sections is adapted to allow light having passed through the transparent member. Each of the second light shielding sections is adapted to shield the light having passed through the transparent member. |
| US07766445B2 |
Inkjet recording apparatus
An inkjet recording apparatus of a serial recording type which comprises a recording head, a carriage and a conveying device. The recording head is capable of selectively ejecting ink toward a recording medium. The carriage with the recording head mounted thereon reciprocatingly moves in specified directions. The conveying device intermittently conveys the recording medium in a direction perpendicular to the specified directions when the recording head does not eject ink. An image is recorded on the recording medium by repeatedly performing, in turn, movement of the carriage and ejection of ink by the recording head, and intermittent conveyance of the recording medium by the conveying device. The inkjet recording apparatus also includes a vibration applying device that vibrates at least one of the recording medium and the recording head when the recording head ejects ink toward the recording medium while the carriage is being moved. |
| US07766439B2 |
Recording apparatus
A recording apparatus including: a recording head having a plurality of actuators for performing dot printing; a drive circuit which outputs respective drive pulses to the respective actuators; and a main circuit which transmits, to the drive circuit, a drive signal for outputting the respective drive pulses to the respective actuators. The drive signal includes selection data for selecting, for each of the actuators, a drive-waveform signal which provides a waveform of each of the drive pulses, among plural sorts of drive-waveform signals. The main circuit transmits, to the drive circuit, a clock signal and a drive-waveform-data signal that is a serial signal in which is included data to generate the plural sorts of drive-waveform signals. The drive circuit includes a drive-waveform-signal generating circuit which generates the plural sorts of drive-waveform signals on the basis of the clock signal and the drive-waveform-data signal. The drive circuit selects, for each of the actuators, one of the plural sorts of drive-waveform signals and outputs, to each of the actuators, the drive pulse which is based on said one of the plural sorts of drive-waveform signals selected for said each of the actuators. |
| US07766438B2 |
Method of ink evaporation prediction for an ink reservoir
A method of ink evaporation prediction for an ink reservoir includes establishing an empirical evaporation curve representing evaporation characteristics for an ink reservoir type, the ink reservoir belonging to the ink reservoir type; and establishing an evaporation prediction curve for the ink reservoir that approximates the empirical evaporation curve. |
| US07766437B2 |
Refrigerator
A refrigerator including a cooling chamber in a main body, includes: a rack assembly installed inside the cooling chamber; and a rack assembly drawing unit for drawing/putting the rack assembly out of/into the cooling chamber. Accordingly, food containers put on a rack of a rack assembly can be easily and conveniently taken out or checked regardless their locations by constructing the rack assembly to be selectively drawn out of a cooling chamber. Also, by attaching a vibration preventing rubber material to an end of the rack assembly, the food container put on the rack is prevented from being dropped, and the vibration noise can be effectively prevented. |
| US07766436B1 |
Appliance panel with overlay panel and a method for mounting an overlay panel to an appliance panel
An appliance, appliance panel and a method of assembling an appliance panel are provided in which the appliance panel has an interior side and an exterior side. An overlay panel is positioned on the exterior side of the appliance panel. A fastening device is secured to the overlay panel and extends through the appliance panel at a defined area. A removable and replaceable functional member is attached to the appliance panel and overlies the fastening device at the defined area to prevent the fastening device from being visible during normal use of the appliance. |
| US07766433B2 |
Cartridge for use as joint in endless track chain and associated method
A cartridge is provided for use as a joint between links of an endless track chain. The cartridge is designed for assembly prior to attachment of the cartridge to the links. An associated method is disclosed. |
| US07766431B2 |
System and method for an autobrake function for an aircraft electric brake system
A system and methods for an electric autobrake function suitable for use with an aircraft is disclosed. The system includes a single master autobrake channel configured to generate a master autobrake command and a plurality of slave autobrake channels configured to receive the autobrake master command. The methods receive autobrake command actuation data, compute a common autobrake master command based upon the autobrake command actuation data, and synchronize brake application by utilizing the common autobrake master command to actuate all brake actuators. |
| US07766428B2 |
Vehicle seat and a disc recliner therefor
A vehicle seat has a seat back and a seat cushion and a pair of recliners hingedly mounting the seat back to the seat cushion providing pivotal movement of a seat back relative to a seat cushion. Each of the recliners has a guide plate configured to be mounted to the seat cushion and a toothed plate rotatably assembled to the guide plate. The toothed disc has a flange having a series of internal teeth thereon. A plurality of pawls is mounted between the toothed plate and the guide plate. The pawls each has a toothed surface and is moveable between a locked position with the toothed surfaces engaging the series of teeth to lock the toothed plate relative to the guide plate, and an unlocked position with the toothed surfaces spaced from the teeth of the guide plate to allow movement of the toothed plate relative to the guide plate. A plurality of guides extends from the guide plate, guiding the pawls between the locked and unlocked positions. A cam is rotatably mounted between the guide plate and the toothed plate. The cam has a cam surface defined by a plurality of lobes for selective engagement with the pawls, selectively moving the pawls between the locked and unlocked positions. A spring continuously biases the cam, urging the pawls toward the locked position. A bushing is secured to the cam. The cam and the bushing have a lost motion connection therebetween. A rod extending through the bushing on each of the recliners to gang the recliners together for simultaneous operation. The guide plate and the toothed plate have abutments that limit relative rotational travel therebetween. |
| US07766426B2 |
Tilt controls for chairs
A tilt mechanism for a chair includes rotary stop means defining a plurality of selectable tilted positions of the chair seat/back. In another aspect, an anti kick-back feature is provided based. The mechanism includes upper and lower housing parts and a cushioning spring that normally maintains the parts in a rest position with respect to one another while allowing the mechanism to tilt. A further aspect of the invention provides an improved spring tension control that allows the spring to be installed and removed in a fully relaxed condition so that no special tools are required. |
| US07766424B2 |
Recliner mechanism
A recliner mechanism for a vehicle seat includes a support plate (7) mounted on the squab (2) of the seat, and a support plate (11) mounted on the back rest (3) of the seat. There is a pivotal interconnection (10) between the plates to enable the back rest to be reclined. The pivotal interconnection is initially retained by a spring (20), in a retaining part (15) of an elongate slot (14). When the back rest (3) is subjected to a rearward force, such as by a seat occupant in a rear impact situation, the spring is deformed and the pivot shaft moves along the slot (14), enabling the back rest (3) to move rearwardly. An energy absorbing element (17) is provided which deforms, whilst absorbing energy, during this second movement of the back rest. |
| US07766422B2 |
Cargo retention device and method
A device and method is provided for retaining cargo within a vehicle passenger compartment including a retaining portion and a vehicle seat having a lower seat portion, an upper back portion, and a frame. The retaining portion comprises a strap or mat which is operatively attached at one end to a front portion of the vehicle seat, while the other end is accessible within a bite line formed between the mating seat and back portions. The retaining portion is connectable to a front portion of the vehicle seat by means of either an open-ended hook or a snap-hook and an anchor, or by a snap fastener, the retaining portion being configured to secure cargo with respect to one of the seat portions. The device also includes a retractor mechanism such as a spring and spool operable to retract the retaining portion into the bite line for stowage. |
| US07766419B2 |
Sliding panel arrangement for a vehicle
A sliding panel arrangement for a vehicle wherein a panel is adapted to be coupled to a vehicle body, at least two linear bearings or at least one longitudinal member being disposed on the panel, the other of the at least two linear bearings or at least one longitudinal member being adapted to be coupled to the vehicle body. The longitudinal member is sized and disposed to slide within the linear bearings, the panel sliding between closed and open positions over a vehicle compartment. |
| US07766412B2 |
Movable vehicle roof
A movable vehicle roof has a plurality of segments which are movable relative to one another, in particular are displaceable and/or pivotable, and of which at least one has a core containing a filling structure forming cavities. The filling structure core is provided with a retaining part which engages around it in some regions at least on one side and, together with lateral elements disposed on it as a single piece, forms at least one intersecting point with the top framework. |
| US07766411B2 |
Adjusting mechanism of a soft top compartment cover of a convertible
An adjusting mechanism of a movable component, particularly a soft top compartment cover of a convertible, which is movably mounted by means of at least one control arm (2) that is hingedly connected to the vehicle body. A crossarm gear (19, 20) is mounted between the control arm (2) and a drive unit (27, 28) of the adjusting mechanism. In order to improve the moving behavior of the movable component, the control arm (2) is coupled to a rotatably mounted crank (14) via a coupling rod (11). Said crank (14) is connected to a driving arm (21) via two crossarms (19, 20), the driving arm (21) being movable by the drive unit (27, 28). |
| US07766410B2 |
Fuel filler door interlock assembly
An interlock assembly is provided for a vehicle having a body with a selectively openable slidable door and a selectively openable fuel filler door mounted thereto. The fuel filler door is operatively connected with the interlock assembly. The interlock assembly has a first interlock state, operable to restrict the opening of the slidable door when the fuel filler door is in an open position, and a second interlock state, operable to restrict the opening of the fuel filler door when the slidable door is in an open position. Preferably, the interlock assembly is mounted with respect to a rear jamb formed by the body. |
| US07766407B2 |
Door opening and closing device
A door opening and closing device having a rotational mechanism configured to switch a door between a closed position and an open position relative to a base member. The rotational mechanism has a supporting arm integral with the door; a sector gear portion provided on the arm; a rotating gear disposed on the arm at essentially a center of the arc of the sector gear; a first rack portion on the base member and configured to engage the sector gear; and a second rack portion on the base member. The second rack is essentially parallel to the first rack portion and separated by predetermined distance therefrom, the second rack being configured to engage the rotating gear. |
| US07766406B2 |
Finishing panel structure
A finishing panel structure for an automobile comprising a trim panel, a deformable panel and a retainer bracket. The trim panel is connectable to the automobile and defines a panel opening. The deformable panel at least partially covers the panel opening, and defines a latch opening and at least one mounting apertures proximate to the latch opening. The retainer bracket defines a retainer bracket opening. At least one projection extends from at least one of the trim panel or the retainer bracket, and extends through the mounting aperture of the deformable panel. At least one engaging structure is formed on the other of the trim panel or the retainer bracket to engage the projection. |
| US07766405B2 |
Robot hand apparatus
A robot hand apparatus (1) includes four of finger mechanisms (20) each elongates from a base (10), a motor (30) actuating each finger mechanism (20), four of rotation rollers (50) each connects with corresponding finger mechanism (20) for actuating each finger mechanism (20), and a power transmission mechanism (60) transmitting a power from the motor (30) to each rotation roller (50) at different timing. |
| US07766404B2 |
Easy release corn cob holder
The Easy Release Corn Cob Holder comprises: an exterior shell having a hollow core, said hollow core extending the full length of said exterior shell, an interior Plunger, and a plurality of Tines. The exterior shell may be fitted with a rim to aid the user in exerting a force on the exterior shell. |
| US07766403B2 |
Arrangement for underrun protection for a vehicle
An underrun protection arrangement for a vehicle having a frame includes an impact element arranged in a position that corresponds to an anticipated impact from a force in the event of a collision with another vehicle, and at least one energy-absorbing connecting element which connects the impact element to the frame and which is designed to be compressed in the event of the collision. The connecting element includes an outer section and an inner section which are telescopically arranged so that displacement of the outer section in relation to the inner section may occur upon the impact while energy is absorbed, the connecting element also including an energy-absorbing unit arranged to be compressed while absorbing energy during the displacement. |
| US07766399B2 |
Door set with magnetic actuator
The invention is directed at a door set assembly comprising a latch portion; a first magnetic material, located within the latch portion; a strike plate, the strike plate including a plate portion and a latch receiving portion; a second magnetic material, located within the latch receiving portion, the second magnetic material having a polarity opposite the first magnetic material; wherein when a door is closed, the magnets attract each other thereby pulling the latch portion into the latch receiving portion to secure the door closed. The door set assembly can also include a cushioned portion which fits within the latch receiving portion. |
| US07766397B2 |
Electromechanical rotary pawl latch
The present invention is directed to improvements in latch design. The illustrated embodiment of the present invention is a rotary pawl latch with the capability to provide a compressive force between the first member and the second member. |
| US07766394B2 |
Breakaway connectors and systems
A breakaway connector for use with a medical (e.g., catheter) or other fluid system. The connector may include two couplers that engage one another via a substantially frictionless retention device. In one embodiment, the retention device includes a biased cylindrical roller attached to one coupler that contacts an outer surface of the other coupler. The outer surface may include a grooved surface to receive the roller when the couplers are fully attached. |
| US07766393B2 |
Female coupling element and a coupling including such an element
A female element for a coupling that includes a body having a duct for receiving a male element along a coupling axis (X-X′) and a locking member including a locking portion, a connecting portion, and a control portion, wherein the locking member extends along the axis (X-X′) and is movable between a locked and an unlocked position, and wherein an annular element moves the locking member from the locked to the unlocked position and a resilient member urges the locking member to the locked position, and the female element includes a lateral guide for the connecting portion and the control portion, and a surface of the locking portion that is to come into contact with the male element generally having a shape of a portion of a surface of revolution and a width, in a circumferential direction, that is greater than a width of the control portion and the connecting portion. |
| US07766391B2 |
Pipe connecting structure
A pipe connecting structure including a male flange block combined with a first pipe and a female flange block combined with a second pipe, which is fastened to the male flange block by a fastener, where a protrusion having a hole that communicates with the first pipe is formed through the male flange block, and an insert portion into which the protrusion is inserted is formed through the female flange block, and a sealing member to closely contact with the end face of the protrusion is seated on the bottom inside the insert portion, and the sealing member includes an inner sealing part of soft metal and an outer sealing part of rubber tightly fitted around the outer circumference of the inner sealing part. Therefore joints between pipes, a heat exchanger and a pipe, or two components can bear high pressures in a refrigerating cycle system using a CO2 refrigerant, air tightness can be maintained under low and high temperatures without changes in quality and shape of a sealing members, and it is possible to prevent and minimize leakage of the refrigerant by preventing permeation of CO2. |
| US07766384B2 |
Protection cover of the bag ventilation orifice of an airbag module
Airbag module to protect a vehicle occupant in the event of a collision comprising an expandable bag (11) with gas provided by a generator with, at least, one ventilation orifice (13) sealed with a patch that comprises an elastic membrane (25) destined to be broken as a result of pressure inside the bag (11) to allow gas discharge through the ventilation orifice (13), which is covered with a cover (21) secured to the bag (11) with, at least, one tearable seam (31); hence the opening of the ventilation orifice (13) occurs when the pressure inside the bag (11) is greater than the pressure required to break the membrane (25) plus the additional pressure necessary to tear the seam (31). The invention also comprises a procedure to manufacture the bag. |
| US07766383B2 |
Vehicular component adjustment system and method
Adjustment system for adjusting a vehicular component based on occupancy of a seat includes a support structure arranged underneath the seat to movably support the seat on a substrate in the vehicle, the support structure being structured and arranged to transfer a force exerted by the occupant on the support structure to the substrate, a sensor system arranged underneath the seat, optionally in connection with the support structure, for providing a variable output as a function of weight of the occupant, an adjustment system arranged in connection with the component for adjusting the component, and a processor for receiving outputs from the sensor system and directing the adjustment system to adjust the component based thereon. An object recognition or identification system or other morphological characteristic determining system may be used to determine that the occupant is one which requires adjustment of the component. |
| US07766381B2 |
Steering wheel with air bag device
A steering wheel with an air bag device includes: a steering wheel body having: an annular rim portion; a boss portion; a plurality of spoke portions; an upper space; and a plurality of lower spaces. The air bag device is mounted to the steering wheel body, the air bag device includes: an air bag; an inflator; a cover member covering the air bag; and an emblem disposed at a substantially central portion of a front surface of the cover member confronting a driver's seat. The cover member includes a tear line arranged to break to form a plurality of door portions each arranged to pivot toward one of the upper and lower spaces. The tear line is formed to pivot the emblem to one of the lower spaces of the steering wheel body when the cover member is broken at the inflation of the air bag. |
| US07766380B2 |
Airbag cover body and airbag apparatus
An airbag is expanded upward on the side of a passenger from a door part. A cover body which covers the airbag is formed by overlaying an outer part made of a hard resin to an inner part made of a soft resin. A supporting piece part is protruded from the cabin external side of the inner part. A to-be-ripped part is formed on the supporting piece part. On expansion of the airbag, the to-be-ripped part is ripped, thereby allowing the door part to move rotationally on the cabin internal side. Therefore, the airbag equipped at the door part can be smoothly expanded along the side face part of the cabin. Thus, an airbag apparatus is improved in appearance. |
| US07766374B2 |
Vehicle occupant restraint device comprising a gas bag
A vehicle occupant restraint device has a gas bag module with a housing and a gas bag having a free exit end, the gas bag moving into its fully deployed position with the free exit end first. At least one control element is provided which engages the gas bag and forces the gas bag to extend generally in an arc shape from the housing up to the free exit end in the deployed state. |
| US07766373B2 |
Passenger-seat airbag device and method of folding passenger-seat airbag
A passenger-seat airbag includes a left airbag and a right airbag. A root portion connects a left-airbag root portion and a right-airbag root portion. An accordion-folded portion with relatively small folding widths is formed by accordion-folding both side portions of the root portion, whereby at least a gas-injection hole closest to each of both ends of an inflator in a longitudinal direction among a plurality of the gas-injection holes of the inflator is prevented from being closed by the root portion when the passenger-seat airbag is provided in a vehicle. |
| US07766365B2 |
Wholly portable, modular, expandable, medical critical care field installation system
A mission adaptable multi-purpose, collapsible portable cart/utility table, for use in emergency response and disaster situations, camping, hunting and other outdoors activities, which carries medical rescue carts, canoes, small boats, game, or hauled cargo by hand. The portable cart/utility table can be converted to a various uses and the portable cart/utility table can be folded down and transported within a wheeled bin, backpack, hand carried bag, canoe or boat. It transports injured persons or cargo over long, rough terrain and it can broken down into a carrying position, by hand or by back. The objects being carried can be held by clamps, by fasteners, or through the use of insertions with longitudinally extending channels. An optional pivotable kickstand and/or tie rods can stabilize the cart in a position of rest. The portable cart/utility table can also be the basis of a reconfigurable, modular, expandable medical critical care point of need field installation system deployable by land, sea, and air to reach very remote and rugged regions. |
| US07766362B1 |
Method and apparatus for the lineal, straight, reverse movement of one or more vehicles in tow behind a prime mover
A secondary trailer hitch is provided by the present invention for allowing the lineal, straight, reverse movement of one or more vehicles in tow behind a prime mover. The secondary trailer hitch includes a housing configured for being connected with a first vehicle being towed. The secondary trailer hitch further includes an arm configured for being connected with the housing. The arm is further configured for being secured against a second vehicle when the housing is connected with the first vehicle. The secondary trailer hitch further includes a securing mechanism connected to the arm. The securing mechanism is configured for allowing a user to secure the arm against the second vehicle and is further configured for allowing a user to disconnect the apparatus from between the first vehicle and the second vehicle when the apparatus is under engagement tension from both the first vehicle and the second vehicle. |
| US07766361B2 |
Rotating fifth wheel hitch kingpin assembly
A kingpin assembly comprises a housing having a recess located therein, a collar member operably coupled to the housing, and an integral single-piece kingpin having at least a portion located within the recess of the housing, wherein the housing and collar cooperate to rotationally secure the kingpin within the recess of the housing, and wherein the kingpin provides a sole rotational support for the kingpin with respect to the housing and the collar. |
| US07766357B2 |
Step assembly for use with a vehicle
A step assembly is easily mounted on the trailer hitch of a vehicle, and easily folded to a closed position or unfolded to an open position in place on the vehicle or off of the vehicle. In the open position, a person or a pet can more easily enter or leave a vehicle. In the closed position, the step assembly is more easily stored. |
| US07766356B2 |
Vehicle mud flap with fastening tab
The drilling of new holes into a vehicle fender fold is avoided by providing a mud flap with at least one rotating clamping member that clamps to the wheel well fender fold and, spaced from this clamping member, a tab which captures the end of a wheel well fender fold between itself and a general rear surface of the mud flap body. It is preferred that the tab be integrally molded with the mud flap body. |
| US07766355B2 |
Motorcycle rear fender assembly
A motorcycle rear fender assembly includes a rear fender mounted on a vehicle frame structure above a vehicle rear wheel, which fender is divided, in a forward and rearward direction, into three components, including an anterior rear fender subassembly forming a front portion of the rear fender, an intermediate rear fender subassembly forming an intermediate portion of the rear fender, and a posterior rear fender subassembly forming a rear portion of the rear fender. |
| US07766354B2 |
Wheel suspension for a vehicle
A wheel suspension is provided for a vehicle (7), with a carrier element (5), a wheel carrier (1) arranged at a spaced location from the carrier element (5) and a wheel (14) mounted rotatably on the wheel carrier (1). The wheel carrier (1) is connected to the carrier element (5) via a first guide (3; 17) and a first pivotable connection (10) and the wheel carrier (1) is connected to the carrier element (5) via a second guide (2; 4) and a second pivotable connection (8; 12). A first angle-measuring device (27, 28) is integrated in the first pivotable connection (10) and a second angle-measuring device (44, 45) is integrated in the second pivotable connection (8; 12). |
| US07766353B2 |
Wheel unit for automotive vehicles
A wheel suspension system for a vehicle having a body supported on a set of wheels each provided with a rim and an axle generally consisting of a lower control arm pivotally connectable to a first portion of such body; an upper control arm pivotally connectable to a second portion of such body; a roller bearing having inner and outer races, disposed within such rim, coaxially relative to the rotational axis of the rim; a steering knuckle mounted on the outer race of the bearing, having a first portion pivotally connected to the lower control arm and a second portion pivotally connected to the upper control arm, defining a steering axis intersecting the rotational axis of the rim; and a hub member mounted on the inner race and connectable to an axle receivable through an opening provided in the steering knuckle. |
| US07766352B2 |
Roll stable vehicle suspension system
A highly roll stable suspension system for a truck, trailer, or semi-trailer. In at least one embodiment, the suspension includes at least three beam structures, one beam being located beneath each respective longitudinal side frame member of the vehicle, and a third beam being located midpoint between the side frame members and which occupies substantially less space than the space between these opposing longitudinal side frame members of the vehicle. |
| US07766349B2 |
Self-steering axle suspension system having a rotary stabilizer mounted at a pivot joint associated with a tie rod
A self-steering axle suspension system utilizing a rotary damper coaxially aligned with and acting directly about the king pin centerline on one side of the vehicle is disclosed. Alternatively, the rotary damper may be mounted at, and axially aligned with, a pivot joint joining a steering knuckle with the tie rod. When used as such, the rotary damper constitutes a rotary stabilizer. The rotary stabilizer is used to control the steerability of the self-steering axle suspension system and has a self-centering axle mechanism incorporated therein. |
| US07766338B1 |
Target range systems
Targets, a target range system, and methods for economical operation of a target range. A preferred method includes providing a target range site; providing a target resembling a conventional target in dimension and appearing, yet having a weight that is substantially less than the weight of the conventional target. The target has a plurality of interconnecting plates made of recyclable material and is devoid of hazards comprising munitions, fuels, and radioactive materials. The ingress and egress routes for the target are reduced as compared to routes for conventional targets and enable cost savings. The targets are also readily recycled, enabling additional economic advantage. |
| US07766337B2 |
Game apparatus
A game playing apparatus is provided. The apparatus is configured to facilitate playing a game. The apparatus includes a body including at least one first column including at least one receptacle and a second column coupled to the at least one first column. The second column has an upper surface having a plurality of openings such that a member may be tossed into at least one of the openings. The apparatus also includes a game surface coupled to the body, and a backboard coupled substantially perpendicular to the game surface. |
| US07766336B2 |
Game set
A portable game set comprising a game board constructed out of corrugated paper board having indicia thereon representing a game board and having slits on each position for receiving a game piece. The game pieces are rectangular and made of a transparent material so that the indicia indicating the game pieces is visible on both sides of the board. The corrugated paper board applies a large amount of pressure on the portion of the game pieces and has a highly frictional surface to securely retain the game pieces within the slits. The corrugated paper board rigidly holds the game pieces in the slits allowing the game to be played during a windy day or in turbulence. When the game pieces are inserted into the slits the game pieces vertically extend approximately 90 degrees with respect to the board thereby providing an improved appearance. |
| US07766335B1 |
Board game with 3D dynamic game play
A board game incorporating multiple paths of travel which traverse a plurality of elevations with moveable obstacles that change the paths of travel. The moveable obstacles take the form of moveable structures; such as stairs; bridges and moveable-walls which cut-off some available paths while opening others. Through strategic use of the obstacles; players can facilitate their own movement through the game while impeding that of their opponents. |
| US07766331B2 |
Method and device for physically randomizing a plurality of playing instruments in absence of a random number generator
Aspects of the invention relate to fully automated systems and methods for shuffling and scrambling playing instruments, such as cards, before being dealt to one or more players. In one embodiment, a rotating device is utilized to scramble playing instruments. In yet a further embodiment, the rotating device is coupled with air, vacuum, or combinations thereof to further scramble the cards. The scrambling device may be coupled to an aligning device for realigning the playing instruments upon being adequately shuffled. According to another aspect of the invention, physical cards are utilized in a gaming environment that may be scrambled, shuffled, and/or played remotely over a network. In one embodiment, the physical cards are traditional poker-style gaming cards. The cards include at least one identifier that may be read upon the card being dealt. The identifier may contain information that is remotely communicated to a player. |
| US07766328B2 |
Sheet feeding apparatus with buffer system
A sheet feeding apparatus with a buffer system is disclosed, in which a sheet feeding drum has a certain rotational speed regardless of the size of the sheet to feed a plurality of sheets to a sheet finisher and eject the sheets after exactly aligning them. The sheet feeding apparatus includes sheet feeding grips 36a, 36b, 36c and 36d provided on the outside of a sheet feeding drum 105 at certain intervals, and a sheet feeding grip controller (cam) 42 allowing the sheet feeding grips to selectively grip the sheets moving through the outside of the sheet feeding drum 105. The sheets gripped by the sheet feeding grips are buffered by the end fence and are ejected to a sheet finisher through a sheet ejection path when the end fence is opened. The sheet feeding drum 105 includes a plurality of support rings 33a, 33b, 33c, and 33d arranged at certain intervals, sheet feeding rollers 34a, 34b, 34c and 34d respectively formed among the support rings, and a central shaft 35 fixing the support rings and the rollers, the sheet feeding grips being provided in the support rings. |
| US07766325B2 |
Paper rotation method and apparatus
Apparatus for rotating a sheet moving in a first direction, the rotator comprising:at least one first roller that rotates against a sheet first side, the at least one first roller having a first drive;at least one second roller that rotates against the sheet first side, the at least one second roller having a second drive that is capable of rotating the second roller independently of the first roller, the second roller being spaced a distance from the at least one first roller in a direction perpendicular to the first direction; anda controller that controls the first and second drives to rotate the sheet around an axis substantially perpendicular to the plane of the sheet. |
| US07766323B2 |
Device for stacking mail items
Together with a device for receiving mail items that has a conveyor belt designed to receive and to convey the mail items from a franking station of a mail handling machine, a device is provided for stacking mail items that has a plurality of rollers disposed in staggered manner on a plurality of axles whose ends are fixed to respective ones of two support walls between which the axles extend, which support walls are mutually parallel and are spaced apart by at least the width of said conveyor belt. |
| US07766322B2 |
Sheet transfer direction changing apparatus
A sheet transfer direction changing apparatus having a plurality of discharge sections, a direction changing device, discharge sheet transfer device and transfer device wherein a sheet transferred from an image forming apparatus is changed by its direction, obverse side and reverse side, and transfer direction according to a process command from the image forming apparatus and transferred to the discharged section. |
| US07766321B2 |
Sheet loading apparatus and recording apparatus
A sheet loading apparatus, which is equipped with a position adjustment unit that can be held in a fixed condition with a small applying force and released from the fixed condition by an intuitive and slight operation, is provided. The apparatus includes a sheet loading unit on which sheets are loaded, a position adjustment unit that can be moved in a direction that intersects with a direction in which the sheets loaded on the sheet loading unit are conveyed, and a fixation member for fixing the position adjustment unit to the sheet loading unit. The fixation member has a connection unit for connecting to the position adjustment means at a position distant from a sheet loading surface of the sheet loading unit and a fixation member-side fixation unit that is engaged with a loading-side fixation surface formed at a position close to the sheet loading surface of the sheet loading unit. A distance between the connection unit and the fixation member-side fixation unit is longer than a minimum distance between the connection unit and the loading-side fixation surface, and the fixation member-side fixation unit is arranged on the side opposite to the sheets to be adjusted with respect to the connection unit. |
| US07766317B2 |
Clutch apparatus, conveying apparatus and recording apparatus
To provide a clutch apparatus that is able to prevent a trigger lever from returning before a toothed portion of a clutch member engages a ratchet wheel and may be reduced in size.A clutch member 93, a lever member 115 that switches from a clutch engaged state to a non-engaged state and a lever pivot gear 111 are provided. An engaging projecting portion 100 is partially formed on the lever pivot gear in a circumferential direction. An engaged projecting portion 129 that is engageable with the engaging projecting portion is partially formed around the lever shaft in a circumferential direction. A differential device is configured so that, when an engagement between an engaging pawl 98 and a clutch engaging portion 123 is released, the engaging projecting portion is engaged with the engaged projecting portion thereby to pivot the lever member in a direction away from the clutch member and, after that, when a drive transmission system is driven in a reverse direction to pivot a drive side gear in an opposite direction so that a toothed portion of the clutch member is engaged with the drive side gear 92, the engaging projecting portion does not engage the engaged projecting portion before the clutch member is swung to a position at which the clutch engaging portion does not re-engage an engaging pawl when the lever member is pivoted. |
| US07766315B2 |
Sheet stacking apparatus and method of controlling the sheet stacking apparatus
A sheet stacking apparatus which is capable of efficiently stacking sheets of various sizes while making efficient use of space therein to realizing compactness of the apparatus. Stacker trays that are driven by respective tray lift motors perform a lifting/lowering operation to have sheets stacked thereon. Selection is made according to the size of sheets between a first stacking mode for stacking sheets having a size not larger than a predetermined size on one of the stacker trays and a second stacking mode for stacking sheets having a size larger than the predetermined size in a state extending on the stacker trays. When it is determined that one of the stacker trays is faulty, execution of the second stacking mode is inhibited, and execution of the first stacking mode using the other stacker tray is permitted. |
| US07766311B2 |
Wireform locking device
A device for providing rotational and axial locking capability using a wireform with at least one wrap. The device requires very low actuation forces. The wireform can be constructed with end features that provide a specific tension such that when the device is engaged a differential slip torque in a clockwise and counterclockwise rotational direction is developed. |
| US07766310B2 |
Humidifier with water tank quick assembly feature
A steam humidifier having a water tank with a quick assembly feature. The steam humidifier includes a removable tank, where the removable tank is configured to contain water to be heated to generate steam and a handle that is configured to selectively secure the removable tank to the humidifier. The handle defines at least a first rotational position in which a tank support feature on the tank is engaged with a handle support feature on the handle such that the tank is attached to the humidifier. The handle further defines at least a second rotational position in which the tank support feature is disengaged from the handle support feature such that the tank is unattached from the humidifier. Additional embodiments are disclosed. |
| US07766308B2 |
Theater rigging system
A theater rigging assembly having a beam, which is attached to structural support members of a theater or other performing arts venue. The assembly further includes a winch assembly and head block that can be positioned at any point along the beam and selectively fixed in position. The winch portion includes cables for raising and lowering battens or other loads. The head block includes head sheaves, which redirect the cables to loft sheaves that are selectively attached to the beam. The head sheaves are diagonally displaced to separate the cables. The winch portion includes a motor, a gear box, a drum and a brake. The brake includes a ratchet and two brake disks. It uses at least one friction surface that contacts at least one of the brake disks to cause a pawl to engage or disengage from the ratchet. |
| US07766298B2 |
Apparatus for positioning an image measuring platform
An apparatus for positioning an image measuring platform, the apparatus includes a horizontal base (11); a measuring platform (21) movable on the horizontal base; a support arm (12) extending in the Z-axis direction secured to the horizontal base; two parallel sliders (435) extending in the Z-axis direction fixed on the upper ends of the support arm; a first bar (411) for controlling the measuring platform to move in X-axis direction; a second bar (421) for controlling the measuring platform to move in Y-axis direction; a first cantilever (314) and a second cantilever (315) vertically attached on the two parallel sliders; a charge coupled device lens (31) fixed on the first cantilever and the second cantilever through a lens clamp (312) and a locking cap (313); a first screw handle (414) engaged with the holes of both sides of a first bracket (413) secured on the horizontal base, a first male screw thread (415) formed outside the first screw handle, and a first female screw thread (416) corresponding to the first male screw thread formed outside the first bar; and a second screw handle (424) engaged with the holes of both sides of a second bracket secured (423) on the horizontal base, a second male screw thread (425) formed outside the second screw handle, and a second female screw thread (426) corresponding to the second male screw thread formed outside the second bar. |
| US07766296B2 |
Wall mounting structure for a flat panel display
A wall mounting structure includes a display screen, a stand, and a base. The stand has an upper end connected to a rear surface of the display screen via a first hinge so as to enable the display screen to be rotated forward and backward. The base is fixed to a lower end of the stand and includes at least two rotatable mounting members formed on a lower part of the base. The rotatable mounting members enable the base to be detachably mounted on mounting brackets of a wall. The wall mounting structure enables a user to not only use a flat panel display on a table, but also to hang the flat panel display on mounting brackets fixed to a wall in an easy and simple manner without disassembling the display screen and the stand assembly from each other. |
| US07766295B2 |
Support hanger
A support hanger system adapted to hang away from a top chord of a truss assembly using the upwardly facing planar surface of the top chord as the support surface for the downwardly extending support hanger. The support hanger assembly utilizes an elongated threaded member extending away from an operatively connected cross member. The cross member is oriented in transverse relation to the axis running along the length of the elongated threaded member. The cross member is adapted to fit through an acceptance slot extending through an upper base plate structure of the top chord such that the operatively connected threaded member extends downwardly from the upper base plate structure between downwardly projecting leg elements on either side of the acceptance slot. A channel support member adapted to reside between the leg elements may be disposed at a position below the cross member. |
| US07766292B2 |
System for mounting a photovoltaic module to a surface
A system for removably and adjustably mounting a device on an object is provided. The system for removably and adjustably mounting a device on an object, according to the present invention, includes an apparatus and method useful for removably and adjustably mounting one or more photovoltaic modules on an object such as a pole or roof, and includes one or more triple track rails. Also included are one or more connector brackets that are demountably attachable to the one or more triple track rails and to the object. |
| US07766281B2 |
System for reducing aerodynamic noise at a supplementary wing of an aircraft
A system for reducing aerodynamic noise of a supplementary wing of an aircraft is provided. The supplementary wing is hinged to a main wing and is extendable when a gap region between the main wing and the supplementary wing is opened. The system includes a separating surface which can be moved into the gap region when the supplementary wing is extended and which extends at least partially along a separation flow line between a vortex flow region and a gap flow for the air flowing in the gap region. The separating surface is an n-stable surface which through an actuator device can be moved between at least one of the stable states and at least one additional state. |
| US07766277B2 |
Deformable forward pressure bulkhead for an aircraft
An aircraft forward pressure bulkhead as described herein includes a malleable and deformable dome that is configured to “catch” foreign objects, such as birds. The dome is intentionally designed to deform in response to a foreign object strike that imparts at least a threshold amount of impact energy to the bulkhead. The dome is free of rigid stiffeners and non-deformable reinforcement members that would otherwise hinder the flexible characteristic of the dome. Practical embodiments of the bulkhead utilize fewer parts, are less heavy, and are less expensive than traditional bulkheads that utilize rigid stiffeners. |
| US07766272B2 |
Rotating apparatus for winding reel of high-pressure cleaner
A rotating apparatus for a winding reel of a high-pressure cleaner, including a rotating wheel with a slideway, a slider and a handle mounted on the slider, said slider slides in the slideway, the slider has a first working position that fixes the entire slider in the rotating wheel and a second working position that makes the slider partly in the rotating wheel. When the slider is at the second working position, the arm of force is increased without occupying more space. When the rotating apparatus is not in use, the handle is placed in concave portion. Compared with conventional rotating apparatuses, the rotating apparatus is foldable, occupies less space, makes the whole body of the high-pressure cleaner beautiful, convenient to operate, and suitable for popularizing with high-pressure cleaners, and with similar devices. |
| US07766270B2 |
Transportable blanket roller
A transportable insulated blanket roller has a support, and a riser coupled to and extending vertically from the support. A bearing support is coupled to the riser, and has an insulated blanket retaining rod passing through the bearing support. The rod has a bifurcation defining first and second insulated blanket holding rods that are operative to receive an insulated blanket therebetween. A crank produces a rotary motion in the retaining rod, in turn winding the blanket onto the blanket holding rods. The transportable insulated blanket roller is combined with a land vehicle having a trailer hitch receiver or comparable coupling or support, and an insulated blanket. A method of efficiently using the transportable insulated blanket roller at a construction site is also presented, including using the bifurcated roller to roll an unrolled insulated blanket, and then sliding the insulated blanket off of the bifurcated roller. |
| US07766269B2 |
Refiner stator plate having an outer row of teeth slanted to deflect pulp and method for pulp deflection during refining
A refiner including: a rotor disc including a rotor plate including concentric rows of rotor teeth; a stator disc arranged opposite to the rotor disc, wherein the stator disc includes a stator plate; the stator plate includes concentric rows of stator teeth intermeshing with the rows of rotor teeth, and the rows of stator teeth include an outer row of stator teeth having leading sidewalls angled to deflect particles flowing between the teeth of the outer row. |
| US07766268B2 |
Shredder blade set with low resistance
A shredder blade set with low resistance combines pressed blades and polished blades in various ways to form a shredder blade set. The shredder blade set has an appropriate friction for solving the problems with tilted or wrinkled paper due to insufficient friction or power waste due to large friction. |
| US07766267B2 |
Shelling and grinding apparatus
An apparatus for reducing and separating an associated agricultural product into two or more sub-parts is provided. A first housing includes an inlet and an outlet, the inlet being configured to receive the associated agricultural product to be reduced. A first reducing assembly is disposed between and in communication with the inlet and the outlet of the first housing and includes a first rotatable reducing member, a second rotatable reducing member, and a reaction member. The first reducing member, the second reducing member and the reaction member are disposed adjacent to the other and cooperate to receive and reduce the associated agricultural product to a plurality of first sub-parts. A second housing includes an inlet and an outlet, the inlet being configured to receive select ones of the plurality of first sub-parts. A second reducing assembly is disposed between the inlet and the outlet of the second housing and includes a reducing rotor and a stationary reducing ring. The reducing ring is secured to the second housing and is disposed between the reducing rotor and the outlet of the second housing. The select ones of the plurality of first sub-parts are further reduced to a plurality of second sub-parts by the second reducing assembly and discharged via the outlet of the second housing. |
| US07766264B2 |
Variable profile flutes for a grinding head of a grinding machine
A grinding head for a grinding machine is disclosed in which the axial bore of the head is provided with flutes of variable width. The dimension of the flutes from an upstream location to a downstream location of the head is variable to provide different effects in operation of the grinding machine. Flutes may be wider in areas of the head where greater shear is expected or may be narrower in width to decrease backpressure. Flutes may be primarily located adjacent to or along an increased diameter area of the head and may be constructed by casting. |
| US07766250B2 |
Antistatic paint cup
An antistatic reusable cup holder and fluid supply assembly. One or more of the reusable cup holder, disposable cup, disposable lid, or reusable outer lid is made of an antistatic material. In use, the chargeable particles in a coating mixture do not stick to the disposable cup so that uniformity of the coating mixture is maintained while it is dispensed. A method of maintaining the uniformity of a coating mixture during dispensing is also described. |
| US07766247B2 |
Combination diesel/electric heating appliance systems
A diesel/electric appliance for heating coolant within an auxiliary heater circuit and for heating potable water within a potable water circuit. The appliance includes a diesel powered auxiliary heater and a coolant jacket surrounding the burner of the auxiliary heater. Electrical resistance elements are immersed within the coolant jacket to maintain the temperature of the potable water circuit by transferring heat through a heat exchanger to the potable water circuit. |
| US07766242B2 |
Method of monitoring inventory on an open shelving system
A carousel used in a restocking system is comprised of a drive track. A plurality of bins are arranged into rows, with the rows being driven by said drive track. A drive mechanism, e.g. an electric motor, drives the drive track. A sensor is provided to sense the position of the rows of bins. A processor is responsive to the sensor and data representative of a plurality of picks for more than one order for controlling the drive mechanism. By combining picks from different orders into a batch, the time spent driving the rows and time between picks is minimized. The carousel may be divided into a plurality of columns, each with its own drive track, drive mechanism, and sensor, to enable several rows to be brought into a pick position simultaneously. Various methods and forms of restocking packages are also disclosed. |
| US07766241B2 |
Barcode for two-way verification of a document
Systems, methods and storage mediums are disclosed for processing images and two-dimensional barcodes for two-way verification of document data. In one exemplary embodiment, image data of a document is obtained, processed and rendered into a barcode for incorporation into a reproduction of the document image. The barcode may overlap the document image which allows it to be placed anywhere in the document. Moreover, the barcode may overlap certain portions such that it conceals confidential information while maintaining the integrity of the confidential information within encoded data of the barcode. |
| US07766240B1 |
Case-Level Traceability without the need for inline printing
A pre-printed case label is provided for labeling cases that contain item-level packages such as clamshells of produce or loose bulk produce. The pre-printed case label includes a common identifier and space for adding a tag that includes a unique identifier. A case that includes the pre-printed case label and the tag provides case-level traceability through the distribution chain. Additionally, the item-level packages, or items of loose bulk produce, can include their own individual traceability codes to extend the traceability down to the item level. Methods provided herein associate non-lot-specific information, like brand and quantity, and lot-specific information, like harvest event data, with the unique identifier. |
| US07766239B2 |
Code structure and code reading terminal
A code-reading apparatus determines the type of data in recorded code data and carries out appropriate processes depending on the determined type of data. The code-reading apparatus comprises an imaging unit 7 for photographing encoded data. The encoded data comprises a header portion and a body portion, the body portion including encoded ring tone data, the header portion including a data identifier D indicating the type of data in the body portion. The apparatus further comprises a data identifier unit 19a for identifying the type of the encoded data photographed by the imaging unit 7 based on the data identifier D, and control units 13 and 19 for reading the encoded data depending on the identified data type and for reproducing the ring tone data that has been read. |
| US07766238B2 |
Electronic shipping container labeling system for labeling a plurality of shipping containers transported through a shipping system, using electronic-ink shipping labels displaying information regarding said shipping containers, and remotely updated by one or more activator modules
An electronic shipping container labeling system for labeling a plurality of shipping containers transported through a shipping system. The system includes a plurality of electronic-ink shipping labels affixed to a plurality of shipping containers. Each electronic-ink shipping label displays graphical indicia representative of information relating to the status of the shipping container within the shipping system. One or more activation modules are provided throughout the shipping system for transmitting electromagnetic data signals to electronic-ink shipping labels and providing instructions to updateable electronic-ink shipping labels employed in the determination of graphic indicia to be displayed on electronic-ink shipping labels. Each electronic-ink shipping label employs an addressable display assembly including a layer of electronic ink including a bi-stable non-volatile imaging material. The electronic-ink shipping label includes an integrated circuit structure having a storage element for storing instructions, programs and data, and a programmed processor in communication with storage element. A signal receiving structure receives electromagnetic signals from the activation module, using the antenna structure. The electronic-ink shipping label displays graphical indicia representing information relating to the shipping container and/or its contents. |
| US07766234B2 |
Information receiving apparatus
An information receiving apparatus including: a reader receiving information stored in an information storage medium; and a body processing the information received by the reader, wherein the reader is assembled with the body in such a way that a insertion portion 212 in contact with the information storage medium is capable of being exposed to the outside and hidden in the inside of the body. |
| US07766232B2 |
Record management system and method to trace chemicals
An operation for a chemical of indefinite form is managed so that operation record of the chemical is traceable. An IC tag (3) is attached to various containers (4a to 4c ) each holding a chemical, and a chemical ID to identify the chemical held in each of the containers (4a to 4c) is stored in the IC tag (3). When an operation involving a mass change or a change of composition information is carried out, such as apportioning, mixing, reacting, and separating, while the containers (4a to 4c) serve as receivers of the chemical, a record management apparatus (1) newly generates a chemical ID, and a IC tag terminal (2) updates the chemical ID in the IC tag (3) to the new chemical ID. In addition, the record management apparatus (1) manages a correspondence between the chemical ID stored in the IC tag (3) (old chemical ID) and the chemical ID newly stored in the IC tag (3) (new chemical ID). |
| US07766227B2 |
Transaction card with movable member
A transaction card includes a base member, an auxiliary member and an account identifier. The base member defines a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface and a slot extending therethrough. The auxiliary member includes a first section and a handle section and is coupled with the base member such that the first section is disposed on the first surface of the base member. The handle section extends from the first surface, through the slot and to the second surface of the base member such that movement of the handle section causes movement of the auxiliary member relative to the base member. The account identifier is included on one of the base member and the auxiliary member and links the transaction card to at least one of an account and a record. |
| US07766225B2 |
Issuing a value-bearing card associated with only non-personally identifying information
Issuing a debit card associated with only non-personally identifying information includes communicating among an input device, a network coupling, and a card dispenser. The input device is configured to receive a new account request. The new account request includes only non-personally identifiable information. The network coupling is configured to send the new account request to an acquirer processor and to receive an approval response from the acquirer processor. The card dispenser is configured to dispense a debit card to the user based on the approval response received from the acquirer processor. The debit card includes only non-personally identifiable information. The non-personally identifiable information includes the account number. |
| US07766224B2 |
Money transfer wall unit
A financial transaction wall unit workstation is provided which may be configured to attach to a vertical support and may comprise include at least one display face, a transaction interface for communicating between the financial transaction wall unit workstation and a financial services provider, and a consumer display with instructions for using the financial transaction wall unit workstation to transact a financial transaction with the financial services provider. In certain aspects, the financial transaction wall unit workstation may be attached to a vertical support using a flexible attachment mechanism. Attachment of the financial transaction wall unit workstation to a vertical support using flexible attachment mechanisms may provide for vertical movement of the financial transaction wall unit workstation and may allow for accessibility of the financial transaction wall unit workstation by people of different statures and people in wheel chairs. |
| US07766222B2 |
Inflatable financial transaction product
A financial transaction product includes a housing and an account identifier. The housing includes a bladder configured to be selectively inflated and deflated. The account identifier is on the housing and links the housing to at least one of a financial account or a financial record such that the housing can be used toward the purchase of one or more of goods and services. Methods of assembling a financial transaction product, methods of encouraging purchase and facilitating use of a financial transaction product, and other embodiments are also disclosed. |
| US07766221B2 |
Image display apparatus and program therefor
An image display apparatus increases user's buying intention by creating a highly original image character and providing users with product information they do not obtain yet. Identification information determination means determines identification information attached to a product and displays an image corresponding to the product on a display apparatus. Combinable component search means retrieves image data of one or more components that constitute another product identified with another identification information and that can be combined with the plurality of components that constitute the product corresponding to the determined identification information. The product image and an image selected from among the retrieved images are combined to make a new image. Application execution means executes an application with the created image as an image character if a plurality of components that constitute the image displayed on a screen can be all identified with the identification information determined in advance. |
| US07766220B2 |
Method and apparatus for automatically tracking and communicating data storage device information using RF tags: operating condition, configuration and location
The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for automatically tracking and communicating data storage device information using RF (radio frequency tags. An apparatus includes a data storage device and a RF tag attached to the data storage device, wherein the RF tag contains information about the data storage device. Using such an apparatus, assembling, selecting, logging and maintaining a data storage device may be done automatically. |
| US07766218B2 |
Pasty silver particle composition, process for producing solid silver, solid silver, joining method, and process for producing printed wiring board
To provide a pasty silver particle composition, which, upon heating, allows silver particles to be easily sintered to form solid silver possessing excellent strength, electric conductivity and thermal conductivity, and a production process of solid silver and the like. A pasty silver particle composition comprising nonspherical silver particles having an average particle diameter of 0.1 to 18 μm and a carbon content of not more than 1.0% by weight and a volatile dispersion medium, wherein, upon heating, the volatile dispersion medium is volatilized and the nonspherical silver particles are sintered to one another to form solid silver. There are also provided a process for producing solid silver comprising heating the pasty silver particle composition, solid silver having excellent strength, electric conductivity and thermal conductivity, a method for joining a metallic member using the pasty silver particle composition, and a production process of a printed wiring board comprising silver wiring. |
| US07766215B2 |
Friction stir welding process
The invention relates to a process for the friction stir welding of two panels (20, 21), using a welding device (25) having a retractable pin (29), comprising the following steps: positioning the two panels (20, 21) so as to be in contact over an overlap region (24) and keeping them in the desired relative position after welding; bringing the welding device into contact with the upper panel at the start of the welded joint; longitudinally welding the two panels, by moving the welding device as far as the end of the welded joint; continuing to move the welding device (25) along a path extending beyond the end of the welded joint; and retracting the retractable pin (29) so as to prevent the appearance of a weld hole in a portion of the path of the welding device (25) extending beyond the end of the welded joint. |
| US07766211B2 |
Temperature control of a bonding stage
A bonding apparatus is provided comprising a bonding stage for holding a bonding tool, an air distribution system mounted to the bonding stage and an air inlet attached to the air distribution system. The air distribution system is connected to the air inlet for receiving air from the air inlet, and is operative to pass the air over multiple surfaces of the bonding stage for the purpose of temperature control. |
| US07766206B2 |
Hand-held setting tool
A hand-held setting tool for driving fastening elements in a workpiece includes a drive-in ram (12) displaceable in the guide (15) in which a receptacle (16) for the fastening elements (23) is located and which has a feeding opening (17) for the fastening elements (23) and located in a region of the receptacle (16), and a displacement device (30) for displacing the fastening elements (23) into the receptacle (16) and controlled by the drive-in ram (12). |
| US07766205B2 |
Manually controlled, gas-operated tool having a real-time clock
The tool includes a cylinder inside of which is slidably mounted a piston for driving a fastening element, as a result of the explosion inside of a combustion chamber of a mixture of gas and air that has been injected therein from a gas cartridge, after which the tool has come to bear weight against a support, the head switch has retracted and the combustion chamber has closed, followed by actuation of the trigger switch for controlling the spark plug. The tool also includes an element for determining the rate of fire which includes a real-time clock designed to cooperate with a microcontroller of an operating and control module. The arrangement applies well to fastening tools. |
| US07766203B2 |
Thigh holster strap
An apparatus suitable for securing a tool holster to the thigh of a user which apparatus is particularly adapted for use in connection with diving tools and underwater use. The apparatus utilizes an arrangement of straps and fittings to securely position the diving tool holster on the user's thigh when the user is actively moving underwater. |
| US07766202B2 |
Foldable carrier for a vehicle
A carrier having a foot member, a post and a top member. The foot member has a first end and a second connecting end adapted to be detachably connected to a hitch of a vehicle. A bottom end of the post is connected to the first end of the foot member and extends upwardly therefrom in an operational position. The top member is pivotally connected to a top end of the post and is displaceable between a deployed operative position where at least a carrying portion thereof extends away from the vehicle and a collapsed inoperative position where the carrying portion and a major part of the top member are located between a longitudinal axis the post and the vehicle. Retaining means selectively retain the top member at least in the deployed position. |
| US07766201B2 |
Device for attaching a bag to a luggage carrier
A device for attaching a bag to a luggage carrier of a bicycle includes a beam secured to the bag, two hooks installed on the beam to hook the luggage carrier and a restraining unit. The restraining unit includes a plate formed on the beam, a cover attached to the plate, at least one latch movably installed on the plate, at least one elastic element compressed between the cover and the latch so that an end of the latch is exposed from the plate for restraining the luggage carrier, a shackle movable on the plate between a first position for keeping the end of the latch exposed from the plate and a second position for allowing the retreat of the end of the latch into the plate and a elastic element compressed between the cover and the shackle for keeping the shackle in the first position. |
| US07766198B2 |
Sizer for a hanger
The crown sizer is mounted over the hook of a hanger and is positioned coaxially about a post that extends from the body of the hanger. The crown sizer is provided internally with one or more elastic protrusions which, in an operational stage, engage in the post of the hook, engage under reinforcing struts extending from the post to the body or engage in the hanger body in order to form a clip attachment of the crown sizer. |
| US07766192B2 |
Fluid product dispensing assembly
A fluid dispenser assembly comprising a fluid dispenser (101), a pack (120) for co-operating with the dispenser in such a manner as to fasten the pack to the dispenser, the pack including a fastener zone, and the dispenser including reception means for receiving the fastener zone, the assembly being characterized in that the reception means comprise at least one set of two opposite longitudinal grooves (111) for receiving the fastener zone (121) of the pack. |
| US07766191B2 |
Epoxy syringe storage clip
A dispensing system for simultaneously dispensing a plurality of reactive materials. The system includes a multiple-barreled syringe having at least two barrels joined by a flange and containing respective different reactive materials. Parallel plungers joined by a flange force sealing members through the barrels to discharge the materials. A static mixer element having an applicator attaches to the syringe, and a means for re-sealing the syringe for subsequent use is provided. A sliding clip engaging a complementary shape removably fixes a loose static mixer element to the syringe, reducing the risk of misplacement and loss. |
| US07766190B2 |
Sealed crimp tube with stiffener
A crimp tube having a sealed throat opening at one end and an open end crimped close at an opposite end is provided with an internal stiffener which is resilient and will return to its original shape upon release of pressure. The stiffener is generally cylindrical and has generally radial openings therethrough communicating to the space between the outer diameter of the stiffener and the inner diameter of the tube to allow contents to flow to the interior of the stiffener and from the interior of the stiffener to the area between the stiffener and the inner diameter of the tube. The tube being formed of soft material is collapsible against the stiffener and further collapsible with the stiffener to dispense materials from the tube subsequent to opening the closure at the throat. On release of pressure the stiffener will return to its uncompressed condition. |
| US07766189B2 |
Universal hub for a fluid dispenser
A removable and replaceable dispensing head for a fluid dispenser system adapted to deliver the fluid to a user includes a hollow shank extending on an axis. A shank hub is attached to the hollow shank, and an aperture aligned with the hollow portion of the shank extends through the shank hub. A first fixed body is removably attached to the shank hub, the first fixed body and shank hub each having corresponding first attachment means arrayed in a predetermined pattern. A fluid conveyance path is provided through the hollow shank, first fixed body and shank hub. A second fixed body is provided having a second attachment means arrayed in the same predetermined pattern, the second attachment means corresponding to the first attachment means in the shank hub enabling removable attachment of the second fixed body to the shank hub upon removal of the first fixed body from the shank hub. A sensor attached to either the fixed body, or to a hub spacer connected to the shank hub, automatically detects the presence of a user and activates the fluid dispensing system. |
| US07766187B2 |
Napkin dispenser
A napkin dispenser with a springless means for urging napkins therein toward an opening in the front face of the dispenser. The front face has two side edges with each side edge connected a side wall of the dispenser and each side wall has at least one inclined guide that is sloped downwardly toward the front face. The means for urging napkins comprises a generally vertical plate having at least one nub on each side edge, with each nub associated with an inclined guide of one of the side walls, so that the plate urges the napkins disposed in the structure to move toward the opening in the front face through which the napkins can be withdrawn from the napkin dispenser independent of a spring. |
| US07766186B1 |
Refuse container system
A refuse container system for facilitating lifting, carrying and dispensing refuse to be disposed of includes a container having a cavity extending into the container through a top end thereof. The cavity receives refuse to be disposed of. Each of a plurality of handles is rotatably mounted to the container to permit each of the handles to be rotated to desired position. The handles are graspable to facilitate lifting of the container. A lid is positionable over the top end of the container to selectively close the top end and retain the refuse in the cavity. |
| US07766183B2 |
Peelable lid structure
A peelable lid structure, particularly for use in the closing of food cans, has a tab which is folded over the center panel and secured in the folded position for processing of can contents and/or handling operations. As the tab is secured, an inexpensive laminate structure which requires little or no aluminum content can be used. Methods of forming the peelable lid structure include exposing a layer of heat sealable material and/or an adhesive layer so that the tab (3) can be folded over and adhered to this layer, for example, by heat sealing. |
| US07766181B2 |
Heat resistant lid for microwave container
A lid can be attached to a top of a microwaveable container. The lid can be made from paperboard, hard paper, and other materials, and can serve to cover an open top of the microwaveable container to prevent the contents of the container from splattering during heating. After heating, the lid also provides a surface by which a consumer can safely handle the heated container. The top panel of the lid can have smooth, continuous and uninterrupted surface, without creases or joints, that is suitable for advertising and product information and graphics. |
| US07766179B2 |
Portable container and table assembly
An assembly comprises a container having a base, one or more sidewalls extending upward from the base to a frame-shaped member that forms an upper rim, and one or more access hatches supported by the frame-shaped member and forming a lid. One or more table leaves are attached to the frame-shaped member, each of the one or more table leaves operative to rotate into a respective closed position and into a respective open position. Each of the one or more table leaves is disposed above at least a portion of the container when in its closed position, and each of the one or more table leaves is at least partially disposed above a region to a side of the container when in its open position. |
| US07766174B2 |
Expandable self-draining footwear rack
A rack for supporting footwear and handling footwear drainage, the rack comprising a base member having a tray opening, a tray slidably removable from the base member through the tray opening, a shelf supported on the base member and wherein the shelf has drain spouts openings that are in fluid communication with the tray. Hollow support legs are provided having first and second ends, and the first ends of the support legs are interlocked to the drain spouts. Another shelf is stacked on the second ends of the support legs. Additional shelves may be stacked thereon to increase the height of the rack. |
| US07766168B2 |
Two-piece, easy access container
Containers which may be worn by a user and into which small refuse items and other materials can be inserted for temporary storage or for later disposal using one or more fingers of one hand, are described. In one embodiment, a hollow body having a closed end and an open screw cap cooperate to hold a deformable septum having a slit or perforation such that small items may easily be inserted into the body through the slit wherein they are securely enclosed until the body is detached from the cap. The contents can then be disposed of in an acceptable manner or otherwise used. In another embodiment of the invention, the screw cap and septum are replaced by a cover closed at one end and having a slit or opening having radially disposed arms in the closed end for introducing materials into the hollow body through the slit. Larger containers may be set into cup holders for use. Among the uses of the invention is the secure storage of waste fishing line and other discarded articles along streams and lakefronts for later disposal. |
| US07766166B2 |
Multiple packaging of wrappers containing products for medical use
Multiple packaging of wrappers containing products for medical use include an envelope to which at least two bunches of the wrappers are fastened, the bunches being arranged so that the envelopes of each bunch turn out to be mutually joined along one side and free along the opposite side so as to appear spread apart. The bunches are fastened inside the envelope so to allow maximizing the multiple packaging capacity, without having to considerably increase the size. |
| US07766164B2 |
Medical tray and cover apparatus
Medical tray and cover apparatus includes a tray body having an open top and an open front; the cover is removable and covers the tray top and front. The tray body includes a plurality of oppositely disposed grooves that provide for the insertion of closure and divider panels. The tray grooves are configured to allow the tray to be loaded with ampoules or vials without being snagged by the grooves. The trays are transparent so that its contents are visible without removing the cover. The trays are stackable with the cover in place. The trays are lockable such that the ability to stack the trays is not interfered with. The tray and cover eliminate particle generation from use and wear that can contaminate the contents of the tray. The tray and cover are capable of being autoclaved. |
| US07766161B2 |
Portable tool box
A portable tool box is disclosed. The portable tool box can be utilized in two positions by the user. The portable tool box has shelves coupled at an angle that is configured to retain the tools within the portable tool box during transport, while providing easy access when in use. The angled shelves allow the user to easily access the tools from the tool box when in the vertical position as well as in the horizontal position. |
| US07766158B2 |
Extendable conveyor system
An extendable belt conveyor system designed to be installed under a self-propelled windrower between the front and the rear wheels suitable for multiple windrowing operations. The self-propelled windrower with the extendable belt conveyor system deliver a swath at a variable distance from the windrower, either on left or on the right, as the machine moves through the field. The conveyor can be directed on the left or on the right at variable distances with no need to manually change a part. The extendable belt conveyor system has at least two conveyors disposed one above the others and are connected with a trolley between each conveyor. The extendable belt conveyor system is driven by a single driving means and by a single reversible motor. |
| US07766155B2 |
Transfer device for transferring an article in a printing machine, a printing machine, and a method of transfer
The invention relates to a transfer device (15) for transferring an article (9) in a printing machine (2), the device comprising a hinged manipulator arm (20), a hinged gripper clamp (22), and drive means adapted to drive both the manipulator arm (20) and the gripper clamp (22) together in rotation. The drive means include synchronization means adapted to inhibit the rotary movement of the gripper clamp (22) relative to the rotary movement of the manipulator arm (20), temporarily as a function of the position of the manipulator arm (20). The invention also provides a printing machine (2) including such a transfer device (15), and to an associated method. |
| US07766154B2 |
Apparatus and method for loading food articles
A loading head for use with food articles has a main conveyor adapted to convey a plurality of food articles, an indexing conveyor positioned beneath the main conveyor, and a transfer member positioned between the main conveyor and the indexing conveyor. The transfer member is adapted to transfer each food article from the main conveyor to the indexing conveyor. A buffering mechanism is adapted to move the transfer member between a first position and a variable second position. A pusher mechanism is associated with the indexing conveyor to raise and lower gates from an open position permitting food article transfer to a closed position prohibiting food article transfer. The pusher mechanism includes a cam operably associated with the gates to open and close the gates. |
| US07766151B2 |
Picking station
A picking station for picking articles out of storage containers by a picking person, the picking station being connected to a conveying system which has a conveying track leading through a working area of the picking person, at least for the inward transport of storage containers, wherein the conveying track is tilted about its longitudinal axis in the direction of the picking person, at least in the working area of the picking person. |
| US07766147B2 |
Counterfeit money discrimination support device
The counterfeit money discrimination support device is configured to eject only the banknotes of the same denomination as a predetermined denomination of money, as specific banknotes, among banknotes taken into the device from the exterior. The denomination and quantity of the specific banknotes ejected to the exterior are stored in a memory 23. Thereafter, the specific banknotes discriminated as being not counterfeit banknotes, by hand, are then taken again into the device. When the denomination and quantity of the specific banknotes taken again into the device respectively correspond to the denomination and quantity stored in the memory 23, the discriminating operation for the counterfeit banknotes is judged to have been properly completed. |
| US07766146B2 |
Currency receiving/dispensing machine
A currency receiving/dispensing machine comprises a currency receiving opening, identifying means for transferring currency set into the currency receiving opening and for identifying the currency, a currency storing section for storing the currency in a predetermined place based on a currency receiving approving instruction and a result of identification of the identifying means, a currency dispensing opening through which the currency taken out from the currency storing section is dispensed based on a currency dispensing instruction, and mode designating means for switching and designating various operation modes, wherein the currency receiving/dispensing machine has two kinds of maintenance modes for carrying out maintenance and inspection of the currency receiving/dispensing machine designated by the mode designating means, the two kinds of maintenance modes comprises a first maintenance mode in which currency can not be taken out from the currency storing section, and a second maintenance mode in which currency can be taken out from the currency storing section. |
| US07766145B1 |
Product transfer assembly for a vending machine
A product transfer assembly includes separate transfer segments mounted in a vending machine such that they are disposed in spaced relationship above one another. Each transfer segment has a ramp of helical shape with an exit end and an entrance end spaced above the exit end such that the ramps of the transfer segments together define a path of travel taken by a product item down and in contact with the ramps which includes spaced apart portions helical in shape and reversing the direction of travel of the product item, relative to a generally vertical reference axis, going from one portion to the next portion of the path. Entrance and exit ends of each ramp are angularly displaced from corresponding ends of an adjacent ramp such that the object free-falls out of contact with any ramp between the exit and entrances ends of adjacent ramps. |
| US07766141B2 |
Outer retainer for one-way clutch
An outer retainer for a one-way clutch has a cylindrical portion and a flange portion extending radially outward from an axial end of the cylindrical portion. The flange portion has three or more arc-shaped major parts disposed circumferentially and arc-shaped minor parts, each adjacent two of the major parts being connected to one another through a minor part, the major and minor parts projecting radially outward to different extents, and the arc-shape of the major and minor parts constituting continuously the shape of the outer periphery of the flange portion. |
| US07766137B2 |
Nonreturn valve for a shock absorber
Shock absorber provided with a piston and a cylinder, both secured to a part of a vehicle. A nonreturn valve is present in either the piston or the base of the cylinder. The nonreturn valve includes a valve plate and a valve seat plate, both annular. Near the center, the valve plate is arranged at a distance from the valve seat plate. At low flow velocity, elasticity of the valve plate keeps it at a distance from the valve seat plate, allowing unimpeded flow. As flow increases, the valve plate deforms elastically, gradually closing off a diametral opening in the valve seat plate. An opening remains between the valve plate and the valve seat plate at the spacer. As the pressure difference across the nonreturn valve increases, the valve plate closes off with respect to the valve seat plate over the entire circumference. This movement takes place as a wave. |
| US07766136B2 |
Suspension arrangement for motor vehicles
The invention relates to a suspension arrangement (1) for—loading-bearing and resilient wheel support in a motor vehicle, having at least one spring cylinder (2) with a piston (6) which is guided in a cylinder (4) such that it can be moved relative to the latter and which, on one side, has a piston rod (8) guided out of the cylinder (4) in the outward direction. The piston (6) separates, within the cylinder (4), a cylindrical working chamber (12) from an annular chamber (14), which encloses the piston rod (8). On the side of the working chamber (12), in order to generate a load-bearing spring force (F), the piston (6) acts counter to a working pressure (pA) of an elastically compressible, in particular pneumatic spring medium (FM). The piston rod (8) is telescopically variable in length via an additional spring cylinder (16), the additional spring cylinder (16) being subjected at least to a counterpressure (pG; pG1, pG2) of an elastically compressible, in particular pneumatic opposing spring medium (GM). |
| US07766131B2 |
Disk brake
A pad spring located at the entrance side in the rotational direction of a disk is provided with guide plate portions, radially urging portions that urge a pair of friction pads radially outward of the disk, and circumferentially urging portions that urge the friction pads in the rotational direction of the disk. Each radially urging portion has a projection bent radially inward of the disk. Each guide plate portion has a space portion that allows the projection to abut against the radially inner wall surface of the associated pad guide when the radially urging portion is displaced radially inward of the disk so as to approach the guide plate portion. The circumferentially urging portions are wide plate-shaped members bent from the guide plate portions. |
| US07766128B2 |
Method for inspecting operation of actuator and actuator operation inspector
An actuator used in a safety stop device for an elevator has: a movable portion displaceable between an actuation position where the safety stop device for the elevator is actuated and a normal position where the actuation of the safety stop device is released; and an electromagnetic coil for displacing the movable portion when a current flows through the electromagnetic coil. A device for inspecting operation of the actuator has a feeder circuit for supplying an amount of electricity required for a semi-operation which is less than that required for a full operation for displacing the movable portion from the normal position and the actuation position to the electromagnetic coil. |
| US07766118B2 |
Engine bracket
An engine bracket including: an attachment portion provided in a fixing location adapted to be fixed to at least one of the vehicle body and power unit; a bolt hole being formed in the attachment portion so that the attachment portion is fixed to the vehicle body or power unit by a fixing bolt inserted into the bolt hole; and at lease one breaking groove formed at an area located spaced away from the bolt hole so as to extend away from the bolt hole and toward an outer peripheral edge of the attachment portion on at least one of opposite surfaces of the attachment portion in a direction in which the fixing bolt is inserted. |
| US07766112B2 |
Front end module with breakaway radiator
An automotive vehicle is provided which includes a structural member, a bumper movable with respect to the structural member upon an impact of said vehicle with an object, and a radiator for cooling fluid of a component of the vehicle, the radiator being mounted with the structural member. Movement of the bumper within predetermined limits causes the radiator to be dismounted with respect to said structural member minimizing material damage to the radiator. |
| US07766108B2 |
Method for fast starting of a hybrid vehicle
The invention essentially concerns a method for fast starting of a hybrid vehicle. Said method uses a power transmission device (1.1) comprising a traction chain consisting of a heat engine (2), a clutch (3), an electrical machine (4), and wheels (6). The invention is characterized in that said method, in order to rapidly accelerate the vehicle when it is stopped, consists in starting the heat engine (2) concurrently with the actuation of the electrical machine, using a starting system (7) mechanically independent of the electrical machine (4). |
| US07766107B2 |
Engine starting control device for a hybrid vehicle
An engine of a hybrid vehicle is lift started by reducing a rotational speed of a motor/generator of the hybrid vehicle by adjusting a gearshift ratio of a transmission coupled to the motor/generator, and engaging a clutch to couple the engine, while in a stopped state, to the rotating motor/generator for imparting the rotation to the engine. |
| US07766106B2 |
Powered wheelchair configurations and related methods of use
A wheelchair includes a frame, a chair, a pair of drive wheels, a pair of rear wheels, and a pair of front wheels. Each front wheel is part of a front arm assembly that is rigidly coupled to a drive via a mounting plate. The mounting plate is connected to the wheelchair frame by a pivot. The drives are transversely mounted. The batteries are disposed rearward of the drives. The wheelchair seat can be moved forward to provide access to the batteries without fully removing the wheelchair from the frame. |
| US07766105B2 |
System and method of implementing a soft-start PTO clutch
A soft start clutch system and method of implementing a soft start clutch system including a soft start clutch configured to drivingly connect to a machinery drive input to an engine transmission, including a transmission PTO attached to the transmission and drivingly connected to the soft start clutch, and a control circuit configured to engage the soft start clutch at a first rate and configured to disengage the soft start clutch at a second rate which is different than the first rate. |
| US07766104B2 |
Differential lock control in articulated machine
A method of operating an articulated machine includes sensing an articulation angle and a wheel steering angle of the machine, and controlling a locking state of a differential responsive to a steering radius of the machine. An articulated frame wheeled machine is further provided, and includes a front frame unit with a wheel steering apparatus, a back frame unit and an articulation apparatus coupled between the front and back frame units. First and second sensors are operable to sense a wheel steering angle and an articulation angle of the machine, and an electronic control is provided which is configured to selectively lock or unlock a differential of the back frame unit responsive to a steering radius of the machine. |
| US07766091B2 |
Early suppression fast response fire protection sprinkler
An early suppression fast response pendent-type fire protection sprinkler is suitable for use in accordance with one or more of NFPA 13, NFPA 231 and NFPA 231C to protect single row rack storage, double row rack storage and multiple row rack storage, the sprinkler having a K-factor of about 25 and flowing pressure of about 15 pounds per square inch. Preferably, the sprinkler has a body defining an orifice and an outlet for delivering a flow of fluid from a source, and a deflector mounted with a first surface opposed to flow of fluid from the outlet. The deflector defines at least one pair of generally opposed reentrant slots extending from the first surface through the deflector, the reentrant slots extending from slot openings at an outer peripheral edge of the deflector inwardly from the peripheral edge toward a deflector axis. |
| US07766089B2 |
Packer system and method
Disclosed herein is a packer system. The packer system includes, a first packing element settable to create a seal against a downhole structure, and a contingency packing element in operable communication with the first packing element, maintainable in reserve and settable at a time after which the first packing element is set. |
| US07766085B2 |
Apparatus, assembly and process for injecting fluid into a subterranean well
Apparatus, assembly and process for allowing gas lift operations to be conducted along a relatively long perforated interval below a packer in a subterranean well. An elongated segregation member is lowered into locking engagement with a bypass mandrel secured to a tubing string above the packer. This segregation member is configured and dimensioned to define two fluid flow paths. Fluid produced into the well from the subterranean region is conveyed to the surface via the second flow path and can be assisted by gas injected into the first flow path via retrievable gas lift valves in the tubing string above and below the packer. Pressurized gas is conveyed via the first flow path to these retrievable gas lift valves. |
| US07766084B2 |
Downhole tool
A downhole tool (10) comprises a body (12) defining a bore. The body includes a valve arrangement (18) including flow ports (24) in the wall of the body. The ports may be opened or closed. In addition, a variable flow restriction (30) is provided in the bore (14), the degree of restriction tending to decrease as flow across the restriction increases. The variable flow restriction may be utilized to actuate the valve arrangement. |
| US07766083B2 |
Methods of isolating hydrajet stimulated zones
The present invention is directed to a method of isolating hydrajet stimulated zones from subsequent well operations. The method includes the step of drilling a wellbore into the subterranean formation of interest. Next, the wellbore may or may not be cased depending upon a number of factors including the nature and structure of the subterranean formation. Next, the casing, if one is installed, and wellbore are perforated using a high pressure fluid being ejected from a hydrajetting tool. A first zone of the subterranean formation is then fractured and stimulated. Next, the first zone is temporarily plugged or partially sealed by installing an isolation fluid into the wellbore adjacent to the one or more fractures and/or in the openings thereof, so that subsequent zones can be fractured and additional well operations can be performed. |
| US07766081B2 |
Gas separator within ESP shroud
A submersible well pump assembly has a gas separator that separates gas prior to entering into the pump. A shroud encloses a portion of the pump assembly, including the gas separator. The gas separator has gas discharge tubes that extend from it out through the shroud. The gas discharge tubes are tangentially aligned to create a vortex on the exterior of the shroud. |
| US07766080B2 |
Snubbing jack
A snubbing jack includes a first telescopic member and a second telescopic member. A stationary plate and a movable plate are affixed to the telescopic members. The movable plate moves away from the stationary plate upon expansion of the telescopic member and moves toward the stationary plate upon contraction of the telescopic members. An intermediate plate is removably secured between the stationary plate and the movable plate. |
| US07766079B2 |
Pumping installation for a gas producing well
A pumping installation for a gas producing well. A gas compressor is positioned on surface which receives gas. The compressor is powered by hydraulic fluid. An engine is positioned a sufficient distance from the gas producing well as not to pose a danger of gas explosion. A hydraulic reservoir is provided. Hydraulic fluid is circulated by the engine to supply hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic reservoir needed to power the compressor. |
| US07766078B2 |
Mode door for the automotive vehicle air conditioning system
An automotive vehicle air conditioning system has air introduced into an air conditioning case. The introduced air is always discharged to both sides of a passenger compartment regardless of the air conditioner mode while the air conditioning system maintains the amount of air discharged through defrost openings in a defrost mode. Air leakage between both sides of a mode door and the air conditioning case is effectively prevented by a cover carried by the mode door without additional sealing to improve air conditioning performance. |
| US07766075B2 |
Microchannel heat exchanger
A heat exchanger is provided for transferring heat to a working fluid. The heat exchanger comprises a housing having a plurality of grooves formed in a surface of the housing. The grooves have a first end and a second end, and define fluid flow channels. Each channel has a fluid flow inlet and a fluid flow outlet. The fluid flow inlets of an alternating first set of channels are adjacent to the first end of the grooves, and the fluid flow inlets of a second set of alternating channels are adjacent to the second end of the grooves. The first set of channels and the second set of channels are arranged such that fluid in immediately adjacent channels flows in opposite directions. |
| US07766074B2 |
Heat-dissipating device having air-guiding structure
A heat-dissipating device having an air-guiding structure includes a heat-conducting seat, a fin assembly, at least one heat pipe for serially connecting to the fin assembly and the heat-conducting seat, and a fan assembly unit. The fin assembly is positioned above the heat-conducting seat and formed by arranging a plurality of heat-dissipating fins at intervals. As a result, airflow paths are formed between each heat-dissipating fin. The fan assembly unit is laterally provided at one side of the fin assembly. A space for lateral flow is formed between the heat-conducting seat and the fin assembly. The other side of the fin assembly is provided with an air-guiding member. The air-guiding member has a guiding space for laterally communicating with the space. The air blown by the fan assembly unit can pass through the space and is received by the air-guiding member. Then, the air flow is guided to the portions to be heat-dissipated by the air-guiding member. |
| US07766073B2 |
Die-casting apparatus
A die-casting die having a plurality of laterally movable slides is provided with a plurality of hydraulic cylinders located and carried internally within the die and connected with the plurality of slides to move the slides between cavity-open and cavity-closed positions. |
| US07766070B2 |
Method of operating a die casting reciprocator
A method for operating an automated reciprocator for applying lubricant in a die casting system. As a reciprocator is moved between two die halves and a fluid is applied to the dies with the reciprocator, a safety bar is moved ahead of the reciprocator. Any objects in the path of the reciprocator are detected by contact with the safety bar. If the safety bar contacts an object as the reciprocator is moving down, a sensor signals a control system and the reciprocator is stopped. |
| US07766067B2 |
Rotary ultrasonic sealer
Horn assembly adapted to be rotatably arranged in a housing (3) of a rotary ultrasonic sealer, and comprising a hollow shaft (1) having a longitudinal axis (2) and a horn (8) arranged coaxially in the hollow shaft (1) and connected to a converter (6) and preferably also a booster (7). The horn (8) is provided with a peripheral sealing area (13) outside an axial end (13) of the hollow shaft (1). The horn (8) is connected to the hollow shaft (1) by means of at least one annular, metallic support (11) extending radially outward from an outer face (14) of the horn (8) and axially acting retaining means so as to fixedly retain the horn (8) in the hollow shaft (1). The at least one annular support (11) is corrugated in cross section such that at least two grooves and one ridge arranged there between are provided between the inner face (10) of the hollow shaft (1) and the outer face (14) of the horn (8). The at least one support (11) comprises at its outer circumference a conical surface (26) adapted to cooperate with a corresponding conical surface (27) for centering the support (11) with respect to the hollow shaft (1). |
| US07766065B2 |
Drywall tape dispenser
Disclosed is a device for applying drywall tape and grouting compound to drywall. The invention is operative to simplify the application of drywall tape and an appropriate amount of grouting compound to a joint. Conveniently, the device is placed on a standard size tub of drywall grouting compound, such that compound adheres the drywall tape as it is drawn through the device by one applying tape to a joint to be filled. Various embodiments of the present invention permit the easy application of tape and compound to joints on flat surfaces as well as in corners. |
| US07766064B2 |
Sheet laminating apparatus having thickness-detecting function
The present invention relates to a sheet laminating apparatus having a thickness-detecting function. Before the laminating operation is done, the thickness of the article to be laminated is detected by a thickness detecting mechanism of the sheet laminating apparatus. According to the detected thickness, the temperature or the rotating speed of the heating roller of the sheet laminating apparatus is dynamically adjusted. |
| US07766063B2 |
Machine assisted laminator and method
A system to fabricate a composite item includes an end effector, robotic vehicle, sensor, and cutting system. The end effector applies a course to a layup form. The robotic vehicle positions the end effector. The sensor senses an edge of a previously applied course. The cutting system cuts a profile on the course in response to the sensed edge. |
| US07766062B2 |
Pneumatic radial tire having base tread and cap tread with the base tread including kraft paper ground product
A pneumatic radial tire that can improve maneuver stability while maintaining riding comfort is provided. The pneumatic radial tire has a tire tread including at least two layers of a base tread and a cap tread arranged externally in a radial direction of the base tread. The base tread is formed by a base tread rubber composition including at least 2-20 parts by weight of a kraft paper ground product relative to 100 parts by weight of a rubber component. The base tread has its ratio E*a/E*b of a complex elastic modulus in a circumferential direction E*a to a complex elastic modulus in a tire radial direction E*b set to be at least 1.5, each of the complex elastic moduli E*a and E*b being measured at a temperature of 70° C., a frequency of 10 Hz, and a dynamic strain of ±1% at a tire maximum width position in a state where the tire is attached to a rim and filled to a prescribed internal pressure. |
| US07766058B2 |
Method and apparatus for transferring liquids
A method and system for replacing used oil in a vat, the system including a nozzle having inner and outer concentric passageways, the outer passageway being connected to a supply of replacement oil, pumps associated with each of the inner and outer passageways, with a valve structure and a nozzle, the valve structure having biasing means. The system is suitable for pumping hot oil from a vat such as used in commercial kitchens to a storage receptacle and subsequently pumping replacement oil into the vat. |
| US07766054B2 |
Dimensionally stable fabric
A method of producing a dimensionally stable, fire-resistant fabric including the steps of spinning yarn from wool and fire-resistant synthetic fibers, weaving the yarn to form a fabric, and dimensionally stabilizing the fabric to produce a textile that passes aircraft manufacturer specifications. |
| US07766048B2 |
Installation of cured in place liners with air and flow-through steam to cure
A process for lining an existing pipeline or conduit with a flexible resin impregnated cured in place liner by pulling in the liner and inflating a resin impregnated inflation bladder with air and curing the liner with flow-through steam without loss of pressure is provided. The liner includes a resin absorbent material in tubular form with an impermeable membrane forming an outer layer. The inflation bladder also includes a resin absorbent material in tubular form with an impermeable membrane forming an outer layer and an exhaust assembly at the trailing end and is passed through a pressurized inversion apparatus into the collapsed liner. As the bladder reaches the distal end, the exhaust assembly exits the everting bladder and is coupled to an exhaust hose. Steam is then introduced the inversion apparatus to cure the resin and is exhausted through the exhaust tube. After cure, steam is replaced with air to cool the liner and the ends are cut to restore service through the host pipe. |
| US07766043B2 |
Faucet including a molded waterway assembly
A faucet including a molded waterway assembly having a plurality of tubes overmolded within a base. |
| US07766041B2 |
Flow force reduction by incremental pressure drop
A fluid flow control device for improving, for example, valve operation by reducing “error forces” occurring due to fluid communication between ports of a valve having two or more ports. Incremental pressure drop passages bleed incrementally the flow of fluid between first an second ports as the valve spool is moving between the first and second positions to decrease the pressure differential generated force exerted on the spool whereby the energy required to be applied to the spool for moving the spool between the first and second positions is decreased. |
| US07766040B2 |
Pressure control valve assembly
A pressure control valve assembly including a valve body with a valving cavity, a metal insert, a member and ball, a plastic internal ball guide, and a plug. The metal insert, which is received within the valving cavity, includes an exhaust port, a pressure control port, a supply port, and a plug-receiving end. The plastic internal ball guide is included within a portion of the metal insert. The member extends within a portion of the insert and is movable with respect to the exhaust port, the member moving a ball with respect to a supply port. In an embodiment, a plug is received within the plug-receiving end of the insert. A method for making a valve body for a valve assembly is also disclosed. |
| US07766039B2 |
Quick connect fuel hose connector
A quick connect fuel hose connector for connecting an LP fuel hose to a threaded inlet fitting on a vehicle or appliance fuel tank comprises an annular body having an inlet for fuel at an inner end and an outlet for fuel at a recessed opening in an outer end. Latch members pivotally mounted in slots on opposite sides of the body engage and latch the connector to the fuel tank inlet fitting when the connector is fitted over the inlet fitting. A lost motion spring seal maintains a tight seal between the connector and the inlet fitting. A replaceable nose seal on an outlet valve in the connector provides an improved sealing connection between the connector outlet valve and the fuel tank inlet valve. |
| US07766033B2 |
Multiplexed latching valves for microfluidic devices and processors
Membrane valves and latching valve structures for microfluidic devices are provided. A demultiplexer can be used to address the latching valve structures. The membrane valves and latching valve structures may be used to form pneumatic logic circuits, including processors. |
| US07766031B2 |
Condensate collection system and drain
A valve system for collection and removal of condensation from a gas-pressurized fluid system. In one embodiment a single valve is used, having inlet, outlet and condensate collection ports and a valve body capable of movement between a position which connects the inlet port to the condensate collection port and a position which connects the condensate collection port to the outlet port. The valve is formed such that the inlet port is not connected to the outlet port while the valve is moved between the two positions, so that the pressurized system is not depressurized. A second embodiment uses two coupled valves replacing the single valve. |
| US07766030B2 |
High pressure transducer
A high pressure transducer is disclosed. The transducer includes a supply inlet configured to provide a gas supply to the high pressure transducer at a supply pressure and a pressure divider section coupled to the supply inlet. The pressure divider section is configured to reduce the supply pressure to a reduced pressure as a function of a first predetermined ratio. The transducer also includes a low pressure control section coupled to the pressure divider section and configured to receiving the gas supply at the reduced pressure and an amplifying section coupled to the low pressure control section. The low pressure control section varies the reduced pressure to produce a variable control pressure to actuate the amplifying section in response thereto. The amplifying section is also configured to multiply the variable control pressure as a function of a second ratio to obtain an output pressure. Further, the transducer includes a main supply valve coupled to the amplifying section, wherein the amplifying section controls the main supply valve. |
| US07766027B2 |
Vented steamer port cap assembly
The present invention relates generally to methods and devices for providing a fire hydrant with a vented steamer port cap assembly to allow air and water to pass through an upper area of a fire hydrant. Various embodiments include hydrants with a vented steamer port cap assembly. In other embodiments, a secondary valve is included in the barrel of the fire hydrant to controllably allow liquid to flow through the hydrant. |
| US07766026B2 |
Faucet control system and method
A faucet control system comprises a valve apparatus, sensors or a touch panel to be activated by a user, and a controller that controls the valve apparatus. A first sensor may start fluid flow and a second sensor may alter the proportion of fluids delivered from two fluid sources. Alternatively, a first sensor may initiate hot water flow, a second sensor may initiate cold water flow, and a third sensor may initiate flow of a mixture of hot and cold water to create a warm water flow. The sensors may be activated without being touched and may include infrared sensing elements. The touch panel may be activated with hand pressure and may include electrically conductive sheets. Alternatively, hot, cold and/or warm touch sensors may be provided separately. The touch panel may have a first portion for allowing fluid flow from a cold fluid source, a second portion for allowing fluid flow from the cold fluid source and a hot fluid source, and a third portion for allowing fluid flow from the hot fluid source. The controller may include an adjustable timer so that fluid flow can be stopped automatically after a selected period of time. Other systems include a one sensor system, a two sensor system, a three sensor system and a five sensor system. In the five sensor system, one sensor activates hot water flow, another sensor activates cold water flow, and three sensors activate various levels of warm water flow. |
| US07766022B2 |
Modular system for concealment and shelter
An easy to use, universal, simple, lightweight, compact, portable, dynamically configurable and modular system of concealment and shelter. An operator configures a number of concealment blinds or shelters using brackets, supports, segmented shafts, covers, curtains, and skirts, and more complex modules. The segmented shafts have both the ability to make an attachment to retain a particular configuration while being able to break down the shafts for transportation or storage. The brackets and supports are used to secure a configuration to a tree, the ground, or a hand held device. Advanced modules include user adjustable domes and cylindrical arches. The system can be configured for placement on a hillside or over rough terrain and obstacles. Multiple modules can be carried by separate members of a group and combined together to form a more complex structure to meet the needs of the group. The system provides a novel star window with independently opening sections. The window openings are configured in a number of configurations to meet the needs of the user. The configuration of the structure is changed by the user to quickly provide cover, increase cover, and to adapt to terrain or changing weather. The system includes a low cost method of tightening the skin on a cover to reduce wind movement and noise. |
| US07766021B2 |
Substrate treatment apparatus
A substrate treatment apparatus, which treats a substrate with a treatment liquid that is ultrasonically vibrated, includes an oscillator body which is rectangular-parallelepiped and has a treatment liquid supply path having an opening on a lower surface thereof in a first end portion in a longitudinal direction thereof and inclining to a second end portion in the longitudinal direction thereof, a vibrator which is provided on an upper surface of the oscillator body and ultrasonically vibrates the oscillator, and a heat exchanger which cools the treatment liquid supplied to the treatment liquid supply path. |
| US07766020B2 |
Hair retaining clip with resilient gripping member
A hair retaining clip includes clip members that are pivotally connected to one another and movable between a generally open configuration and a generally closed configuration. A hair gripping component is fixedly attached to one of the clip members and is made from a relatively soft material. The hair gripping component is generally shielded from contact with hair within the hair retaining clip when the clip members are in the generally open configuration, and the hair gripping component contacts hair within the hair retaining clip when the clip members are in the generally closed configuration. |
| US07766019B2 |
Porous plastic smoking cessation devices
A smoking cessation device is provided. The smoking cessation device includes a dispensing member comprising porous plastic defining a matrix of an internal network of passages in communication with pores on the exterior of the device. The device is preferably sized and structured like a cigarette or other combustible smoking device. Residing within the matrix is a dispensate extractable therefrom upon exposure to a fluid. In one form the dispensate may be a tobacco derivative including one or more of nicotine, tobacco flavoring, menthol, vitamins, minerals, therapeutic agents, and/or additional flavoring. |
| US07766018B2 |
Device and composition for reducing the incidence of tobacco smoking
A device which facilitates the absorption of nicotine in order to reduce the incidence of tobacco smoking is disclosed. The device includes a tube defining an interior space. The tube has a first end with an opening and a second end. An inhalable, flowable liquid or gel composition is disposed in the interior space of the tube. The composition may include water, at least one vitamin, a flavoring agent, and nicotine. The flavoring agent may include an intense sweetener such as sucralose, and a natural or artificial fruit flavor. A user inhales on the first end of the tube of the device as a substitute oral activity to tobacco smoking and thereby ingests a source of nicotine that reduces the withdrawal symptoms experienced when smoking is stopped. |
| US07766017B2 |
Altered range of motion device
The device of the present invention is to prevent voluntarily or involuntarily arm movement that could be harmful to a medical patient during the patient's treatment using the patient's body weight to restrain the arms from movement. |
| US07766015B2 |
Air filtering soft face mask
An air filtering soft face mask has a soft body formed of multiple layers of material, including at least one layer of air filtering material capable of filtering selected contaminants from air. The body has an arcuate or peaked nose engaging edge adapted to engage a nose of a wearer and terminating in remote ends that extend downwardly. The body has a chin underlying edge adapted to underlie a chin of a wearer and terminating in remote ends that extend upwardly. The remote ends of the chin underlying edge being secured to the remote ends of the nose engaging edge to form side edges. Jaw movement tensions the body, forcing the nose engaging edge into firmer engagement with the nose of the wearer, forcing the chin underlying edge into firmer engagement with the chin of the wearer and tensioning the side edges into firmer engagement with the cheeks of the wearer. |
| US07766013B2 |
Aerosol generating method and device
A method and device are provided to generate an aerosol having a desired particle sizes, i.e., from molecular to about 10 microns, which can be used to effectively deliver a physiologically active compound to organs and tissues such as the lung, eye, mucosa and skin. The aerosol is formed through vaporization of the compound while mixing the resulting vapor with a gas, in a ratio, to form the desired particle size when a stable concentration of particles in the gas is reached. |
| US07766007B2 |
Solar energy collector
A solar collecting apparatus for collecting solar energy in a heat transfer fluid includes an upper header member, a lower header member, and a plurality of collector tubes, each collector tube connected at an upper end thereof to the upper header member and connected at a lower end thereof to the lower header member. The collector tubes are arranged such that axes of the collector tubes form an array wherein no three adjacent axes are on the same plane, typically in a cylindrical or like array. |
| US07766006B1 |
Dual fuel vent free gas heater
A dual fuel vent free gas heater having at least one gas burner with a plurality of gas outlet ports in an upper surface thereof. The gas outlet ports are in flow communication with at least one pilot flame burner. An adjustable fuel injector or at least two fuel injectors feed fuel to the burner providing for introduction of more than one fuel to the burner. Optionally, an oxygen detection system, manual fuel selection control valve, and/or temperature shut off control system may be incorporated into the dual fuel vent free heater. |
| US07766003B2 |
Cooking apparatus and method for controlling the same
A cooking apparatus to change the direction of hot air to be fed into a cooking chamber. The cooking apparatus includes a cooking chamber, a hot-air feeder to feed hot air into the cooking chamber, and an air-direction regulator to change a direction of the hot air fed from the hot-air feeder. |
| US07766001B2 |
Device and method for positioning and blocking thin substrates on a cut substrate block
A device for positioning and blocking thin silicon wafers after wire-sawing a silicon wafer block. The device comprises a cassette that accommodates the wafer block and is provided with two contact strips whose sides facing the wafer block encompass elements which engage into narrow cutting gap between the wafers so as to maintain a distance and provide support. This allows the wafers to be fixed in the position thereof even after removing a supporting glass plate such that particularly the gap in the area of the former connecting point to the removed supporting glass plate is maintained and the subsequent singulation process is simplified. |
| US07765998B2 |
Anti-chop eyes for a paintball marker
An anti-chop system for a pneumatic paintball marker that is automatically cleaned. The anti-chop eye system includes a transmitter and receiver arranged so as to sense the presence of a paintball within a breech using a beam of light. A moving member of the paintball marker automatically wipes at least one surface of the transmitter and/or receiver to remove contaminants such as paint, grease, dirt and the like. By automatically cleaning the anti-chop eye system, the reliability of the system is improved. |
| US07765995B2 |
Fuel injection device and fuel injection system
A fuel injection device includes a fuel injection valve for injecting fuel, which is distributed from a pressure-accumulation vessel. A pressure sensor is located in a fuel passage, which extends from the pressure-accumulation vessel to a nozzle hole, and configured to detect pressure of the fuel. The pressure sensor is located closer to the nozzle hole than the pressure-accumulation vessel. A storage unit stores individual difference information, which indicates an injection characteristic of the fuel injection valve, the injection characteristic being obtained by an examination. The individual difference information is related to a fluctuation pattern of a portion of the fluctuation in detected pressure waveform of the pressure sensor. The fluctuation is attributed to one fuel injection through the nozzle hole. The portion of the fluctuation is subsequent to an end of the fuel injection. |
| US07765994B2 |
Cylinder charge temperature control for an internal combustion engine
A method for controlling exhaust gas recirculation is presented. In one embodiment, exhaust gases are routed from the exhaust manifold through a cylinder and into an intake manifold. In some embodiments, the method may be used when a large amount of EGR is desired. |
| US07765993B2 |
Compressor inlet duct
An inlet for a compressor having a housing defining a generally C-shaped inlet opening and a rotor cavity configured to contain first and second rotors is provided. The inlet includes an inlet duct defining an inlet opening and a generally C-shaped outlet opening. The inlet duct has an inner wall defining a cavity operable to communicate airflow between the inlet opening and the generally C-shaped outlet opening. The generally C-shaped outlet opening of the inlet duct is substantially similar to the shape of the generally C-shaped inlet opening of the housing. The inner wall includes a floor portion and a roof portion. At least a portion of the floor portion is contoured to impart a velocity component to the airflow complementary to the tangential velocity of each of the first and second rotors during rotation of the first and second rotors. |
| US07765992B2 |
Fuel mixer
A path (24) is formed in an intake tube (6), which supplies external air to a reciprocating engine (4). External air flowing from an inlet port to an outlet port of the path (24). A gaseous fuel path (26) is connected to the path (24) at an intermediate location thereof. A gaseous fuel, lighter than air, is supplied through the gaseous fuel path (26) into the path (24). A plurality of nets (8) are disposed in an area of the path (24) between the outlet port and the gaseous fuel path (26). The nets (28) are spaced along the length of the path (24) with the outer peripheral surface of each net (28) being in contact with the inner surface of the path (24). |
| US07765989B2 |
Fuel pump driving device
A fuel-pump-driving device (20) drives a plunger (31) of a fuel pump (30) to perform a reciprocating motion to supply fuel to an internal combustion engine. The fuel-pump-driving device (20) comprises a cam (27) that drives the plunger (31) according to the rotation of a fuel-pump-driving sprocket (26). The fuel-pump-driving sprocket (26) meshes with a chain (7A) which travels between a crank sprocket (3) and a valve-driving sprocket (5A) of the engine. Since the fuel-pump-driving sprocket (26) can be located in a position detached from the valve-driving sprocket (5A), the fuel-pump-driving device (20) has greater freedom of layout and the fuel pump (30) exhibits a better performance than in a case where the plunger (31) is driven by a cam that is fixed directly to the cam shaft (5) of the valve-driving sprocket (5A). |
| US07765986B2 |
Injector mounting structure of V-type internal combustion engine
An injector mounting structure for a V-type internal combustion engine includes an intake manifold arranged in a V-bank. A fuel supply pipe extends linearly in parallel to a crankshaft and is disposed in the V-bank. A pair of injectors are branched in an inverted V-shape in side view from the direction of the axial line of the fuel supply pipe from two branch portions P, Q apart from each other in the direction of the axial line of the fuel supply pipe and extend in parallel to each other and obliquely at an acute angle α with respect to a segment PQ connecting the two branch portions P, Q in top view. The injectors are mounted by fitting distal end portions of the pair of injectors respectively into mounting holes formed on air-intake pipes of the intake manifold on the respective sides. |
| US07765980B2 |
Internal combustion engine and method for operating an internal combustion engine by means of a laser ignition unit
The invention relates to a method for operating an internal combustion engine including a fuel-injection unit and a laser ignition-unit. According to the invention, during a compression cycle of the internal combustion engine, fuel is injected into the combustion chamber by means of the fuel-injection unit in such a way that an ignitable, round, flat mixed region of fuel and air forms on a plunger and a predetermined period elapses between the end of the fuel injection and the start of ignition in order to form the round flat mixed region. Ignition then takes place within the flat round mixed region by means of the laser-ignition unit. |
| US07765979B2 |
System for controlling the operation of a diesel engine of a motor vehicle
System for controlling the operation of a motor vehicle diesel engine in which the supply of fuel to the cylinders is controlled as a function of the pressure of a reference cylinder acquired and a predetermined desired fuel supply value for each cylinder, the supply of fuel to the reference cylinder is slaved to its desired supply value as a function of the pressure acquired, the drive shaft rotation speed generated by the displacement of the piston of the reference cylinder and the drive shaft rotation speed generated by the displacement of the piston of at least one other cylinder are acquired, and the supply of fuel to this at least one other cylinder is actuated as a function of the speeds acquired by slaving the drive shaft rotation speed related to the at least one other cylinder to the drive shaft rotation speed related to the reference cylinder. |
| US07765977B2 |
Engine component part and method for producing the same
An engine component is composed of an aluminum alloy containing silicon, and includes a plurality of primary-crystal silicon grains located on a slide surface. The plurality of primary-crystal silicon grains have an average crystal grain size of no less than about 12 μm and no more than about 50 μm. |
| US07765971B1 |
Valve cover system
A valve cover system for covering valves, rocker arms and a cam shaft of an engine includes a mounting plate being mounted to a cylinder head of the engine. The mounting plate has an access aperture extending through a top surface and a bottom surface of the mounting plate. The access aperture permits the valves, the rocker arms and the cam shaft to extend through the mounting plate when the mounting plate is mounted to the cylinder head. A plurality of securing assemblies is coupled to the mounting plate and upwardly extending therefrom. A cover is mounted to the mounting plate to cover the access aperture and inhibits debris from entering the valves, the rocker arms and the cam shaft. A pair of latch assemblies is operationally coupled to the cover. The latch assemblies receive the securing assemblies to secure the cover to the mounting plate. |
| US07765967B2 |
Valve timing control apparatus
A valve timing control apparatus allows attachment of both a driven device and a valve timing control apparatus to one end of a cam shaft. The apparatus includes a drive member rotatable in synchronism with a crank shaft of an internal combustion engine, a driven member 4 disposed coaxially with the drive member and a fastener extending through the driven member from one axial end to the other axial end thereof. The fastener is fastened to a cam shaft of the internal combustion engine at the other axial end of the driven member, thereby fixing the driven member to the cam shaft. A rotation-transmitting groove is provided for attachment to a driven device The groove is integrally formed at one axial end of the fastener or in a member clamped in place by the fastener. |
| US07765959B2 |
Water heater base
A support base is provided for a water heater, the support base having a structure for supporting components of the water heater in their proper position in a manner that elevates an outer jacket of the heater and provides space for insulation between the outer jacket and an inner water tank. The support base comprises a lip at one end of the support base, an angled middle portion projecting upwardly from the lip such that the lip and the angled middle portion intersect to form a trough for positioning and supporting the water tank. The support base also has a top portion extending in a generally vertical direction from an upper end of the angled middle portion such that the top portion provides support for the outer jacket. |
| US07765955B2 |
Pet door
A pet door unit allowing entry to and egress from a dwelling of an animal includes a pet door provided with a latch. The pet door is mounted for movement to allow passage of an animal when the latch is disabled. The pet door unit includes an animal detector for detecting an animal seeking passage past the pet door. A controller allows selection of a permitted passage condition. A disabler selectively disables the latch. Other arrangements described include systems for controlling entry and exit for different animals in different time frames, systems that detect an animal by a tag carried by the animal, systems that detect a door, systems that detect whether an animal has actually passed through the door and in which direction, and systems that record time and direction of passage, a preferred coil geometry for tag detection, and a preferred latch. |
| US07765942B2 |
Interlocking component assembly for an expandable rack assembly
An interlocking component assembly of an expandable rack assembly is proposed, including a plurality of horizontally-deposed panels each formed with a first opening, a plurality of vertically-deposed panels each disposed between two horizontally-deposed panels, a plurality of middle joint components each disposed in vertically-deposed panels, and a plurality of interlocking components each adapted for interconnecting two middle joint components to interconnect and fasten the horizontally-deposed panel to the vertically-deposed panel, wherein the height of the vertically-deposed panel is greater than the length of the middle joint component, such that the vertically-deposed panel can be coupled to the interlocking component to securely engage the horizontally-deposed panel with the vertically-deposed panel, thereby enabling the rack assembly to be free from limitations of assembling locations or dimensional specifications while the structural rigidity and strength of the assembled rack unit is enhanced. |
| US07765941B2 |
Collapsible support stand for barbecue stove
A support stand for a barbecue stove includes two table members, a plurality of support feet and at least one leg brace assembly pivotally connecting the table members to the support feet. Each leg brace assembly has a hinge, an actuating device and a driving device and connects the table members to the support feet. A user can operate the leg brace assembly to detach the driving device from the actuating device and can hold handles of the table members to set the table members upright so that the driving device can move downward quickly and the support stand will be collapsible quickly. The table members further include a plurality of receptacles formed thereon and adapted for receiving the feet of the barbecue stove so that the barbecue stove can be disposed on the table members stably. |
| US07765940B1 |
Extension for desk
A kit for converting a standard sit-down desk to a stand-up desk. The kit includes a frame having a plurality of leg extensions secured with end rails and a plurality of side supports of selected length. Selected of the leg extensions are pivotally carried between retracted and extended positions. The kit also includes a foot rail, a shelf, a plurality of spacers and a plurality of collars. For shipping, the pivotable leg extensions, shelf and foot rail are placed parallel with the end rail. In use, the pivotable leg extensions are moved into an extended position and secured by the foot rail and shelf. The desk legs are interconnected with the leg extensions by the collars. |
| US07765939B2 |
Foldable stand
A foldable stand includes a platform for holding a power tool, four legs, and a connecting device set, which has four connecting devices respectively pivotally secure the legs to the platform for allowing the legs to be set between a collapsed status received inside the platform and an extended status to support the platform above the floor. The third and fourth connecting devices are respectively disposed at two opposite sides relative to the connection line that is defined between the first connecting device and the second connecting device. The leg that is coupled to the first connecting device is disposed near the connection line between the first connecting device and the second connecting device and far from the third connecting device, and the leg that is coupled to the second connecting device is disposed near the connection line between the first connecting device and the second connecting device and far from the fourth connecting device. |
| US07765938B2 |
Nesting and folding table
Nesting and folding table, comprising a supporting structure including two pairs of legs, a top articulated to the supporting structure about a horizontal axis and mobile between a position of use and a position of storage, and a pair of supporting devices each including an arched guide fixed with respect to the top, a rotatable arm, and a supporting member, carried by the rotatable arm and slidably engaging said arched guide. The first and the second pairs of legs are both fixed to one another and are staggered with respect to one another in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the surface. Said arm has a first end that rotatably engages an end of a respective leg and a second end that is connected to said supporting member by means of a joint, designed to enable a movement of rotation of the supporting member with respect to said second end of the arm about at least two mutually orthogonal axes. |
| US07765935B2 |
Rail threading mechanism
A rail threading mechanism for a rail handling vehicle includes a thread box mounted on the outer end of a manipulating arm. The thread box includes a platform and a pair of jaws pivotally connected to the platform and moveable between open and closed positions. The platform includes a support roller for rollingly engaging the flat bottom of a rail. Each jaw include a plurality of jaw rollers positioned for rollingly engaging a rail positioned on the support roller when the respective jaw is in the closed position. The jaw rollers on each jaw preferably include a pair of base rollers positioned for engaging an edge of the base of the rail, a pair of flange top rollers positioned for engaging a top surface of the top flange of the rail, and a flange side roller positioned for engaging an edge surface of the top flange of the rail. |
| US07765934B2 |
Lead-free projectile
A small-bore projectile comprises a ductile outer jacket, a hard core, and a hollow jacket core. Kinetic energy of the projectile is substantially transmitted to the hard core when a target is hit such that said hard core penetrates the target. The outer jacket is supported by the jacket core that is located on the inside and mushrooms up into a deformed state upon impact without fragmenting. The projectile has good flying behavior and great final ballistic performance and can be produced in an entirely lead-free manner. |
| US07765930B2 |
Methods for setting the contact pressure of a displaceably mounted roller
A method is used to set a contact pressure between a displaceable roller and another roller or for moving the displaceable roller with respect to the other roller. At least one actuator is subjectible to the action of a pressure medium and presses the displaceable roller toward the other roller with an adjustable force. The pressure of the pressure medium can be adjusted by a valve. A switchover device is provided for use in connecting the valve to different actuators, as desired. |
| US07765929B2 |
Printing device, patterning method using the same, and method of fabricating a liquid crystal display device using the same
A printing device, a patterning method using the same and a method of fabricating an LCD device using the same are disclosed. The printing device includes a printing roll having a blanket adhered to an outer surface thereof; and an absorption nozzle to absorb solvent from the blanket. The absorption nozzle may include an absorber having a slit, a vacuum controller connected to the absorber, and a pipe connected to the vacuum controller. |
| US07765928B2 |
Printing plate material spool and method of loading the spool
Printing plate material supply spool (PMSS) for a printing machine or plate-imaging machine and a method of loading it is provided. An exemplary PMSS can comprise a printing plate material film that is wrapped around a hollow core (HC), wherein the HC is adapted to be engaged with a heavy duty core (HDC) prior to be placed in the printing machine. The method for loading the printing plate material supply spool (PMSS) in a printing machine or plate imaging machine may comprise inserting a heavy-duty core (HDC) inside the HC of the PMSS forming an integrated core. Then the PMSS and the integrated core can be placed in the printing machine. |
| US07765926B2 |
Web printing press with delivery stream length determination
A printing press is provided including at least one print unit printing a first job on a web, a folder splitting the web into a plurality of ribbons, combining the ribbons, and cutting the ribbons into signatures, the folder having a folder delivery for delivery of the signatures, a marking device marking every ribbon, a sensor sensing the marks on every ribbon, and a controller connected to the marking device and the sensor and determining a shortest ribbon value and a longest ribbon value, the shortest ribbon value being a function of a shortest path length of a first ribbon through the folder and the longest ribbon value being a function of a longest path length of a further ribbon through the folder. A method is also provided. |
| US07765924B2 |
Stamp
This invention provides a stamp which enables a print image combining a fixed print face with a changeable print face to be visibly recognized through a sample. A date stamp forms a print image by synthesizing a fixed print face with a movable print face arbitrarily selectable by operating an operation portion. The movable print faces are provided on the outer face of a belt body in a plurality of quantity. Samples of the print images of the movable print faces are printed on the outside face on an opposite side of the belt body. Each movable print face and sample are matched with each other so that the sample of the print image of the movable print face located at a side face of a holding body is located on other side face. A user can see a sample of the print image of the fixed print face and a sample seen through a sample window as an image of a stamp result through a sample face on an opposite side to the print face. |
| US07765922B2 |
Device for compressing biomass to create fuel
The present invention is a biomass compactor. The device is made up of a frame having a hydraulic compaction cylinder. When the hydraulic control is activated, the compaction cylinder moves forward through a hopper filled with various biomass materials, such as but not limited to, yard waste and food waste products. The compaction cylinder pushes the raw biomass material into the compaction area, thereby compressing the biomass material. When the compaction cylinder is retracted, the hopper can then be refilled and the compaction process repeated as desired up until the point where the compression area is full. The resulting compressed biomass material is removed and can be used as fuel, such as by burning the resulting compressed biomass material in a fireplace or wood burning stove. |
| US07765919B2 |
Baking sheet with slide-off ramp
A substantially flat, heat-resistant baking sheet has a baking surface, a rolled periphery and a baking area within that periphery. The baking area has numerous through-holes. A generally upright wall, integrally formed with the sheet, extends along the first part of the periphery, defining an upper edge. The height of the wall varies from a maximum to a minimum predetermined height, and the wall substantially encloses the baking area along the first part of the periphery. In the example shown, the baking sheet is rectangular: the wall extends along three sides and the fourth side has no wall. A baked product can be slid or pushed off this fourth side without being lifted, the side serving as a slide-off chute or ramp. Condensation between the baking sheet and the baked product evacuates through the holes to allow the surface against the sheet to bake to a crisper consistency. |
| US07765918B2 |
Combination conveyor oven
An oven for heating a product is provided. The oven includes a partially enclosed housing with an inlet opening and an outlet opening and a conveyor to move a product through the housing. The oven additionally includes a steam system for boiling liquid with an associated steam pipe and a heating element provided within the housing. |
| US07765917B2 |
Air compressor
An air compressor that employs splash lubrication to lubricate and cool a piston kit that includes a cylinder and a piston reciprocating in the cylinder. In one form, cooling channels can be coupled to or formed on the cylinder to direct the lubricant that is splashed onto the cylinder to drain in a desired manner, such as helically around the exterior of the cylinder, to more effectively cool the piston kit. In another form, the cylinder can include an annular flange that can be bigger in diameter than a remainder of the cylinder. The annular flange can be received into a counterbore in a cylinder block. A cylinder head, which can be fastened to the cylinder block, can apply a clamping force to the annular flange to clamp or fix the cylinder to cylinder. |
| US07765916B2 |
Lever with shifting fulcrum point
A lever with a shifting pivot or fulcrum point such that in pivoting of the lever between a first position and a second position for at least one angular segment of such pivoting about a first fulcrum point and for a second angular sector of such pivoting, pivots about a second fulcrum point. |
| US07765915B2 |
Vehicular hydraulic system with dual relief valve
A vehicular hydraulic system having a hydraulic pump and first and second hydraulic applications arranged in series. A dual relief valve defines first and second flow channels, a passageway and a bypass port. The first flow channel is disposed between the hydraulic pump and the first hydraulic application and the second flow channel is disposed between the first hydraulic application and the second hydraulic application. A first valve member controls fluid flow through the passageway and allows fluid flow from the first to the second flow channel through the passageway when fluid pressure within the first flow channel exceeds a first threshold pressure. A second valve member controls fluid flow through the bypass port and allows fluid flow from the second flow channel to a return line through the bypass port when fluid pressure within the second flow channel exceeds a second threshold pressure. |
| US07765912B1 |
Crew-served machine gun and associated aircraft ordnance mounting system
A weapon, representatively a machine gun, is mounted in a crew-served orientation on the outer end of an elongated support beam extending transversely through and secured within the cabin area of a helicopter, with the outer beam end disposed exteriorly of the helicopter. A seat structure, upon which a crew member may sit, is mounted atop a longitudinally central portion of the beam for sliding movement along the beam toward and away from the machine gun. Operatively associated with the machine gun is an ammunition box having a lid portion fixed to the bottom side of the beam end upon the top side of which the machine gun is pivotally and rotationally mounted. The body of the ammunition box is removably securable to the beam secured lid. |
| US07765905B2 |
Magnetic micropositioner and method of providing the same
A micropositioner is provided, which contains an outer magnetic pole-piece and an inner magnetic pole-piece located within the outer magnetic pole piece. At least one permanent magnet is located between the inner magnetic pole piece and the outer magnetic pole-piece. At least one coil is located between the inner magnetic pole-piece and the outer magnetic pole-piece, wherein the at least one coil is capable of directing magnetic flux between the inner magnetic pole-piece and the outer magnetic pole-piece. An outer movable shell is also movably connected to the outer magnetic pole-piece. |
| US07765904B2 |
System and method for performing machining operations
A system and method for performing machining operations on first and second ends of an elongate workpiece, the system comprising a support for the workpiece which has first and second, spaced sides, each of which has first and second spaced ends, a first machining tool disposed proximate the first end of the first side for performing a first machining operation on a first end of the workpiece, a second machining tool being positioned proximate the second end of the second side for performing a second machining operation on a second side of the workpiece, the first and second machining tools being mirror images of one another. |
| US07765902B2 |
Cutting tool for high-quality high-efficiency machining and cutting method using the same
It is an object to provide a cutting tool which can perform high-quality, high-efficiency machining of a workpiece such as hardened steel.The cutting tool includes a finishing cutting edge 6 which initially cuts into the workpiece, and superfinishing cutting edges 7 for finishing the workpiece cut by the finishing cutting edge. The superfinishing cutting edges 7 project from the finishing cutting edge by a predetermined amount B in such a direction that the depth of cut of the superfinishing cutting edges increases. Each superfinishing cutting edge includes a burnishing portion 7a having a predetermined width L in the feed direction of the tool, and a wiper portion 7b. The superfinishing cutting edges 7 burnish the finished surface formed by the finishing cutting edge, while removing a affected layer formed by the finishing cutting edge. |
| US07765897B2 |
Ratchet wrench
A ratchet wrench is disclosed, which comprises a body unit which has a circular groove at its one side and a stop member; a head unit which includes a housing rotatably passing through a circular groove of the body unit, and a ratchet gear engaged at an outer rim of the housing and is selectively rotatable in one direction as the ratchet gear is engaged with the stop member; a worm screw which is rotatably pin-engaged in the interior of the housing; and a pair of arms of which one end of each arm is inserted into the interior of the housing and is pin-engaged therein with a thread being formed on an upper side of each arm and being engaged with the worm screw. |
| US07765896B1 |
Reversible ratchet wrench whose operation directions are changed easily and quickly
A reversible ratchet wrench includes a drive shank having a support base, an open shell pivotally mounted on the support base, a ratchet wheel having a plurality of ratchet teeth, a pawl member having a sliding face slidably mounted on the support base and a toothed engaging face meshing with the ratchet teeth, and a cover to cover the ratchet wheel, the pawl member and the support base of the drive shank. The shell is pivoted relative to the support base to change the operation direction of the ratchet wheel. Thus, the user only needs to hold and pivot the shell relative to the support base to change the operation direction of the ratchet wheel, so that the user can change the operation direction of the ratchet wheel easily and quickly. |
| US07765891B2 |
Robotic compliance mechanism
A mechanism provides compliance between a tool and a robotic arm and includes a base with a first face. The mechanism includes a post assembly with a thrust washer and a mounting post attached to the thrust washer. The thrust washer engages the first face to form a compliance joint that permits a compliance range of sliding translational motion along the first face. The mechanism comprises springs that slideably engage an outer rim surface of the post assembly and providing a compliance force resisting the sliding translational motion. A retainer is mounted to the base and compresses the thrust washer against the first face and limits rotational motion of the assembly out of a plane of the first face. |
| US07765889B2 |
Start-up assistance coaxial gear reducer with increasing ratio up to direct drive
The invention concerns a decreasing reduction start-up phase coaxial mechanical reducer using constantly variable radius gears, with a final direct drive 1:1 ratio obtained without internal movement component. |
| US07765887B2 |
Drive provided with a continuously variable transmission and a chargeable reverse shaft
A drive has a drive source and a continuously variable transmission, with an outgoing shaft having a first gear wheel. A clutch is present between the drive source and the ingoing shaft. The outgoing shaft of the transmission is connected to a gear wheel connected to a differential via a drive line for driving forwards. The drive line has an intermediate shaft with thereon a second gear wheel, which is interlocked with the first gear wheel and the third gear wheel, which is interlocked with the gear wheel. For reversing, the drive line can be interrupted by means of a disengagement and the drive is provided with a further drive line between the gear wheel that is connected to the differential and the outgoing shaft of the transmission. |
| US07765885B2 |
Gear drive system and method
The disclosed system, device and method for providing a low aspect rack and pinion assembly includes a rack engaged with a ball screw and a pinion. The rack is generally responsive to the rotation of the ball screw and the pinion is generally responsive to the movement of the rack. The separating forces generated by the engagement of the rack and pinion are suitably reacted by one or more stabilizer bearings engaged with the structure of the rack and pinion to prevent the rack and pinion from disengaging while maintaining a low aspect profile. |
| US07765883B1 |
Dry blending aid
A method of monitoring and evaluating the dry-blending of powders and granular materials via the use of non-dissolvable particulate matter such as mustard seed as a blending aid. The mustard seed is blended into the total batch of dry blend materials and the mustard seed can subsequently be extracted by a process of sieving from a known volume of sample taken of the mixture since the mustard seed is larger than the other particles that are being blended. The weight and or sight count of the extracted mustard seed present in the sample is determined and compared with the amount of seed that should be present in a perfect blend to determine if the dry blend materials are thoroughly mixed. |
| US07765880B2 |
Flexible piezoresistive interfacial shear and normal force sensor and sensor array
A force sensor includes a polymeric substrate including a cavity with a tilt plane, at least two metal piezoresistors on the tilt plane, and a contact pad connected to the metal piezoresistors. The tilt plane may include a measured interface of from 15° to 75°. |
| US07765876B1 |
Apparatus for connecting a pressure gauge to a pipe
Disclosed is an apparatus for connecting a pressure gauge to a pipe. The apparatus includes a cylinder, a joint/valve unit and a clip. The cylinder includes a space defined therein for receiving the pressure gauge, an aperture in communication with the space and a slit in communication with the aperture. The joint/valve unit includes a section for connection to the pipe and another section inserted in the aperture and formed with two grooves. The clip is inserted in the grooves through the slit, thus keeping the joint/valve connected to the cylinder. |
| US07765875B2 |
High temperature capacitive static/dynamic pressure sensors
Disclosed is a capacitive pressure probe for high temperature applications, such as for use in a gas turbine engine. The capacitive probe or pressure sensor of the present invention includes, inter alia, a sensor housing that defines an interior sensing chamber having a pressure port and an interior reference chamber positioned adjacent to a sensing electrode. The reference chamber is separated from the sensing chamber by a deflectable diaphragm made from Haynes 230 alloy, wherein the deflection of the diaphragm in response to an applied pressure in the sensing chamber corresponds to a change in capacitance value detected by the sensing electrode. |
| US07765874B2 |
Vacuum measuring cell with membrane
A vacuum measuring cell with a membrane between two planar housing parts has a first housing part forming a reference vacuum volume and the second housing part forming a measuring vacuum volume with a connection for the medium to be measured and a mechanism for measuring the membrane deflection. The membrane surface exposed to the medium to be measured is a structured surface. |
| US07765870B2 |
Acceleration sensor and method of manufacturing the same
An acceleration sensor includes a semiconductor element built in a substrate, a wiring layer formed on the substrate, and a piezoresistor, formed on the substrate and made up of a part of the wiring layer, whose resistivity changes by the action of acceleration. |
| US07765865B2 |
Flow sensor unit including an insulating member interposed between the sensor chip and the attachment plate
A flow sensor may be formed of a sensor chip in which a flow rate detecting section is formed on an electric insulating film applied to cover at least a part of a concave portion formed on an upper surface of a substrate and may also include a flow path forming member which is provided on the sensor chip and has a flow path of a fluid flowing through the flow rate detecting section formed therein. |
| US07765864B2 |
Device and method for detecting lightning strikes on a structure made of electrically insulating material
A device for detecting lightning strikes (9) on an electrically insulating structure (11) likely to be subjected to a lightning strike, for example an aircraft radome, includes on an external surface (12) one or more lightning arrester strips (10), made of an electrically conductive material and electrically linked to an electrically conductive structure. At least one inductive sensor (3) is positioned near the internal surface (13) of the electrically insulating structure so that the inductive sensor delivers a signal when a lightning arrester strip is passed through by a lightning current I. The signals from the inductive sensor, for example a flat coil or two flat coils mounted in opposition, are received and processed by acquisition means. |
| US07765861B2 |
Method of adhesion measurement at the interface between layers
The strength of adhesion between two layers is evaluated by applying a series of laser shocks directly to the surface of one of the layers. Adhesion strength is determined based on the wavelength and energy of the laser pulse creating the shock which causes rupture of the interface between the two layers. |
| US07765859B2 |
Method and system for determining brake shoe effectiveness
A system for determining brake shoe effectiveness of a braking arrangement of a train during operation of the train including at least one brake database including braking data and at least one train database including train data. A control system is in communication with the at least one brake database and the at least one train database, and the control system dynamically determines brake shoe effectiveness data based upon the braking data and the train data, where the brake shoe effectiveness data includes the ability of the braking arrangement to retard the train to a specified level. |
| US07765857B2 |
Internal combustion engine system and misfire determining method for internal combustion engine
An influence component N30m of every 30 degrees in a 30 degree rotation speed N30 base as time required for 30 degree rotation of a crankshaft is calculated by using a frequency characteristic of an influence given to a rotation fluctuation of a crankshaft by output torque output from a motor, which is calculated by using a mechanical model and an amplitude P and a phase q at a time of vibration control by the motor, a determination duration T30j is calculated by subtracting an influence component T30m as an inverse number of this from 30 degree duration T30, and misfire of an engine is determined by comparing the calculated determination duration T30j with a threshold value Tref. Thereby, misfire of the engine outputting power to a post-stage via a damper can be determined more reliably and accurately. |
| US07765855B2 |
Adhesive compositions and method for selection thereof
Adhesive compositions and a method for selecting adhesive compositions are disclosed herein. Preferred adhesives generally have small domains and/or a homogeneous domain distribution. The method of selecting adhesives is based on size and distribution of the domains. |
| US07765853B2 |
Determining seal feature integrity by testing for deformation upon air pressure excitation
Optical metrology methods, apparatuses, and systems for detecting seal integrity. These comprise changing an air pressure inside a chamber to an excitation pressure level when the chamber is placed over a segment of a surface of a structure having one or more seal features and determining whether the integrity of any of the one or more seal features has been compromised by determining, using an optical system, whether any of the one or more seal features have been deformed by the changing of the air pressure. |
| US07765851B2 |
Vehicle panel pulling devices
A device for straightening a vehicle panel comprising a base which is attachable to a pulling device and at least three fingers pivotally connected to the base and movable from a retracted position designed for insertion into a drilled hole in a damaged panel. The fingers are movable to an extended position wherein a gripping portion extends generally perpendicular to the longitudinal pulling force. Another aspect comprises providing the gripping portion of at least one of the fingers with a substantially flat pulling surface in order to maximize the contact area between the finger and the damaged vehicle panel. |
| US07765850B2 |
Mechanical pipe-end expander and a method of manufacturing seamless steel pipe
The present invention provides a mechanical pipe-end expander comprising a cone and a die having tapered wedge bodies whose outer radius is larger towards a flangeless end direction from a flange end, wherein a pipe-end zone is expanded by a wedge effect of the die, which results from a procedure that the cone and the die are inserted together into the pipe-end zone to be expanded, and that then only the cone is axially drawn outwards leaving the die within the pipe-end zone. A seamless steel pipe with an expanded pipe-end zone is manufactured by applying a mechanical pipe-end expander comprising a die having tapered wedge bodies whose outer radius is larger towards a flangeless end direction from a flange end. The resulting seamless steel pipe has satisfactory pipe-end dimensional accuracy, and exhibits characteristics with excellent field welding workability. |
| US07765846B2 |
Method of producing a hollow shaft
A method of producing a hollow shaft having first and second profilings provided for torque transmission at respective ends thereof, wherein a shaft section between the ends has a smaller diameter than at least one of the profilings, and the hollow shaft is assembled from hollow shaft and sleeve components joined via a torque-transmitting slip joint, in which the shaft and sleeve components are each formed from cut blanks by cupping, perforating. cold extrusion and turning steps, and the respective components are assembled to each other. |
| US07765845B2 |
Stem slide device
The stem slide device of the present invention in an extruder has a stem vertical movement support (71) and slide guide members (72-1, 2) fastened to the support and forming guide grooves. A stem (6) pushing against a billet loaded in a container is held at the slide table (73) horizontally. The slide table slides in the vertical direction along the vertical face of the support. When the slide table is positioned at the bottom end of the guide groove, the hydraulic cylinders (77-1, 2) are driven so that the rods (78-1, 2) push the back surface of the slide table against the vertical face of the support. Therefore, the axis of the stem is held matched with the axis of the container. |
| US07765838B2 |
Tub for washing machine and method of manufacturing the same
A tub of a washing machine that prevents vibration and noise and a method of manufacturing the tub are provided. The tub includes a rear tub portion, a front tub portion located in front of the rear tub portion, and one or more linear reinforcing portions formed on at least one of the rear and front tub portions and extending in a direction parallel to a central axis of the front and rear tub portions. |
| US07765835B2 |
Elastic composite yarn, methods for making the same, and articles incorporating the same
An elastic composite yarn comprises a composite core and a composite covering. The composite core comprises an elastic core member and an inelastic functional core member. The composite covering comprises at least an elastic covering member and at least one inelastic covering member surrounding the elastic covering member, such that substantially all of an elongating stress imposed on the composite yarn is carried by the elastic core member and the elastic covering member. |
| US07765834B2 |
Double-cylinder circular knitting machine for hosiery or other knitted articles
A double-cylinder circular knitting machine for hosiery or other knitted articles comprises a lower needle cylinder with a vertical axis and an upper needle cylinder arranged above and coaxially to the lower needle cylinder. Aligned axial slots are formed on the lateral surface of the lower and upper needle cylinders. Each of the axial slots of the lower and upper needle cylinders accommodates an actuation element which can engage a needle to be actuated and is provided with a fixed heel, and with a heel which can be extracted radially on command from the axial slot. The transfer of a needle from one needle cylinder to the other is performed by fixed cams and by a selection device producing transition into the extracted position of the movable heel exclusively of the actuation elements that correspond to the needles to be moved to the lower needle cylinder. |