Document Document Title
US07781164B2 Method for diagnosing renal diseases or predispositions
The invention provides a method of diagnosing a disease or a predisposition to contract a disease by assaying for mutations of uromodulin (UMOD) within a test subject or patient. The presence of a mutation in the UMOD supports a diagnosis of a disease or a predisposition to contract a disease within the patient.
US07781160B2 Biomarkers related to metabolic age and methods using the same
Biomarkers relating to metabolic age are provided, as well as methods for using such biomarkers as biomarkers for determining metabolic age. In addition, methods for modulating the metabolic age of a subject are also provided. Also provided are suites of small molecule entities as biomarkers for metabolic age.
US07781159B2 Micromethod and device for rapid detection, enumeration and identification of entities
This invention describes a method and device for the rapid detection, enumeration and identification of microorganisms. It is based on the production and accumulation of absorbent or fluorescent molecules during reactions between artificial substrates and enzymes in micro-channels of the sampling-detecting unit, which is a part of a sample treating device. The enzymes of cells, or enzymes attached to the cell body through antibody-enzyme conjugates, produce easily detectable concentration of colored or fluorescent molecules in a small volume much faster than in a large volume. Channels that contain microorganisms appear as colored or fluorescent dots when viewed using a light or fluorescent microscope.
US07781155B2 Fabrication method of micro-lens and fabrication method of master for micro-lens
A method of fabricating a micro lens, the method including: forming a photo-sensitive film on a substrate; placing a photo mask at a predetermined distance from a top of the photo-sensitive film; exposing the photo-sensitive film by varying an area of exposure of the photo-sensitive film so as to selectively expose three-dimensional structures of the photo-sensitive film corresponding to desired micro lenses; and developing the photo-sensitive film such that the exposed three-dimensional structures remain. Also, there is provided a method of fabricating a master for a micro lens, in which a master material is applied on the photo-sensitive film with the three-dimensional structures to form a master having the three-dimensional structures transferred thereonto.
US07781153B2 Polymer resin composition, related method for forming a pattern, and related method for fabricating a capacitor
A polymer resin composition, a method for forming a pattern using the polymer resin composition, and a method for fabricating a capacitor using the polymer resin composition are disclosed. The polymer resin composition includes about 75 to 93 percent by weight of a copolymer prepared from benzyl methacrylate, methacrylic acid, and hydroxyethyl methacrylate; about 1 to 7 percent by weight of a cross-linking agent; about 0.01 to 0.5 percent by weight of a thermal acid generator; about 0.01 to 1 percent by weight of a photoacid generator; about 0.00001 to 0.001 percent by weight of an organic base; and a solvent.
US07781152B2 Ozone-assisted lithography process with image enhancement for CPP head manufacturing
A method for forming a bi-layer lift-off mask, including a hardened photoresistive stencil layer on a PMGI layer, for use in fabricating GMR read-head sensors with trackwidths of less than 0.1 microns and TMJ MRAM devices of similar critical dimensions. The stencil portion of the mask includes a narrow portion with sharply defined edge and corners which are formed, without rounding or extreme undercut, by a photolithographic process which includes the formation, in a first development process, of auxiliary pattern pieces over the corners of the stencil and a subsequent oxidation in ozone for removing those auxiliary pattern pieces and obtaining sharply defined edge and corners and a controlled dissolution of the PMGI layer.
US07781151B2 Manufacturing method of fuel cell having micro sensors and polymer layers
A manufacturing method of fuel cell having micro sensors and polymer layers is disclosed. It include the following steps of: (1) depositing first polymer layer step, (2) first lithographic processing step, (3) depositing chromium layer step, (4) depositing gold layer step, (5) removing first photo-resist layer step, (6) depositing second polymer layer step, (7) second lithographic processing step, (8) plasma etching step, (9) removing second photo-resist layer step, and (10) complete step. About this invention, the polymer layers can protect the micro sensors. The micro sensors can be installed at a specific location in the flow channel. The entire manufacturing cost is lowered.
US07781148B2 Dual-layer heat-sensitive imageable elements with a polyvinyl acetal top layer
Thermally imagable elements are described comprising on a substrate with hydrophilic surface (a) a first layer comprising a first polymer soluble or swellable in aqueous alkaline developer and insoluble in organic solvents with low polarity and (b) a second layer comprising a second polymer soluble or swellable in aqueous alkaline developer, wherein the first polymer is different from the second polymer and the second polymer comprises vinyl acetal repeating units and pendant acidic groups selected from COOH, —SO3H, —PO3H2, —PO4H2, aromatic OH and groups having acidic amide or imide groups.
US07781147B2 Imide-urethane resin, photosensitive resin composition including the same and cured product
[PROBLEMS] To provide a photosensitive resin composition which has excellent photosensitivity and gives a cured product reduced in warpage and excellent in flexing properties, adhesion, pencil hardness, solvent resistance, acid resistance, heat resistance, resistance to gold plating, etc.[MEANS FOR SOLVING PROBLEMS] A urethane resin (A) soluble in aqueous alkali solutions and curable with active energy rays which is obtained by reacting a diisocyanate compound (a) with a tetrabasic acid dianhydride (b) to obtain a compound (E), reacting the compound (E) with a hydroxylated compound (c) having an unsaturated group and optionally with a hydroxylated compound (d) other than the compound (c) to obtain a compound (F), and further reacting hydroxy groups of the compound (F) with a diisocyanate compound (e).
US07781146B2 Optical recording medium
An optical recording medium includes a substrate, a protective layer and a plurality of information recording layers between the substrate and the protective layer and capable of recording data in the plurality of information recording layers and reproducing data recorded in the plurality of information recording layers by projecting a laser beam via a light incidence plane constituted by one of the surfaces of the substrate and protective layer onto the plurality of information recording layers, each of the information recording layers other than a farthest information recording layer from the light incidence plane including two recording films, a first dielectric film located on the side of the light incidence plane with respect to the two recording films and containing an oxide as a primary component and added with nitrogen, and a second dielectric film located on the opposite side of the light incidence plane with respect to the two recording films and having a lower thermal conductivity than that of the first dielectric film. According to the thus constituted optical recording medium, it is possible to improve the heat radiation characteristic and the optical property of information recording layers other than the information recording layer farthest from the light incidence plane.
US07781138B2 Low melt toners and processes thereof
A process for preparing toner particles and compositions adapted for use in preparing toners that comprise a blend of a first polyester resin with a second sharp melting polyester resin. The process includes forming an emulsion resin comprising a branched polyester resin, a crystalline polyester resin, a colorant, and optionally a wax. The resin mixture is aggregated using an aggregating agent, such as a zinc acetate solution, to form an aggregate mixture. The aggregate mixture is then coalesced at a temperature of from about 5 to about 20° C. above the Tg of the emulsion resin to produce the resultant toner particles.
US07781129B2 Green pigment for color filter, green pigment dispersion, photosensitive color composition, color filter, and liquid crystal panel
A green pigment for a color filter including a phthalocyanine green pigment and capable of expressing a region of xy-chromaticity coordinate enclosed by predetermined equations 1, 2 and 3 defined by the XYZ color system of the CIE when the green pigment is soley subjected to colorimetry. Moreover, using the above-mentioned green pigment, it provides a photosensitive color composition capable of forming a color filter having a wide color reproduction range and a high transmittance. Furthermore, it provides a color filter having a wide color reproduction range and a high transmittance with a green pixel formed using the above-mentioned photosensitive color composition, and a liquid crystal panel using the color filter.
US07781121B2 Fuel cell
The fuel cell of this invention includes at least one unit cell that includes: a membrane-electrode assembly including an electrolyte membrane sandwiched between an anode and a cathode; an anode-side separator in contact with the anode and having a fuel flow path for supplying a fuel to the anode; and a cathode-side separator in contact with the cathode and having an oxidant flow path for supplying an oxidant to the cathode. The fuel flow path has a first flow channel and a second flow channel, and each of the first flow channel and the second flow channel has a fuel inlet and a fuel outlet. The first flow channel and the second flow channel are adjacent to each other, and the direction of the flow of fuel through the first flow channel is opposite to the direction of the flow of fuel through the second flow channel.
US07781120B2 Thermo-mechanical robust solid oxide fuel cell device assembly
A solid oxide fuel cell device assembly comprising: (i) at least one solid oxide fuel cell device including one electrolyte sheet sandwiched between at least one pair of electrodes; and (ii) a non-steel frame fixedly attached to said at least one fuel cell device without a seal located therebetween.
US07781119B2 Flow shifting in each individual cell of a fuel cell stack
A fuel cell stack utilizes flow shifting of the anode reactant within the individual fuel cells of the fuel cell stack. The anode side of the fuel cells are separated into two or more flow fields. Anode reactant is supplied in varying quantities to the two flow fields so that anode reactant flowing through one of the flow fields is allowed to back flow into the other flow field and vice versa. The back flowing of anode reactant between the flow fields distributes nitrogen more evenly between the multiple flow fields in each of the fuel cells.
US07781118B2 Fuel cell flooding detection
A pressure fluctuation parameter (for example, a statistical indicator such as a root-mean-square value) from a set of differential pressure measurements between the inlet and the outlet of a fuel cell reactant flow channel carrying vaporized water is used to define flooding onset. Vaporized water in the flow of gas (air) through the flow channels is controlled in response to the parameter. Benefits include efficient operation (i.e., minimized stoichiometry) and effective management of rapid power transients in a fuel cell.
US07781110B2 Fuel cell system and transport equipment including the same
A fuel cell system that is capable of handling gasified fuel in an aqueous solution tank includes an aqueous solution tank which holds fuel aqueous solution, a fuel cell including an anode supplied with the fuel aqueous solution from the aqueous solution tank, and a cathode provided with a catalyst containing platinum Pt, an air supplying unit including an air pump and arranged to supply air to the cathode in the fuel cell, and a gas guide arranged to add a gas containing gasified methanol from the aqueous solution tank to the air to be sent to the cathode.
US07781109B2 Hydrogen storage and integrated fuel cell assembly
Hydrogen is stored in materials that absorb and desorb hydrogen with temperature dependent rates. A housing is provided that allows for the storage of one or more types of hydrogen-storage materials in close thermal proximity to a fuel cell stack. This arrangement, which includes alternating fuel cell stack and hydrogen-storage units, allows for close thermal matching of the hydrogen storage material and the fuel cell stack. Also, the present invention allows for tailoring of the hydrogen delivery by mixing different materials in one unit. Thermal insulation alternatively allows for a highly efficient unit. Individual power modules including one fuel cell stack surrounded by a pair of hydrogen-storage units allows for distribution of power throughout a vehicle or other electric power consuming devices.
US07781107B2 Fuel cell system
As a freezing judgment mechanism, comprised in a gas-liquid separator are electrodes and, an iron core, a magnetic absorption substance located within the water, and guides and for controlling the operation of the magnetic absorption substance. The control unit applies a voltage to the electrodes, changing the iron core to an electromagnet by the magnetic field generated between the electrodes. When not frozen, the electromagnet and the magnetic absorption substance are pulled together, the contact points A and B close, and a conductive state is achieved. When frozen, even if the electromagnet and the magnetic absorption substance are pulled together, ice exists between the two items, so it is difficult for the magnetic absorption substance to float upward. After voltage is applied to the electrodes, the control unit judges the water Wa within the gas-liquid separator to be frozen when a conductive state is not detected even after a specified time has elapsed.
US07781106B2 Lithium secondary cell and its nonaqueous electrolyte
The invention provides a lithium secondary battery which is excellent in long-term cycle property and in battery characteristics, such as electric capacity and storage property, and a nonaqueous electrolytic solution usable for such a lithium secondary battery. The present invention relates to a lithium secondary battery including a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a nonaqueous electrolytic solution containing an electrolyte salt dissolved in a nonaqueous solvent, characterized in that the positive electrode is made of a material including a lithium compound oxide, in that the negative electrode is made of a material including graphite, and in that the nonaqueous electrolytic solution contains dialkyl oxalate and further contains vinylene carbonate and/or 1,3-propanesultone, and a nonaqueous electrolytic solution for use in such a battery.
US07781104B2 Separator paper for alkaline battery and the alkaline battery
A thin separator paper is provided for separating a positive electrode active material and a negative electrode active material from one another in alkaline battery. The separator paper has high gas tightness, high shortage preventing effect, and low deterioration. The separator paper possesses a crystalline structure in which cellulose 1 and cellulose 2 coexist. A ratio of the cellulose 2 is controlled in relation to the cellulose 1 and the separator paper is made by using an alkali treated pulp beaten from CSF 50 ml to 0 ml, as a raw material. The separator paper has the thickness between 15 μm and 60 μm, the gas tightness between 10 minutes/100 ml and 800 minutes/100 ml, and the area shrinkage rate which is not greater than 2%. Also provided is an alkaline battery containing the separator paper.
US07781101B2 Electrode for nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery, method for producing same, and nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery comprising such electrode for nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery
An electrode for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery 6 according to the present invention includes: a current collector 3; a first active material layer 2 formed on the current collector 3; and a second active material layer 5 provided on the first active material layer 2, the second active material layer 5 including a plurality of active material particles 4. The plurality of active material particles 4 is mainly of a chemical composition represented as SiOx (0≦x<1.2). The first active material layer 2 is mainly of a chemical composition represented as SiOy (1.0≦y<2.0, y>x). The area in which the first active material layer 2 is in contact with the plurality of active material particles 4 is smaller than the area in which the current collector 3 is in contact with the first active material layer 2.
US07781099B2 Non-aqueous electrolyte secondary cell
The present invention provides a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery having high energy density and satisfactory cycle performance by using an alloy comprising Ni and Sn as a negative active material. The non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery comprises a negative electrode with a composite layer containing a negative active material, a positive electrode and a non-aqueous electrolyte. The negative active material consists of an alloy containing 5 to 25 mass % of nickel and 75 to 95 mass % of tin and the alloy contains Sn4Ni3 phase and Sn phase. It is preferable that the content ratio of Sn4Ni3 phase and Sn phase in the alloy be 0.2≦Z≦3, when m1 is the mass of Sn4Ni3 phase, m2 is the mass of said Sn phase, and Z=ml /m2; and that the composite layer contain carbon material.
US07781097B2 Cell thermal runaway propagation resistance using an internal layer of intumescent material
A means for inhibiting the propagation of thermal runaway within a plurality of batteries is provided, wherein the means is comprised of at least one layer of intumescent material interposed between the interior surface of the casing of a battery and the corresponding electrode assembly.
US07781096B2 Battery case
The present invention provides a battery including a case and a battery cell accommodated in the case. The case is divided in a thicknesswise direction of the battery cell into a first case and a second case. The first and second cases have joint portions formed along peripheries thereof for jointing with each other. The joint portion of one of the first and second cases has a joining thin wall formed to extend along a periphery thereof and project in the thicknesswise direction. The joint portion of the other of the first and second cases has a joining recess formed to extend along a periphery thereof for receiving the joining thin wall inserted therein in a state that the joint portions of the first and second cases joint with each other. The joining thin wall and the joining recess in which the joining thin wall is inserted while the joint portions of the first and second cases joint with each other are joined together by welding. The other case has a projecting wall formed at a location of an outer face thereof positioned on the outer side of the joining recess in such a manner as to extend along the joining recess.
US07781095B2 Rechargeable battery having current collecting plates coupled with uncoated regions of electrodes
A rechargeable battery includes an electrode assembly comprising a positive electrode that has an uncoated region that is not coated with an active material along an edge, a negative electrode that has an uncoated region that is not coated with an active material along an edge, and a separator that is placed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The battery further comprises current collecting plates that are joined with the uncoated regions of the positive electrode and negative electrode while covering the uncoated regions, a case for housing the electrode assembly and the current collecting plates, and a cap assembly that is coupled with the case to seal it and includes terminals that are coupled with the current collecting plates.
US07781086B2 Fuel processing system having gas recirculation for transient operations
A fuel processor system capable of circulating fuel processor system gases, e.g. reformate, anode exhaust, and/or combustor exhaust, through a fuel processor provides advantages. The system fuel cells discharge hydrogen-containing anode exhaust and oxygen-containing cathode exhaust, The fuel processor converts hydrogen-containing fuel to hydrogen-containing reformate to fuel the fuel cells. A catalytic combustor coupled with a vaporizer reactor is positioned in series downstream from the fuel cells. A bypass passage connects an outlet of at least one of the fuel processor, the fuel cells, the catalytic combustor, and the vaporizer reactor to the inlet of the fuel processor. The bypass passage is operable to circulate a fuel processor system gas to the inlet of the fuel processor.
US07781080B2 Perpendicular magnetic recording medium
A perpendicular magnetic recording medium composed of a nonmagnetic substrate having a surface onto which are provided a plurality of layers including, in the order recited, a soft underlayer; a nonmagnetic coupling layer; a hard magnetic pinning layer which is antiferromagnetically coupled to the soft underlayer at ambient temperature via the nonmagnetic coupling layer and which has an axis of easy magnetization which extends in a direction which is perpendicular to that of the surface of the nonmagnetic substrate; a nonmagnetic intermediate layer; and a magnetic recording layer. Such a perpendicular magnetic recording medium has an improved medium performance, with reduced noise originating from the presence of the soft underlayer, and no erasure of recorded magnetization when influenced by an external magnetic field.
US07781076B2 Heteropyrene-based semiconductor materials for electronic devices and methods of making the same
A thin layer of organic semiconductor material comprising a comprising an organic semiconductor thin film material is disclosed in which the thin film material substantially comprises a heteropyrene compound or derivative. In one embodiment, a thin film transistor comprises a layer of the organic semiconductor material. Further disclosed is a process for fabricating an organic thin-film transistor device, preferably by relative low-temperature sublimation or solution-phase deposition onto a substrate.
US07781072B2 Organic electroluminescence device
An organic electroluminescence device of a long emission life is obtained by stacking an anode, a hole transport layer comprising an organic compound, a light emitting layer comprising an organic compound, an electron transport layer comprising an organic compound, and a cathode, in which the light emitting layer comprises an organic host material of an aluminum chelating complex of a specific structure and a phosphorescent organic guest material.
US07781063B2 High thermal conductivity materials with grafted surface functional groups
The present invention is a continuous high thermal conductivity resin featuring high thermal conductivity (HTC) materials 30 and a host resin matrix 32. The HTC materials 30 form a continuous organic-inorganic composite with the host resin matrix 32 via surface functional groups that are grafted to the HTC materials 30 and form covalent linkages with the host resin matrix 32. Phonons 34 tend to pass along the HTC materials 30 as they travel through the host resin matrix 32, and phonons 36 pass to the next HTC material if the distance between these materials is less than n.
US07781062B2 Multilayer structure polymer and resin composition together with acrylic resin film material, acrylic resin laminate film, photocurable acrylic resin film or sheet, laminate film or sheet and laminate molding obtained by laminating thereof
An acrylic resin film material comprising at least a multilayer structure polymer with a particular structure prevent a molded item from being whitened during insert- or in-mold molding and meet the requirement for surface hardness, heat resistance, and transparency or matting performance for vehicle applications. It is also possible to use an acrylic resin film material exhibiting a difference of 30% or less between haze values as determined in accordance with the testing method of JIS K7136 (haze measurement method) after and before a tensile test where a test piece with a width of 20 mm is pulled under the conditions of an initial inter-chuck distance of 25 mm, a rate of 50 mm/min and a temperature of 23° C. until an end-point inter-chuck distance becomes 33 mm as well as having a pencil hardness of 2 B or higher as determined in accordance with JIS K5400.
US07781058B2 Removable adhesive for replaceable components subjected to impact loads
A process for manufacturing a composite structure includes the steps of disposing a removable adhesive material in contact with a first surface of a reusable composite structure; disposing a first surface of an expendable composite structure in contact with the removable adhesive material to form a composite structure assembly; and curing the composite structure assembly.
US07781057B2 Seeding resins for enhancing the crystallinity of polymeric substructures
The present invention provides for a resin mixture that comprises a highly structured resin 40 and a less structured resin 50. The highly structured resin 40 and the less structured resin 50 are mixed to a ratio of between 1:9 and 4:1 by volume, with a more particular ratio of 1:5 to 3:1. The highly structured resin forms ordered micro regions and the ordered micro regions impose order on surrounding less structured resin molecules. The micro regions are essentially groups of the HS resin that will naturally form order structures.
US07781052B2 Method for making particle board
In making a particle board by forming a mat from particles obtained from a wooden material and pressing the mat, a particle board light in weight and excellent in strength, dimensional stability and surface properties can be made at a low cost by using a wooden material of low specific gravity and carrying out the press of the particle board with a high compression ratio in mat thickness before and after the press.
US07781048B2 Transparent conductive multilayer body
A transparent conductive multilayer body of the present invention is characterized by having: a transparent film base; an SiOx film (x is no less than 1.5 and less than 2) which is provided on one surface of the above described film base in accordance with a dry process, and has a thickness of 1 nm to 30 nm and a relative index of refraction of 1.6 to 1.9; an SiO2 film which is provided on the above described SiOx film and has a thickness of 10 nm to 50 nm; and a transparent conductive thin film which is provided on the above described SiO2 film and has a thickness of 20 nm to 35 nm.
US07781039B2 Boom utilizing composite material construction
A boom section includes a first, a second, a third, and a fourth fiber reinforced thermoset composite material layer and a flex core layer. The first fiber reinforced thermoset composite material layer has glass fibers in a vinyl ester matrix. The second fiber reinforced thermoset composite material layer is disposed over the first composite material layer and has carbon fibers in an epoxy matrix. The flex core layer is disposed over the second composite material layer. The third fiber reinforced thermoset composite material layer is disposed over the flex core layer and has aramid fibers in a vinyl ester matrix. The fourth fiber reinforced thermoset composite material layer is disposed over the third composite material layer and has glass fibers in a vinyl ester matrix.
US07781038B2 Medical device balloons containing thermoplastic elastomers
A dilatation balloon and catheter for insertion into a bodily conduit. The catheter (10) includes shaft (12) and a dilatation balloon (24) at the distal end of the shaft. The balloon is inflated via a central lumen (14) in the shaft for delivery of a fluid inflation media. The balloon is fabricated from a combination of a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), preferably an engineering thermoplastic elastomer (ETE), with a non-compliant structural polymeric material. The combination may be a blend of the non-compliant structural polymer and the TPE. Alternatively, the combination may be a layered balloon having, for example, a non-compliant structural polymer inner layer and a soft, abrasion resistant, elastomeric outer layer. Methods for fabricating the balloon from the combination of a TPE and a non-compliant structural polymer are also disclosed.
US07781037B2 Security seals for containers and methods of using the same for authentication
Disclosed are self-authenticating seals for containers in which the seals include a non-visible taggant correlated to a pre-determined indicia. Containers sealed with the sealing members as well as methods of authenticating containers that have been sealed with the sealing members are disclosed.
US07781035B2 Container for precision substrate
A container for precision substrate having one or more component formed by molding a thermoplastic resin, characterized in that the component satisfies characteristics [1] and [2] below. [1] When being brought to contact ultra high purity argon gas (impurity concentration: 1 ppb or less) at 25° C. having a flow rate of 1.2 L/min., a water amount in said argon gas after 300 minutes is 30 ppb or less per a surface area 1 cm2 of the component. [2] When being placed in the air at 100° C., an increase amount of organics in the air in 300 minutes is 150 ng or less per weight 1 g of the component. According to the container, demands for low contamination can be satisfied.
US07781033B2 Optical film, method of producing the same, optical compensatory film, polarizing film, and liquid crystal display device
An optical film comprising a layer consisting mainly of an organic compound and a layer containing inorganic fine particles wherein a content of the organic compound having a molecular weight of 1000 or less is 30% by mass or less based on a content of the inorganic fine particles. The optical film exhibits a low haze and a high contrast when being assembled into a liquid crystal display device.
US07781026B2 Ink compositions
Disclosed is a phase change ink composition comprising a phase change ink carrier and a colorant compound of the formula wherein M is an atom or group of atoms capable of bonding to the central cavity of a phthalocyanine molecule, wherein axial ligands optionally can be attached to M. Also disclosed is a radiation curable ink composition comprising (a) an ink vehicle, said ink vehicle comprising at least one radically curable monomer compound, and this colorant compound.
US07781024B2 Method for producing ceramic layers
The invention relates to a method for producing ceramic layers by spraying. A cold gas spraying method is used to produce polymer ceramics from pre-ceramic polymers. According to said method, a cold gas stream, to which particles of the pre-ceramic polymers are added via a conduit, is generated by a spray gun. The energy for creating a layer on a substrate is produced by injecting a powerful kinetic energy into the cold gas stream, thus preventing or significantly restricting the thermal heating of the cold gas stream. This permits the heat-sensitive pre-ceramic polymers to be spray-applied as a coating on a substrate using a cold gas spraying method. Polymer ceramics can thus be used in an economic method for the rapid production of layers with a relatively large thickness. The invention allows for example armoured layers, thermal protection layers and other functional layers to be produced.
US07781023B2 Method of producing an electroluminescent display
A method of producing an electroluminescent display is provided. A medium is obtained from a stream of commerce. The medium is activated to form a pattern such that the medium emits light by electroluminescence according to the pattern in response to electrical energization.
US07781018B2 Method of making vapor deposited oxygen-scavenging particles
This invention discloses a method of making an oxygen scavenging particle comprised of an activating component and an oxidizable component wherein one component is deposited upon the other component from a vapor phase and is particularly useful when the activating component is a protic solvent hydrolysable halogen compound and the oxygen scavenging particle is a reduced metal.
US07781017B1 Method for making carbon nanotube-base device
A method for making a carbon nanotube-based device is provided. A substrate having a shadow mask layer to define an unmasked surface area thereon is provided. A sputter source is disposed on the shadow mask layer. The sputter source is configured for supplying a catalyst material and depositing the catalyst material onto the substrate. A catalyst layer including at least one catalyst block is formed on the substrate. A thickness of the at least one catalyst block is gradually decreased from one end to another opposite end thereof. The at least one catalyst block has a region with a thickness proximal or equal to an optimum thickness. A carbon source gas is introduced. At least one carbon nanotube array extending from the catalyst layer using a chemical vapor deposition process is formed. The at least one carbon nanotube array is arc-shaped, and bend in a direction of deviating from the region.
US07781015B2 Coating method
A coating method deposits a metal coating of particles from the gas phase on a flat, metal substrate retained by a substrate holder at a reduced pressure, and the particles are evaporated using at least one energy source from containers constituting at least one evaporation source. The metal coating is built up of several sequentially applied individual coatings.
US07781014B2 Process for producing a filter catalyst
To provide a process for producing a filter catalyst which can produce a filter catalyst in which the closure of ventilation holes by a catalytic layer is inhibited.A process for producing a filter catalyst according to the present invention is characterized in that, in a process for producing a filter catalyst, the process comprising: a step of preparing a coating slurry in which an inorganic oxide powder is dispersed, and coating the coating slurry onto a catalyst-support substrate composed of a porous material having a plurality of cells extending in the axial direction; a step of removing the coating slurry in excess from the catalyst-support substrate with the coating slurry coated; and a step of drying-calcining the coating slurry; the removing of the coating slurry in excess is carried out by performing the following steps repeatedly: a step of holding one of the axial opposite ends of the catalyst-support substrate and another axial opposite end thereof in such a state that a pressure difference is given therebetween; and a step of holding the one of the opposite ends of the catalyst-support substrate and the other opposite end thereof in an identical pressure state. The present production process can produce a filter catalyst in which sufficient ventilation property is secured so that it has come not to induce the rise of pressure loss.
US07781011B2 Tool for coating an optical disc, method of coating an optical disc, and method for fabricating an optical disc
The invention relates to a tool for coating an optical disc, and the tool includes: a coating section for spreading coating material; a restricting section for defining a coating area; and a support section for supporting the coating section and the restricting section. The coating section and the restricting section form a material accommodating space. Also, a method for coating an optical disc by using such tool and a method for fabricating an optical disc are disclosed.
US07781008B2 Scarified infused dried buoyant cranberries and method for making same
Disclosed is a scarified, whole, dried, infused, buoyant cranberry. Further a process for preparing the cranberry is disclosed. The process includes sizing individually quick frozen cranberries by collecting those that pass through a mesh screen with 16 millimeter openings and that are retained on a mesh screen with openings of 9 millimeters. The sized cranberries are then scarified and infused in an infusion solution having a Brix of from 40 to 80 at a temperature of from 29 to 44° C.±5° C. until the cranberries have a Brix of at least about 40. The cranberries are removed from the infusion solution and dried at a temperature of from 73 to 85° C. until they have a water activity level of from 0.25 to 0.6 and a buoyancy of at least 30%.
US07781007B2 Water-in-oil emulsion with improved spattering behaviour
The invention relates to a water-in-oil emulsion food product with improved spattering behaviour comprising 0.1-5 wt. % of a porous powderous vegetable matter made from nuts, seeds, kernels, pits and cellulose having a volume weighted mean particle diameter (d4,3) not exceeding 0.5 mm.
US07781006B2 Frozen food production
The present invention generally relates to frozen foods, for example, frozen desserts such as ice cream. One aspect of the invention is directed to carbonated frozen desserts and other carbonated frozen foods. Another aspect is directed to methods of making frozen foods, such as carbonated frozen desserts and other foods, as well as methods of freezing other fluids, such as water. A carbonated frozen dessert can be made, for example, by introducing carbon dioxide (CO2) into dessert mix prior to freezing the dessert mix. Yet another aspect of the invention is directed to cooling dessert mixes and other food products by introducing a fluid, such as a refrigerant, into the dessert mix or food product that cools and/or freezes the dessert mix or food product. The fluid may also become incorporated into the frozen dessert or other food product. Still another aspect of the invention is directed to frozen foods, such as ice creams and similar frozen desserts, having smooth consistencies. Other aspects of the invention are directed to apparatuses for making such frozen foods, methods of promoting such frozen foods, and the like.
US07781004B2 Method and apparatus for applying carbon monoxide to suppress microbe activity in meat storage enclosures
One or more meat products are positioned in a meat chilling enclosure in which cooled air is added to cool the contents of the enclosure. A water spray including a desired carbon monoxide content in solution is introduced into the meat chilling enclosure. The desired carbon monoxide content may comprise no more than approximately the maximum carbon monoxide content that is held in solution in the spray water at approximately the temperature at which the spray water is introduced into the meat chilling enclosure. Alternatively, carbon monoxide held in solution in the spray water may be limited to approximately the maximum carbon monoxide content that is held in solution in the spray water at a maximum temperature maintained in the meat chilling enclosure. A pH increasing material such as ammonia gas or ammonium hydroxide solution may also be added to the meat chilling enclosure to produce and maintain a desired ammonia gas content in the enclosure atmosphere.
US07781000B2 Method for boiling wort
A method for boiling wort used in the production of beer the wort is boiled in a wort copper in which an inner boiler comprising a superimposed thin-film distributor is disposed. After boiling and after removal of the sludge in a whirlpool, the wort is again placed on the thin-film distributor for evaporation so that the wort copper simultaneously works as an evaporator.
US07780996B2 Composition to enhance HDL cholesterol and to decrease intima-media thickening in animals and humans and a method for its preparation
A method of producing a product to correct hypercholesterolemia including pulping fruits of Emblica Officinalis with demineralized water to create a slurry. The slurry is treated with pectinase. The pectinase-treated slurry is filtered to create a solution. The solution is concentrated to create a product. A product having an extract of Emblica Officinalis for prophylactic and for therapeutic treatment of coronary diseases, atherosclerosis, hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.
US07780994B2 Composite biomaterials comprising calcium phospate materials, collagen and glycosaminoglycans
A process for the production of a composite material comprising collagen, brushite and one or more glycosaminoglycans, said process comprising the steps of providing an acidic aqueous solution comprising collagen, a calcium source and a phosphorous source and one or more glycosaminoglycans, and precipitating the collagen, the brushite and the one or more glycosaminoglycans together from the aqueous solution to form a triple co-precipitate.
US07780991B2 Solid dose delivery vehicle and methods of making same
The present invention encompasses a solid dose delivery vehicle for ballistic administration of a bioactive material to subcutaneous and intradermal tissue, the delivery vehicle being sized and shaped for penetrating the epidermis. The delivery vehicle further comprises a stabilizing polyol glass loaded with the bioactive material and capable of releasing the bioactive material in situ. The present invention further includes methods of making and using the solid dose delivery vehicle of the invention.
US07780990B2 Combination therapeutic compositions and method of use
The present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions and methods for the treatment of diabetes mellitus using combination therapy. The compositions relate to a compound selected from one or more of betaines, lipidic betaines, betaine lipids and an antidiabetic agent such as sulfonylureas, biguanides, glitazones, .alpha.-glucosidase inhibitors, potassium channel antagonists, aldose reductase inhibitors, glucagon antagonists, activators of RXR, insulin therapy or other anti-obesity agent. The methods include the administration of the combination of compound of Formula I with antidiabetic agent where the two components are delivered in a simultaneous manner, where the compound selected from one or more of betaines, lipidic betaines, betaine lipids is administered first, followed by the antidiabetic agent, as well as wherein the antidiabetic agent is delivered first followed by the compound selected from one or more of betaines, lipidic betaines, betaine lipids. In the claims, betaine means pharmaceutically acceptable betaine, lipidic betaines, betaine lipids, pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof and combinations thereof.
US07780984B2 Methods and compositions for treating proliferative diseases
The present invention provides combination therapy methods of treating proliferative diseases (such as cancer) comprising a first therapy comprising administering to an individual an effective amount of a taxane in a nanoparticle composition, and a second therapy which may include, for example, radiation, surgery, administration of chemotherapeutic agents, or combinations thereof. Also provided are methods of administering to an individual a drug taxane in a nanoparticle composition based on a metronomic dosing regime.
US07780982B2 Biodegradable hyaluronic acid derivative and biodegradable polymeric micelle composition
A biodegradable hyaluronic acid derivative comprising a modified hyaluronic acid repeating unit represented by the formula (HA)-[O(C═O)NH-M]p, wherein HA is a unit including N-acetyl-D-glucosamine and D-glucuronic acid, M is a modifying moiety containing a C2-16 hydrocarbyl group or a prepolymer, and p is an integer of 1 to 4. The biodegradable hyaluronic acid derivative when dissolved in a hydrophilic medium can form micelles and can be used to entrap a pharmaceutically active or bioactive molecule.
US07780981B2 Biosynchronous transdermal drug delivery
Systems and methods for treating diseases, addictions and disorders in humans and animals involving synchronizing and tailoring the administration of drug compounds with the body's natural circadian rhythms, in order to counteract symptoms when they are likely to be at their worst. Automated and pre programmable transdermal drug administration system are used. This system can also utilize a pump or pressurized reservoir, and/or a system for removing depleted carrier solution, or other modulated dispensing actuator, in conjunction with micro-fabricated structures commonly referred to as Micro-needles, or heat, or iontophoresis, sonophoresis, or a wide range of chemical permeation enhancers.
US07780978B2 Oral pharmaceutical compositions and methods of using the same
The present invention provides an edible composition for oral delivery of an active agent such as paclitaxel or a retinide. The composition comprises, in the form of a dry flowable powder: (a) an active agent such as a retinide; (b) lipid matrix composition; (c) optionally sweetener; (d) flour. Compositions of the invention may be administered per se or mixed with a solid or liquid food carrier, for direct oral consumption by a subject or administration through a feeding tube.
US07780976B2 Apparatus and method for delivering controlled quantities of one or more agents to the eye
A flat strip of supporting material, such as filter paper, having marked reference locations on each of one or more legs, for delivering controlled quantities of one or more agents to the adnexa of the eye simultaneously upon dispensing a liquid to the strip at the appropriate reference location.
US07780969B2 Trypanosoma cruzi proteome compositions and methods
Molecular targets are identified in T. cruzi suitable for use in diagnosis of Chagas disease, drug development, and vaccines, including live vaccines.
US07780968B2 Clostridial toxin derivatives and methods for treating pain
Agents for treating pain, methods for producing the agents and methods for treating pain by administration to a patient of a therapeutically effective amount of the agent. The agent can include a clostridial neurotoxin, or a component or fragment or derivative thereof, attached to a targeting moiety, wherein the targeting moiety is selected from a group consisting of transmission compounds which can be released from neurons upon the transmission of pain signals by the neurons, and compounds substantially similar to the transmission compounds.
US07780966B2 Artificial invaplex
An artificial invasin complex is prepared from purified or recombinantly prepared invasins and gram negative bacteria lipopolysaccharides. Typically, IpaB is mixed with IpaC to form a IpaB:IpaC complex. This invasin protein complex is then mixed with the lipopolysaccharide to form an artificial invasin complex. Additional bioactive molecules can be incorporated into the complex during manufacture. This artificial invasin complex is similar in function to native Invaplex 24 or Invaplex 50. The artificial invasin complex has superior immunogenicity properties relative to the native complex and can be tailor made. Its method of preparation lends itself to scale up. The artificial invasin complex can facilitate transport of biomolecules, therapeutics and antibiotics across cell membranes in a manner similar to native Shigella Invaplex.
US07780961B2 Self-containing Lactococcus strain
The invention relates to a recombinant Lactococcus strain, with environmentally limited growth and viability. More particularly, it relates to a recombinant Lactococcus that can only survive in a medium, where well-defined medium compounds are present. A preferred embodiment is a Lactococcus that may only survive in a host organism, where such medium compounds are present, but cannot survive outside the host organism in the absence of such medium compounds.
US07780959B2 Feline granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor nucleic acid molecules
The present invention relates to canine interleukin-4, canine or feline Flt-3 ligand, canine or feline CD40, canine or feline CD154, canine interleukin-5, canine interleukin-13, feline interferon alpha, and/or feline GM-CSF proteins; to canine interleukin-4, canine or feline Flt-3 ligand, canine or feline CD40, canine or feline CD154, canine interleukin-5, canine interleukin-13, feline interferon alpha, and/or feline GM-CSF nucleic acid molecules, including those that encode canine interleukin-4, canine or feline Flt-3 ligand, canine or feline CD40, canine or feline CD154, canine interleukin-5, canine interleukin-13, feline interferon alpha, and/or feline GM-CSF proteins, respectively; to antibodies raised against such proteins; and to inhibitory compounds that regulate such proteins. The present invention also includes methods to identify and obtain such proteins, nucleic acid molecules, antibodies, and inhibitory compounds. Also included in the present invention are therapeutic compositions comprising such proteins, nucleic acid molecules, antibodies and/or inhibitory compounds as well as the use of such therapeutic compositions to regulate an immune response in an animal.
US07780955B2 Cosmetic composition with a lightening effect
A cosmetic composition for making up and/or caring for the skin and/or the lips, has, in a physiologically acceptable medium, at least interference particles with a volume-average size of less than 40 μm and at least one filler such that the composition also has a lightness L* of greater than 60 and a saturation C* of less than 10.
US07780948B2 Post biopsy cavity treatment implants and methods
A post-biopsy cavity treatment implant includes a radiopaque element, a core portion and a shell portion. The core portion is coupled to the radiopaque element, and includes a first porous matrix defining a first controlled pore architecture. The shell portion is coupled to the core portion and includes a second porous matrix defining a second controlled pore architecture that is different from the first controlled pore architecture.
US07780946B2 Supported catalyst systems
The present invention relates to a supported catalyst system. The supported catalyst of the present invention comprises an inorganic support having attached to at least one surface thereof non-acidic, hydrophillic, hydroxyl-containing organic R10 groups having no or substantially no surface charge in solution, and at least one linker capable of binding a catalytic species, e.g. an enzyme or an organometallic molecule, wherein the linker is attached to a catalytic species. The R10 groups preferably are selected from the group consisting of —CH2OH, —CH(OH)2, —CH(OH)CH3, —CH2CH2OH, —CH(OH)2CH3, —CH2CH(OH)2, —CH(OH)CH2(OH) and mixtures thereof. The presence of the R10 groups on the support surface prevents or reduces non-specific binding of the catalytic species with the support surface by minimizing hydrophobic interactions and providing no or substantially no surface charge in the region of the support having catalytic species attached thereto. Simultaneously, the linker binds the catalytic species to the surface of the support in a manner which permits the catalytic species to be freely available for catalytic activity. Methods of catalyzing a reaction using the supported catalyst system of the invention are also disclosed.
US07780939B2 Sidewall derivatized carbon nanotubes
This invention is directed to chemical derivatives of carbon nanotubes wherein the carbon nanotubes have a diameter up to 3 nm. In one embodiment, this invention also provides a method for preparing carbon nanotubes having substituents attached to the side wall of the nanotube by reacting single-wall carbon nanotubes with fluorine gas and recovering fluorine derivatized carbon nanotubes, then reacting fluorine derivatized carbon nanotubes with a nucleophile. Some of the fluorine substituents are replaced by nucleophilic substitution. If desired, the remaining fluorine can be completely or partially eliminated to produce carbon nanotubes having substituents attached to the side wall of the nanotube. The substituents are dependent on the nucleophile, and preferred nucleophiles include alkyl lithium species such as methyl lithium.
US07780935B2 Method for controlling NOx emissions in the FCCU
A process for the reduction of NOx emissions from a regeneration zone during a fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) process are disclosed. The process comprises contacting a hydrocarbon feedstock with a circulating inventory of an FCC cracking catalyst and a NOx reduction composition during an FCC process. The NOx reduction composition comprises at least one reduced nitrogen species component having the ability to reduce the content of reduced nitrogen species to molecular nitrogen under reducing or partial burn FCC conditions and at least one NOx reduction component having the ability to convert NOx to molecular nitrogen under oxidizing or full burn FCC conditions.
US07780932B2 Flue gas desulfurization process
A process for desulfurizing an SO2-comprising gaseous stream comprising the steps of: a. providing an aqueous feed comprising an anion selected from a group consisting of carbonate, bicarbonate, hydroxide, sulfite, and hydrogen sulfite; b. providing an SO2-comprising gaseous feed; and c. contacting the aqueous feed and the gaseous feed to generate a desulfurized gaseous product comprising less than 40% of the feed SO2 content, and an aqueous product; wherein the contacting is carried out in a cyclone unit comprising a housing defined by a cylindrical peripheral wall and provided with at least one inlet opening for receiving fluids thereinto and with at least one swirling means, and wherein the cyclone unit is characterized in that the velocity of the gaseous stream inside the cyclone unit is between 20 m/sec and 120 m/sec.
US07780931B2 Preparation for Tio2 powders from a waste liquid containing titanium compounds
Process for preparing TiO2 powders starting from a liquid comprising chlorinated titanium compounds, the process comprising: a) atomizing said liquid and reacting the atomized liquid with a flow of steam and air at a temperature of 100-250° C. for converting said chlorinated titanium compounds to titanium dioxide TiO2; b) the gaseous phase and the entrained TiO2 powders obtained from step a) are then fed to an oven operated at a temperature in the range 400-900° C. to remove the residual organic compounds and hydrochloridic acid from said powders.
US07780930B2 Fluoropolymer lined metallic vessel design
The invention provides an apparatus useful in fluorinating organic compounds, or more particularly to a reactor system suitable for the fluorination of organic compounds on a commercial scale. The apparatus is also useful in chemical reactions including heating or cooling.
US07780924B2 Plasma-arc-flow apparatus for submerged long lasting electric arcs operating under high power, pressure and temperature conditions to produce a combustible gas
An apparatus for making a combustible gas that comprises a vessel filled with a liquid, a submerged electric arc between a moving anode acting on a cathode moving in a direction perpendicular to the anode. An incandescence of an interface area between the electrodes is enclosed on all sides by insulating skirts, except for clearances suitable for the flow of the liquid through the electric arc and the exit of the liquid. The gas produced by the submerged electric arc acting on the liquid, bubbles to the surface of the liquid for collection at a desired pressure, physical and chemical esoenergetic reactions caused by the electric arc generate heat acquired by the liquid, which can be used to in an external heat exchanger to generate steam or electricity, and solid residues accumulate in strainers placed along a liquid flow for periodic collection.
US07780919B2 Method for processing a tissue specimen in situ prior to histological examination
The present invention is directed to a method for processing a tissue specimen in situ prior to histological examination by providing a tissue specimen having a predetermined examination face, disposing the specimen on a tissue positioning member for removably maintaining the tissue specimen with the examination face in a desired orientation thereon, processing the tissue specimen while maintaining the examination face in the desired orientation on the positioning member throughout processing, separating the tissue specimen from the tissue positioning member by application of a separation force, and maintaining the orientation of the examination face after the specimen is removed from the tissue positioning member wherein processing of the specimen includes contacting the specimen with fluids for dehydrating and clearing the specimen and subsequent casting of the specimen in an embedding material for forming a specimen-containing mold portion having the tissue specimen contained therein in desired orientation.
US07780913B2 Paint for detection of corrosion and warning of chemical and radiological attack
A system for warning of corrosion, chemical, or radiological substances. The system comprises painting a surface with a paint or coating that includes an indicator material and monitoring the surface for indications of the corrosion, chemical, or radiological substances.
US07780910B2 Cartridge holder for automated reprocessor
A cartridge holder (30) for an automated endoscope reprocessor (10) is mounted on a movable rack (14). As the rack is wheeled into the chamber, a connector (164) on the cartridge holder (164) automatically makes a fluid connection with a connection port (158) within the chamber. The cartridge holder includes a base (42) and a lid (44), which is pivotally connected to the base by a hinge (110). A cartridge (40) holding a dose of a disinfectant concentrate or reagents is positioned in a well (50) defined by the base and the lid closed. Water flows through the cartridge holder via a fluid passageway (A) defined in part by the lid and in part by the hinge. The water mixes with the concentrate or reagents and the resulting disinfectant solution passes out of a lower end (205) of the cartridge into the well. The solution flows upwardly, around the cartridge, through an annular space (232) between the cartridge and the well, disinfecting the well in the process. The solution exits the cartridge through a plurality of bores (80) at an upper end of the base.
US07780909B2 Ultrasonic sanitation and disinfecting methods
A device for sanitizing and disinfecting a space includes a tank having an interior space for holding an aqueous sanitizing, disinfecting, and/or sterilizing liquid, a bottom sector, an air inlet sector, and an exhaust sector, inner walls of the exhaust sector and the air inlet sector forming a substantially “V”-shaped air pathway within the interior space. A liquid cascading reactor vessel is positioned within the bottom sector of the tank, a top edge of the reactor vessel in adjustably spaced relation from a notch in the “V”-shaped air pathway. A vibratable ultrasonic head array is positionable within and beneath a top edge of the reactor vessel and is submergable within the reactor vessel for vibrating the disc to form atomized micro-particles from the liquid. Air can be drawn into the air inlet, and the formed atomized micro-particles can be exhausted from the exhaust outlet.
US07780907B2 Method for producing a denture
The invention relates to a process for the production of a dental prosthetic item (10) by means of local sintering, in which the dental prosthetic item (10) is produced layer-wise by energy input, by means of an energy transferring beam (7), into a layer of powder (6) of a sinterable material. One or more parameters of the sintering process are modified during production such that the material (6) is regionally sintered to various degrees to produce denser material in the marginal region (14) of a sintered layer of said dental prosthetic item (10) than is produced in the inner region (15) of said sintered layer.The invention furthermore relates to a dental prosthetic item (10) of a material subjected to local sintering, which material is sintered in a marginal region (14) of the dental prosthetic item (10) to a greater density than in an inner region (15).
US07780903B2 Method of making fibers and nonwovens with improved properties
The present invention can provide a distinctive method and process for making polymer fibers (62) and nonwoven fabric webs (60). The method can include providing a fiber material that exhibits a low crystallization rate. In a particular aspect, the fiber material can be subjected to an anneal-quench at an anneal-quench temperature that approximates a prime-temperature at which the polymer material most rapidly crystallizes. In another aspect, the fiber material can be subjected to a fiber-draw at a selected fiber-draw temperature, and in a further aspect, the fiber-draw temperature can be configured to approximate the prime-temperature of the polymer material. In still other aspects, the fiber material can be subjected to a relatively small amount of fiber-draw, and the fiber-draw can be provided at a relatively low fiber-draw speed.
US07780900B2 Methods of forming a laryngeal mask
A method for constructing a supraglottic airway of the type used to facilitate lung ventilation and the insertion of endo-tracheal tubes or related medical instruments through a patient's laryngeal opening where the shield is constructed of a generally single-use generally blow-molded structure.
US07780897B2 Hydrogel constructs using stereolithography
A preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a method and system for building cost-efficient biocompatible hydrogel constructs using stereolithography. Hydrogel constructs may be used in, for example, multi-lumen nerve regeneration conduits and other tissue engineering scaffolds with embedded channel architecture that facilitate tissue regeneration through possible incorporation of precisely located bioactive agents, cells, and other desired inert and/or active chemical agents and devices. Another preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a method of fabricating a hydrogel construct comprising: solidifying a first solution into a first construct layer with a first energy dosage using stereolithography, the first solution comprising: a first polymer; and a first photoinitiator, wherein the first polymer and first photoinitiator are of a first concentration.
US07780894B2 System for defining openings in tilt-up walls
Disclosed is a tilt-up wall system that defines a space to receive a material, such as concrete. The system can include a plurality of forms and an opening system. The opening system defines the location of an opening that will receive a window, door, or other structure mountable or installable into the tilt-up wall. The opening system can include one or more corner assemblies, one or more spacer members, one or more lower supports, and one or more upper supports.
US07780893B2 Method of concurrently patterning a substrate having a plurality of fields and a plurality of alignment marks
A method of patterning a substrate comprising first and second fields with a template, the template having a mold and a plurality of alignment forming areas and a plurality of template alignment marks, the method comprising: positioning a material on the first field of the substrate and a plurality of regions of the substrate, the plurality of regions laying outside of the first and second fields; positioning the mold and the substrate such that a desired spatial relationship between the mold and the first field of the substrate is obtained to define a pattern in the material on the first field of the substrate while concurrently defining a plurality of substrate alignment marks with the material in the plurality of regions of the substrate in superimposition with the plurality of alignment forming areas of the template; positioning a material on the second field of the substrate; and positioning the mold and the substrate to obtain a desired spatial relationship between the plurality of template alignment marks and the plurality of substrate alignment marks such that a desired spatial relationship between the mold and the second field of the substrate is obtained to define a pattern in the material on the second field of the substrate.
US07780892B2 Tampon applicator with improved fingergrip and method of making same
The present invention provides a tampon applicator barrel having a fingergrip with one or more gripping structures that have an acute edge for improved gripping. Preferably, the one or more gripping structures are one or more embossed ring-like structures. The present invention also provides a method for forming the one or more gripping structures on the applicator barrel. The method preferably includes forming at least one embossed ring-like gripping structure on the barrel such that the radial compressive strength of the applicator barrel is not compromised.
US07780891B2 Elliptical tire mold and method for making same
A tire mold having a substantially elliptical base surface and a method for making a tire mold are provided. In one embodiment, a user selects a major axis length for the tire mold, then selects a ratio of the major axis length to a minor axis length. The tire mold is then formed with a substantially elliptical base surface defined by the first major axis and the selected ratio.
US07780889B2 Multistage draw with relaxation step
The invention relates to a continuous dry spinning process for preparing a fiber from a polymer solution having concentrations of polymer, salt, solvent and water. After the fiber is extruded and quenched, the fiber is placed in contact with a conditioning solution comprising concentrations of solvent, salt, and water. The conditioning solution acts upon the fiber to plasticize the fiber prior to being drawn. The conditioning solution has concentrations of solvent, salt, and water so that the fiber is plasticized to the extent necessary for drawing but does not plasticize the fiber to such an extent as to re-dissolve the fiber into a polymeric solution. A heat-treated fiber manufactured from this process has improved shrinkage and can be colored to darker shades.
US07780886B2 Insulation product having directional facing layer thereon and method of making the same
An insulation product is provided comprising an insulation mat comprising randomly oriented fibers. The mat has first and second major surfaces and a pair of side portions. A vapor retardant facing layer is bonded to at least one of the major surfaces of the mat. The facing layer has a fiber orientation such that the facing layer has a ratio of machine direction tensile strength to cross machine direction tensile strength which permits the facing layer to be separated by hand along a substantially straight line selected in the machine direction.
US07780882B2 Simplified and improved method for preparing an antibody or an antibody fragment targeted immunoliposome for systemic administration of a therapeutic or diagnostic agent
A method of preparing an antibody- or antibody fragment-targeted cationic immunoliposome or polymer complex comprises the steps of (a) preparing an antibody or antibody fragment; (b) mixing said antibody or antibody fragment with a cationic liposome to form a cationic immunoliposome or with a cationic polymer to form a polyplex; and (c) mixing said cationic immunoliposome or said polyplex with a therapeutic or diagnostic agent to form said antibody- or antibody fragment-targeted cationic immunoliposome or polymer complex.
US07780878B2 Lead-free conductive compositions and processes for use in the manufacture of semiconductor devices: Mg-containing additive
Described herein are a silicon semiconductor device and a conductive lead-free silver paste for use in the front side of a solar cell device.
US07780876B2 Fine metal particle colloidal solution, conductive paste material, conductive ink material, and process for producing the same
A colloidal solution of fine particles of metal or alloy having an average grain size of 10 nm or more is provided which is heat treated to cause coloration, or a metal colloidal pigment having inherent color, a conductive paste material or a conductive ink for printed substrate electronic parts or the like based on a colloid prepared by dispersing fine metal particles at high concentration in a liquid is provided.
US07780875B2 Composite materials containing carbon nanoparticles
The present invention relates to a process of producing composite materials by a sol/gel-process, comprising carbon nanoparticles and organic polymer material. The invention further relates to composite materials, which are manufactured with the use of said sol/gel technology.
US07780871B2 Inorganic light-emitting materials for UV solid light source
A type of inorganic light-emitting material for a UV solid light source is described. The inorganic light-emitting material is fluorescent powder for a silicate-based UV solid light source. The main ingredient is Sr2CaLn2(SiO4)3±δ. The center of the light-emitting part is the material entering the cation light lattice node. The material is Eu+2, Sm+2, Yb+2, Mn+2, Sn+2, and Cu+2 series +2 valence ions. The second part of the light-emitting is the +3 valence TR+3 ions of Ce+3, Eu+3, Tb+3, Sm+3, and Dy+3 series distributed inside the nodes. When the chemical index is 0≦δ≦0.2, the indium nitride and gallium nitride-based allomorphous semiconductor short wave UV light, under conditions of excitement, produces light radiation wavelength λ≦430 nm multiple band white light that can then be used. The color temperature is between T=2500K and 12000K.
US07780870B2 Liquid crystal composition, liquid crystal element, and siloxane polymer
The present invention provides a liquid crystal composition including a siloxane polymer, a nematic liquid crystal compound substituted with at least one fluorine atom, and at least one dichroic dye; and a liquid crystal composition including a siloxane polymer having liquid crystalline group at the side chain of the polymer, a low molecular-weight liquid crystal compound, and a dichroic dye, in which the dielectric constant anisotropy of the liquid crystal composition is changed from being positive to being negative when the frequency of the voltage to be applied is increased.
US07780869B2 Water activated oxygen scavenging composition
An efficient oxygen scavenging composition for use in film forming polymers is disclosed wherein the oxygen scavenging composition comprises an oxidizable metal particle, such as elemental iron; a water hydrolysable Lewis acid, such as aluminum chloride; and an acidifying electrolyte such as sodium or potassium bisulfate.
US07780867B1 Edge bevel removal of copper from silicon wafers
Chemical etching methods and associated modules for performing the removal of metal from the edge bevel region of a semiconductor wafer are described. The methods and systems apply liquid etchant in a precise manner at the edge bevel region of the wafer, so that the etchant is applied on to the front edge, the side edge and the back edge. The etchant thus does not flow or splatter onto the active circuit region of the wafer. An edge bevel removal embodiment involving that is particularly effective at obviating streaking, narrowing the metal taper and allowing for subsequent chemical mechanical polishing, is disclosed.
US07780862B2 Device and method for etching flash memory gate stacks comprising high-k dielectric
In one implementation, a method is provided capable of etching a wafer to form devices including a high-k dielectric layer. The method includes etching an upper conductive material layer in a first plasma chamber with a low cathode temperature, transferring the wafer to a second chamber without breaking vacuum, etching a high-k dielectric layer in the second chamber, and transferring the wafer from the second chamber to the first plasma chamber without breaking vacuum. A lower conductive material layer is etched with a low cathode temperature in the first chamber. In one implementation, the high-k dielectric etch is a plasma etch using a high temperature cathode. In another implementation, the high-k dielectric etch is a reactive ion etch.
US07780861B2 Photopolymer serum separator
Contemplated whole blood separators tubes include a curable composition with a density intermediate to the density of serum and the cell-containing fraction. After centrifugation, the curable composition is located between the serum and the cell-containing fraction and preferably irradiated with UV light to initiate a curing reaction in which the curable composition solidifies to a barrier that is immobilized and resistant to breakdown at freezing temperatures and extended storage.
US07780859B2 Uncoupling agents
The invention provides the use of a water-soluble biocide as an uncoupling agent at an effective amount to control bacterial biomass in an aqueous system. The invention also provides a method for controlling the growth of bacterial biomass in an aqueous system. The method comprises adding to, or contacting with, the aqueous system an effective amount of an uncoupling agent which is a water-soluble biocide. In a preferred embodiment the method comprises contacting an effective amount of an uncoupling agent which is a water-soluble biocide directly with the bacterial biomass in an aqueous system.
US07780858B2 Method for controlling bacterial growth in process water
A system for reducing or preventing the growth of organisms in the process water used to coat glass fibers with a formaldehyde-free binder composition. One or more biocides is added to the process water that mitigates the growth of microbes in the water. The biocides are added in an amount sufficient to minimize growth of organisms without adversely affecting the application of the binder composition to the glass fibers.
US07780857B2 Solid composition for treating water
A method for reducing the halogen off-gassing rate in a solid water treatment halogen-containing composition is provided comprising forming a solid water treatment halogen-containing composition comprising (a) a halogen containing source; (b) a boron-containing source and (c) a polyphosphate-containing source.
US07780856B2 Device for on-line light radiation in gas-containing liquid
A device for on-line radiating gas-containing liquid with light that can mix ozone and water, and radiate the same on-line as well as remove accretions on protective sheaths (preferably quartz tubes) of the device to reduce energy loss. Ozone and water is mixed in a gas-liquid mixer of the device and the ozone-water mixture is guided by a conduct of a gas-liquid separator of the device and spayed out to be radiated by multiple UV lamps protected by the protective sheaths. The accretions on the protective sheaths are removed by scraper mechanisms of a washing assembly of the device.
US07780854B2 Methods for separating oil and water
The present invention relates to methods for the separation of oil and water, in particular through the action of a polymeric material on oil/water emulsions (including oil-in-water and water-in-oil emulsions).
US07780851B2 Oil filter inspection device having interchangeable adapters and drive pin assembly having detents
A lightweight portable motorized oil filter inspection device comprising a housing, a drive plate having a plurality of gear teeth, an oil filter size adapter mounting adaptable to receive at least one of a plurality of interchangeable oil filter size adapters, at least one drive pin assembly mounting for accepting at least one adjustable drive pin assembly having a plurality of detents, a cutting blade assembly and a means to rotate the drive plate. The drive pin assembly having a plurality of detents enables precise alignment of at least one drive pin with at least one of the oil flow apertures of an oil filter canister. The drive plate is directly driven by a motor drive gear having a plurality of compatible gear drive teeth, mounted on an electric motor shaft.
US07780849B2 Magnetically enhanced oil filter apparatus
A magnetically enhanced oil filter apparatus includes an oil filtration assembly which includes a filtration assembly base having oil inlets and an oil outlet located in the filtration assembly base. A filtration material support bracket rests on the filtration assembly base. A quantity of filtration material is supported by the filtration material support bracket. A flow director shroud is connected to the filtration material support bracket. A top portion of the flow director shroud extends over the filtration material. A retainer spring urges the filtration material support bracket in firm contact with the filtration assembly base. A magnetic flux assembly rests on the oil filtration assembly, and assembly-to-assembly connection means are provided for connecting the magnetic flux assembly to the oil filtration assembly. The apparatus of the invention permits ferromagnetic particles to be removed from oil prior to being filtered through a quantity of filtration material.
US07780848B2 Apparatus for blood dialysis and filtration
A single needle hemodiafiltration apparatus is provided. The single needle hemodiafiltration apparatus includes circuits for blood supply from a patient and blood return to a patient, a dialysis fluid supply system for supplying a dialysis fluid, and a system for controlling the blood flow and dialysis fluid flow in a separation device which is equipped to perform filtration and back-filtration operations. A controller is provided that controls, in a series of coordinated operations, the flow of blood from the patient into the separation device, the flow of filtration fluid and back filtration fluid, and the return of blood to the patient.
US07780847B2 Method of producing low sulfur, high octane gasoline
A process for producing gasoline having reduced sulfur content while maintaining or improving octane rating is provided. A gasoline fraction having a substantial amount of olefinic and sulfur compounds produced from fluidized catalytic cracking or coking is contacted first with an adsorbent to selectively remove alkylated thiophenic, benzothiophene, and alkylated benzothiophenic sulfur compounds. The adsorptively treated gasoline fraction is then introduced into a conventional hydrodesulphurizing catalyst bed with hydrogen for further removal of sulfur compounds. Adsorbent containing alkylated thiophenic, benzothiophene, and alkylated benzothiophenic compounds are regenerated through washing with a hydrocarbon solvent and subsequent drying-out by warming.
US07780846B2 Sulfur adsorbent, desulfurization system and method for desulfurizing
A method for producing a substantially desulfurized hydrocarbon fuel stream at temperatures less than 100° C. including providing a nondesulfurized fuel cell hydrocarbon fuel stream and passing the fuel stream through a sulfur adsorbent system containing a specialized sulfur adsorbent containing hydrated alumina to produce a substantially desulfurized hydrocarbon fuel stream.
US07780844B2 Systems, methods, and catalysts for producing a crude product
Contact of a crude feed with one or more catalysts produces a total product that includes a crude product. The crude feed may include at least 0.1 grams of vacuum gas oil per gram of crude feed. The crude product is a liquid mixture at 25° C. and 0.101 MPa. The crude product may have a vacuum gas oil content of about 30% to about 70% of the vacuum gas oil content of the crude feed. One or more other properties of the crude product may be changed by at least 10% relative to the respective properties of the crude feed.
US07780842B2 Apparatus and method for determining the zeta potential of surfaces for the measurement of streaming metrics related thereto
Methods and apparatuses for measuring streaming metrics. A method for measuring a streaming metric corresponding to a rotating surface is characterized by rotating the surface around an axis of rotation and measuring the streaming metric at a location within one radius from the axis of rotation and within three radii from the surface, wherein the location does not contact the surface. Apparatus for measuring a streaming metric corresponding to a rotating surface are characterized by a working electrode which does not contact the surface, a counter electrode, a meter connected to the working electrode and the counter electrode, a rotatable spindle on which the surface is mounted, and a container for holding electrolyte, wherein the working electrode, counter electrode, and surface are located within the container.
US07780840B2 Process for plating chromium from a trivalent chromium plating bath
A plating process for plating chromium metal onto substrates is disclosed. The process uses a trivalent chromium plating bath with a sulfate and/or sulfonate matrix. The process also utilizes insoluble anodes. An addition of manganese ions to the plating bath inhibits the formation of detrimental hexavalent chromium ions upon use of the plating bath.
US07780835B2 Method of making a capacitor by anodizing aluminum foil in a glycerine-phosphate electrolyte without a pre-anodizing hydration step
A capacitor comprising an aluminum anode and a dielectric layer comprising phosphate doped aluminum oxide and process for making the capacitor. The capacitor has a CV Product of at least 9 μF−V/cm2 at 250 volts. Furthermore, the capacitor is formed by the process of: forming an aluminum plate; contacting the plate with an anodizing solution comprising glycerine, 0.1 to 1.0%, by weight, water and 0.01 to 0.5%, by weight, orthophosphate; applying a voltage to the aluminum plate and determining an initial current; maintaining the first voltage until a first measured current is no more than 50% of the initial current; increasing the voltage and redetermining the initial current; maintaining the increased voltage until a second measured current is no more than 50% of the redetermined initial current, and continuing the increasing of the voltage and maintaining the increased voltage until a final voltage is achieved.
US07780832B2 Methods for applying mitigation coatings, and related articles
A method for protecting a thermal barrier coating (TBC) which comprises voids is described. The method involves the step of electrophoretically depositing a mitigation coating material such as alumina to fill at least a portion of the voids. The TBC is often applied over a metal substrate, such as a turbine engine component. The voids can be in the form of vertical cracks within the TBC. A thermal barrier coating is also described, containing voids which extend into the coating from a top surface, wherein at least a portion of the voids is filled with a mitigation coating material.
US07780829B2 Sensor element and method for determining the concentration of gas components in a gas mixture
A sensor element for the determination of the concentration of gas components in a gas mixture, particularly of the concentration of gas components in the exhaust of internal combustion engines, with two electrodes, that together with a solid electrolyte constitute a pumping cell, whose outer pumping electrode is exposed to the gas mixture by way of a porous protective layer, and with a reference electrode, which is disposed on the solid electrolyte and is exposed to a reference gas, and which with a solid electrolyte and a Nernst electrode constitutes a concentration or Nernst cell, is thereby characterized in that at least periodically the Nernst voltage between the outer pumping electrode and the Nernst electrode is tapped and analyzed.
US07780828B2 Analytical instrument having improved arrangement of reagent section and analytical method
The present invention relates to an analytical instrument (1) which includes a flow path (5) for moving a sample containing blood cells, an introduction port (50) for introducing the sample into the flow path (5), a reagent portion (51) arranged in the flow path (5), and an electron detection medium (52) for obtaining information necessary for analyzing an analysis target component contained in the sample in relation with an amount of electrons transferred. The reagent portion (51) contains an electron mediator for supplying an electron taken from the analysis target component in the sample to the electron detection medium (52), and at least part of the reagent portion is positioned adjacent to the introduction port (50).
US07780827B1 Biosensor
The present invention relates to a biosensor. The biosensor includes a support substrate, an electrically conductive coating positioned on the support substrate, the coating being formed to define electrodes and a code pattern, wherein there is sufficient contrast between the conductive coating and the substrate such that the code pattern is discernible, and a cover cooperating with the support substrate to define a channel. At least a portion of the electrodes are positioned in the channel.
US07780826B2 Cr-doped FeCoB based target material and method for producing the same
There is disclosed a method for producing a Cr-doped FeCoB based target material that can be used efficiently in magnetron sputtering processes and has a low magnetic permeability. In the method for producing the target material, there are firstly provided raw-materials of two or more kinds of FeCoB based alloy powders which are different in composition from each other, wherein at least one of the FeCoB based alloy powders comprises Fe and Co in a total amount of 60 atom % or more such that Fe:Co atomic ratio is within a range of 70:30 to 40:60, and comprises Cr in an amount which is from 15 to 25 atom % greater than B. Then, the two or more kinds of the FeCoB based alloy powder are mixed and consolidated to form a target material.
US07780818B2 Suction tube for nonwoven mat machine and method
A nonwoven fibrous mat or web forming or treating system is disclosed comprising a movable, permeable wire or belt for carrying the fibrous mat or web over at least one suction tube assembly comprising a primary suction tube having a suction slot at the top of the primary suction tube and an exit tube communicating with the primary suction tube mounted beneath the permeable belt to have the suction slot on or close to the bottom surface of the movable belt. The suction slot is at least 3.6 meters long and up to more than 5.3 meters long, and the exit tube of the suction tube assembly communicates with the primary suction tube through an opening in the primary suction tube, the opening being generally centered around a centerline of the suction slot. This primary suction tube assembly provides a more uniform suction distribution along the suction slot and reduces fouling of the suction slot compared with previous suction tube assemblies.
US07780817B2 Measurement system for improved paper roll runnability
A method for measuring both caliper and tension of a web such as paper wound into a roll. The method may include a standard caliper sensor whose air supply is selectively modified to allow for both the measurement of caliper and tension of the web. In another embodiment two similar or identical measurement devices are installed in tandem where one device measures tension without pinching the sheet and the other device measures caliper. The sensor may include two sheet guides for providing support for tension measurement or one or both sheet guides can be eliminated by support from machinery rolls.
US07780815B2 Gas free valve for pulp vacuum washer and method
In a rotary drum for condensing pulp from a pulp slurry vat, the drum including radial conduits delivering filtrate from a pulp mat on an outer surface of the drum to at least one filtrate conduit coaxial with a drum rotational axis, a valve segment in the filtrate conduit including: an outer surface juxtaposed against drainage outlets of the radial conduits as the conduits pass through an angular range extending from an upper drum position to an immersed in a vat position, wherein the valve segment does not block the drainage outlets during a majority of the rotation of the drum; at least one inlet aperture on the outer surface aligned with the drainage outlets, said inlet aperture extending at least a majority of a width of the valve segment, and a closed passage extending from the inlet aperture to a gas vent external to the filtrate conduit, wherein the closed passage is offset from and below a centerline of the filtrate conduit.
US07780807B2 Air shaping of green tire carcass
An apparatus for shaping a green tire carcass is provided having a bladder mounted to a first and second support, a retractable support shaft mounted inside the bladder, and upper and lower bead ring for mounting the beads of the tire carcass thereon, wherein one of said bead rings has a channel in fluid communication with a pressurized source of fluid, wherein said channel has an outlet located between said bladder and said carcass for injecting pressurized fluid between the carcass and the bladder.
US07780806B2 Tire for an aircraft and method for producing the same
There is provided a tire for an aircraft capable of enhancing abrasion resistance and effectively preventing a progress of peeling of the non-extensible cords of the main belt layers even when the tire suffers external injury reaching the main belt layers. A tire comprises a pair of bead cores 4, a carcass 5 toroidaly extending between the bead cores, a main belt 6 disposed on an outer peripheral side of a crown area of the carcass 5 and consisting of main belt layers having a spirally-wound structure of a non-extensible cord, and a sub belt 7 disposed on the outer peripheral side of the main belt 6 and consisting of sub belt layers 7a, 7b having an organic fiber cord extending in a circumferential direction of the tire in a zigzag pattern, wherein the sub belt layers 7a, 7b are formed in such a manner that the organic fiber cord in a zigzag pattern is wound several times in the circumferential direction of the tire, and that a crossing angle of the organic fiber cord with respect to an equatorial plane of the tire is within a range between 45 degrees and 90 degrees.
US07780802B2 Simplified method for making rolled Al—Zn—Mg alloy products, and resulting products
A process for making Al—Zn—Mg alloy products, and products formed according to such processes are disclosed. The present invention provides a product having an improved compromise between mechanical characteristics and corrosion strength.
US07780800B2 Method of manufacturing a bent pipe
A bent pipe corresponding to at least API X100 grade and having a base metal with high strength and toughness and a weld metal with high toughness is provided. A steel plate prepared by cooling after hot rolling at a cooling rate at the central portion in the plate thickness direction of at most 5° C. per second at 700-500° C. is formed into a bend mother pipe, which is then heated to 900-1100° C. and subjected to bending, then it is cooled to a temperature of at most 300° C. at a cooling rate in the central portion of the thickness direction of at least 5° C. per second at 700-500° C., after which it is tempered at 300-500° C.
US07780799B2 Cold-rolled steel sheet having a tensile strength of 780 MPA or more, an excellent local formability and a suppressed increase in weld hardness
The present invention provides a high-strength cold-rolled steel sheet and a high-strength surface treated steel sheet 780 MPa or more in tensile strength, said steel sheets having excellent local formability and suppressed weld hardness increase and being characterized by: said steel sheets containing, in weight, C: 0.05 to 0.09%, Si: 0.4 to 1.3%, Mn: 2.5 to 3.2%, P: 0.001 to 0.05%, N: 0.0005 to 0.006%, Al: 0.005 to 0.1%, Ti: 0.001 to 0.045%, and S in the range stipulated by the following expression (A), with the balance consisting of Fe and unavoidable impurities; the microstructures of said steel sheets being composed of bainite of 7% or more in terms of area percentage and the balance consisting of one or more of ferrite, martensite, tempered martensite and retained austenite; and said components in said steel sheets satisfying the following expressions (C) and (D) when Mneq. is defined by the following expression (B); S≦0.08×(Ti(%)−3.43×N(%)+0.004 . . . (A), where, when a value of the member Ti(%)−3.43×N(%) of said expression (A) is negative, the value is regarded as zero. Mneq.=Mn(%)−0.29×Si(%)+6.24×C(%) . . . (B), 950≦(Mneq./(C(%)−(Si(%)/75)))×bainite area percentage (%) . . . (C), C(%)+(Si(%)/20)+(Mn(%)/18)50.30 . . . (D).
US07780796B2 Apparatus and method for controlling operation of robot cleaner
An apparatus for controlling an operation of a robot cleaner including: a battery installed in the robot cleaner; and a means for selectively cutting off power supply of the battery to at least one or more units operated for performing a cleaning operation when the cleaning operation of the robot cleaner is stopped. When the cleaning operation of the robot cleaner is stopped, the robot cleaner is changed to the power saving mode or to the standby mode, and accordingly, power consumption of the battery of the robot cleaner can be reduced.
US07780795B1 Adhesive removal indicator system and method of use
An adhesive removal indicator system and method of use including a method for removing a residual bonding adhesive from a substrate, such as human skin, the method including applying an adhesive adsorbable colored dye on the residual bonding adhesive to form a colored adhesive; applying a bonding adhesive solvent on the colored adhesive; and removing from the substrate the colored adhesive with the bonding adhesive solvent, wherein the adhesive adsorbable colored dye is a skin impermeable dye.
US07780793B2 Passivation layer formation by plasma clean process to reduce native oxide growth
Embodiments described herein provide methods for removing native oxide surfaces on substrates while simultaneously passivating the underlying substrate surface. In one embodiment, a method is provided which includes positioning a substrate containing an oxide layer within a processing chamber, adjusting a first temperature of the substrate to about 80° C. or less, generating a cleaning plasma from a gas mixture within the processing chamber, such that the gas mixture contains ammonia and nitrogen trifluoride having an NH3/NF3 molar ratio of about 10 or greater, and condensing the cleaning plasma onto the substrate. A thin film, containing ammonium hexafluorosilicate, is formed in part, from the native oxide during a plasma clean process. The method further includes heating the substrate to a second temperature of about 100° C. or greater within the processing chamber while removing the thin film from the substrate and forming a passivation surface thereon.
US07780789B2 Vortex chamber lids for atomic layer deposition
Embodiments of the invention relate to apparatuses and methods for depositing materials on substrates during atomic layer deposition processes. In one embodiment, a chamber for processing substrates is provided which includes a chamber lid assembly containing an expanding channel extending along a central axis at a central portion of the chamber lid assembly and a tapered bottom surface extending from the expanding channel to a peripheral portion of the chamber lid assembly. The tapered bottom surface may be shaped and sized to substantially cover the substrate receiving surface. The chamber lid assembly further contains a conduit coupled to a gas passageway, another conduit coupled to another gas passageway, and both gas passageways circumvent the expanding channel. Each of the passageways has a plurality of inlets extending into the expanding channel and the inlets are positioned to provide a circular gas flow through the expanding channel.
US07780788B2 Gas delivery apparatus for atomic layer deposition
Apparatus and method for forming thin layers on a substrate are provided. A processing chamber has a gas delivery assembly that comprises a lid with a cap portion and a covering member that together define an expanding channel at a central portion of the lid, the covering member having a tapered bottom surface extending from the expanding channel to a peripheral portion of the covering member. Gas conduits are coupled to the expanding channel and positioned at an angle from a center of the expanding channel to form a circular gas flow through the expanding channel, The bottom surface of the chamber lid is shaped and sized to substantially cover the substrate receiving surface. One or more valves are coupled to the passageway, and one or more gas sources are coupled to each valve. A choke is disposed on the chamber lid adjacent a perimeter of the tapered bottom surface.
US07780787B2 Apparatus and method for depositing a material on a substrate
Apparatus and a method for depositing a material on a substrate utilizes a distributor including a permeable member through which a carrier gas and a material are passed to provide a vapor that is deposited on a conveyed substrate. A secondary gas can be provided to promote uniform distribution of the material on the substrate.
US07780784B2 Molding assembly for forming ingot and a method of forming ingot
A molding assembly for forming an ingot, including side members each having engaging end portions, the engaging end portions of the side members being engaged with respective ones of the side members such that the side members form a polygonal prism having sides, corners, a top opening and a bottom opening, the engaging end portions of the side members engaging to form connecting portions positioned in the sides, and a bottom member fitted to close the bottom opening of the polygonal prism so as to form a molding device for molding a molten material into an ingot.
US07780778B2 Pigment dispersion and paint
A first pigment made of a coloring pigment having a primary average particle diameter of 200 nm or smaller or, or made of carbon black having an average particle diameter of a structure of 100 nm or smaller, and a second pigment made of barium sulfate having a primary average particle diameter of 55 nm or smaller are combined so that a value of (acid amount-base amount) of one pigment becomes positive, and a value of (acid amount-base amount) of other pigment becomes negative, and the combined first and second pigments are dispersed in a medium in the presence of a pigment dispersant.
US07780777B2 Dispersion containing titanium dioxide
An aqueous dispersion that can be used in the coating of glass, ceramics and metal surfaces is prepared by placing, in water, an aggregated titanium dioxide powder having a specific surface area of from 20 to 150 m2/g in such an amount that the desired dispersion contains at least 20 wt. % titanium dioxide, and at least one amino alcohol having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and at least one carboxylic acid selected from dibasic carboxylic acids and/or hydroxycarboxylic acids having from 2 to 6 carbon atoms. A pre-dispersion is produced by introducing energy in an amount of less than 200 kJ/m3. Then a dispersion is produced in which the aggregated titanium dioxide powder has a mean, volume-related aggregate diameter of less than 150 nm by grinding the pre-dispersion with a high-energy mill at a pressure of at least 500 bar.
US07780776B2 Antiglare coatings and articles
The present invention relates to articles comprising an antiglare layer, coating compositions suitable for making antiglare layers, methods of making an antiglare article, and methods of making antiglare coating compositions. In some embodiments the article is a (e.g. illuminated) display article such as a touch screen. The antiglare layer comprises aggregate inorganic oxide particles in a cured inorganic polymer matrix.
US07780774B2 Method of making a pigmented phase change ink with dispersant and synergist
A method of making a phase change ink composition includes adding to a device with a stirring element at least one pigment, at least one dispersant and at least one synergist, processing the device at an elevated temperature and at a stirring rate to wet the at least one pigment to obtain an ink concentrate, and mixing the ink concentrate with an ink vehicle to obtain the ink composition. The device may be an extruder, an attritor or the like. The method allows for the reduction in the amount of dispersant to include in the ink.
US07780773B2 Pre-treatment compositions, oil-based ink compositions, and processes for ink-jet recording using pre-treatment compositions and oil-based ink compositions
Pre-treatment compositions include organic liquids and cross-linking initiators. Pre-treatment compositions are included in ink sets that also include oil-based ink compositions. Oil-based ink compositions include organic liquids, unsaturated fatty materials having terminal polar functional groups, colorants, and metal salts. Methods for ink-jet printing use pre-treatment compositions and oil-based ink compositions.
US07780767B2 Condensation process and condenser
A condenser and a containment vessel adapted to efficiently condense a gas out of a mixture of condensing and non-condensing gases. In condensers, the fraction of gas within a condenser made up of non-condensing gases can be significantly reduced by withdrawing gas from localised regions of relatively low temperature where the mass fraction of non-condensing gases will be relatively high. In containment vessels, pressures can be reduced by providing a large surface area of the liquid into which the condensing gas condenses in a relatively cool region of the containment vessel. Both these effects result from an appreciation of the manner in which non-condensing gases tend to accumulate in regions which are relatively cold.
US07780765B2 Control of mercury emissions from solid fuel combustion
A method for removing mercury from flue gases generated by the combustion of coal comprises: storing a starter batch of activated carbon in an agglomerated state; de-agglomerating the starter batch in a separation device to create a contact batch of activated carbon; transporting the contact batch to a contact location; injecting the contact batch into contact with the flue gas at a contact location having a temperature between 400° F. and 1100° F., whereupon the activated carbon of the contact batch adsorbs mercury from the flue gas; and removing the activated carbon having mercury adsorbed thereon from the flue gas. The transporting step is conducted with substantially no intermediate storage of the contact batch following the de-agglomeration of the starter batch to prevent re-agglomeration of the activated carbon prior to injection.
US07780759B2 Direct reduction process
A direct reduction process for a solid metalliferous material having a particle size distribution that at least in part contains micron sized particles includes supplying the metalliferous material, a solid carbonaceous material, an oxygen-containing gas, and a fluidizing gas into a fluidized bed in a vessel and maintaining the fluidized bed in the vessel, at least partially reducing metalliferous material in the vessel, and discharging a product stream that comprises the partially reduced metalliferous material from the vessel. The process includes (a) establishing and maintaining a carbon-rich zone within the fluidized bed; (b) passing metalliferous material, including metallized material (which term includes partially metallized material), through the carbon-rich zone; and (c) injecting the oxygen-containing gas into the carbon-rich zone and oxidizing metallized material, solid carbonaceous material and other oxidizable solids and gases and causing controlled agglomeration of particles.
US07780757B2 Method and apparatus for producing fine particles
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for producing fine particles. According to the production method, a molten material 1 which has been formed by melting a raw material to be formed into fine particles is supplied in the form of droplets 1a or a jet flow to a liquid coolant 3, and a vapor film formed so as to cover the molten material supplied to the liquid coolant 3 is forcedly broken to promote vapor explosion, thereby forming and cooling fine particles for solidification. The production method and apparatus can readily produce fine particles from a raw material having a high melting point, and can relatively readily produce submicron fine particles—such particles are difficult to produce by mean of the previously developed technique. The method and apparatus can produce amorphous fine particles, or polycrystalline fine particles having a target particle size by regulating conditions for fine particle formation and for cooling-solidification.
US07780756B2 Ore reduction process and titanium oxide and iron metallization product
The disclosure is directed to a process for producing separable iron and titanium oxides from an ore containing titanium oxide and ferric oxide, comprising: (a) forming agglomerates comprising carbon-based materials and the ore, the quantity of carbon of the agglomerates being sufficient for, at an elevated temperature, reducing ferric oxide to ferrous oxide and forming a ferrous oxide-rich molten slag, (b) introducing the agglomerates onto a carbon bed of a moving hearth furnace; (c) heating the agglomerates in the moving hearth furnace to a temperature sufficient for reducing and melting the agglomerates to produce a ferrous oxide-rich molten slag; (d) metallizing the ferrous oxide of the molten slag by reaction of the ferrous oxide and the carbon of the carbon bed at a furnace temperature sufficient for maintaining the slag in a molten state; and (e) solidifying the slag after metallization of the ferrous oxide to form a matrix of titanium oxide-rich slag having a plurality of metallic iron granules distributed there through; and (f) separating the metallic iron granules from the slag, the slag comprising greater than 85% titanium dioxide based on the entire weight of the matrix after separation of the metallic iron. The disclosure is also directed to a metallization product of a ferrous oxide-rich molten slag.
US07780754B2 Rapid-action connection element with a filter
A rapid-action connection element for a compressed air hose (3) includes a filter (5) located in the discharge casing (4) for sealing a flow cross-section, a flow-through pressure piston (7) extending, at least partially into the discharge casing (4) and displaceable, within limits between outward position remote from the filter (5) in which the pressure piston (7) is sealed with respect to the discharge casing (4), and an inward position adjacent to the filter (5) in which the pressure piston (7) is open with respect to the discharge casing (4) for flow therebetween, and a flow-through rapid-action coupling member (6a) connected with the pressure piston (7).
US07780750B2 Integrated biomass converter system
An integrated biomass converter system capable of converting gasifiable material into a combustible fuel (fuel gas). The system includes elements to convert raw gasifiable material into unprocessed fuel and by a single chamber, down-draft gasifier furnace convert) process) the unprocessed fuel to yield fuel gas. The system includes means to incorporate additional gasifiable materials into the gasifier furnace, or optionally to incorporate material into the unprocessed fuel. The gasifier furnace includes a top closure unit with means to uniformly distribute unprocessed fuel in the furnace and surface treatment means to ensure uniformity of air distribution in the gasification layer and provide means to introduce supplemental gasifiable materials directly into the gasification zone.
US07780749B2 Unmixed fuel processors and methods for using the same
Disclosed herein are unmixed fuel processors and methods for using the same. In one embodiment, an unmixed fuel processor comprises: an oxidation reactor comprising an oxidation portion and a gasifier, a CO2 acceptor reactor, and a regeneration reactor. The oxidation portion comprises an air inlet, effluent outlet, and an oxygen transfer material. The gasifier comprises a solid hydrocarbon fuel inlet, a solids outlet, and a syngas outlet. The CO2 acceptor reactor comprises a water inlet, a hydrogen outlet, and a CO2 sorbent, and is configured to receive syngas from the gasifier. The regeneration reactor comprises a water inlet and a CO2 stream outlet. The regeneration reactor is configured to receive spent CO2 adsorption material from the gasification reactor and to return regenerated CO2 adsorption material to the gasification reactor, and configured to receive oxidized oxygen transfer material from the oxidation reactor and to return reduced oxygen transfer material to the oxidation reactor.
US07780747B2 Apparatus and method for hydrogen generation from gaseous hydride
An apparatus and method including storage and dispensing vessels to safely store and dispense gaseous hydrides, where the storage and dispensing vessels contain a solid-phase physical sorbent medium having a physically sorptive affinity for gaseous hydrides, and wherein the gaseous hydride is decomposed in the apparatus to generate hydrogen gas. The gaseous hydrides include, but are not limited to, silane, germane, stibine and diborane. The gaseous hydrides decompose spontaneously and/or decomposition is enhanced using surface modified adsorbents. The hydrogen generated by the apparatus may be used in a fuel cell or other hydrogen gas consuming unit.
US07780741B2 Socket liner incorporating sensors to monitor amputee progress
Disclosed is a device and method to aid in the monitoring of the health of an amputee's limb. The device employs a socket preferably including a liner. The liner may be constructed of an inner layer and an outer layer. The inner layer is configured to hold a plurality of sensors able to monitor the physiological health of the enclosed limb. The inner layer further employs a transmission device able to receive data from the sensors and send such data to an end user; the end user being a computer, the amputee, or a doctor. Through receipt of such data, the end user is aided in monitoring the health of the limb.
US07780740B2 Methods, systems, and apparatus for implanting prosthetic devices into cartilage
A method of implanting a prosthetic acetabular cup into a patient is disclosed. The method comprises gaining access to an acetabulum of the patient, where the acetabulum includes an inner portion formed of bone and an outer portion formed of articular cartilage. The method also comprises creating a recess within the articular cartilage of the outer portion of the acetabulum without removing any portion of bone from the inner portion of the acetabulum. The recess is shaped to mate with a snap-fit structure of the prosthetic acetabular cup. Finally, the method comprises securely engaging the prosthetic acetabular cup with the acetabulum by snap-fitting the snap-fit structure of the prosthetic acetabular cup with the recess in the articular cartilage of the outer portion of the acetabulum.
US07780733B2 Artificial spinal disc replacement system and method
An artificial spinal disc implant method for intervertebral disc replacement (0810) is disclosed which is formed from an upper (0801) and lower (0802) bracket which mate to upper and lower spinal vertebrae via upper (0831) and lower (0832) vertebral contact surfaces on the upper (0801) and lower (0802) brackets. The upper (0801) and lower (0802) brackets are joined together via springs (0811) connected to the upper bracket (0801) which rest in spring guide tracks (0812) on the lower bracket. The springs (0811) are connected to the upper bracket (0801) via the use of spring fasteners (0821, 0822). The upper (0801) and lower (0802) brackets may be installed in sections (0851, 0861, 0871, 0852, 0862, 0872) using laparoscopic surgical techniques and are attached to upper/lower spinal vertebrae respectively via adhesive means applied using injection holes/ports (0841, 0842) in the upper (0801) and lower (0802) brackets respectively.
US07780724B2 Monolithic in situ forming valve system
Described is a monolithic in situ forming valve system. The valve system is delivered in an unformed, collapsed configuration that lacks any functional characteristics commonly associated with a valve before. However, once expanded, the system is transformed into a competent valve for use in a wide variety of applications. The valve system includes a superior expandable structure, an inferior expandable structure, and a helical pre-valve component. The helical pre-valve component comprises a first end attached with the superior expandable structure and a second end attached with the inferior expandable structure. The helical pre-valve component is formed such that expansion of the superior expandable structure and the inferior expandable structure causes the helical pre-valve structure to transform into a functional valve held between each of the expandable structures.
US07780720B2 Bifurcated endoluminal prosthesis
An introducer for delivering into the vasculature a straight or bifurcated stent or prosthesis; a method for delivering into the vasculature a straight or bifurcated stent or prosthesis; a method of treating and angiological disease using a bifurcated stent; an endoluminal stent having perpendicular hoop members, each hoop member formed of wire in a sinuous configuration, at least some of juxtaposed apices in neighboring hoops being secured to one another, such stents also forming axially aligned segments in straight stents, and segments of bifurcated stents in particular embodiments. Certain embodiments of such stents also include barbs, fabric covering and radiopaque markers.
US07780719B2 Stent having variable properties and method of its use
A stent and method of its use, the stent in its expanded configuration, exhibiting varying outward radial force along its length. In use, the expanded stent is of a tapered configuration which provides greater force in vessel regions requiring greater force and less force in regions requiring less. In particular the stent is useful in the ostium regions and at areas of bifurcation in vessels. Varying force over the length of the stent is achieved by varying the number of elements, the density of elements, the thickness of the elements making up the stent body, and maintaining a substantially metal to artery ratio in the expanded stent over its length.
US07780717B2 Rotary handle for controlled sequential deployment device
A stent graft introducer actuation assembly (1) having a fixed handle (3) and at least one sliding handle (5, 7), the sliding handle or handles telescoping within the fixed handle, and a winch arrangement (9) to retract the sliding handle into the fixed handle. There may be provided arrangements to give a mechanical advantage to the winch arrangement.
US07780716B2 Delivery system for a medical device
The invention is directed to a delivery system for delivering a medical device. The delivery system includes an inner member having a proximal end and a distal end. The inner member defines a longitudinal axis between the proximal end and the distal end. A tip is formed at the distal end of the inner member. A bumper is freely disposed on the inner member. The bumper has a proximal end and a distal end. A seat is defined between the tip and the distal end of the bumper. Additionally, a sheath is disposed about the inner member, the sheath having a proximal end and a distal end. The sheath is movable from a first sheath position substantially covering the seat, and a second sheath position axially offset to expose the seat. The invention also includes a handle in contact with the proximal end of the inner member.
US07780714B2 Implant delivery apparatus
An apparatus for delivering an implant within a lumen or passageway is provided. The apparatus comprises a flexible, hollow outer member having an elongated section that is inserted into and navigated through the lumen of passageway. The implant is mounted within the distal end of the elongated section. An elongated fluid chamber is defined within the outer member between two valves or seals. The valves or seals permit fluid flow in a pre-determined direction during loading of fluid into the chamber, but prevent fluid to exit the chamber during deployment of the implant. A shaft is in contact with the proximal end of the fluid column. During deployment, the shaft is held in a fixed position and the outer member actuated in a proximal direction. The implant exerts compressive forces on the outer member as it is actuated proximally. These forces are transmitted to the fluid column which resists buckling.
US07780712B2 Laparoscopic kidney cooling device
The present invention encompasses a device for changing the temperature of the kidney during laparoscopic surgery or during organ transportation or transplantation.
US07780710B2 System for stabilization of fractures of convex articular bone surfaces including subchondral support structure
A fracture fixation system is provided for a fracture of a head portion of a long bone which has subchondral bone defining a convex articular surface. The system includes a plate element positionable on the long bone substantially opposite the head portion of the long bone and on a first side of the fracture, and a post element extending from the plate and into the head portion and across the fracture. A support structure for supporting of the subchondral bone of the articular surface is coupled to the post.
US07780703B2 Device for securing spinal rods
A device is disclosed for securing a spinal rod to the spine which 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 relative to the spinal rod, and a fastener portion depending from the head portion and configured to engage the spine. The locking cap has discontinuous opposed engagement flanges that are received within opposed engagement slots of the head portion when the locking cap is rotated into a locked position.
US07780701B1 Suture anchor
A resorbable suture anchor operable to hold a suture within a bone. The suture anchor has a cannulated tip that receives a driver during implantation of the anchor, the driver extending from the tip when the anchor is seated on the driver. The anchor further has at least one engagement surface to prevent migration of the anchor from the implantation site. The anchor is made of a resorbable material to permit resorbtion of the anchor within a patient at a desired rate.
US07780699B2 Vascular wound closure device and method
A method and apparatus for closing a vascular wound includes a guidewire and/or other surgical implement extending from the wound. A hemostatic material is advanced over the surgical implement and into contact with an area of the blood vessel surrounding the wound. The surgical implement is removed. Blood soaks the hemostatic material, and blood clotting is facilitated by the hemostatic agent within the material. A sealing layer of adhesive can be applied to the hemostatic material, confining the blood flow to the material. Thus, the vascular puncture wound is sealed by natural blood clot formation.
US07780697B2 Embolic protection system
An assembly for loading a collapsible embolic protection filter 1 into a catheter 2, comprises a catheter 2 defining a reception space at a distal end of the catheter 2 for receiving a collapsed embolic protection filter 1; and a separate removable pushing device 8 for delivering the embolic protection filter 1 into the reception space. The pushing device 8 comprises an elongate stem 71 with a proximal stop 72 for engagement with the filter 1. A separate loading device 7 to collapse the embolic protection filter 1 is also provided. The loading device 7 defines an inlet end and an outlet end, the outlet end being configured for co-operative alignment with the reception space.
US07780696B2 Distal protection device and method
An emboli capturing system captures emboli in a body lumen. A first elongate member has a proximal end and a distal end. An expandable emboli capturing device is mounted proximate the distal end of the first elongate member, and is movable between a radially expanded position and a radially contracted position. When in the expanded position, the emboli capturing device forms a basket with a proximally opening mouth. A second elongate member has a proximal and a distal end with a lumen extending therebetween. The lumen is sized to slidably receive a portion of the first elongate member. An expandable delivery device is mounted to the distal end of the second elongate member and is movable from a radially retracted position to a radially expanded position. The delivery device has a receiving end configured to receive the emboli capturing device, and retains at least the mouth of the emboli capturing device in a radially retracted position.
US07780692B2 Expandable percutaneous sheath
Disclosed is an expandable percutaneous sheath, for introduction into the body while in a first, low cross-sectional area configuration, and subsequent expansion to a second, enlarged cross-sectional configuration. The sheath is maintained in the first, low cross-sectional configuration by a tubular restraint. In one application, the sheath is utilized to provide access for a diagnostic or therapeutic procedure such as percutaneous nephrostomy or urinary bladder access.
US07780690B2 Instruments and method for minimally invasive carpal tunnel release
Instruments for use in minimally invasive carpal tunnel release include a cannula and a cutting member movable longitudinally within the cannula to advance a cutting blade of the cutting member along a longitudinal slot in the cannula to sever a transverse carpal ligament disposed over the slot. A dilating member is provided for creating a subligamentous space to accommodate the cannula and/or for removing adhered synovium from a lower surface of the ligament. A method for minimally invasive carpal tunnel release involves establishing a subcutaneous pathway to the carpal tunnel from an incision in the forearm, introducing the cannula in the carpal tunnel via the pathway, and severing the transverse carpal ligament with the cutting blade of the cutting member, all of which steps are performed under direct endoscopic visualization.
US07780688B2 Spring clip and method for assembling same
A surgical clip assembly is provided having two molded components and a tension spring. In one aspect, the spring clip includes a first molded portion having a first jaw and a first finger tab, a second molded portion coupled to the first molded portion and having a second jaw and a second finger tab, and a tension spring coupled to both the first and second molded portions. The first and second molded portions may be identical components. The tension spring is wound at least one turn forming a central coil and two extensions, and each of the molded portions is formed with a hinge area. Each of the hinge areas includes a hinge stud and a hinge cavity. The hinge areas align and snap-fit with one another to form the clip assembly. The extensions of the tension spring may be mounted into guide slots or ribs of the molded portions.
US07780687B2 Method and apparatus for anastomosis including expandable anchor
The present disclosure relates a device for joining a first body vessel to a second body vessel, including an inner member having a distal end portion and defining a longitudinal axis, an outer member defining a lumen dimensioned to receive the inner member therein, and a radially expandable anchor disposed at the distal end of the inner member, the expandable anchor having an initial condition wherein the expandable anchor is disposed between the outer member and the inner member and an expanded condition wherein the expandable anchor is radially larger than the expandable anchor in the initial condition.
US07780684B2 Surgical instrument for endoscopic suturing of deep subcutaneous tissue
A surgical instrument is provided, principally for use with endoscopic plastic surgery, and adapted for insertion into an incision for engaging subcutaneous tissue, fat, fascia or muscle (STFFM) through a remote access incision, grasping the STFFM, and enabling it to be moved to another location. The STFFM is grasped preferably by engaging it with a needle and passing a suture through it, with the suture being locked by engagement via a hook, all at a location inside the skin that is remote from the opening. This enables the sutured STFFM to be moved, in any direction, but most often toward the incision as the inserted portion of the instrument is removed. A vacuum and an external clamp are provided, for facilitating engagement of the portion of the STFFM that is to be sutured. The instrument is usable for facelift surgery midface surgery, brow surgery, neck lift, scalp reduction, endoscopic mastopexy, endoscopic thigh lift, endoscopic tummy tuck, and for any other technique where it is desired to shift STFFM from one location to another location, as for example, in the correction of undesirable liposuction results.
US07780682B2 Apparatus and method for manipulating or retracting tissue and anatomical structure
Integrated systems and associated methods 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 anchoring devices for such purposes.
US07780678B2 Thermal treatment to improve intraocular lens inserter lubricity
Methods for enhancing the lubricity of implant delivery devices are provided. The present methods of enhancing the lubricity of an intraocular lens inserter reduce the force required to express an intraocular lens therefrom. By reducing the force required to express an intraocular lens from an inserter, intraocular lens delivery is improved.
US07780673B2 Method and apparatus for performing a minimally invasive total hip arthroplasty
A method and apparatus for performing a minimally invasive total hip arthroplasty including an acetabular cup inserter is provided. The cup inserter is utilized for securing a prosthetic acetabular component thereto for implantation into a hip joint. The acetabular cup inserter includes a frame having an offset frame leg to allow for placement of an acetabular cup in the correct anteversion and abduction without interference from soft tissue.
US07780668B2 Osteochondral allograft cartilage transplant workstation
A portable surgical workstation for implant formation comprising a base with a central planar section. The central planar section has a plurality of tracks and a throughgoing slot with a recessed stepped surrounding surface formed on a bottom surface of the central planar section. A vise assembly mounted to the base comprises a fixed jaw member secured to the base, a traveling jaw member moveably mounted to the base and a fixed drive housing mounted to the base. The traveling jaw member has a plurality of rail members adapted to be slidably mounted in the central planar section tracks. The fixed drive housing has a threaded longitudinal bore which receives a threaded drive shaft, one end of the drive shaft being secured in the traveling jaw member to transport the traveling jaw member.
US07780667B2 Orthopaedic plate and screw assembly
Systems, devices and methods are disclosed for treating fractures and other bone maladies. The systems, devices and methods may include one or both of a stabilizing structure, such as an implant, bone plate, or other device and a fastening assembly, such as a lag screw and compression screw assembly. The stabilizing structure in some embodiments has a proximal section with a transverse aperture and a cross-section that may be shaped to more accurately conform to the anatomical shape of cortical bone and to provide additional strength and robustness in its lateral portions, preferably without requiring significant additional material. The fastening assembly may be received to slide, in a controlled way, in the transverse aperture of the stabilizing structure. In some embodiments, the engaging member and the compression member are configured so that the compression member interacts at least indirectly with the stabilizing structure and a portion of the engaging member to enable controlled movement between the first and second bone fragments. This configuration is useful for, among other things, compressing a fracture.
US07780664B2 Endosteal nail
The system includes an elongate intramedullary nail which is rigidly fixed under compression to the endosteal surface of a bone with unicortical locking machine screws inserted through the bone and into a plurality of longitudinally displaced threaded holes in the nail. A jig is provided for drilling holes through the bone in alignment with the screw holes in the nail. The nail and jig each include anti-rotation structure at which the nail and jig can be coupled together in a fixed alignment. A method is also provided for implanting an intramedullary nail on two sides of a bone fracture, and clamping the bone with sufficient force to immobolize the fracture by forcing the implant against an endosteal surface of the bone and applying a compressive force against the outer surface of the bone.
US07780663B2 End effector coatings for electrosurgical instruments
An electrosurgical stapling instrument includes an end effector capable of applying bipolar RF energy into tissue. The end effector has a first pole electrode and a second pole electrode for forming an RF contact circuit with tissue. At least one of the electrodes may have a dielectric coating thereon to create a RF circuit with tissue. The dielectric coating can cover one of the electrodes to create a capacitive coupling circuit with tissue, or can have at least one open passageway extending through the dielectric coating to enable tissue contact with the electrode and the passage of RF energy therethrough. The dielectric coating on the electrode can be masked to create passageways through the dielectric, or the dielectric coating can be locally removed with a variety of techniques to form passageways. The dielectric coating may provide a barrier to prevent shorting between the dielectrically coated electrode and a conductive fastener embedded within tissue. Alternately, a cartridge coating can be used to reduce an electric surface sheet charge on the cartridge thermoplastic that can occur during the application of RF energy to tissue.
US07780660B2 Articulating radio frequency probe handle
A medical probe assembly and method for ablating tissue using radio frequency energy. The medical probe assembly includes an elongated shaft, a needle electrode array, and a hinged handle. The handle has a collar, which when in the up position covers the hinge so that the device can be used as a conventional medical probe. When the collar is in the down position the hinge is exposed, and the handle can be bent to reduce its overall height. With this reduced height the probe can be used while a patient is lying in a CT scanner or an MRI chamber. Therefore, the surgeon can monitor the ablation during the procedure, and thus avoid unnecessary damage to the surrounding healthy tissue on the one hand, and insufficient ablation of the diseased tissue on the other hand. An alternate embodiment uses a flexible handle instead of a hinged one.
US07780657B2 Cooling system
A cryogenic medical system includes a medical device and a console connectable to the medical device at a connection point. The console controls the temperature of the medical device. The console includes a first cooling system directing coolant to the medical device at a first temperature along a coolant supply line and a second cooling system chilling the coolant within the coolant supply line to a temperature below the first temperature before the coolant reaches the connection point.
US07780654B2 Device for radiating light onto a skin surface during a medical or cosmetic skin treatment
The invention relates to a handpiece for radiating light onto a skin surface during a medical or cosmetic skin treatment. An optical coupling element (6) is provided in said handpiece (1). The light entrance surface (8) of said coupling element faces towards a light source, while its light exit surface (5) is in contact with the skin surface (2) during the skin treatment. The invention provides that the coupling element (6) of a handpiece (1) of this type consists of a bundle of light guides which end in the light entrance surface (8) and in the light exit surface (5) and which are in such close lateral contact with each other, at least in their end sections, that there are no optically ineffective intermediate spaces.
US07780653B2 Methods and apparatus for vision correction
Methods and apparatus/articles of manufacture for improving or correcting vision in an eye of a human or animal subject. A quantity of corneal tissue is removed from the subject's eye. Thereafter, a corneal cap is affixed to the anterior surface of the subject's eye in place of the previously removed corneal tissue. The shape and/or thickness and/or rotational orientation of the affixed corneal cap is adjusted as needed such that vision through the subject's eye is improved or corrected. In some cases, the corneal cap may comprise the same corneal tissue that was initially removed from the subject's eye. In other cases, the corneal cap may be formed of corneal tissue that has been harvested from a donor eye (e.g., a human, animal or cadaveric donor) or other material (e.g., synthetic or polymer material) having suitable properties.
US07780651B2 Articulated surgical instrument for performing minimally invasive surgery with enhanced dexterity and sensitivity
An articulated surgical instrument for enhancing the performance of minimally invasive surgical procedures. The instrument has a high degree of dexterity, low friction, low inertia and good force reflection. A unique cable and pulley drive system operates to reduce friction and enhance force reflection. A unique wrist mechanism operates to enhance surgical dexterity compared to standard laparoscopic instruments. The system is optimized to reduce the number of actuators required and thus produce a fully functional articulated surgical instrument of minimum size.
US07780646B2 Torqueable and deflectable medical device shaft
A medical device shaft for connection with a handle and for insertion within a body includes an elongated, deflectable shaft having a proximal shaft portion, an intermediate shaft portion, and a distal shaft portion. The elongated, deflectable shaft includes a transition in stiffness from the proximal shaft portion to the distal shaft portion. In a preferred implementation, the shaft includes a plurality of slits that extend perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the shaft. Varying at least one of the number of slits, the location of slits, the frequency of slits, the orientation of the slits, the size of the slits, and the depth of the slits varies the transition of stiffness.
US07780644B2 Sealed medical storage
A medicine discharge stopper for a medical bag of a type where a multiple of medicines are mixed, aiming to positively exclude a possibility of generation of erroneous operation that administration is done without opening the mixing seal. The medical bag is formed from a soft film and has an inner space, which is divided into compartments 20 and 22. An outlet port 12 is provided so that it is opened to the first compartment 20. The stopper includes split halves, which, when tied, form an inner space 34 of the outlet port 12. The combination is done under a resilient force by cantilever fashioned extending parts 38. When the weak seal portion is opened, an impact-like hydraulic force is generated and the bag is widened, which causes the flaps 30 and 32 to be opened against the resilient force, resulting in a release of the stopper. The flaps 30 and 32 are made separable from the body parts, which allows the stopper to be also utilized for a holder of needle during the execution of infusion process.
US07780641B2 Transcecal ileostomy set
Described herein is a transcecal ileostomy set including a balloon catheter equipped with a blocking balloon, which serves for obstruction of a small intestine, and a fixation balloon, which serves for fixation of the balloon catheter inside the large intestine when inflated. Furthermore, it includes a holder, adapted to be fixed to a patient's body from the outside, which serves for closing a large intestine wall by tightening a bioresorbable loop passing through the large intestine wall and abdominal wall. A rotary part of the plastic holder may be affixed with a protrusion serving as a block when turning to tighten the bioresorbable loop.
US07780639B2 Magnetic devices and apparatus for medical/surgical procedures and methods for using same
One embodiment of the invention comprises a trocar and a reducer cap that magnetically attaches to the trocar. The trocar and the cap each include a magnetic member, at least one of which is a first magnet, and the other of which is either a second magnet or a non-magnetized magnetically permeable member. Including a magnet of sufficient strength in the trocar and/or the cap will create a magnetic field that automatically holds a surgical instrument having a magnetically permeable member at its tip in axial alignment with the cap or trocar lumen. Introduction of the surgical instrument into the lumen can be further facilitated by providing the trocar or cap lumen with a funnel-shaped opening. A lumen seal can be provided by one or more compliant toroidal seal members that expand radially inwardly when compressed axially by the magnetic attraction between the cap and trocar. The alignment feature is particularly advantageous when incorporated in a mini-trocar having a lumen on the order of 1-3 mm in diameter. In that case, a trocar cap can be a small disc magnetically attracted to the trocar to cover the lumen. Magnetic aligning devices according to the invention can be used internally of a patient or transdermally. Another embodiment of the invention is an ostium plug with a lumen therethrough that can be used in tubal sterilization. The plug is permanently implanted in the patient, but a cap is coupled magnetically to the proximal end of the plug to permit reopening of the lumen when desired.
US07780636B2 Portable drug delivery device having an encapsulated needle
The present invention relates to medical devices which are adapted for application to a skin surface of a user and comprise a transcutaneous device which is supplied in a sterile condition. Thus, a medical device is provided, comprising a mounting surface adapted for application to the skin of a subject, a first portion having a first end adapted to penetrate the skin of the subject, and a second portion in fluid communication with the first portion and having a second end. The device further comprises enclosure means being transformable from an initial configuration encapsulating the first and second portions in an initial aseptic state, to a second configuration in which the ends of the first and second portions are allowed to communicate with the exterior through the enclosure means, wherein the enclosure means does not enclose the mounting surface.
US07780634B2 Cushioned medical securement device
A cushioned medical securement device for cushioning and securing a patient medical device includes a laterally and longitudinally extending pad. The pad has an adhesive coated first side surface for adhering to the patient medical device and an opposing adhesive coated second side surface for adhering to a patient's skin. A first release liner is removably mounted on the first side surface. The first release liner has a first liner peel release value. A second release liner is removably mounted on the second side surface. The second release liner has a second liner peel release value that is greater than the first liner peel release value.
US07780631B2 Apparatus and method for penetration with shaft having a sensor for sensing penetration depth
An apparatus having a shaft that can sense the depth of penetration, for penetrating into an object (the substrate). The substrate being penetrated has impedance that varies according to the depth under a surface of the substrate. The shaft has a tip for penetration and has conductive ends near to the tip of the shaft. A change of impedance of material of the object between the conductive ends can be sensed to provide information on the depth of penetration. A processor can be provided external to the object being penetrated by the shaft to gather and process the impedance information to determine whether the desired depth has been achieved.
US07780621B2 Blood chamber for an extracorporeal circuit
A blood chamber for an extracorporeal blood circuit comprises a blood inlet port (2), a blood containment chamber (3), a first conduit (8) which connects the blood inlet port (2) with the blood containment chamber (3) and which has an end tract (8a) that terminates in the blood containment chamber (3) with a horizontal inlet component. The first conduit (8) comprises a pre-terminal tract (8b) which precedes the end tract (8a) and which has at least a second horizontal component which is directed in an opposite direction to the horizontal inlet component. The blood chamber is used in an arterial line of a dialysis set for guaranteeing a regular and gentle blood flow.
US07780617B2 Traction device using a winch
The traction device using a winch employs an array of components including winches, pulleys and elastic bands mounted on an upright frame. The arrangement of the components allows the device to be utilized for traction without the use of cumbersome weights. The upright frame is configured to ensure stability. The components, including scales and cables, are mounted on the frame.
US07780611B2 Medical instrument with controlled torque transmission
A medical instrument such as a guidewire that is designed to have controlled torque transmission along its length. Specially treated areas are placed in selected and equal areas along the entire length of the elongated shaft of the medical instrument, and are separated from one another by untreated areas. This process ensures that any torque is transmitted distally, in a smooth manner, regardless of the guidewire position, thus resulting in a substantial reduction in whipping. In one embodiment, a stainless steel guidewire is utilized, and is subjected to annealing heat treatment in selected areas. This annealing process creates a mandrel that has repeated temper properties along its length. Torque applied at one end of this mandrel is transmitted to the opposite end in an even and controlled manner, even when the mandrel is formed into a loop.
US07780609B2 Temporary threshold shift detector
A method of detecting a change in hearing of a user includes providing a sound generating device for providing both a content audio signal and a hearing test audio signal. The sound generating device is used to provide hearing test audio sounds of different loudnesses around a threshold of hearing of the user. None of these sounds is calibrated to a pre-specified decibel level. A first threshold of hearing is determined at a first time and a second threshold of hearing is determined at a second time. The first threshold of hearing is compared with the second threshold of hearing.
US07780605B2 Blood pressure measuring apparatus enabling accurate blood pressure measurement
A blood pressure measuring apparatus includes a plurality of mechanisms compressing a cuff, and the mechanisms are separately controlled. Therefore, a stable measurement attitude is maintained irrespective of a circumference or a shape of an upper arm. Compression degrees are separately controlled, whereby a pressure can evenly be applied to the cuff to improve a compression force acting on an artery.
US07780602B2 Method and system for controlling an ultrasound system
Methods and system for controlling an ultrasound system are described. One method includes acquiring ultrasound data relating to an object and iteratively adjusting acoustic power output of the ultrasound system based on the acquired ultrasound data.
US07780597B2 Method and apparatus for improving the performance of capacitive acoustic transducers using bias polarity control and multiple firings
Presented is a method of operating a capacitive microfabricated ultrasonic transducer (cMUT) array with multiple firings of varying bias voltage polarity patterns to improve its performance in imaging non-linear media, such as in contrast agent imaging or tissue harmonic imaging. Additionally, transducers incorporating the method are provided. The method of cMUT operation and the corresponding cMUT does not require pre-distortion or phase inversion of the transmit signal and can achieve an improvement in the elevation focus of the cMUT, as compared to the elevation focus that a single firing can achieve. Further, the method of operating the cMUT minimizes the deleterious effects that result from insulators being subjected to high electric fields.
US07780595B2 Panel diagnostic method and system
A method and system for computerized medical diagnostics is disclosed. Beginning with interacting with a patient or a healthcare professional via a diagnostic module to obtain patient health items, the system automatically obtains an initial differential diagnosis and multiple strategy differential diagnoses based on the patient health items. In one embodiment, each strategy differential diagnosis is obtained with different analysis criteria of the patient health items. At least a portion of the strategy differential diagnoses are compared and a panel differential diagnosis based on the compared differential diagnoses is determined. The initial diagnosis and the panel differential diagnosis are reconciled so as to recommend an action or provide a diagnosis to the patient or the healthcare professional.
US07780594B2 Retractor and methods of use
A retractor is disclosed. The retractor includes a housing, at least one blade holder slidably coupled to the housing, and an actuator handle to control sliding movement of the blade holder. The blade holder and the actuator handle hold at least one blade.
US07780593B2 Endoscope
A bend section is disposed on an insertion section. A rotary body, on which a proximal end portion of a wire for a bend operation, which has a distal end portion connected to the bend section, is rotatably supported in a large-diameter section. Driving force transmission portion, which converts linear movement of a working shaft that is operable in a linear direction to rotational movement of the rotary body, is provided in the large-diameter section. A driving source unit is detachably coupled to the large-diameter section on the proximal end side of the insertion section. The driving source unit is provided with operation section which linearly moves the working shaft, in accordance with an operation of a driving shaft that operates in a linear direction by a driving force from a driving motor.
US07780592B2 Distal portion of an endoscopic delivery system
The disclosure describes an endoscopic delivery system that includes an endoscope and a tissue-receiving member. The tissue-receiving member includes an opening to receive the distal end of the endoscope. The tissue-receiving member also defines a tissue-receiving space that receives tissue when vacuum pressure is applied to the space through the endoscope. A tool and/or material may be delivered to the tissue drawn into the tissue-receiving space. The tissue-receiving member may be cap-like, and only receive the distal end of the endoscope, or include an overtube that receives a substantial portion of the endoscope. The system may be used to, for example, deliver tissue bulking devices to a location proximate to the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) for treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
US07780590B2 Method for locating an implanted fluid access port
An implanted fluid access port locator system for adjustable gastric bands. The system may include an access port having an RFID tag with its antenna adjacent to the receiving portion of the port. An external locator with radio frequency transmitter/receiver circuitry sends read or interrogation signals to the RFID tag and may send write signals to the tag to write treatment data to memory of the RFID tag. The locator may include an antenna array with four patch antenna arranged in pairs to model two monopulse radar antenna systems. The locator also includes processor(s) and logic modules/circuitry for processing the tag response signals received by the antenna array to determine location information for the RFID tag and associated port, i.e., to identify the center of the port relative to the antennae array or array face such as with strength and direction information relative to the array face. A method of locating implanted fluid access port includes providing radio frequency transmitter/receiver circuitry on the access port and manipulating a handheld locator outside the body to pinpoint the position and orientation of the access port. A mark may be made with a handheld locator to direct insertion of a needle for adding or removing fluid from an implanted system through the access port.
US07780583B2 Aero hydraulic exercise and physical therapy equipment and method
An air spring is used as a resistance device in exercise equipment having a lever arm for exercising various muscle groups such as those in arms and legs. In one embodiment, the equipment can be used while standing and the resistance movements strengthen core muscles. In another, it can be adapted to be used on a table surface for exercising hands, wrists and forearms. In still another embodiment, it can incorporate a bike pedal assembly to simultaneously aerobically exercise the legs and arms. The equipment includes resistance level regulating components and a visual indicator using a gauge or similar device to monitor resistance levels. Embodiments also include interchangeability of human interface members and a hand pump integrated with the lever arm, which may also include interchangeability of the human interface members.
US07780581B1 Foot plate assembly with adjustable symmetric retention strap arrangement
An apparatus attachable to a foot of a user, such as in a leg extension mechanism (stilt device). First and second support members extend from opposing sides of a foot support surface adapted to support the foot. A retention strap has opposing first and second ends each removeably attachable to the support members by the user, preferably by an opposing pair of buckle assemblies. The strap, the support members and the foot support surface maintain the strap in a semi-circular arc nominally symmetric about a centerline of the surface, with the arc having a width greater than a width of the foot support surface to facilitate insertion of the foot between the surface and the strap along the centerline. The support members are preferably slideably adjustable to accommodate different foot widths. A toe guide is also preferably slideably adjustable to align the toes of the foot along the centerline.
US07780570B2 Apparatus for and method of controlling power train, and storage medium storing program for implementing the method
An ECU executes a program for implementing a method that includes: a step of performing control so that torque capacity Tch of a frictional engagement device that is brought from an engaged state into a disengage state by a downshift operation is gradually reduced to start an inertia phase when a power-on downshift is performed; and a step of stopping the gradual reduction of the torque capacity Tch when the rate of change in an input shaft rotation speed NI of an automatic transmission has reached a desired rate of change ΔN(1). Variation in output torque is kept small, and the shock that can occur at the time of a shift is thus reduced.
US07780562B2 Hybrid vehicle and method of assembling same
A parallel hybrid vehicle includes a heat engine, a transmission including an input and output, and an electrical device. The transmission input is coupled to the engine and the transmission output is coupled to the electrical device such that substantially all of the torque generated by the heat engine is channeled through the transmission to the electrical device, and a differential, the electrical device coupled to the differential such that during a first mode of operation the electrical device functions as a motor to receive substantially all the torque generated by the engine through the transmission, and such that during a second mode of operation the electric device functions as a generator to receive substantially all the torque generated by the vehicle through the differential.
US07780561B2 Power transmission belt having a mark thereon and a method of providing a mark on a power transmission belt
A method of providing a mark on a power transmission belt having a body with a length and laterally spaced side surface. The method includes the step of providing a mark on at least one of the laterally spaced side surfaces. The invention is also directed to a power transmission belt having a length and laterally spaced side surfaces, with a mark on at least one of the laterally spaced side surfaces.
US07780559B2 Chain transmission
A chain transmission containing two toothed sprockets, a chain and a tensioner where the center (S) of the pitch circle of the driven sprocket (2) lays outside of the circle inscribed by the part of chain (4) mating with the driven sprocket (2). Each link (5,6) of the chain (4) contains plates (7) connected by three pins (8 and 9), while the axis of one of the pin (9) lays outside of the plane determined by axes of the remaining pins (8) of the link (5, 6).
US07780555B2 Inflatable ball with predictable movements
A ball having an inflatable ball shell within which is found an inflatable inner ball partially filled with an inner ball gas and partially filled with a liquid that is held in the center of the inflatable ball shell by an inflatable support when the inflatable inner ball, the inflatable ball shell and the inflatable support are inflated. The ball exhibits an eccentric and unpredictable motion unless a concomitant spin is appropriately applied to it and the motion of the ball is primarily determined by movement of the liquid within the inflatable inner ball. The inflatable support can be a donut-shaped chamber having an inner radius which is substantially the same as, and may be attached to, an outer radius of the inflatable inner ball. Alternatively, the inflatable support can be three or more elastic spherical shells attached to the inflatable inner ball.
US07780554B1 Expandable arrow broadhead for attachment to one end of an arrow shaft
An expandable arrow broadhead used for releasable attachment to one end of a hollow arrow shaft. The broadhead includes a sliding shaft with a pointed tip and tip base having two or more of cutting blades mounted thereon. Each of the blades includes an outer cutting edge and an inner edge. A portion of the sliding shaft is slidably received inside a hollow collar. The collar is attached to a sliding shaft housing. The sliding shaft housing is attached to an arrow shaft insert. The arrow shaft insert is adapted for receipt inside one end of the arrow shaft. In a retracted position, the blades are disposed next to and parallel to the length of the sliding shaft. When the pointed tip engages a target, the sliding shaft moves inwardly and rearwardly sliding inside the collar and inside a sliding shaft bore hole in the sliding shaft housing. As the sliding shaft moves rearwardly, a beveled cam surface of the blades engages a portion of the collar, which moves the blades outwardly into an extended position.
US07780553B2 Golf practice apparatus
Golf training apparatus comprises a base having an opening through which an anchor member passes for embedding in the ground. The anchor member and the base have engageable and disengageable retainers which respectively enable and prevent separation thereof. The anchor member is coupled to a ball support in such manner as to enable the ball support to provide support for a golf ball and to rock relative to the anchor member in response to the striking of the ball or its support by a golf club. The coupling between the ball support and the anchor member is resiliently elastic, thereby enabling automatic recovery of the ball support member to its ball-supporting condition following the execution of a stroke.
US07780552B2 Golf tee
A golf tee is able to decrease the number of parts, and an assembling process is simplified, and a manufacture and assembling work do not cost a lot, and an easier maintenance and a desired advertisement effect can be obtained. The golf tee comprises an upper body which has a spherical mounting surface formed on its upper surface for mounting a golf ball; a lower body which supports the upper body from a lower side with its lower end being sharp for an easier planting into a ground, with a rubber cord being installed so as to provide a certain tensional force so that the upper body is pulled all the time to be straight with respect to the lower body.
US07780540B2 Golf swing practice target panel and method of using
A golf swing practice target panel or impact device is provided. The impact device may be or may include a panel made of a type of material such that there will be a temporary mark where a standard or non-standard golf ball impacted the panel. An aiming reference point may be provided on a lower portion of the panel. In addition, lines may be printed on the panel to depict launch or elevation angles and off-center deviation angles. A golfer can examine how accurate the strike was after the swing. Also, the panel material may possess proper friction that enables the spinning direction of a golf ball to be determined when a golf ball bounces off from the panel. Judging from where the ball landed relative to the temporary ball mark on the panel, the golfer is able to know how the ball was spinning after striking.
US07780538B1 Compositely structured billiard cue tip and billiard cue utilizing same
A leather billiard cue tip has an insert embedded in the surface of the cue tip having a higher coefficient of friction relative to the cue ball than that of the leather tip itself. The insert has a mechanical compliance compatible with that of the leather tip, and is contoured to form a continuous smooth surface at the apex of the leather tip. The leather tip has a hardness that is not less than, i.e., that is equal to or greater than, the hardness of the insert. The composite of leather and insert provide a cue tip having enhanced friction when contacting the cue ball, diminishing sliding between the cue tip and cue ball during an off center billiard shot that significantly reduces the risk of miscuing while optimum hardness of the leather tip insures substantial maintenance of the structural geometry of the tip during and after a billiard shot.
US07780535B2 Method and apparatus for active control of golf club impact
A method and apparatus for actively controlling the impact between a club head and a golf ball. A golf club head has a face with an actuator material or device mechanically coupled to influence face motion. The face actuation controls impact parameters, impact properties, or resulting ball parameters such as speed, direction and spin rates resulting from the impact event between the face of the club and the golf ball. Further, the apparatus has a control device for determining the actuation of the face. Several embodiments are presented for controlling parameters such as ball speed and direction. The invention can use energy derived from the ball impact, converted into electrical energy, and then reapplied in a controlled fashion to influence an aspect of the face, such as position, velocity, deformation, stiffness, vibration, motion, temperature, or other physical parameter.
US07780532B2 Ownership of game environments in a virtual world
The disclosure provides novel video game methods and systems for allowing players to acquire ownership of game environments. Methods and systems additionally include means for buying and selling ownership or fractions of ownership in a particular game environment.
US07780531B2 Gaming machine having a community game with side wagering
A gaming system includes at least one community display, a first gaming machine, and a second gaming machine. The at least one community display displays a communal game that includes a plurality of elements. At least some of the plurality of elements have a communal value associated therewith. The first and second gaming machines have a respective first and second video display for displaying the plurality of elements. At least some of the plurality of elements have a first and second player value associated therewith. The first and second gaming machines determine the first and second player values by applying a respective first and second value-enhancement parameter to the communal values associated with at least some of the plurality of elements. The first value-enhancement parameter is different than the second value-enhancement parameter.
US07780530B2 Character managing system, character server, character managing method, and program
Characters set corresponding to users are registered in a character server, so the users can download characters from the character server and feature the characters in various games. Also, characters of different players can notify characters of players within a range permitted beforehand regarding their own locations in different games or different virtual spaces, and can send messages one to another. Further, in addition to the appearance of the character, attributes of the character and items which the player have can be stored in the character server, and used throughout various games. Thus, the same characters can be featured in various types of game programs.
US07780528B2 Reception apparatus, reception method and recording medium
A transmission apparatus used for transmitting a question to a recipient. Generates a control signal for limiting an answer-inputting function of a reception apparatus used by the recipient; adds the control signal generated by a generation mechanism and used for limiting the answer-inputting function of the reception apparatus and an address of a recipient reception collector unit showing a collection destination of where an answer entered by said recipient in response to the question is transmitted when an amount of recipient responses stored in a storage unit exceeds a predetermined number. The apparatus then transmits the broadcast signal including the control signal and the address of a recipient reception collector unit to the recipient.
US07780527B2 Gaming machine having three-dimensional touch screen for player input
In one embodiment, a gaming machine includes a separate touch screen located in an area where buttons are typically located. The touch screen virtual buttons may be both configurable by the player and configurable by the gaming machine. In one embodiment, the touch screen is 3-dimensional in that areas for being touched by the player are raised to give the impression of a physical button. Each raised portion may give tactile feedback to the player when pressed.
US07780525B2 Systems and methods for determining a level of reward
In accordance with one or more embodiments, a method comprises associating, with a casino patron, a benefit of a first value. The benefit of the first value is determined based on a first algorithm and based on the patron's activity during a first portion of a period of time. The method further comprises associating, with the patron, a benefit of a second value. The benefit of the second value is determined based on a second algorithm and based on the patron's activity during a second portion of the period of time, the second portion occurring after the first portion. Associating the benefit of the second value is only performed if the associating the benefit of the first value is first performed.
US07780522B2 Game at cash register
In various embodiments, a method may include receiving an indication of a price of an item to be purchased by a person from a merchant, receiving an indication of an amount tendered by the person, determining an amount of change due to the person based on the price and based on the amount tendered, determining the rules of a game, generating a first outcome of the game using a random number generator, determining based on the rules whether the first outcome is winning or losing, authorizing, if the first outcome is winning, that the amount tendered be returned to the person and that the person be allowed to keep the item, and authorizing, if the first outcome is losing, that the amount tendered be kept by the merchant.
US07780521B2 Gaming machine and gaming system
Based on that the insurance BET operation portion 7 is operated, the specific winning prize lottery process (S14) is executed to determine the specific winning prize, which does not become the count object, among plural prizes by the lottery. And the number of times of game, which becomes the winning prize other than the specific winning prize according to the lottery result, is counted in the count process of game number of times (S21), and at the time that the number of times of game reaches to the predetermined number of times of game for giving the threshold prize, the special payout is given to the player.
US07780519B2 Gaming machine with symbol upgrade feature
A method of conducting a wagering game on a gaming machine. The method includes receiving a wager from a player and displaying a first winning combination of symbols in an array. The first winning combination is associated with a first award. In response to a predetermined event, the first winning combination is upgraded to a second winning combination of symbols, and the second winning combination is associated with a second award that is higher than the first award. The second winning combination of symbols is displayed and the player is provided with the second award.
US07780518B2 Method of scoring a video wagering game
A method of scoring a video wagering game is disclosed. The method includes placing a wager to participate in a video wagering game, and playing a first segment of the game. The first segment is played until a set of predetermined conditions has been met. A payout value is assigned to a winning outcome of the first segment. When the predetermined conditions have been met, the player plays a second segment of the game. The outcome of the second segment determines a factor that is at least equal to one. The payout value assigned to the first segment is multiplied by the factor to determine the game payout.
US07780515B2 Gaming machine
A gaming machine includes: a display; an operation unit that allows a player to input operations; a controller that performs game process for providing a game to the player by displaying a progress of the game on the display in accordance with the operations input through the operation unit; and a storage that stores information indicating a first magnification and a second magnification that is larger than the first magnification. The controller performs the game process including: accepting an input of a bet of a game value on the game through the operation unit; selecting one of the first magnification and the second magnification based on an amount of the game value bet on the game; and paying out an award that is determined by multiplying the game value bet on the game by the selected one of the first magnification and the second magnification. The controller performs selecting the second magnification when the amount of the game value bet on the game is equal to or more than a predetermined value.
US07780512B2 Multiple player slot machine game system
Systems and methods for playing live casino games. The systems have changeable displays which portray virtual symbols to live participants. Assignment of symbols are accomplished using data processing functions within an electronic game processor or processors which enable these functions to be performed. The invention allows casinos to speed play and reduce the risk of cheating while allowing multiple participants to play a multiple participant capable slot machine.
US07780511B2 Gaming machine having a first bonus event that influences a probability of a second bonus event
A gaming machine is provided for playing a wagering game. The gaming machine includes a wager-input device and at least one display for displaying a bonus game of the wagering game. The bonus game has a plurality of outcomes. A probability of winning a certain one or more of the plurality of outcomes varies in response to an occurrence of a predetermined event during the bonus game.
US07780503B2 Polishing apparatus and polishing method
A polishing apparatus makes it possible to polish and remove an extra conductive film while preventing the occurrence of erosion and without lowering of the throughput. The polishing apparatus includes: a polishing table having a polishing surface; a top ring for holding a workpiece having a surface conductive film, and pressing the conductive film against the polishing surface to polish the conductive film; an optical sensor for monitoring the polishing state of the conductive film by emitting light toward the conductive film of the workpiece held by the top ring, receiving reflected light from the conductive film, and measuring a change in the reflectance of the reflected light; and a control section for controlling a pressure at which the workpiece is pressed on the polishing surface.
US07780498B1 Remote control aircraft with parachutes
A remote controlled aircraft may include a deployable main parachute, deployable paratroopers stored in the coils of helical spring actuator and moved into deployment position by rotation of the actuator. The actuator may be operated within a storage compartment configured to fit the actuator and to maintain alignment of the paratroopers before deployment. The remote control may include individual engine boost buttons and selectable, preprogrammed engine speeds. A secondary remote controlled aircraft may also be mounted for deployment on the main aircraft. Various configurations and combinations of elements and features are disclosed and may be claimed.
US07780493B2 Method of manufacturing flat panel display device
A method of manufacturing a flat panel display device is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes: i) forming a plurality of light emitting units on a first substrate, each of the plurality of light emitting units including a light emitting element, ii) providing a second substrate, iii) placing glass frits between the first and second substrates, iv) radiating a first laser beam, having a first intensity, on one of the first and second substrates, wherein the first laser is configured to melt the grass frits and combine the first and second substrates and v) radiating a second laser beam, having a second intensity, on the first irradiated region so as to anneal the first or second substrate, wherein the second intensity is different from the first intensity. According to one embodiment, the substrate cutting quality can be simply improved.
US07780489B2 Spring contact for an electrical plug connection and plug connection
A spring contact for an electrical plug connection, which at one end has at least two opposing spring-elastic contact legs for receiving a counterpart contact that can be inserted between the two contact legs in an insertion direction along a central longitudinal axis of the spring contact. The outsides of the contact legs oriented away from the central longitudinal axis are each engaged by respective spring legs which press the respective opposing contact legs toward each other perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis and, when a counterpart contact is inserted, exert a respective contact pressure on the latter. A plug connection can be equipped with at least one spring contact of this invention. A plug connection of this invention can be used between a power tool and a rechargeable battery.
US07780487B2 Battery terminal unit
A rotation restricting member (40) of a battery terminal unit (U) is provided with a main body (41) capable of restricting a mounting angle of a battery terminal (20) with respect to a battery post (12) by coming into contact with a battery (10) with the battery terminal (20) connected with the battery post (12), press-fitting portions (42) formed integral to the main body (41) and adapted to fix the rotation restricting member (40) to the battery terminal (20) by being press-fitted into an opening (32) formed in a side surface of a bolt holding portion (22), and a detachment restricting piece (56) formed integral to the main body (41) and adapted to restrict a movement of the main body (41) in a direction opposite to a pressing direction by being engaged with a terminal fitting (60) tightened to a stud bolt (24).
US07780482B2 Miniature electrical connector with extractable contact elements and associated tool for unlocking and extracting the contacts
An electrical connector may include an insulating body including a series of at least two parallel and adjacent longitudinal cells which may be aligned. The electrical connector may include a series of electrical contact elements, each of which may include a locking section which may include at least one locking notch and which may be configured to be received axially in one of the cells and to be axially immobilized therein. The electrical connector may include a series of locking elements each of which may be configured to retain axially, at least towards the rear, a locking section of an associated electrical contact element. Each locking element may include a locating base fixed axially relative to the insulating body and at least one locking finger, a free end of which may be received in a locking notch of the associated contact element to retain it axially, wherein each base may be arranged outside the locking section of the associated cell.
US07780480B2 Communications connector with improved contacts
A communication jack is provided with plug interface contacts that have a short conductive signal pathway between a plug-jack interface and crosstalk compensation provided on a printed circuit board within the jack. Contacts of the jack are specially designed not to take a permanent set if a six-position plug or an eight-position plug is inserted into an eight-position jack. A printed circuit board in the jack is placed at an angle, shortening the conductive pathway between plug contacts and the printed circuit board.
US07780472B2 Photovoltaic module mounting clip with integral grounding
An electrically conductive mounting/grounding clip, usable with a photovoltaic (PV) assembly of the type having an electrically conductive frame, comprises an electrically conductive body. The body has a central portion and first and second spaced-apart arms extending from the central portion. Each arm has first and second outer portions with frame surface-disrupting element at the outer portions.
US07780468B1 Wire to board connector
An electrical connector for connecting wires to components includes an insulative body member having a longitudinally extending leg defined between opposite longitudinal ends. A plurality of spaced apart side walls define adjacently disposed connector positions along the leg. A wire insertion opening is defined in a front wall of the body member at each of the connector positions. A connector element is disposed transverse to the leg at each of the connector positions. The connector element includes a first resilient contact arm extending above the side walls for pressing mating contact with a conductive pad of a separate respective component. The connector element includes a second resilient contact arm in biased engagement against a shoulder of the body member. Upon insertion of an exposed conductive wire core through the wire insertion opening, the wire core causes the second resilient contact arm to flex towards and remain in biased electrical contact engagement against the wire core.
US07780462B2 Electrostatic discharge contact
An electrical connector assembly includes a dielectric housing having an interface being configured to receive a mating end portion of a mating connector. A plurality of receptacles is held by the housing. Each of the receptacles includes a ground shield and a center contact. Each center contact is configured to engage a corresponding electrical contact of the mating connector. An electrically conductive shell surrounds at least a portion of the housing. An electrostatic discharge (ESD) contact is held by the housing. The ESD contact includes a shell contact member and a plurality of ground contact members. The shell contact member is electrically connected to the shell. Each ground contact member is electrically connected to a corresponding one of the ground shields of the receptacles.
US07780461B1 Midpoint cable electrical ground clamp
A ground fitting allows simplified electrical connection between a ground wire carried in a metal sheathing, and a ground point such as a water pipe or ground rod. The metal sheathing is cut and separated and a short length of ground wire is exposed. The ground wire is inserted laterally into a wire clamp portion of the ground fitting, and opposing ends of the metal sheathing carrying the ground wire are inserted longitudinally under clamping plates on opposite sides of the ground fitting. A ground screw is tightened against the ground wire to hold the ground wire in the ground fitting and plate screws securing the clamping plates are tightened to secure the sheathing between the clamping plates and clamp seats. Ridges may be provided on one or both of the clamping plates and the clamp seat to engage a spiral exterior surface of the metal sheathing.
US07780459B2 Electric junction box
An electric junction box has a binding band fitting hole, and two through holes through which a binding band for securing wire harnesses which are arranged along a lower face of a bottom wall of the binding band fitting hole are provided on the bottom wall so as to be positioned at both sides of the wire harnesses. When the wire harnesses are secured, a tip end of the binding band is inserted into one of the two through holes from a lower side of the bottom wall, the tip end of the binding band which has been exposed to an upper side of the bottom wall is U-turned in a downward direction to be inserted into the other of the two through holes, and then, the tip end of the binding band which has been exposed to the lower side of the bottom wall is locked to a lock part provided at a base end of the binding band, thereby to secure the wire harnesses to the lower face of the bottom wall. An upper face of a part of the bottom wall between the two through holes is formed as an arc-shaped wall which is curved upward in a convex shape, whereby a convex arc-shaped face and a concave arc-shaped face are formed on upper and lower faces of the bottom wall between the two through holes.
US07780452B2 Individual examination execution device
In a listening comprehension test using individual examination execution devices, according to the present invention, it is possible to avoid a dishonest act such as peeping at another examinee's answers. An individual examination execution device (101) reads examination question data and individual information from an examination question storage means (102) storing the examination questions and an individual information storage means (103) storing the individual information, respectively. Further, the individual examination device selectively generates actual questions according to the individual information read by an actual question generation means (104), and reproduces the actual questions by a reproduction means (105), thereby preventing dishonest acts of respective examinees.
US07780451B2 Shoulder model for shoulder arthroscopy
A shoulder model and methods of shoulder arthroscopy using the shoulder model. The shoulder model includes an acromioclavicular (AC) joint assembly, a joint capsule assembly, a scapula mount, a shoulder musculature, a skin, and a base. The AC joint assembly is mounted on the scapula mount and the joint assembly is attached to the AC joint assembly and fastened using a screw/nut to form the shoulder assembly. The shoulder assembly is placed in the shoulder musculature and the skin is rolled over the shoulder musculature and zipped in place. The bones of the shoulder assembly are made of foam-cortical shell, the shoulder musculature is made of foam, the soft tissue components are made of thermoplastic elastomers, and the skin is made of vinyl. A method of practicing shoulder arthroscopy using the shoulder model includes mounting the shoulder model in a beach chair position, making anatomical references, establishing a posterior viewing portal, inserting cannulas into the glenohumeral joint or the subacromial space, creating a labral disruption or a rotator cuff tear, and repairing the rotator cuff tear or labral disruption.
US07780449B2 Hydrophilic endodontic sealing compositions and methods for using such compositions
A root canal is filled and/or sealed using a hydrophilic sealing composition, optionally in combination with other filling materials. The sealing composition may include one or more resins that promote adhesion to hydrophilic dental tissues. The composition may be introduced into the root canal using a narrow cannula coupled to a high pressure hydraulic delivery device. In the case where a chemical cure composition is used to seal the root canal, a chemical initiator can be used to cause the mixed composition to harden over time. Hardening of at least a portion of the composition can be accelerated by including a photoinitiator and irratiating the mixed composition with radiant energy (e.g., from a dental curing lamp).
US07780447B2 Dental implant system
A dental implant assembly for supporting a dental prosthesis. The assembly comprises a dental implant and an abutment. The dental implant comprises a body portion, a collar portion and a central bore. The body portion is located at a distal end of the dental implant and is configured to lie at least substantially below a crest of a patient's jawbone. The collar portion is located at a proximal end of the dental implant and forms an abutment mating surface which defines an outer edge that has a generally scalloped shape. The central bore extends through the collar portion and into the implant body portion. The central bore includes a threaded portion and a post portion. The abutment comprises a post configured to fit within the post portion of the central bore and an implant mating surface that is configured to mate with the abutment mating surface of the dental implant.
US07780446B2 Ceramic/metallic dental abutment
A ceramic/metallic dental abutment for use with an implant, the abutment generally including a ceramic body portion having a base region, a transgingival region, and a supragingival region. The base region includes an anti-rotational implant interface, such as an external polygonal fitting, for engaging a cooperating internal polygonal fitting of an implant to prevent relative rotation between the abutment and the implant. The ceramic abutment body portion additionally includes a metal implant contact portion for contacting the implant and providing a load-bearing, metal-on-metal interface between the abutment and the implant.
US07780442B2 Bondable orthodontic appliance with a polymer resin bonding base
An orthodontic appliance of the bracket or tube type for bondable mounting on a tooth including an appliance body having a buccal/labial archwire receiving side and a lingual side and a polymer resin bonding base molded to the lingual side such that at least part of the body is embedded in the base, and wherein the base may include openings for receiving an auxiliary or a secondary archwire.
US07780440B2 Substrate supporting/transferring tray
To provide a substrate supporting/transferring tray, which can be placed on a substrate supporting part arranged in a treatment chamber in which the heat treatment is performed to a substrate, especially on a substrate supporting part having a built-in heating means for heating the substrate, and on an upper side of which, the substrate is placed. At the time of heat-treating the substrate, the substrate can be more uniformly heated, and when the heat treatment is completed, the tray can be easily removed from the substrate supporting part without waiting for the temperature of the substrate to be reduced, and can transfer the substrate to other parts from the treatment chamber in which the heat treatment is performed. The substrate supporting/transferring tray, which has the disc-shaped substrate supporting part on an upper plane side, and is provided with a cylindrical side wall part extending from a periphery of the disc-shaped substrate supporting part to a lower side, and an annular part extending from a lower end side of the cylindrical side wall part to an outer side in a diameter direction.
US07780437B2 Premix burner
A premix burner includes a vortex generator (30) for combustion air stream (15), devices (17, 17a, 17b, 31-38, 41-48) to inject fuel into the combustion air stream (15), and tangential air ducts (19, 20). The combustion air (15) enters the cone cavity (14) of the vortex generator (30) via the air ducts. The injection of the fuel into the combustion air is done asymmetrically by injection devices (17, 17a, 17b, 31-38, 41-48). At least one of the injection devices (5) is arranged on a fuel lance (3) that extends into the vortex chamber.
US07780435B2 Injection molding apparatus having a sprue bushing for communication with a nozzle
An apparatus for injection molding is provided. The apparatus includes an injection unit and a mold unit. The injection unit includes a nozzle having a first flat end surface. The mold unit includes a sprue bushing for communicating with the nozzle. The sprue busing has a second flat end surface. The sprue bushing is in contact with the first flat end surface of the nozzle. Wherein a protrusion is formed on one of the first flat end surface of the nozzle and the second flat end surface of the sprue bushing, and a corresponding recess is defined on the other of the first flat end surface of the nozzle and the second flat end surface of the sprue bushing. The protrusion is engaged in the recess.
US07780422B2 Assembly for transporting fluids
An arrangement for pumping fluids has an electronically commutated external-rotor motor. The latter has a stator arranged on a stator carrier and a rotor joined to a first permanent magnet, which rotor is rotatably journaled, in a bearing tube, with respect to the stator. This bearing tube is arranged, at least partly, radially inside the stator carrier. The first permanent magnet is arranged in an annular interstice between the stator carrier and the bearing tube. A fluid pump has a pump wheel arranged rotatably inside a pump housing, which wheel is joined to a second permanent magnet, a liquid-tight but magnetically transparent partition being provided between the first permanent magnet and the second permanent magnet. This keeps fluid away from the motor wiring. The first permanent magnet forms, by coaction with the second permanent magnet, a magnetic coupling to the fluid pump, which magnetic coupling automatically produces a rotation of the pump wheel as a result of rotation of the motor rotor.
US07780419B1 Replaceable leading edge insert for an IBR
A compressor blade for a gas turbine engine that includes a composite leading edge insert attached to a titanium blade by a row of fastener pins along an aft edge of the insert to prevent unzipping. Each insert is also secured by an electrochemically disbondable composition for easy removable of a damaged insert from an integrally bladed disk. One or more of the fastener pins provides for an electrical conductive path that bypasses the disbondable composition during a lightening strike so that the insert does not release. Each replaceable insert includes a root portion that fits within a slot of the rotor disk, with each insert being secured against radial displacement by two shear pins secured within two shear pin slots formed in both the insert root portion and the rotor disk slot. The shear pin slots are curved and follow the curvature of the airfoil at the junction to the rotor disk. A retaining and balancing ring is secured within an annular groove and functions to retain the shear pins within the slots and to balance the rotor disk. The combination of the fastener pins, the electrochemically disbondable composition, and the shear pins in the slot provide for three methods of securing an insert to the blade so that a damaged insert can be easily replaced.
US07780409B2 Rotor apparatus and methods for vertical lift aircraft
Rotor apparatus and methods for vertical lift aircraft are disclosed. In one embodiment, a bearing assembly adapted for rotatably coupling a rotor blade to a support member includes an inner housing annularly disposed about a portion of the support member, an outer housing annularly disposed about at least part of the inner housing and is rotatably coupled to the inner housing by an annular bearing device, and a flexible member adapted to be coupled to the support member and including an engagement portion adapted to engage the outer housing and to at least partially relax a side force exerted on the annular bearing device by a bending of at least one of the rotor blade and the support member.
US07780405B2 Blower system having a cooling passage
A blower system, wherein a blower case and a motor holding housing are comprised as separate members, a spiral casing is provided with an enlarged part enlarged in an axial direction to an opposite side from the suction port from a centrifugal type blower fan. The motor holding housing is provided with a holder storing and holding the motor, an extension extending from the holder in a diametrical direction of the fan, a circumferential wall connected with the extension and forming an inner circumferential wall of the enlarged part in the spiral casing. A cooling air passage is provided between the holder and the circumferential wall to guide part of the air circulating inside the spiral casing to the motor. The cooling air passage has an inlet into which air flows from the spiral casing and an outlet at the circumferential wall, out of which air flows to the motor.
US07780404B2 Fan housing with noise-reducing structure
A fan housing with a noise-reducing structure includes a housing having a side wall. An air inlet is defined in the housing and an air outlet defined in the side wall of the housing. A plurality of supporting ribs are disposed in the air inlet and connected between inner and outer peripheries of the air inlet for supporting a motor base. At least one of the supporting ribs is adjacent to the air outlet and extends in a direction coincident to or intersects with a longitudinal line of the air outlet extending through a rotational axis of the motor base.
US07780403B2 Adjustable turbine exhaust flow guide and bearing cone assemblies
An adjustable vane system is provided for use in a turbomachine, including a plurality of movable vanes that may be positioned to change the cross-sectional area of an exhaust flow passage and minimize the pressure of steam adjacent the exit after the last row of rotating turbine blades. Each of the vanes preferably includes an overlapping portion for overlapping a surface of an adjacent vane to minimize leakage of steam along the longitudinal extent of the vane. The exhaust flow passage is defined by inner and outer diffuser members where either of the inner or outer diffuser members may be formed of the movable vanes.
US07780402B2 Seal chamber conditioning valve for a rotodynamic pump
In a rotodynamic pump, a seal chamber conditioning valve mechanism is positioned at least partially within the seal chamber of the pump to selectively and intermittently deliver fluid to or discharge contents from the seal chamber to modify the condition or content of the seal chamber and effectively protect the mechanical seal from failure due to, for example, built up solids or the presence of air. The conditioning valve mechanism may be actuated by a control device in communication with monitoring apparatus that determines the condition of the seal chamber, and particularly the mechanical seal face.
US07780400B2 Device for detecting a fracture in the shaft of a gas turbine, and gas turbine
An arrangement is provided for detecting a shaft break on a rotor of a first turbine, especially a medium pressure turbine, of a gas turbine machine, especially an aircraft engine. A second turbine (11), especially a low pressure turbine, is positioned downstream from the first turbine. An actuating element (18) is positioned lying radially inwardly relative to a flow channel, between the rotor of the first turbine and a stator of the second turbine. A transmission element (22) is guided in the stator of the second turbine (11), in order to transmit a shaft break detected by the radially inwardly positioned actuating element (18) to a switching element (23) positioned radially outwardly relative to the flow channel on a housing (14) of the gas turbine.
US07780399B1 Reverse pressure double dam face seal
A double dam reverse pressure face seal assembly for use in the turbomachine having a tunnel extending through the machine for high pressure air passage therein during normal machine operating has a mating ring positioned annularly respecting the tunnel for flow of lubricating oil generally outwardly through passageways in the ring and a sealing member biased against an interface surface of the mating ring, the sealing member including a first dam presenting a first contact face to the interface surface of the mating ring, a second dam integral with an outboard of the first dam, presenting a second contact face to the interface surface of the mating ring and a channel between the first and second dams for annularly downward flow of oil leaking inwardly past the second dam towards a channel exit.
US07780398B2 Bladed stator for a turbo-engine
A bladed stator sector for a turbo-engine reduces the occurrence of thermally-induced stress cracks in stator blades by increasing the flexibility of the sectors by using one or more cutouts. The stator sector includes at least one stator blade between inner and outer platforms and at least one flange on one or more of the platforms. Each flange has a first end portion fixed to one of the platforms and a second end portion that is not fixed to either of the platforms. The one or more cutouts may be located on the flange and may be non-opening.
US07780397B1 Method and apparatus for loading vessels using rotation
A method and apparatus for rapid loading stacks of items aboard vessels which can include rotating palletized items to depalletize the items, and then placing the items on a lifting robot, lifting the robot and items into the hold of a vessel, removing the items from the robot using a load push lift truck, and then using the load push lift truck to stow the items in a stowage location. The empty robot can be removed from the hold of the vessel and put in a position to receive a another depalletized stack of cartons. In one option the robot has a plurality of fork channels for receiving the blades of a load push lift truck along with receiving the blades or a rotating lift truck.
US07780395B2 Lift arm for skid-steer loader
A lift arm for a skid-steel loader, in which a pair of right and left lift arms are divided in two so that they are constituted as first arm portions and second arm portions. Each of the first arm portions is constituted as a long member which is constituted from a sheet metal material and a hollow portion is formed from a proximal end to a front end of the first arm portion. Reinforcing plate-shaped bodies are fixed on both side faces from a central portion to the front end. Each of the second arm portions is constituted from a plate-shaped body and constituted between a front wheel and a loader main body so as to be inserted loosely. With this structure, it is possible to provide the lift arm which enables an entire length of the skid-steer loader to be shortened.
US07780394B1 Synchronized rotative lift platform for vehicle hitch receivers
The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a rotative platform powered manually through a hand crank or motor connected to a worm gear as the system motive force. Each of the arm bar lift is connected to a worm screw shaft providing synchronization as each arm bar rotates from the load position to the travel position. The device can rotate 360 degrees keeping a level platform through its entire rotation. This level platform rotation can only be achieved by having both arm bars connected and kept in time with each other with the worm gears and worm screw.
US07780390B2 Container inspection/cargo-handling method and container inspection/cargo-handling system
To provide a container inspection/cargo-handling system capable of efficiently inspecting import/export containers.In order to solve the aforesaid problem, a container inspection/cargo-handling system of the present invention includes an automated guided vehicle (AGV) 18 that travels in circulation in a quay area. Further, on a circulation travel line of the AGV 18, provided are a quay crane 16 loading/unloading a container 14 to/from the AGV 18, a radiation inspection device 20 inspecting a cargo in the container 14 loaded on the AGV 18, and a container transfer means 22 for transferring the container 14 between the AGV 18 and a manned transport vehicle (container transport vehicle) 24.
US07780389B1 Door installation system
A door installation system for safely installing or removing a heavy door by a single person. The door installation system generally includes a base, a vertical member extending from the base in an upward manner, a brace member extending between the base and the vertical member, a guide structure attached to the upper portion of the vertical member for guiding an upper portion of a door, and a carriage removably attachable to the base. The carriage is capable of adjusting the attitude of a door being installed to fit within a door jamb. The vertical member and the base are pivotally connected to one another to allow for folding into a compact structure.
US07780388B2 Tapping screw
It is possible to prevent a screwing torque from becoming excessively high even when a screw is threadedly engaged into a deep guide hole. In a tapping screw 100 comprising a parallel screw 22, a taper thread 23 provided closer to a tip end of the tapping screw than the parallel screw 22, and a plurality of projections 30 which partially project along an apex and flanks on both sides of a screw thread and which form an internal thread on a surface of a guide hole formed in a to-be fastened member, the plurality of projections 30 are provided from a region where the taper thread 23 is provided to a portion of a region where the parallel screw 22 is provided, and a diameter of a virtual cylinder which comes into contact with tip ends of some of the projections 30 including a projection provided in a region where the parallel screw 22 is provided is larger than an outer diameter of a external thread of the parallel screw 22.
US07780386B2 Torque-limited electrical connector
A coupling mechanism is provided. The coupling mechanism includes a bushing assembly adapted to establish a coupling when rotated, a housing that is rotatable when torque is applied to the housing, a torque-limit member positioned between the housing and the bushing assembly such that when the torque-limit member is in a positive-lock state, the housing and bushing assembly rotate jointly upon the application of torque until a predefined torque level is attained. A compressible member is included that engages the torque-limit member to define through frictional resistance of moving parts and parts geometry a predefined torque level. The torque-limit member switches from the positive-lock state to a ratchet state when the predefined torque level is attained. When the torque-limit member is in the ratchet state, the housing rotates relative to the bushing assembly.
US07780384B2 Hook attaching unit
A hook attaching unit in accordance with the invention is constituted by a hook member which is rotatably attached to an end portion of a base plate, a bolt with a flange inserted to a bolt insertion hole of the base plate, and a resin cover member in which a cover body is connected to an annular basement portion. Since the hook member, the cover member and the bolt are integrally assembled, it is not necessary to install the bolt separately in the work field and then install the cover member after attaching the hook, and as such, the workability at the time of fastening is improved. Further, since the cover member invisibly covers the bolt head portion, improved safety and outer appearance is obtained. The hook attaching unit can be also utilized for attaching a seat belt anchor plate.
US07780381B2 Slot milling cutter
A slot milling cutter, which comprises a cutting head as well as a fastener integrated with the cutting head, which fastener is intended to be received in a tool coupling, the cutting head being provided with at least two insert seats, and cutting inserts being mounted in the insert seats. The invention also relates to a cutting insert separately.
US07780379B2 Surfacing and contouring cutter for high-speed machining of composite material parts
A surfacing and contouring cutter for high-speed machining of parts made of composite material, the cutter having a cut end portion with teeth (20) that are regularly spaced apart around the axis (14) of the cutter and that are separated from one another by swarf grooves, the main cutting edge of each tooth being connected to the secondary cutting edge (S2) of the tooth via a corner (24) of convex rounded shape with a radius of curvature greater than about 1.5 mm, and the secondary cutting angle lying in the range about 5° to 15°.
US07780375B1 Method and apparatus for elevating a marine platform
A method of elevating the deck area of a marine platform (e.g. oil and gas well drilling or production platform) utilizes a specially configured sleeve support to support the platform legs so that they can be cut. Once cut, jacks elevate the platform above the cuts. The sleeve support is then connected (e.g. welded) to the platform leg and becomes part of the structural support for the platform.
US07780371B2 Supporting framework comprising connection nodes and struts, connection nodes, connection element for producing a diagonal connection between a connection node and struts of a supporting framework, and connection element for producing a holding device for a flat element
A supporting framework with connection node and struts has at least two strut receiving elements, each strut receiving element being arranged centrally on an imaginary cube face of the connection node. Arms extend from the strut receiving elements and run parallel to the edges of the imaginary cube face and extend up to an edge of the imaginary cube face that is perpendicular to the arms. The arms of one strut receiving element meet arms of an adjacent strut receiving element arranged orthogonal thereto and form at least one loop. A connection element can be hooked into the loop for producing a diagonal connection.
US07780364B2 Apparatus and method for reducing glare in images
Glare is reduced by acquiring an input image with a camera having a lens and a sensor, in which a pin-hole mask is placed in close proximity to the sensor. The mask localizes the glare at readily identifiable pixels, which can then be filtered to produce a glare reduce output image.
US07780362B2 Retracting mechanism of a lens barrel
A lens barrel includes a linear guide member, a linearly advancing/retracting member guided by the linear guide member along an optical axis of an imaging optical system to be movable between operating and retracted positions, and a displaceable element supported by the linearly advancing/retracting member to be movable between an on-axis position in which the displaceable element is positioned on the optical axis and an off-axis displaced position in which the displaceable element is displaced from the optical axis. The linear guide member includes a linear guide projection which extends in a direction parallel to the optical axis to be engaged with the linearly advancing/retracting member. The linear guide projection includes an accommodation through-cutout formed through the linear guide projection in a radial direction, at least part of the displaceable element entering the accommodation through-cutout when the linearly advancing/retracting member is in the retracted position.
US07780361B2 Card guide and heatsink assemblies for pluggable electro-optic modules
In various exemplary embodiments, the present invention provides improved card guide and heatsink assemblies for pluggable electro-optic modules utilized in optical communications networks and the like. More specifically, the present invention provides a solderable surface-mounted card guide assembly and a staggered heatsink assembly. These assemblies are utilized with small-form factor pluggable electro-optic modules and the like, and the concepts presented herein can be extended to XFP, XENPAK, XPAK, and X2 electro-optic modules, for example. The solderable surface-mounted card guide assembly of the present invention finds particular applicability with small-form factor pluggable electro-optic modules not utilizing any type of module cage, while the staggered heatsink assembly of the present invention finds particular applicability with small-form factor pluggable electro-optic modules both not utilizing and utilizing any type of module cage.
US07780360B2 Method and apparatus to generate and monitor optical signals and control power levels thereof in a planar lightwave circuit
Embodiments of an optical detection apparatus are disclosed which may include one or more of a waveguide, a trench formed in the waveguide, a reflective surface, and a photodetector. The waveguide may be formed in a semiconductor substrate to propagate an optical signal received at a first end of the waveguide. The trench may also be formed in the waveguide having a first sidewall and a second sidewall, the first and second sidewalls forming first and second angles with the waveguide's propagation direction. The second sidewall may include a reflective surface formed thereon. The photodetector may be configured to receive an optical signal propagated in the waveguide, through the first sidewall and reflected from the reflective surface on the second sidewall.
US07780359B2 Connection structure of photoelectric flexible wiring board, connector and photoelectric flexible wiring board
The present invention provides a longer optical transmission line in an photoelectric flexible wiring board to downsize the photoelectric flexible wiring board and obtaining high flexibility and good optical transmission characteristics.In an photoelectric flexible wiring board 30, photonic devices 45 and 55 performing photoelectric conversion and drivers 60 and 70 therefor are excluded. The photonic devices 45 and 55 are mounted in connectors 40 and 50 for connecting the photoelectric flexible wiring board 30 to mounting boards 12 and 22. The drivers 60 and 70 are mounted on the mounting boards 12 and 22 together with the connectors 40 and 50.
US07780358B2 Sensor-incorporated wheel support bearing assembly
A sensor-incorporated wheel support bearing assembly (18) includes an outer member (1) having an inner peripheral surface formed with double rows of raceway surfaces (4), an inner member (2) having an outer peripheral surface formed with raceway surfaces (5) opposed to the raceway surfaces (4) in the outer member (1), and double rows of rolling elements (3) interposed between the raceway surfaces (4) and (5) in the outer and inner members (1) and (2). Rings (9A) and (9B) each having an outer peripheral surface tapered is secured to the inner member (2). A displacement sensor (10) confronting the tapered outer peripheral surfaces of the rings (9A) and (9B) is mounted on the outer member (11) or a member (17) rigidly secured to the outer member (1) for measuring the distance between such displacement sensor (10) and the rings (9A) and (9B).
US07780352B2 Radiation system and radiation beam quality detector and method
A detector array is disposed relative to a radiation source such that radiation from the radiation source over a predetermined time period is substantially similar across the detector array. The detector array includes radiation detectors operatively coupled to detector electronics. The radiation filter material is disposed at least partially between the radiation source and the detector array such that different portions of the detector array are exposed to radiation from the radiation source through either different radiation filter material thicknesses or different radiation filter material compositions during the predetermined time period. So configured, information regarding the radiation such as beam quality information for radiation pulses is collected and used to confirm the quality of the radiation source or to adjust data collected by the radiation system.
US07780350B2 Positioning adjustment of a mobile radiology facility
The invention concerns a device for detecting a faulty positioning between a first element and a second element comprising an electromagnetic wave emitting unit designed to be secured to the first element and an electromagnetic wave receiving and processing unit designed to be secured to the second element. The latter unit co-operates with the electromagnetic wave emitting unit to detect a faulty positioning of the first element relative to the second element. When used for a mobile radiology facility, the first element is, for example, an X-ray generator, and second element is, for example, a radiological image sensor.
US07780338B2 Spindle mixer with interlock assembly
The invention relates to an interlock assembly for a spindle mixer where the interlock assembly includes a cup guide, an actuator pin, and an interlock mechanism. Placing a cup within the cup guide actuates the actuator pin that, in turn, engages the interlock mechanism. Engagement of the interlock mechanism selectively activates an electric motor. The pin moves through the body of the guide. The guide can be selectively removed from the mixer, and the pin, in one embodiment, is selectively removed from the guide. An optional bypass switch can be included to allow for the direct engagement of the motor.
US07780336B2 Instruments and methods for mixing the contents of a detection chamber
A receptacle having a plurality of interconnected chambers arranged to permit multiple process steps or processes to be performed independently or simultaneously. The receptacles are manufactured to separate liquid from dried reagents and to maintain the stability of the dried reagents. An immiscible liquid, such as an oil, is included to control loading of process materials, facilitate mixing and reconstitution of dried reagents, limit evaporation, control heating of reaction materials, concentrate solid support materials to prevent clogging of fluid connections, provide minimum volumes for fluid transfers, and to prevent process materials from sticking to chamber surfaces. The receptacles can be adapted for use in systems having a processing instrument that includes an actuator system for selectively moving fluid substances between chambers and a detector. The actuator system can be arranged to concentrate an analyte present in a sample. The detector can be used to detect an optical signal emitted by the contents of the receptacle.
US07780335B2 Water control apparatus
An embodiment for a water control apparatus is disclosed that may be used with a concrete mixing assembly. The apparatus may include flowmeter unit and a normally closed valve unit. The normally closed valve unit may be in fluid communication with, and removably connected to, the flowmeter unit. A control unit may be provide that may monitor the flowmeter unit and electronically control the opening of the normally closed valve unit. A switch may be also provided for that may electrically communicate with the control unit to. The activation of the switch being operable to cause the normally closed valve to open and result in the flow of water into a concrete mixing drum that is in fluid communication with the normally closed valve.
US07780329B2 Light emitting panel assemblies
Optical assembly includes a light emitting panel member having at least one light input area for receiving light from two or more different colored light sources. A pattern of individual optical deformities on or in at least one surface area of the panel member contains at least two different configurations of optical deformities to promote color mixing within the panel member and cause light of a preferred color to be emitted therefrom.
US07780323B2 Illumination apparatus
An illumination apparatus comprises an illumination unit, a holder unit and a coupling unit with at least one coupling element suitable to be received in the receiver of the vehicle receiver hitch. The coupling unit pivots to rotate the holder unit from a generally horizontal transport position to a generally vertical operating position and the holder unit comprises an extendable stand which allows the illumination unit to be erected at a suitable illumination elevation.
US07780322B2 Vehicle mirror with organic light-emitting display
The invention relates to a mirror in a motor vehicle, in particular a make-up lighted or/vanity style mirror. At least one preferably reflective organic light-emitting diode display abuts the periphery of said mirror.
US07780321B1 Light assembly for bicycle
A light assembly includes an attaching member having a chamber for attaching onto an object and having two couplers, two electric cables engaged in the attaching member and each having two end terminals disposed in the couplers, a light device and a power supply device each include a latch device for engaging with the couplers and for attaching to the couplers of the attaching member, and each having two connectors for electrically connecting to the terminals of the electric cables and for electrically connecting the light device to the power supply device, and for allowing the light device and the power supply device to be easily and quickly attach to and disengaged from the attaching member without external wires.
US07780320B2 Street lamp system
A street lamp system includes a hollow lamp post, an illumination device, a wind turbine, a connecting shaft and a number of fan leaves. The lamp post has an air flowing channel defined therein. The illumination device includes a solid-state light source and a heat dissipation device thermally coupled to the solid-state light source, and is coupled on the lamp post with the heat dissipation device disposed in the air flowing channel. The wind turbine is mechanically coupled to the lamp post to be driven by wind energy to rotate, thereby directing flowing of the air in the channel from the air inlet to the air outlet.
US07780317B2 LED illumination system
An LED illumination system comprising an LED light source (3) which emits light (8) in a main direction (9) and a first optical element (1), a second optical element (2) is arranged downstream of the first optical element (1) in the main direction (9), and the second optical element (2) has on a light entrance surface (6) which faces the LED light source (3) a surface structure (4) that comprises a plurality of pillow-shaped prominences (5).
US07780314B2 Lighting assembly, heat sink and heat recovery system therefor
A lighting assembly includes a thermally conductive mounting having a mounting surface is provided. A heat sink seat having a front and rear surface is moveably mounted to the mounting surface. A light emitting device may be attached to the front surface of the heat sink seat. Different embodiments of the lighting assembly, a heat sink and a heat recovery system for the light assembly are also provided.
US07780313B2 Package structure for light emitting diode
A package structure for light emitting diode (LED) comprises a base, an LED die, an optical lens and a lens holder. The base comprises at least one holder cavity formed on its surface and at least one chase formed on its side surface. The lens holder comprises an opening, at least one holder stem and at least one wedge. The optical lens is arranged between the lens holder and the base, and also through the opening. The lens holder is fastened on the base by wedging the wedge with the chase and positioned on the base by embedding the holder stem into the holder cavity to enhance the positioning between the optical lens and the base, such that the optical lens can generate a desired light pattern. Therefore, the required time of a packaging process can be reduced, and the lens holder can be removed simply for replacing the optical lens, so the objective of changing the light pattern quickly can be achieved.
US07780312B2 Backlight assembly for liquid crystal display device and liquid crystal display device using the same
A backlight assembly for a liquid crystal display device includes a bottom frame having an inner surface, printed circuit boards on the inner surface, and a plurality of light emitting diodes in rectangular-shaped clusters on each of the printed circuit boards, each of the light emitting diode clusters includes four light emitting diodes.
US07780309B2 Preparedness flashlight
A battery powered electrical appliance (100) operates using batteries (406, 408) of more than one size and provides preparedness information (120) which may be used to assist in preparing for an emergency or otherwise obtaining desired supplies. The electrical appliance (100) may be employed to provide a first task illumination function, at least a first visible signaling function, and an audible signaling function.
US07780308B2 Recessed light
A built-in lamp includes a housing and a holder for fastening in a built-in surface, such as a room ceiling. The built-in lamp also includes a light source socket for holding a light source and a light source region and a direct light reflector. The direct light reflector has a direct light reflector opening which is disposed in the direction of illumination which defines a direct light exit region and which is surrounded at least reasonably by a diffused light exit region. The direct light reflector has a rear opening. The head reflector is disposed on the side of the light source region remote from the direct light exit region. The head reflector is separate from the direct light reflector and is shaped such that it directs at least a large portion of the light emitted from the light source region and incident on to it into the inner space of the direct light reflector.
US07780302B2 Method of forming and mounting an angled reflector
In a method of forming a device so as to include a reflective surface at a specific angle to an incident optical axis, a region of a first major surface of a substrate is exposed to an anisotropic etchant to form a surface having the specific angle with respect to the first major surface, but the etched surface is then used as a mounting surface. That is, rather than anisotropically etching a reflective surface, the etching provides the mounting surface and the second major surface of the substrate functions as the reflective surface when the fabricated device is properly mounted. The substrate may be a <100> silicon wafer having a 9.74 degree off-axis cut. Then, a 45 degree mirror is formed by the process. When the reflector is used in an optical device, the <111> crystalline plane will be generally parallel to the surface of the support.
US07780301B2 Asymmetric multiple constant radii of curvature convex mirrors
An asymmetrical mirror lens, usable on front fenders of school buses and similar vehicles, which has a plurality of mirror sections, each having a distinct constant radius of curvature to reduce image distortion. Optional sections located between sections of the constant radius of curvature have a step-wise changing radii of curvature to smooth the image sizes as an object moves across the mirror lens.
US07780294B2 Systems and methods for wavefront reconstruction for aperture with arbitrary shape
Systems, methods, and devices for determining an aberration in an optical tissue system of an eye are provided. Techniques include inputting optical data from the optical tissue system of the eye, where the optical data includes set of local gradients corresponding to a non-circular shaped aperture, processing the optical data with an iterative Fourier transform to obtain a set of Fourier coefficients, converting the set of Fourier coefficients to a set of modified Zernike coefficients that are orthogonal over the non-circular shaped aperture, and determining the aberration in the optical tissue system of the eye based on the set of modified Zernike coefficients.
US07780288B2 Ducting between ink outlets of sectioned ink reservoir
A mobile telecommunications device comprising: a printhead for printing on a media substrate; a drive shaft for feeding the media substrate past the printhead; a print engine controller for operatively controlling the printhead; and, an ink reservoir for supplying ink to the printhead, the reservoir having: a housing defining an ink storage volume; one or more baffles dividing the ink storage volume into sections, each of the sections having at least one ink outlet for sealed connection to the printhead; and at least one conduit establishing fluid communication between the ink outlets of adjacent sections.
US07780282B2 Cartridge unit having capped printhead with multiple ink storage capacity
A cartridge unit for an inkjet printer is provided which has a body portion having ink storage compartments, a pagewidth printhead configured to receive ink from the compartments and distribute the ink to nozzles arranged in use to deliver the ink onto passing print media, and a capping assembly for capping the printhead. The capping assembly has a body configured to extend the length of the printhead, a capping element housed within the body and movable with respect thereto between first and second positions. The first position is where a portion of the capping element extends from the body and the second position is where the capping element is contained within the body. The capping element is biased into the first position. The ink storage compartments comprise absorption material which stores the ink therein under capillary action for supply to the nozzles of the printhead.
US07780281B2 Semiconductor device, ink cartridge, and electronic device
A semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor substrate including an active element formation face on which an active element is formed; detection electrodes detecting a remaining amount of ink by being wet in the ink; an antenna transmitting and receiving information; a storage circuit storing information relating to the ink; and a control circuit controlling the detection electrodes, the antenna, and the storage circuit.
US07780280B2 Fluid port seal with surface having channels
A seal for an ink-discharge port on a printer ink cartridge, according to various embodiments of the present invention, is disclosed. The seal has a surface containing channels that oppose a direction in which the port is configured to discharge ink from the ink cartridge. Such channels facilitate the retention of ink by the seal during removal of the seal, thereby reducing the likelihood of ink spillage during such removal.
US07780278B2 Ink coupling for inkjet printer with cartridge
An ink coupling for connecting an inkjet printer and a replaceable cartridge configured to not drip ink upon detachment. The coupling has a cartridge valve on the cartridge side of the coupling and a printer conduit on the printer side of the coupling. The cartridge valve and the printer conduit having complementary formations configured to form a coupling seal when brought into engagement. The cartridge valve is biased closed and configured to open when brought into engagement with the printer conduit. Upon disengagement, the coupling seal breaks after the cartridge valve closes, and an ink meniscus forms and recedes from the complementary formations as they separate, the cartridge valve having external surfaces configured so that the meniscus travels across the external surfaces and only pins itself to the printer conduit surfaces. The invention keeps residual ink off the exterior of the cartridge valve by careful design of the external surfaces with respect to known receding contact angle of the ink meniscus. As the coupling seal breaks and the meniscus forms, the ink properties and hydrophilicity of the respective valve materials will determine where the meniscus stops moving and eventually pins itself.
US07780277B2 Liquid injecting apparatus
Provided is a liquid injecting apparatus equipped with a liquid injecting head, which is mounted on a carriage and moved reciprocally in a widthwise direction of a target, and a valve unit, which is mounted on the carriage to be supplied with liquid via a supply passage from a liquid retainer and to supply liquid to the liquid injecting head. The valve unit has a pressure chamber connected to the liquid retainer via the supply passage; a valve, which opens or closes the supply passage to supply liquid to the pressure chamber; and a flexible film member, which is displaced based on a negative pressure generated as liquid in the pressure chamber decreases to thereby operate the valve.
US07780274B2 Droplet ejection device
A droplet ejection device including: a cavity unit having nozzles and pressure chambers; an actuator unit including actuators corresponding to the respective pressure chambers, such that each actuator is operable to change a volume of the corresponding pressure chamber whereby a droplet is ejected from the corresponding pressure chamber through the corresponding nozzle; and a controller for controlling ejection of the droplet from each pressure chamber. The actuators are provided by at least four electrodes and a piezoelectric body. The pressure chambers are sorted into groups in at least two different manners, such that each pressure chamber belongs to at least two groups formed by sorting in the respective different manners. Each of the electrodes is arranged to correspond to at least one of the pressure chambers belonging to one of the groups formed by sorting in a corresponding one of the at least two different manners, so that each pressure chamber corresponds to at least two of the electrodes. The controller controls an electric voltage to be applied to each of the electrodes, for controlling ejection of the droplet from each of the pressure chambers.
US07780273B2 Droplet deposition apparatus
An actuator taking the form of a piezoelectric wall separating two chambers, which utilizes two actuation modes. Both actuation modes cause volume displacements in both chambers, but act to reinforce one another in one chamber and cancel one another in the other chamber. A fluid pump for droplet deposition having an array of channels separated by such actuators can be operated with each channel acting substantially independently of its neighbors.
US07780269B2 Ink jet nozzle assembly having layered ejection actuator
An ink jet nozzle assembly is provided having a wafer substrate defining an ink supply passage, a drive circuitry layer formed on the wafer substrate, an ink chamber structure on the drive circuitry layer, the ink chamber structure defining an ink chamber in fluid communication with the ink supply passage and an ink ejection port, and a layered actuator having a first layer electrically coupled to the drive circuitry layer so that the drive circuitry layer can electrically actuate the actuator to thereby eject ink from the ink ejection port.
US07780268B2 Liquid transport apparatus
A liquid transport apparatus includes liquid transport channels disposed on an insulating surface of a substrate, individual electrodes disposed in regions corresponding to respective ones of the liquid transport channels, and wiring portions extending along the insulating surface of the substrate. The apparatus further includes a first insulating layer disposed so as to cover the electrodes and in which the wetting angle with respect to a conductive liquid changes according to an electrical potential difference between the conductive liquid and the electrodes, a second insulating layer which is disposed so as to cover the wiring portions disposed in contact with the first insulating layer, and a potential applying unit which applies an electric potential to the electrodes.
US07780266B2 Micro-fluidic device having reduced mechanical cross-talk and method for making the micro-fluidic device
A method processes electrical connections in a micro-fluidic device to reduce mechanical cross-talk and improve actuator performance. The method includes applying conductive adhesive to an electrode overlying a piezoelectric material, contacting the conductive adhesive with an electrical contact pad mounted to a support member to cover the electrode and piezoelectric material with the support member, and removing a portion of the support member that covers the electrical contact pad, the electrode, and the actuator.
US07780264B2 Inkjet printer nozzle formed on a drive transistor and control logic
A nozzle assembly for an inkjet printhead is disclosed. The nozzle assembly includes an inkjet nozzle having an actuator for ejecting an ink droplet from the inkjet nozzle when a resistive element of the actuator is heated by an electrical current. A drive transistor provides an energy pulse to the resistive element of the actuator, and control logic controls the drive transistor. The drive transistor and control logic are formed on a silicon substrate, and the inkjet nozzle is formed over the drive transistor and control logic.
US07780262B2 Printing cartridge having self-referencing printhead with large nozzle number
A printing cartridge for an inkjet printer is provided having an ink supply and a printhead assembly which has at least one printhead integrated circuit having ink ejection nozzles and an ink distribution support mounting the printhead integrated circuit(s). The ink distribution support distributes ink from the ink supply to the nozzles. The printing cartridge is mounted to the printer at the ink distribution support which is provided with at least one reference feature. The reference feature(s) serves to provide information on the location of the nozzles upon mounting of the printing cartridge to the printer. The printhead integrated circuit(s) has at least 6400 nozzles.
US07780252B2 Elongated staging lock for a drawer slide
A staging lock (22) is movably mounted to an intermediate member (16), and has a follower tab (58) and a lock tab (66). When the intermediate member (16) is fully extended from within the cabinet member (14), the follower tab (58) engages a cam form (106) on the cabinet member (14) and moves the staging lock (22) from a closed position to an open position. When the staging lock (22) is disposed in the closed position, the lock tab (66) engages a staging lock catch (114) on the chassis member (18) to secure the chassis member (18) in a fully retracted position within the intermediate member (16). When the staging lock (22) is moved to the open position, the chassis member (18) may extend from within the intermediate member (16). A rear lock (24) retains the intermediate member (16) in a fully extended position until the chassis member (18) is fully retracted within the intermediate member (16).
US07780250B2 Collapsible bar
A collapsible bar (10) includes first and second support members (12), a surface element (14), and members for releasably latching the surface element (14) to the first and second support members (12). Preferably, the releasable latching members include an elongate channel (36) on each support member (12) and two skirt-portions (38) on the surface element (14). Each skirt-portion (38) is receivable in a respective elongate channel (36) as a close fit.
US07780243B2 Wheel hub
The invention is directed to outside diameter piloting apparatus and method for concentrically aligning a disc rotor to a wheel hub. The pitch circle diameter of the annular piloting features is greater than the pitch circle diameter of the rotor mounting fasteners and the wheel studs of the hub. The outside diameter piloting feature allows a hub section profile which is smooth and continuous between the inboard side of the wheel hub up to the mounting fastener apertures. This smooth and continuous profile reduces stresses and increases the fatigue life of the wheel hub.
US07780241B2 Two-piece expandable thrust washer and machine using same
A machine includes a clevis joint connecting a first frame structure to a second frame structure. The clevis joint includes two plates configured to receive a rotatable element of the first frame structure. An expandable thrust washer is positioned on at least one side of the rotatable element. A pin extends through the two plates, the rotatable element, and the expandable thrust washer. The expandable thrust washer has a variably selected length and includes an outer ring configured to receive at least a portion of an inner ring. Expanding the expandable thrust washer to an expanded length reduces clearance along an axis of the clevis joint.
US07780240B2 Restraint belt for children
The belt can be pulled out of the housing against a spring force, and the length of the belt is fixed by inserting the belt buckle into the holder.
US07780238B2 Self-retracting headrest assembly with divided headrest
A headrest assembly for a seat having a seat back and a seat bottom is provided that includes a headrest having first and second divided headrest portions. First and second articulated arms are pivotably mounted with respect to the seat back in a scissor arrangement and supporting the first and second headrest portions, respectively. Each of the articulated arms has a respective distal portion operatively connected to the seat bottom, preferably with flexible cables and a forked element. The headrest assembly is configured so that the headrest portions pivot to adjacent, use positions when the seat bottom is subjected to at least a predetermined load and to pivot back to separated, non-use positions when the seat bottom is not subject to at least the predetermined load.
US07780233B2 Belt extension apparatus
A belt-type lumbar support includes a belt having first and second end portions. A first attachment tab is located at the first end portion, and a second attachment tab is located at the second end portion. A spring is located at the first end portion and is connected to the first attachment tab. A cable is located at the second end portion and is connected to the second attachment tab. A first belt extension is located at the first end portion and proximate to the first attachment tab and has a first belt extension tongue, wherein at least a portion of the belt extension tongue extends over the spring. A second belt extension is located at the second end portion and proximate to the second attachment tab and has a second belt extension tongue, wherein at least a portion of the second belt extension tongue extends over the cable.
US07780230B2 Seat assembly with movable seat and backrest and method
A seat assembly (21) for a vehicle including a seat (22), a seat mounting assembly (20) mounting the seat (22) for movement along an upwardly concaved arcuate path, a backrest (25) assembly with a backrest member (23) having a lower portion (18) coupled for arcuate motion with the seat (22) and an upper portion mounted for movement in a vertically extending direction. The backrest assembly (25) further includes a recliner frame and mechanism (32, 33). A method of providing a seat assembly also is disclosed including the steps of mounting the seat (22) for movement along an upwardly arcuate path, mounting the backrest (25) proximate the seat, coupling a lower portion (18) of the backrest for movement with the seat (22) and mounting the upper portion of the backrest (23) for vertically extending movement.
US07780227B2 Functional part holding structure
A functional part holding structure adapted to guide a functional part supporting a movable panel to a guide rail, the functional part holding structure includes a first member including a bottom wall, a second member including a cover wall, first and second side walls extending from one of the bottom wall and the cover wall in the width direction toward the other one of the bottom wall and the cover wall, the ends of the first and second side walls making contact with the other one of the bottom wall and the cover wall, and first and second guide grooves formed by the bottom wall, the cover wall, and the first and second side walls and into which guide portions are disposed respectively, the guide portions being formed at both ends of the functional part in the width direction, the guide portions moving upward and downward along the first and second guide grooves and guided to the guide rail.
US07780226B2 Vehicular roof structure
In a vehicular roof structure, a roof panel has a downwardly-bent roof panel flange formed on an inner edge portion thereof around the peripheral edge of a sunroof opening. Stiffener is disposed inwardly of the roof panel and having a stiffener flange that is welded to the reverse surface of the downwardly-bent roof panel flange at its portions corresponding to the corner portions. At the portions corresponding to the corner portions, the stiffener has a projecting portion projecting upward from the stiffener flange into abutment against the reverse surface of the roof panel in such a manner that a gap is formed between the reverse surface of the roof panel and a region of the stiffener around the projecting portion, and an adhesive is filled in the gap to fixedly adhere together the roof panel and the stiffener.
US07780224B2 Crash attenuating underride guard
An aerodynamic underride guard comprising an angled front section located ahead of the trailer landing gear, a crash attenuating middle section located between the trailer landing gear and the trailer wheel assembly, and an angled rear section located in proximity to the trailer wheel assembly. The front angled section deflects air away from the non-aerodynamic features of the trailer landing gear. The rear angled section deflects air away from the non-aerodynamic features of the trailer wheel assembly, and the crash attenuating middle section can prevent vehicles from under riding the trailer.
US07780221B2 Clutch, motor device, and vehicle door opening and closing apparatus
When a drive shaft is in a non-drive state, a second drive rotor is in a non-engaged state with a driven rotor with respect to its own rotating direction. When the drive shaft is in a drive state, a rotating force of a first drive rotor is transmitted to the second drive rotor through an urging member. As a result, a power transmitting member revolves, and a centrifugal force arranges the power transmitting member at a second clamping position. The second drive rotor receives a reaction force from a driven rotor via the power transmitting member. As a result, the second drive rotor is relatively rotated in an opposite direction to a rotating direction of the first drive rotor with respect to the first drive rotor, against an urging force of the urging member. As a result, the first drive rotor is engaged with the driven rotor with respect to its own rotating direction. Accordingly, the clutch is stably operated.
US07780219B2 Adjustable motor vehicle roof
A vehicle roof assembly includes a roof having rear and front roof elements relative to the direction of forward vehicle travel. The roof elements are movable between closed and opened positions of the roof. The assembly further includes a roof kinematic system having first and second guide rod systems located on opposite sides of the roof for movably connecting the roof to a vehicle body to move the roof between its closed and opened positions. Each guide rod system includes a guide rod. The guide rods are articulately connectable at respective ends to the front roof element and the vehicle body. The two guide rods with their respective pairs of articulated joints form a common four-bar kinematic linkage. Alternatively, the first guide rod system may be a two-bar kinematic linkage and the second guide rod system may be a four-bar kinematic linkage.
US07780217B2 Movable roof for an automobile
A roof assembly for a vehicle includes a roof, a guide bar system, and a guide bar mechanism. The roof has front, middle, and rear roof elements movable between a closed position covering a passenger compartment of the vehicle and an opened position stacked in a storage compartment of the vehicle. The guide bar system has front and rear guide bars. The guide bars are connected at one end to the front roof element and are rotatable about respective articulated joints at another end to move the roof elements between the closed and opened positions. The guide bar mechanism has a first control rod rotatably connected between the front guide bar and the middle roof element and a second control rod rotatably connected between the rear guide bar and the middle roof element to assure a desired movement of the middle roof element between the closed and opened positions.
US07780216B2 Convertible top with a rotational angle detection device
A folding convertible top for a convertible vehicle includes a rotational angle detection device disposed in a rotary hinge (1) for detection of the rotational angle between linkage arms (2, 4) of a convertible top frame that are pivotably connected with each other by a bearing pin (10; 22). A rotational angle encoder (8; 18; 30) is connected with one linkage arm so as to rotate therewith and a sensor element (6; 20; 32) is connected with the other linkage arm so as to rotate therewith. The rotational angle encoder and/or the sensor element is/are disposed adjacent to the bearing pin on respective surfaces of the linkage arms facing towards each other or within housing parts (24, 26) connected to the respective linkage arms.
US07780214B2 Windshield wiper, especially for a motor vehicle
The invention starts with a windshield wiper device (10), in particular for a motor vehicle, with at least one drive element (16) that can be fastened to the vehicle body (26) and that has a driven shaft (28) and at least two axially rigid fastening elements (22), which engage in receiving openings (24) on the vehicle body (26) and are provided with at least one damping element (76, 90, 96) for damping mechanical vibrations. It is proposed that the damping elements (76, 90, 96) are fastening blocks made of a rubber-elastic material and are fastened to the drive element (16), that said damping elements are provided with slots (78) and are arranged in such a manner that they can be inserted in a first assembly direction (64) in the receiving openings (24) and prompted by a movement in a second assembly direction (32) transverse to the first direction the damping elements reach across the first edge (88) of the receiving opening (24) with a slot (78), and that a locking element (30, 52, 66, 80, 92, 98) secures the final position in the second assembly direction (32).
US07780205B2 Motor vehicle door lock
A vehicle door latch comprising a catch, the catch having a main catch surface; a reset spring for resetting the catch; a cushioning stop mounted on the catch for rotation therewith and for providing a point of attachment for the reset spring; a cushioning element for cushioning the catch; and a latch housing having a receiving groove; wherein the cushioning element is disposed in the receiving groove; the cushioning element is stacked above the main catch surface; the cushioning stop limits opening movement of the catch by engaging against the cushioning element; and the reset spring is connected to the cushioning stop.
US07780204B2 Electromechanical push to close latch
An electromechanical push to close latch has a pawl positioned for linear movement in a housing, with the pawl being biased to the outward extended position. An electric motor operates a cam to change the position of the pawl thereby retracting it into the housing. An electronic circuit board controls the operation of the electric motor under the direction of an outside control signal. The circuit board also senses the position of the pawl to stop the operation of the motor when the pawl is fully retracted. The pawl mounting can be reconfigured for the pawl to extend and thereby operate in a plurality of selectable directions.
US07780203B2 Latching mechanism
An exemplary latching mechanism (20) includes a base (22), a detachable portion (24), a rotatable wheel (25), and a resilient member (28). The base has two resilient hooks (224). The detachable portion has two clasping portion (244) for engaging with the resilient hooks. The rotatable wheel has a plurality of hook openers (256) and is rotatable between two states forced by the detachable portion. The resilient member is disposed between the base and detachable portion for providing elastic force. The at least one clasping portion of the detachable portion engages with the at least one resilient hook of the base and the rotatable wheel is at a second state. The rotatable wheel is rotated to a first state and the at least one resilient hook are pushed to deform by at least one of the hook openers of the rotatable wheel.
US07780200B2 Connecting structure for joint member
A connecting structure for a joint member is constituted by a joint member formed from a metal material and having a hexagonal shape in cross section, which is inserted into a first port of a valve body made from a resin material. A U-shaped clip is inserted into a clip hole that confronts the first port and engages with a pin groove, which is formed on an outer peripheral surface of the joint member. In accordance therewith, axial displacement of the joint member accommodated within the first port is regulated. Further, rotational displacement of the joint member with respect to the first port, which also is formed with a hexagonal shape in cross section, is regulated while the joint member is connected with respect to the first port.
US07780199B2 Bicycle frame
Bicycle frame, of the type which consist of a diagonal tube (1) of quadrangular section, in which at least in the mid-upper zone (11) of the diagonal tube (1) which faces the bicycle wheel, the outer side (10) of said quadrangular section is concave, and the size (a) of said outer side (10) increases approximately from the upper section (A:A) to the central section (C:C) of the diagonal tube (1).
US07780193B2 Gas generator
A gas generator (1A) comprising: an ignition chamber (13) in which an igniter (12) and an enhancer agent (14) stored therein; a first combustion chamber (23) and a second combustion chamber (33) in which gas generating agent (24, 34) stored therein respectively; a first transfer path (15) communicating the ignition chamber (13) with the first combustion chamber (23); and a second transfer path (16) communicating the ignition chamber (13) with the second combustion chamber (33). The first transfer path (15) and second transfer path (16) are disposed to be displaced in parallel such that a center line (15a) of the first transfer path (15) and a center line (16a) of the second transfer path (16) do not overlap on the same straight line. Because of such a configuration, in a gas generator having two or more gas output portions driven by one igniter, it becomes possible that an effect of combustion of a gas generating agent in each combustion chamber is substantially or completely independent.
US07780188B2 Airbag module for a motor vehicle
An airbag module for a motor vehicle, including an airbag folded to form an airbag package; a component of the airbag module, which via a first component part for inflating the airbag with gas and/or for fastening the airbag to a motor vehicle part cooperates with the airbag; and a protective covering which encloses the airbag in a gastight manner. The protective covering also encloses the first component part and comprises at least one opening, through which a second component part connected to the first component part projects from the space enclosed by the protective covering, the opening of the protective covering being closed in a gastight manner by means of a sealing element.
US07780187B2 Mounting structure for curtain airbag
The disclosed mounting component and mounting structure may provide an efficient mounting of a folded curtain airbag and/or may prevent movement of the airbag caused by a vehicle member striking the folded curtain airbag. A mounting component and/or mounting structure may include a base piece configured to be attached to the vehicle body and projecting pieces extending from both ends of the base piece for extending over the folded curtain airbag. The base piece and the projecting pieces can be integrated with each other.
US07780184B2 Convertible stroller-cycle
A vehicle for pushing and riding, the vehicle including a frame having a front portion and a rear portion. The front portion of the frame has a lower connection post containing braking and steering components and the rear portion of the frame has an upper connection post containing braking and steering components for the rear portion. The upper and lower connection posts are threadedly engaged within a steering portion of the frame. A hitch beam on the front portion forms part of the frame. A hitch clamp on the rear portion of the frame is fastened around the hitch beam for connecting the front portion and the rear portion of the frame. A pair of front wheels is operationally connected to the front portion of the frame. At least one rear wheel is operationally connected to the rear portion of the frame.
US07780176B2 Center take-off rack-and-pinion steering apparatus
A center take-off rack-and-pinion steering apparatus includes a cylindrical rack housing having an elongate hole extending in a longitudinal direction, a mounting bracket for mounting ends of a pair of tie rods on a rack shaft, and a slider interposed between the mounting bracket and the rack shaft and slidable in an inner periphery of the elongate hole. The inner periphery of the elongate hole and the slider include sliding contact sections that are brought into sliding contact with each other along with the slide of the slider slides. The sliding contact sections include at least a pair of curved sliding contact surfaces that are brought into sliding contact with each other in a curved shape when seen in an axial direction of the rack shaft.
US07780172B2 Rotation shaft seal
In a rotation shaft seal provided with a rubber lip portion, disposed between a housing and a rotation shaft and sliding on the rotation shaft, and a supporting member receiving the lip portion from a low-pressure side, the cross-sectional configuration of the lip portion in free state is a trapezoid diminishing to the end having the maximum thickness portion within an area received by the supporting member.
US07780169B2 Pull-tab poker game and pull-tab poker game wagering system
A pull-tab poker variant card game includes at least one ticket having images of playing cards selected from a conventional deck of cards. Each of the card images on the ticket has a face suit and an associated face value. The rules include each player placing an original wager before any card images are revealed; giving the player an opportunity to increase the wager by a first amount after revealing three card images; giving the player an opportunity to increase the wager by a second amount after revealing a first hole card image; revealing a second hole card image; and paying a player having a winning hand for the total wager including the original wager and the first and second amounts based upon a predetermined payout table that indicates what hands are winning hands.
US07780168B2 Gaming machine
An object of the invention is to provide a game machine in which sensations are stimulated individually for each player and the enjoyment of each player is enhanced.The game machine has a game controller for receiving input from a player; a monitor for receiving externally or generating internally and showing a game screen, generated according to a multi-player fighting game program; a seat for seating the player; and a sensation generating part for generating sensations according to input from said game controller and input from an opposing player.
US07780162B2 Paper supply apparatus
Rack gears of far-side paper guides are provided such that manners of meshing with pinion gears are made tighter at respective regions corresponding to locations for constraining paper of standard size, as compared to other regions. In addition, by constituting width guide plates which are upstream in a paper feed directions from far-side paper guides and width guide plates which are downstream in a paper feed directions therefrom such that respective areas of surfaces receiving paper, and respective distances from respective width guide plates to gear mesh locations, are respectively set so as to be substantially mutually equal. Impacts from stacks of paper produced during placement of paper within a paper supply apparatus may be received substantially equal at upstream and downstream from gear mesh of far-side paper guides, and torques acting on far-side paper guides upstream and downstream from gear mesh locations may be made substantially mutually equal.
US07780156B2 Web handling process and equipment
The present invention relates to a method and equipment for the handling of web materials (200), such as essentially continuous webs of plastic films, textiles, non-wovens, or paper, or the like, or of parts or pieces of such webs. In particular execution, it relates to modifying the movement of such web materials (200), so as to allow other process steps to be performed on or with these web materials more easily. Particular aspects relate to the creation of a cross-directional fold in the web material and the combining of web materials (200) with other materials.
US07780154B2 Fluid-filled type engine mount
A fluid-filled type engine mount having a pressure receiving chamber and an equilibrium chamber connected together through a first orifice passage, and an intermediate chamber connected to the equilibrium chamber through a second orifice passage. The intermediate chamber is partially defined by a movable film, and the pressure-receiving chamber and the intermediate chamber are situated to either side of the movable film. The movable film is a tabular rubber elastic body, and is imparted with non-linear spring properties in response to elastic deformation in a width direction thereof so that its deformation during input of idling vibration occurs in a low spring properties zone, whereas its deformation during input of vibration of greater amplitude than the idling vibration in a higher frequency range than a resonance frequency of the first orifice passage reaches a high spring properties zone.
US07780152B2 Direct combustion steam generator
A method and apparatus for generating steam by heating water with a flame is provided. The water is introduced into a vortex sustaining container and flows through the container in a spiraling manner creating a liquid vortex with an open axial core. The flame effects heat transfer and is the product of the ignition of fuel mixed with a tangentially swirling oxygen containing gas.
US07780150B2 Fuel supply device for engine
A fuel supply device for an engine includes a fuel tank positioned such that, at least when the fuel tank is filled with fuel, a first fuel level in the fuel tank is higher than a minimum required second fuel level in a float chamber. A bypass passage that bypasses a fuel pump is provided, and an on-off valve is disposed in the bypass passage. The fuel supply device is capable of improving a starting characteristic of the engine during an off period of the fuel pump without increasing a head difference between the first and second fuel levels.
US07780148B2 Vortex generating sand and snow fence
A sand dune or snow fence having slats with a substantially triangular cross-section, rather than rectangular slats. The slats are arranged to eliminate parallel surfaces there between such that air moving between the slats is not compressed or accelerated. The non-parallel surfaces provided by the triangular slats disrupt the flow of air and generate vortices. One configuration includes multiple wings radiating from a center post and anchored on each end by an end post. The asterisk-pattern of this configuration provides a robust structure sufficient to survive extreme weather. Accordingly, this design provides the additional benefit of eliminating the cost associated with replacing damaged and lost fences of the prior art.
US07780147B2 Drawworks having annulus rotating union with brake cooling system
A drawworks having a drum spool, a drum shaft concentrically supported by the drum spool, a rotary union, brake assemblies and a brake cooling system which circulates a cooling fluid through the brake assemblies to thereby reduce the operating temperature of the brake assemblies. The brake cooling system includes a cooling fluid passage that extends through the drum spool, the rotary union and the brake assemblies.
US07780136B2 Surgical tray corner protector
A surgical tray corner protector includes a support base, a side wall extending along an edge of the support base, and a plurality of apertures extending through the support base to form a tray support surface, providing improved drainage and air flow.
US07780133B2 Suspending element
A suspending element has a wire section (12) and a support member (11) having a pot-shaped receptacle (21) for receiving an eyelet-shaped first end (15) of the wire section (12), and a clamping element (18) for securing the eyelet-shaped first end (15) of the wire section (12) in the pot-shaped receptacle (21).
US07780130B2 Shackle for load supporting bracket assembly
A shackle for supporting a platform support on an upright comprising a first side member and a second side member, an inner load bearing jaw and an outer load bearing jaw mounted on the first and second side members with the inner load bearing jaw for engaging a first surface of the upright and the outer load bearing jaw for engaging a second surface of the upright, and a locking jaw mounted on the side members and movable between an upright engaging condition to prevent the lowering of the shackle on the upright and an upright non-engaging condition to allow for the lowering of the shackle on the upright.
US07780129B1 Kit for mounting an article to a wall in an elevated position and method of using the same
A mounting kit for mounting an article to a wall including: a first support hook including a first leg portion and a second leg portion, the first leg portion including a first face constructed and arranged to face a wall when the first support hook is mounted thereto, and the second leg portion including a first face constructed and arranged to face the wall at a spaced apart distance to provide a gap between the first face of the second leg portion and the wall; and the support block including a first face designed to face the wall when mounted thereto and a top face constructed and arranged to generally face upward toward the support hook when mounted on a wall.
US07780128B2 Leveling system and method
Disclosed herein is a system for leveling relative to a basis surface. The system includes an object having a first side confronting the basis surface and a second side opposite of the first side, a rod positioned to extend beyond the first side of the object to space the object from the basis surface and beyond a second side of the object to provide access to the rod, and first and second couplers to couple the rod and the object. Each of the first and second couplers includes a respective threaded hole threadably engaged with the rod to a position in which respective surfaces of the first and second couplers are in contact with, and rotationally stationary with respect to, the first and second sides of the object, respectively, such that rotation of the rod translates into translational displacement of the first and second couplers and the object.
US07780127B2 Height adjusting apparatus
A height adjusting apparatus, for adjusting the height of a projector, includes a support leg, an air-pressure cylinder connected to the projector, and a switch. The air-pressure cylinder and the support leg together form a sealed chamber. When the pressure of the air inside the chamber is regulated, the height of the air-pressure cylinder and the height of the projector change. The switch is mounted on the air-pressure cylinder to create a gap to allow air to exit or enter the chamber when the switch is open.
US07780124B2 Shrinkable and adjustable multi-functional TV
A shrinkable and adjustable multi-functional TV includes a display, a support device, a shrinkable and angle adjusting device. The display has a mirror on its rear side, and an LCD screen on a front side, pivotally received in an interior of a U-shaped frame of the support device and by means of a tightening button respectively threadably combined with two sides of the U-shaped frame and with two sides of the display so that the display can be turned for an angle and also turned over. The support device has its lower end pivotally connected with a first free end of the shrinkable and angle adjusting device, which has its second end pivotally connected to a suspended arm base fixed on a wall, a foot frame or a chair. Thus the TV can be shrunk for altering its viewing angle and position.
US07780121B2 Wayside signal apparatus with adjustable signal position
A railroad wayside signal cantilever (10) including an arm (22) with a signal mounting apparatus (28) that provides a degree of horizontal movement of the signal (26) relative to the cantilever mast (12). The available range of locations for securing the signal on the arm is sufficiently broad to allow a single cantilever design to be used for a wide range of site-specific locations. An extendable catwalk railing (54) is provided to accommodate movement of the signal without creating an unsafe gap between the railing and the signal.
US07780106B2 Recording tape cartridge
The present invention provides a recording tape cartridge with a retention structure capable of stabilizing and retaining a memory board without deformation of the memory board. A recording tape cartridge includes a case for accommodating a reel on which recording tape is wound, the case formed by an upper case and a lower case and a non-contact memory board, on which various information is stored and which is disposed at a specific angle within the case. The lower case is formed with a position control member of substantially a C-shape in plan view for controlling the position of the memory board, and a support member for supporting the bottom face of the memory board at substantially the central portion thereof. The upper case is formed with retaining members that face portions of the top face of the memory board at both ends in the memory board length direction.
US07780104B2 Bait casting reel with spool turning dial
A bait reel equipped with a turning dial controls the winding of the fishing line by controlling the revolution of the spool during fishing. The bait reel equipped with a turning dial has a dial for spooling connected by the handle axle and the combination of gears. Therefore, it enables the user to manually fine-tune the revolution of the spool, makes the structure of the reel simple even when the turning dial is added by making the guide support add the turning dial to the handle axle so the fishing line can be smoothly and stably wound on or released from the spool, and makes it easy to change and maintain the turning dial by fixing the turning dial to the side cover located, with the possibility of detaching and re-attaching, on the opposite side of the handle.
US07780103B2 Method for winding a skein windable material onto a spool
A method for winding a skein-shaped windable product onto a spool formed of two spool halves (12, 14) which converge conically towards a middle radial plane (10) with two flange discs (16, 18) at the outer ends, includes the steps of rotating the spool about its central axis during the winding process, and feeding the windable product by a guide that moves along the length of the spool. There is further step of winding the windable product in layers substantially parallel to the lower conical surface up to the top conical surface, and the winding layers end respectively in a cylindrical surface connecting the circumference of the two flange discs (16, 18).
US07780102B2 Feed roller drive for wood chipper
The present disclosure relates to a wood chipper that has a feed roller driven by a hydraulic motor. Hydraulic fluid under pressure is provided to the motor through a two-stage pump, providing separate flows of fluid under pressure. The flows of the pump stages are combined for normal operation of the chipper. A bypass that will bypass the flow from one pump stage when the pressure of the fluid under pressure driving the motor exceeds a pre-selected level from increased load on the feed roller is provided. When the bypass is open the feed roller is slowed to reduce the feed rate of material into the chipper, and when the feed roller loads reduce, the flows will again be combined to speed up the feed roller.
US07780099B2 High-efficiency jet ejector and propulsive jet
According to one embodiment of the invention, a system for altering fluid flow includes a main body having a first fluid flowing therethrough, a plurality of conduits disposed within the main body to form a plurality of flow paths, and a nozzle directing a second fluid through the innermost conduit. The second fluid has a greater velocity than the first fluid. The second fluid successively entrains the first fluid flowing through the flow paths in such a manner that the portion of the first fluid flowing through the innermost flow path existing between the innermost conduit and its adjacent conduit is entrained first and the portion of the first fluid flowing through the outermost flow path existing between the outermost conduit and the main body is last.
US07780098B2 Fan spray pattern indexing nozzle for a trigger sprayer
A trigger sprayer has a nozzle assembly that dispenses a spray of liquid in a fan pattern that is selectively oriented horizontally or vertically. The nozzle assembly includes a nozzle housing and nozzle cap mounted on the nozzle housing, where the nozzle cap is rotatable relative to the nozzle housing to direct a fan spray pattern of liquid from the nozzle cap in both a vertical and horizontal orientation, and prevent the discharge of liquid from the nozzle cap in cap positions between the horizontal and vertical orientations.
US07780096B2 Agricultural machine, arrangement and method for delivering a fluid to a dispensing system
An agricultural machine includes a dispensing system configured to dispense an agricultural fluid; a pump fluidly coupled to the dispensing system; and an arrangement configured to provide the agricultural fluid to the dispensing system. The arrangement includes at least one first reservoir configured to store the agricultural fluid, the at least one first reservoir being fluidly coupled to the pump; a second reservoir configured to store the agricultural fluid, the second reservoir being fluidly coupled to the pump; and a throttling device in fluid communication with the second reservoir and the pump. The throttling device is configured to throttle a flow of the agricultural fluid from the second reservoir.
US07780094B2 Vehicle air freshener diffuser
A diffuser for an air freshener product includes a casing having front and rear casing portions fastened together. A neck opening is formed inside said casing into which a neck of an air freshener reservoir is secured. A wick extends from the neck of the air freshener reservoir into the interior of the casing. The casing has openings in the front and back through which air flows. An air flow control element is provided in the casing to permit a user to change the air flow to the wick and thereby vary the air freshener product dispersed into the air. The air flow control element has a knob extending from the casing that is operable by the user. The rear portion of the casing has a fastener to which is attached a clip having two extended flexible arms that engage into a vent grill of an air conditioner system of a vehicle. The clip is securable in the fastener at positions oriented 90 degrees from one another to enable the clip to be fastened to vertically or horizontally oriented air conditioner grill slats.
US07780093B2 Spray nozzle
A spray nozzle includes an orifice disposed on a substantially planar discharge surface. An impingement surface is disposed opposite the orifice, the impingement surface forming an angle with a centerline of the orifice. The angle between the orifice centerline and the surface is less than 90 degrees. A deflection ridge bridges a gap between the impingement surface and the discharge surface. The deflection ridge encompasses a partial circumference of the nozzle. The nozzle includes a fluid fitting adapted for providing a pressurized fluid to the orifice.
US07780090B2 Chip card holder
A chip card holder includes a body member, a card receiving space formed on the body member and a releasing piece. The releasing piece is slidablely mounted on the body member along a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the card receiving space and is slid to be in front of the opening of the card receiving space to lock the chip card in the card receiving space or to expose the opening of the card receiving space to unlock the chip card.
US07780087B2 Multiple plane scanning system for data reading applications
An optical system and method for data reading. In one system, a scanner includes a laser diode and a beam splitter for generating first optical beam and a second optical beam, the first optical beam being directed toward one side of a scanning optical element such as a rotating polygon mirror and to a first mirror array, the second optical beam being simultaneously directed toward a second optical element such as another side of the rotating polygon mirror and then to a second and a third mirror array. The first mirror array is configured to generate a scan pattern through a vertical window and the second and third mirror arrays are configured to generate scan patterns passing through a horizontal window. In combination, the three mirror arrays generate three sets of scan lines so as to scan five sides of a six-sided item (e.g., the bottom and all lateral sides of an object) being passed through the scan volume.
US07780085B2 Round surface scanner
A scanner capable of scanning a curved surface such as a bottle or other cylindrical, or curved surfaced object. In one class of embodiments, the present innovations include a scan head and one or more rollers (preferably two rollers, one active, the other passive) on which a cylindrical object turns in proximity to the head. As the object turns, the head records the image on the surface of the object.
US07780083B2 Device for identifying metallic foreign components
The invention describes a device (10) and a method for protecting a self-service terminal against fraudulent installation of spying-out apparatuses for spying-out information, which device and method are based on the detection of metallic components of the spying-out apparatus. The device (10) comprises a control unit (12) and a peripheral (24) which is connected to the control unit (12) via an interface (26, 28, 30). The sound card (24) has an output for an analog output signal, to which output a coil (52, 56) for generating a primary electromagnetic field can be connected, and an input for an analog detection signal, to which input a second coil (60, 64) for detecting a secondary electromagnetic field, which is influenced by the interaction of the primary electromagnetic field with the metallic components of the spying-out apparatus, can be connected. The control unit (12) actuates the sound card (24) in order to generate the primary electromagnetic field via the interface (26, 28, 30) and/or receives the digitized detection signal and analyzes said signal in order to determine whether a foreign metallic object is present.
US07780082B2 Communication system, reader/writer, authentication method, and computer program
A reader/writer that reads or writes information from or in an Integrated Circuit (IC) module, in which one or more applications are loaded, in response to an instruction issued from a controller in which counter-applications compatible with the applications are loaded. The reader/writer includes a memory in which one or more pieces of IC access authentication information that are associated with the applications in the IC module and that are used to authenticate the associated applications respectively are stored. The memory also stores pieces of group authentication information. A control unit authenticates a counter-application using group authentication information and, if the authentication succeeds, permits the counter-application to use IC access authentication information belonging to a group identified with the group authentication information.
US07780076B2 Paper currency handling apparatus
In a paper currency handling apparatus, a temporary housing is arranged behind a paper currency deposit and withdrawal port; a paper currency discrimination part is arranged behind the temporary housing; conveyance paths conveying a paper currency from below the paper currency let-out part to ahead of the paper currency discrimination part, conveyance paths conveying a paper currency from behind the paper currency discrimination part to the temporary housing once ascending upward, and a paper currency sorting gate going from behind the paper currency discrimination part to the conveyance path to implement sorting to conveying destinations for a first time are included, wherein the paper currency sorting gate is arranged in an upper part behind the temporary housing.
US07780074B1 Check accepting and cash dispensing automated banking machine system
An automated banking machine system and method includes ATMs which can accept checks and dispense cash. Cash can be dispensed to an authorized user in exchange for one or more checks received from the user during a transaction session. Following closure of the transaction session, the ATM analyzes image and magnetic data from a received check to determine an analyzed check value. The ATM then determines whether the analyzed check value corresponds to a check value inputted by the user. With corresponding values, the user account is credited with the check value. Without corresponding values, the user account balance is adjusted accordingly and the user is notified of the discrepancy.
US07780072B1 Enclosure for automated banking machine
An automated banking machine includes a top housing cover slidably mounted with respect to a top wall of the housing of a chest or secure enclosure. The top housing cover includes side channels for slidably receiving spaced upwardly extending flanges mounted on the chest housing. Various upper banking machine components are mounted in supporting connection with the chest housing about the secure enclosure. The components may include a display, a card reader, a receipt printer, a communications device, and a keypad. In an operable condition, the top housing cover is positioned so that a front opening therein is covered by an upper fascia. Removal of one or more fasteners allows the top housing cover to be moved rearwardly to expose the banking machine components for maintenance, replacement or other servicing activity.
US07780070B2 Method of manufacturing a product using scan targets
A method of manufacturing aircraft includes removably securing a target to a portion of the aircraft in a predetermined position on the portion of the aircraft. The method further includes scanning the target with a scanning device to acquire information about at least one of a location and orientation of the target. The method also includes processing the acquired information to determine at least one of a location and orientation of the portion of the aircraft. In addition, the method includes working the aircraft using the processed information and removing the target from the portion of the aircraft before completing manufacture of the aircraft.
US07780069B2 Insert with a return envelope
A mailer is disclosed for distributing advertisements and invoices. The mailer provides an envelope for returning the invoices and a buck slip for displaying advertisements and incentives. The buck slips and return envelope are attached to the mailer so that these papers are removed from the mailer simultaneously upon the opening of the mailer.
US07780065B2 Method and device for welding pipes
A method for welding a plurality of pipes, including first, second and third pipes, to each other, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a clamping apparatus comprising a rigid frame, first and second clamping means for clamping the pipes, said first and second clamping means being supported on the frame; (b) engaging a side of the first pipe with the first clamping means and a side of the second pipe with the second clamping means and with a first end of the first pipe disposed at a welding distance from and in line with a first end of the second pipe; (c) operating a welding apparatus to make a welding seam to connect the respective first ends of the first and second pipes; and (d) moving the clamping apparatus along the second pipe to a second end of the second pipe and repeating steps (b)-(c) to weld the second end of the second pipe to a first end of the third pipe, wherein the method comprising the steps of determining a shape of the first pipe with help of the first clamping means, storing data pertaining to said shape in a memory as shape data, and bringing the second clamping means into engagement with the second pipe based on the shape data.
US07780064B2 Wire bonding method for forming low-loop profiles
A method of forming a wire bond with a bonding tool is provided that comprises the steps of forming a ball bond onto a bonding surface, raising the bonding tool away from the ball bond to form a neck portion integrated with a top of the ball bond, locating a circumference of a tip of the bonding tool onto the neck portion, pressing the neck portion with the circumference of the tip to form a depression in the neck portion without bonding the neck portion to the ball bond, and thereafter raising the bonding tool away from the ball bond.
US07780063B2 Techniques for arranging solder balls and forming bumps
A mask having a plurality of through holes and a mold having a plurality of cavities are provided, and the through holes and the cavities are aligned. Conductive balls are dispensed into the aligned through holes and cavities Substantially one ball is dispensed into each aligned through hole and cavity, and the mask with the holes and the cavities in the mold are configured and dimensioned such that the balls are substantially flush with, or recessed below, an outer surface of the mask. The mask is removed, the conductive balls are aligned with pads of a semiconductor device, and the conductive balls are transferred to the pads by fluxless reflow in a formic acid environment. Vibrational, electrostatic, and direct transfer aspects are also disclosed.
US07780062B2 Solid state joining method for continuous structures
An assembly may include at least two structures having angled edges disposed adjacent to one another forming a first gap between the at least two structures. A plurality of angled joining members may be linear friction welded adjacent to one another between the adjacent angled edges of the at least two structures in the first gap. A second gap may be disposed between the plurality of linear friction welded angled joining members. At least one hole may be disposed at a location of the second gap. The at least one hole may extend into and between adjacent edges of the welded angled joining members, and may extend into and between the adjacent angled edges of the at least two structures. A plug member may be rotary friction welded at least partially into the at least one hole.
US07780056B2 Horn attachment arm
A horn attachment arm for a bonding apparatus that performs high speed bonding with high accuracy to a large sized workpiece is provided. The horn attachment arm includes a fixing bracket fixed to a moveable member of a driving motor and a ultrasonic horn attaching bracket for attaching an ultrasonic horn on a tip end side to be fixed by being sandwiched between flat plates made of carbon fiber reinforced plastic. A flat plate space keeping member is attached between the flat plates so as to extend between the brackets. Flanges of the brackets and the longitudinal structure member are fixed to respective flat plates using a screw and an adhesive agent. The carbon fiber reinforced plastic that constitutes the flat plates has a greater number of reinforced fibers in a longitudinal direction than in a width direction, and is high in strength and rigidity in the longitudinal direction.
US07780054B2 Surgical instrument with laterally moved shaft actuator coupled to pivoting articulation joint
A surgical instrument particularly suited to endoscopic use articulates an end effector by including a laterally sliding member in a proximal portion of a shaft that pivots the end effector to a selected side. Differentially opposing actuating forces (e.g., hydraulic, fluidic, mechanical) act against the laterally sliding member without binding by incorporating guidance mechanisms between the laterally sliding member and a frame of the shaft.
US07780053B2 Nail gun with air injection mechanism
An air injection mechanism for nail guns includes a gun body having an air chamber; a valve base having a rod hole disposed in the gun body; a movable valve rod, one end of the valve rod engages with the rod hole and extends out of the gun body to form a press end, and another end of the valve rod extends through the air chamber and fixes to another side surface of the gun body, the valve rod and the rod hole cooperate to form an air guiding gap therebetween, the valve rod includes a ringed pushing surface; an air guiding passage formed in the valve rod, which includes an air inlet port connecting to the air guiding gap and an air injection port connecting to environment; an O-ring disposed in the rod hold for controlling the flux of the air that discharged form the air injection port.
US07780048B2 Hinged pocket
A pocket comprises an inner cup cooperating in a nested relationship with an outer cup to define a chamber having a closed bottom end and an open upper end sized to receive an article. A hinge interconnects the inner and outer cups at the closed bottom end of the chamber. The hinge is configured to accommodate swinging movement of the outer cup relative to the inner cup between a closed position at which the sides of the article received in the chamber are tightly confined between opposite interior surfaces of the inner and outer cups, and a release position deflected outwardly from the closed position to accommodate removal of the article from the chamber via its open upper end.
US07780046B1 Pivoting container top
A closure for closing an opening of a container to enable dispensing of material from or inserting material into the container. The closure includes a lid and a pivotable member adjacent to the lid. The lid is configured to completely cover the opening of the container. The pivotable member is positioned in the interior of the container when the container is closed.
US07780041B2 Device for atomising a fluid product
A device for atomizing a fluid product includes a reservoir containing the product and air, with the reservoir including a wall having at least one deformable area. A dip tube communicates selectively or permanently with an atomizing aperture to atomize the product when pressure is exerted on the deformable area. According to a preferred example, the dip tube includes at least one air passage to allow at least part of the air contained in the reservoir to mix with the product conveyed by the dip tube. The air passage is located between the two ends of the dip tube. Further, before a first use of the device and in an at least partially deformed position of the deformable area, the at least one air passage is not immersed in the product, regardless of the position of the reservoir.
US07780040B2 Particle dispenser cartridge arranged with dispenser nozzle outer shutter rails
A cylindrical-shaped particle dispenser cartridge includes a dispenser nozzle. The dispenser nozzle outer surface includes sealing ribs that surround an included nozzle opening. The dispenser nozzle is arranged to engage a shutter that slides over the sealing ribs, thus sealing the nozzle opening. When the cartridge rotates about the cartridge axial in a shutter-opening or leading direction (X) with respect to the shutter, the sealing ribs move in a like direction with respect to the shutter, thus unsealing the particle dispenser cartridge nozzle opening. The dispenser cartridge is arranged to dispense particles such as, for example, toner particles. The dispenser nozzle outer surface includes outer shutter rails disposed on inboard and outboard sides of the sealing ribs.
US07780035B2 Liquid container with hingedly attached funneled dish
The present disclosure provides various embodiments of a container and dish. In certain embodiments, the container and dish includes a container portion having a plurality of sides defining a cavity in the container portion. A mouth on one of the plurality of sides is in communication with the cavity in the container portion. In particular implementations, the container and dish includes a funnel on at least one of the plurality of sides of the dish portion. In further implementations, the dish portion and the container portion are movable from a nested, storage configuration to an open configuration for dispensing and/or refilling where the container portion and the dish portion are at least substantially co-planar. In yet further implementations, the dish portion is movable with respect to the container portion and may be nested within a depression formed in the container portion.
US07780034B1 Portable bar
A portable bar including an ice chest, a removable tray, and a plurality of beverage containers attached to the upper surface of the tray. The ice chest has a rim located on the interior thereof adjacent its upper perimeter edge. The removable tray is adapted to rest on the rim with either its upper or lower surface facing towards the interior of the ice chest. Each of the beverage containers has a manually operated pump dispenser removably attached thereto and providing a lid thereto. In its transportation and storage configuration, the upper surface of the tray and attached beverage containers face downwardly towards the interior of the ice chest. In its service configuration, the upper surface of the tray and attached beverage containers face upwardly.
US07780032B2 Fuel cap
A fuel cap of the invention has a pressure regulating valve, which includes a positive pressure valve and a negative pressure valve. The positive pressure valve has a positive pressure valve plug and a first spring, whereas the negative pressure valve has a negative pressure valve plug and a second spring. A valve support member is located in the upstream of the negative pressure valve to support the positive pressure valve plug. A tubular body is integrally formed with the valve support member. The tubular body eliminates the turbulence of the inflow of the air current and leads the laminar air flow into the negative pressure valve in its open position. This arrangement of the invention effectively increases the maximum flow rate of the negative pressure valve in the open position.
US07780031B2 Embedded paint can lid removal device
A substitute for the rim of a paint can to allow the paint can's lid to be removed without requiring an extra utility. There have been many complaints by individuals that use paint cans that find themselves in situations where they cannot open the can because they do not have a paint can opener, or something to pry the lid open. This device was invented with the intent to remedy this problem.
US07780027B2 Axially stacked double barrel animal feeder system
A wildlife feeder system is disclosed comprised of a first barrel having an open top and an open bottom, a second barrel having an open top and a substantially closed bottom (having orifices as necessary to dispense feed), said barrels being, for example, 30, 55 or 85 gallon steel barrels, the first barrel being axially coupled to the second barrel, the open tops of each barrel being conjoined, a lid adapted to cover the open bottom of the first barrel and rotatable lid handle mechanism adapted to couple the lid proximate the open bottom of the first barrel, a platform and leg support assembly adapted to be coupled circumferentially to the second barrel proximate the longitudinal center thereof, a ladder adapted to be coupled to the platform and leg support assembly, a plurality of removable legs adapted to be coupled to the platform and leg support assembly and a barrel coupling assembly comprising an inner ring (made of plastic or metal) and an outer ring clamp.
US07780024B1 Self peel flick-it seal for an opening in a container neck
A self peelable seal having one or more layers for sealing containers by heat induction, conduction, or other means and having a stiffening structure. A portion of the seal is axially retained within a closure thereby allowing the peelable seal to be loosened from the container neck by placing a lifting force on the seal with the closure upon removal of the closure from the container.
US07780020B2 Article transport facility
An article transport facility comprisesan article transporting mobile body movable along a moving path and having an article holding unit;an article support for article storage, the article support movable between an article transfer position for receiving an article from the holding unit of the mobile body and transferring the article to the holding unit, and an article storage position; anda operating device provided on the mobile body for moving the article support between the article storage position and the article transfer position when the mobile body is at an article transfer location corresponding to a location of the article support.
US07780019B2 Cantilever pallet cart
The present invention is directed to a pallet storage system including a cart that rides on rails between an open or access position and a closed or storage position. More particularly, the present invention relates to a storage device that facilitates the picking of individual cases or items from pallets that are stored on the floor under a rack type storage structure. The device of the present invention enables two-deep storage of pallets on the floor and the automatic presentation of a rear pallet to the access aisle for easy picking of items stored on the pallet using a cart that cantilevers from the end of the rails.
US07780016B1 Tool holder
A tool holder assembly is provided and includes a base portion and a holder portion. The holder portion is pivotably disposed within the base portion for reciprocating movement between a stored position and a removal position. The tool holder assembly also includes at least one interference member associated with one of either the base portion or the holder portion. The at least one interference member engaging a portion of the other of either the base portion or the holder portion and defining an interference fit therebetween for selectively restraining the holder portion in the stored position until a predetermined load is applied to overcome the interference fit.
US07780007B2 Multi-layered blister card package and method for making the same
A multi-layered blister package and assembling method include a blister sheet having a blisters for containing a product therein and an opposing cover surface adjacent to blister openings. The package also includes a front sheet having apertures configured to receive the blisters and a back sheet coupled to at least a portion of the front sheet. The back sheet includes an inner back panel foldably connected to an outer back panel. The inner and outer back panels each include removable tabs each covering an access slot. The tabs and access slots of the inner and outer back panels are in alignment when the inner back panel is folded adjacent to the outer back panel. The cover surface of the blister sheet is positioned adjacent to the inner back panel such that each blister opening is in alignment with the tabs and access slots of the inner and outer back panels.
US07780006B2 Flexible package with opening feature
A flexible package has a top surface, a bottom surface and at least one side wall together defining an interior volume of the package. An opening device is attached to the top surface and is at least in part detachable from the top surface to provide access to the interior volume. An article is secured to the opening device for conjoint movement with the opening device upon detachment of the opening device from the top surface of the package. In another embodiment, a portion of the side wall extends outward beyond the top surface to a free edge. A closure system is operable on the extended portion of the side wall to permit selective closing and opening of the package.
US07780001B2 File wrapper for wrapping
A file wrapper for wrapping is provided. The file wrapper for wrapping comprises a file wrapper for wrapping comprising: a the cutting body, which comprises a unit piece of a covering paper and a backing paper of integral constitution that is bent to form a bag shape, sealing pieces provided to the covering paper and the backing paper, at the opening portion of the bag shape for inserting commodities, respectively, and side sticking pieces provided to the both sides portion of the covering paper. The one sealing piece is provided with a stopper of commodities after inserting them, and the other sealing piece is provided with the connecting piece inserted in the notch hole of the stopper and engaged thereto.
US07779997B2 Carrier and method
The carrier has a central vertical support panel structure, and a pair of foldable receptacles extending outwardly from opposite sides of the vertical support structure. The receptacles have automatically-opening bottom walls with symmetrical bottom panels which overlap to even-out the strength of the bottom walls and minimize areas of reduced strength. At least two opposed bottom panels are shaped to interlock with one another to hold the carrier open once it has been unfolded. Elongated, connected reinforcing flanges strengthen the carrier in the vertical direction.
US07779986B2 Transfer system
In a transfer system used for transferring articles that are conveyed on a main conveying path to branching conveying paths, change-over guiding sections of change-over units have an upper guiding body and a lower guiding body and the change-over action of the upper guiding body is caused by the motion force of an article side-push body in the direction of a main conveying path, and the change-over action of the lower guiding body is caused integrally in the second half of this change-over action. As a result, a sufficient change-over guiding length in the change-over unit can be ensured and change-over can be performed smoothly via both guiding bodies at all times.
US07779985B2 Method and device for conveying objects for processing
The invention relates to a linear conveyor device (30) for objects (20), whereby the objects are taken by drive tongues (40), arranged on circulating toothed belts (31, 32). The objects are secured against lifting off the conveyor device, particularly mechanically, by a cover strip (50). Light objects can thus also be conveyed at high rate in intermittent operation.
US07779979B2 Synchronizing device for a manual transmission
A synchronizing device for a manual transmission for synchronizing rotation speeds of a rotating shaft and a shift gear that includes in preferred aspects at least one first ring disposed on an exterior circumference of the rotating shaft and having an exterior sloped surface at its exterior circumference, at least one second ring disposed on an interior circumference of the shift gear and having an internal sloped surface contacting the exterior slope surface of the first ring, and an actuator unit applying an axial directional load to the at least one first ring or the at least one second ring.
US07779977B2 Vehicle shifting mechanism
A vehicle shifting mechanism configured for actuation of a clutch and gear-shifting of a shift drum in a transmission is disclosed, which includes a camshaft linked to the shift drum; an actuating motor for driving the camshaft to allow the camshaft to make one revolution to shift the shift drum with one gear; and a cam connected to the camshaft to coaxially rotate with the camshaft and abutting against a release bearing actuating element to actuate engagement and disengagement of the clutch. The cam has a symmetrical contour such that the camshaft driven by the actuating motor is capable of making one unidirectional revolution to enable actuation of the clutch and the gear-shifting of the shift drum to occur concurrently.
US07779974B2 Vehicle suspension spring system
A vehicle suspension spring system for a vehicle wheel station includes a hydraulic cylinder or strut having a piston which divides the cylinder volume into a main oil volume and an annular oil volume. The main oil volume communicates via a first oil passage with a first accumulator having a main gas volume. The annular oil volume communicates via a second oil passage with a second accumulator having an auxiliary gas volume. The oil in each accumulator is separated from the gas by a separator piston or diaphragm. A third oil passage with an isolating valve interconnects said first and second oil passages. Operation of the isolating valve is regulated by a controller. At least one sensor for sensing a parameter associated with vehicle attitude is connected to the controller. The controller is operable for switching the isolating valve between open and closed positions for altering spring stiffness of the strut in response to said sensed vehicle attitude parameter when the vehicle is in motion.
US07779969B2 Brake rotor and tone ring assembly
A wheel assembly includes a wheel hub and brake rotor that rotate about an axis. The brake rotor includes an outer circumferential surface area that cooperates with brake pads to provide braking for the wheel assembly. The brake rotor includes an inner circumferential surface area that has two different sets of mounting bosses. A first set of mounting bosses is spaced circumferentially about the axis and provides a mounting interface for a tone ring as used in an anti-lock brake system. A second set of mounting bosses is also spaced circumferentially about the axis but does not overlap the first set of mounting bosses. The second set of mounting bosses provides a mounting interface for securing a brake rotor and tone ring assembly to the wheel hub.
US07779967B2 Method of operating an elevator installation, an elevator installation operable by this method and safety equipment for this elevator installation
An elevator installation with at least one upper elevator car and at least one lower elevator car includes a first electromechanical switching mechanism mounted on the upper car and having a weight fastened at a downwardly extending elongate run, the run being held in a travel setting by the weight force, and a second electromechanical switching mechanism mounted on the lower car vertically below the weight. In the case of undesired approach of the two elevator cars, the weight impinges on the second electromechanical switching mechanism and thereby opens a safety circuit of the lower elevator car. The safety circuit of the upper elevator car is also opened by a diminishing of the weight force.
US07779965B2 Absorbent structure for attenuating noise particular by a rotor-generator noise, and a rotor duct including such a structure
An absorbent structure for reducing the propagation of soundwaves emitted by noisy devices such as rotors or motors, the structure includes a rigid partition (1), at least one porous wall (4), and separator elements (2) for placing the porous wall (4) at a determined distance from the rigid partition (1), defining cavities (3) of a height h1 between the porous wall (4) and the rigid partition (1), the height h1 being determined to obtain maximum absorption of a given frequency of the emitted soundwaves, wherein includes additional absorption elements for obtaining maximum absorption of at least one additional frequency of the emitted soundwave.
US07779961B2 Exhaust gas diffuser
The diffuser can be used at an end of a vehicle exhaust system. The diffuser can have a generally hollow body with an inlet for receiving exhaust gasses from a substantially vertically-extending component of the vehicle exhaust system, and a substantially flat outlet grate through which the exhaust gasses are to be released to the atmosphere, the outlet grate being configured and adapted for use in a roof of the vehicle, in an aligned position therewith, with the hollow body of the diffuser positioned inside the vehicle and below the outlet grate.
US07779953B2 Biasing drive torque to an axle in a motor vehicle
A system for transmitting power to vehicle wheels includes a transmission output connected to a first wheel set, a planetary gearset including an input and an output, whose speed is greater than a speed of the gearset input, and a coupler having a variable torque capacity, driveably connecting the transmission output and the gearset input.
US07779951B1 Process for building the rear portion of a motorcycle
A rear assembly for motorcycles having a frame with two rear parallel and spaced apart backbone members. Two molded halves of the rear portion are made from moldable sheet metal and welded together defining a seat side with an adjacent fender, as a unitary piece with an underside and a continuous peripheral edge. The edge is welded to the rear backbone members resulting in a braced structure. The process includes the steps of cutting two pieces of sheet metal with a predetermined shape that after being molded and welded together define an upper rear portion with a peripheral edge that is welded to the rear backbone members of the frame. Finishing steps including polishing and painting the resulting structure.
US07779948B2 Vehicle
The invention relates to a vehicle, especially a bicycle, comprising at least one drive wheel (1), a motor (3) connected to the drive wheel (1), a power accumulator (5) for supply of the motor (3), a control device (6) for controlling the motor (3), and a pedal crank (7). The aim of the invention is to improve the handling characteristics of such a bicycle. For this purpose, the pedal crank (7) can be moved independently of the drive wheel (1) and is connected to a braking device (20, 21) that provides a moment of resistance to the rotation of the pedal crank (7). The moment of resistance of the braking device (20, 21) is controlled by the control device (6).
US07779945B2 Method for the production of a steering spindle part and steering spindle with such steering spindle part
A method for the production of a steering spindle part is provided. The method includes forming a section of a steering spindle for a motor vehicle and which is implemented in the form of a hollow shaft and includes at least a connection section adjoining one of its ends. The connection section has at least over a portion of its length a wall thickness (D) which, compared to a section of the steering spindle part adjoining the connection section, is increased, for the production of the steering spindle part as the starting produce is utilized an initially hollow-cylindrical tube, which is at least section-wise reshaped. For the formation of the connection section, a sleeve is set into an end section of the tube and the end section of the tube and of sleeve are subsequently jointly reshaped.
US07779941B1 Method and apparatus for delivery cart movement start and energy recovery
A method and apparatus for reducing or eliminating the energy required by an operator of a delivery cart to start the cart moving in a predetermined direction at a predetermined speed as well as to recover some or all of the energy used to start the cart moving. The apparatus includes a cart, a drive wheel, a motor for driving the drive wheel, and a rechargeable energy source to power said motor where the rechargeable energy source is recharged during normal, unpowered movement of the cart. The method includes charging a power source while moving the cart, actuating a directional button to initiate movement in a desired direction, energizing a clutch to couple the motor to the driven wheel, energizing the motor to drive the driven wheel in the desired direction. After a predetermined time period, set by a run timer, the clutch is decoupled while the motor remains activated, and thereafter the motor is deactivated.
US07779934B1 Flexible/rigid drilling assembly
A flexible/rigid drilling assembly that can be flexible enough to bend around and into a curved hole form a vertical well to the horizontal with a short horizontal hole extension. When the flexible/rigid drilling assembly is placed in the short horizontal hole extension it can be converted to a rigid assembly and provide stability for a drill bit on its end to drill a straight horizontal out into an oil, gas or water. High static drilling fluid pressure with low compression force on the flexible/rigid drilling assembly is used to keep it in a flexible configuration while being placed in the short horizontal hole extension. Then the flexible/rigid drilling assembly is rotated to release the high static drilling fluid pressure. With the high static drilling fluid pressure released and with the high compression forces required to operate the drill bit the flexible/rigid drilling assembly transition into its rigid configuration and provide stability for a drill bit in drilling a straight horizontal drain hole.
US07779933B2 Apparatus and method for steering a drill bit
Steerable drilling systems for facilitating drilling according to a prescribed, three-dimensional trajectory are described. Steering may be achieved using passive actuators which require little or no power. For example, damping elements which couple a drill bit to a drill collar can be used to tilt the drill bit with respect to the drill collar. Alternatively, rotary cutting elements disposed on the drill bit may be used to control the force between the drill bit and the formation at different axial locations. The passive elements used to control the tilt or rotation of the rotary cutting elements are actuated in a certain pattern, e.g., geostationary, in order to achieve a desired deviation of the well bore while drilling ahead. One way to achieve this is through the use of field-sensitive materials, e.g. magnetorheological (MR) fluids, that change viscosity in response to an applied magnetic field.
US07779931B2 Electric hand screwdriver with adjustable head
An apparatus to accomplish rotational work on a securing element. The apparatus has a main body portion and an articulating arm. The main body has a power source, a drive motor, and a drive shaft. The drive shaft extends into the articulating arm which has a first section rotatable about the drive shaft. The articulating arm also has a second section which is seated on a first transversely aligned drive shaft interoperating with the drive shaft itself. The first transversely aligned drive shaft transmits rotational work to a second transversely aligned drive shaft which supports a third section. A third section interoperates with a spindle section which receives the rotational work from the second transversely aligned drive shaft to accomplish rotational work on the securing element.
US07779929B2 Soil aerator assembly
In certain embodiments a soil aerator may include a hinged frame assembly that cooperates with one or more weight transferring systems adapted to permit an aeration subassembly to lift off the ground when an aeration tine impacts a hard obstacle such as a rock in the soil. The weight transferring systems may in the preferred embodiments be calibrated so that only minimal upward force, such as that caused by impact of an aeration tine with a rock, may cause the aeration subassembly to lift thereby significantly reducing or preventing damage to the aeration tines and drive assemblies and substantially prolonging the life of the aerator.
US07779926B2 Wellbore plug adapter kit and method of using thereof
Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to an adapter kit for use between a setting tool and a wellbore plug. In one embodiment, a method for setting a plug in a cased wellbore is provided. The method includes deploying a tool string in the wellbore using a run-in string, the tool string comprising: a setting tool coupled to the run-in string, an adapter kit, comprising an adapter sleeve, and a plug comprising a sealing member. The method further includes actuating the setting tool, wherein the setting tool exerts a force on the adapter sleeve which transfers the force to the plug, thereby expanding the sealing member into engagement with an inner surface of the casing. The method further includes separating the setting tool from the plug, wherein the adapter sleeve remains with the plug.
US07779916B2 Apparatus for subsea intervention
A subsea intervention system is disclosed comprising a floating vessel and a source of coiled tubing at the floating vessel. The system includes a seabed installation including a wellhead and compliant guide having one end operatively connected to the floating vessel and the second end operatively connected to the seabed installation. The compliant guide provides a conduit between the floating vessel and the wellhead for the coiled tubing. At least one injector is present at the floating vessel for inserting the coiled tubing into the compliant guide, and a carousel is proximate the wellhead which comprises a plurality of chambers with intervention tools in at least two of those chambers. The system may also include a plurality of sensing units that are disposed at spaced intervals along the compliant guide to monitor various aspects of the compliant guide and to transmit that information to a repositioning system.
US07779910B2 Expansion cone for expandable liner hanger
An expandable liner hanger system includes an expandable liner hanger and an expansion cone having a first outer diameter when driven through the expandable liner hanger in a first direction to expand the expandable tubing. The expandable liner hanger system also includes a polished bore receptacle having a lower end coupled to an upper end of the expandable liner hanger by a coupling, the coupling having an inner diameter smaller than the first outer diameter. In the run in condition, the expansion cone is positioned below the coupling.
US07779908B2 Arrangement for affixing an expandable packer in a hole
The present invention relates to an arrangement for affixing an expandable packer 22, 32 in a hole 30, wherein the arrangement includes a piston-and-cylinder device 11, 12 with which the piston can be caused to move in the cylinder with the aid of a pressurized medium. Expansion of the packer is effected with the aid of the movement of the piston 11, by transferring the force generated by piston movement to an expandable part 24, 34 of the packer 22, 32 so that said part will expand. Expansion of the packer results in the packer being firmly affixed in the hole by means of friction. The arrangement also includes an elongate main body 1 that has a through-penetrating aperture extending in the longitudinal direction of the body. The main body 1 has a front end 3, which faces inwardly of the hole when fastening the packer and towards the packer. The body includes a rear end 4 which carries means 9 for connection to a filler supply means, wherewith filler is delivered to the hole via the through-penetrating aperture 2 and via the packer 22, 32 subsequent to having affixed the packer in the hole. At least a part of the main body 1 is formed as a piston rod 16 on which and along which the piston 11 can move. The arrangement also includes pressure connection means 10 for connection to said pressurized medium, and a connection 19 between said pressure connection means and the piston 11.
US07779904B2 Guide rail plate for top drive of a drilling system
A guide rail plate for top drive of a drilling system, including a guide rail plate consisting of 5-7 guide rail sections, characterized in that there is a boss and a mated recess on a surface of an upper guide rail section and an opposite surface of a lower guide rail section interconnected with the upper guide rail section. A hydraulic cylinder is centrally and longitudinally fixed at the lower end of the upper guide rail section. A cone plate is connected to the lower end of a piston of the hydraulic cylinder. The right and left sides of the cone plate are connected with lock shafts. The lock shafts are placed in corresponding transverse lock shaft holes of the upper and lower guide rail sections.
US07779898B2 Heat transfer tube assembly with serpentine circuits
A method and apparatus are provided for cooling fluids entering a closed circuit cooling tower. A triple circuit assembly is used to cool the fluid in the closed loop. The triple circuit assembly design allows a heat transfer tube bundle to maintain a relatively low pressure drop, but without simultaneously lowering thermal performance to a significant degree as compared to traditional double serpentine or QUAD serpentine designs.
US07779888B2 Hanger assembly
A architectural mesh hanging system includes an architectural mesh panel having a predetermined width, a first support member having a predetermined length substantially equal to the predetermined width of the architectural mesh panel, and a second support member having a predetermined length substantially equal to the predetermined width of the architectural mesh panel. At least two upper hanger assemblies support the first support member and are attachable to a support surface for hanging the architectural mesh panel. At least two lower hanger assemblies support the second support member and are attachable to the support surface for hanging the architectural mesh panel. The architectural mesh panel is disposed at least partially about the first support member and the second support member such that, when hanging, the first and second support members are substantially obscured from view by the architectural mesh panel.
US07779883B2 System for controlling nucleation in self-assembled films
A device for forming a self-assembled film on a substrate containing a film precursor includes a first heating member and a second heating member disposed adjacent to the first heating member, the second heating member being separated from the first heating member by a gap. The device includes a movable pusher member configured for advancing the substrate from the first heating member to the second heating member.
US07779880B2 Tube connecting apparatus
A tube connecting apparatus that can carry out self reset operation without giving damage to the apparatus and that safety of an operator is considered. The tube connecting apparatus has an EEPROM memorizing information with respect to a connecting process state of tubes. When electric power is inputted, the apparatus judges whether power supply was shut off during tube connecting operation based upon the information memorized in the EEPROM with respect to the connecting process state of tubes and a detecting result of a wafer 41 according to a wafer position detecting sensor 421, and carries out reset operation. In the reset operation, the apparatus restarts and completes connecting operation (S620 to 632) by heating the wafer again to fuse the tubes adhered to the wafer (S614, 616). Error indication is displayed at a LCD display to secure connecting strength and the like (S634). A locking state is not cancelled during cooling time after heating of the wafer is stopped to secure safety (S628 to S632).
US07779877B2 Take apart vehicle wheel assembly
A take apart vehicle wheel assembly includes at least a first, a second and a third wheel part operatively connected together to form the take apart vehicle wheel assembly. A first one of the first, second and third wheel parts is provided with a plurality of first stud receiving holes spaced circumferentially therearound in a first unevenly spaced circumferential pattern such that each of the first stud receiving holes is spaced apart from a next adjacent first stud receiving hole by a different angular spacing. A second one of the first, second and third wheel parts is provided with a plurality of second stud receiving holes spaced circumferentially therearound in unevenly spaced circumferential pattern which corresponds to the first unevenly spaced circumferential pattern of the first stud receiving holes to enable stud bolts and nuts to be used to releasably connect the first one and the second one of the first, second and third wheel parts together.
US07779876B2 Reinforced blade for use in a vulcanization mold to form a sipe in a tire
A reinforced blade for use in a tire vulcanization mold is provided. The reinforced blade, having a thickness of less than 0.030 inches, is configured to form a sipe in a tread of a tire in the tire vulcanization mold. The reinforced blade includes a main segment and a support segment extending from one end portion of the main segment of the reinforced blade and configured to support the end portion of the main segment of the reinforced blade in the mold during vulcanization.
US07779875B2 Method for cutting veneer from logs
The invention concerns a method for peeling veneer from a log (2). Veneer (4) is peeled tangentially from the circumferential surface of a log rotated around its longitudinal axis under conditions determined by the distance (knife gap) between the knife (3) and the nose bar pressing the surface of the log immediately in front of the cutting point. The peeling knife as well as the nose bar is moved towards the rotation axis of the log corresponding the proceeding of the peeling. At the ending stage of the peeling, the distance between the peeling knife and the nose bar is reduced substantially in accordance with the thickness of the veneer being peeled.
US07779871B2 Service unit for resource replenishment
A service unit for resource replenishment in an automobile with an engine has at least one filling nozzle and a drip cup at least partially covering the filling nozzle. The drop protection cover is attached for pivoting to the drip cup and, for advantageous resource replenishment, is displaced from a rest position within the drip cup to an at least partially swiveling protection position out of the drip cup.
US07779869B2 Profile rod and carrier rod for a heald shaft
A profile rod (15) preferably consisting of an extruded aluminum profile has lateral walls (18, 19) that have two snap-in zones (25, 26) that project toward each other and extend parallel to each other over the entire length of the profile rod (15) and that are located on the same height. The distances of the two snap-in zones (25, 26) from the closest strip (21) correspond to each other. In this manner, the profile rod (15) may be made extremely thin-walled, on the one hand, and offers possibilities for fastening profile pieces that permit the input of larger forces into the profile rod (15) as well as the output of such forces therefrom, on the other hand. This concept offers a basis for the construction of light-weight heald shafts that can still handle great loads.
US07779866B2 Segmented trapped vortex cavity
An annular trapped vortex cavity assembly segment comprising includes a cavity forward wall, a cavity aft wall, and a cavity radially outer wall therebetween defining a cavity segment therein. A cavity opening extends between the forward and aft walls at a radially inner end of the assembly segment. Radially spaced apart pluralities of air injection first and second holes extend through the forward and aft walls respectively. The segment may include first and second expansion joint features at distal first and second ends respectively of the segment. The segment may include a forward subcomponent including the cavity forward wall attached to an aft subcomponent including the cavity aft wall. The forward and aft subcomponents include forward and aft portions of the cavity radially outer wall respectively. A ring of the segments may be circumferentially disposed about an axis to form an annular segmented vortex cavity assembly.
US07779865B2 Plumbing valve with undulating disk surface
A control disk for a fluid valve has a disk body having at least one through hole, the body having an upper surface for contacting another control element of the valve and an opposed lower surface. The upper surface is formed with a raised undulating contact surface. The raised undulating contact surface defines pockets suitable for receiving a lubricant.
US07779863B2 Pressure control valve having an asymmetric valving structure
The present invention describes, generally, a method and system for controlling the dynamics of an actuatable load functioning or operable within a servo or servo-type system, wherein the dynamics of the load are controlled by way of a unique asymmetric pressure control valve configured to provide intrinsic pressure regulation. The asymmetric pressure control valve, which may be referred to as a dynamic pressure regulator because of its capabilities, utilizes different sized free floating spools that are physically independent of one another and freely supported in interior cavities of respective corresponding different sized valving components that make up the valve body to regulate the pressures acting within the overall system between the control or pilot pressure and the load or load pressure. The dual spools of the pressure control valve, although physically independent of one another, function in cooperation with one another in an attempt to maintain a state of equilibrium in the system, namely to keep pressure acting on or within the actuator (the load pressure), or the feedback pressure corresponding to the load pressure, the same as the control or pilot pressure. Moreover, pressure regulation and control is intrinsic to the asymmetric pressure control valve because of the configuration and function of the dual spools and the feedback system acting on the spools, thus eliminating the need for electronically or mechanically user controlled systems.
US07779858B2 Valve assembly with overfill protection device and capacitive liquid level gauge
A valve assembly, such as a tap for a liquefied gas cylinder, includes an overfill protection device and a liquid level gauge having an electrode assembly comprising a pair of lamellar electrodes mounted closely adjacent a housing member of the overfill protection device and deflectable into close proximity with a float of the overfill protection device for insertion into the gas cylinder. A circuit board is provided, preferably mounted on the electrode assembly, and has an electronic converter circuit for measuring the electrical capacitance between the electrodes and producing in response to the measured capacitance an output signal representative of the liquid level in the container. A display means is mounted on a body of the valve assembly or remote therefrom, to indicate the liquid level in the container in response to the output signal from the electronic converter circuit.
US07779856B2 Fuel cartridge of a fuel cell with fuel stored outside fuel liner
A fuel supply connectable to a fuel cell is disclosed. The fuel supply comprises an outer casing and a fuel liner and an effective amount of fuel in the space between the outer casing and the fuel liner to control the pressure inside the fuel liner. In one example, the fuel inside the fuel liner is methanol, and the fuel between the outer casing and the fuel liner is methanol or methanol gel.
US07779850B2 Anti-tipping device for walkers
The present invention relates to the field of medical devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to therapeutic walkers and devices for preventing tipping of a walker during use. The inventive anti-tipping device can be retrofitted to existing walkers and has at least three or more degrees of freedom relative to the walker along which the anti-tip device can be adjusted to provide for a walker with customizable safety supports.
US07779849B2 Umbrella featuring a vertically deployable sun shade
The invention adds one or more vertically-deployable sun shades to an umbrella for selectively providing shade for one or more users of an umbrella. More specifically, the sun shade resembles a conventional shade or set of blinds for covering a window. The size, shape, materials, and arrangement of the sun shade can vary according to user preferences or the intended manner or place of use.
US07779845B2 Method and apparatus for endoscopically performing gastric reduction surgery
An articulating endoscopic instrument is adapted for properly orienting the stomach for cutting and stapling in an efficient manner. The instrument includes a body member having a first end and a second end, a plurality of suction holes along the body member in fluid communication with a suction inlet at the first end of the body member for the creation of suction along the body member and an articulating joint positioned along the body member. A method for gastric reduction surgery is achieved by inserting an articulating endoscopic instrument within the stomach and articulating the articulating endoscopic instrument to generally assume the shape of the relaxed stomach, applying suction through the articulating endoscopic instrument to draw the stomach tissue into contact with the articulating endoscopic instrument, articulating the articulating endoscopic instrument to a desired orientation and completing the gastric reduction surgery.
US07779844B2 Self-fitting device for location in an ear canal
Self-fitting device for location in ear canal, including first end portion joined with second end portion. First end portion including first resilient bladder and first chamber of fluid and second end portion including second resilient bladder and second chamber of fluid. The bladders are in communication via the chambers. First bladder is deformable between at-rest position to in-ear position to insertion position such that first bladder has first cross-sectional area in at-rest position, second cross-sectional area in in-ear position and third cross-sectional area in insertion position. First cross-sectional area is greater than second cross-sectional area which is greater than third cross-sectional area. Second bladder is deformable to cause first bladder to be deformed from at-rest position to insertion position before device is located in ear canal.
US07779842B1 Suction system with high efficiency suction control valve
An improved high efficiency suction control valve providing unobstructed fluid flow in its activated suction applied mode for removal of viscous secretions at a low level of applied input suction through the catheter. The valve provides positive sealing between a hand-operated plunger and the valve passageway walls against which the plunger engages by slightly over sizing the plunger walls such that the plunger walls expand against a further suction passageway. Similar sealing is provided between the plunger and passageway above the suction passageway.
US07779837B2 Synthetic jet based medicament delivery method and apparatus
A dry powder inhaler consisting of first chamber having an orifice for holding a dry powder and a gas, and a second chamber for receiving a deaggregated form of the dry powder and for communicating the deaggregated dry powder to a user. A synthetic jet drives the dry powder from the first chamber to the second chamber.
US07779835B2 Liquid ejection device
A liquid ejection device of the present invention includes an inhaling port portion, an ejection head for ejecting a liquid to be inhaled by a user through the inhaling port portion, a first sensor for detecting an action of the user relating to inhalation, a second sensor for detecting another action of the user relating to inhalation, the second sensor being different from the first sensor, and a determining portion for determining an operation of ejecting the liquid of the ejection head in response to both a first signal output from the first sensor and a second signal output from the second sensor, wherein the determining portion enables ejection of the liquid from the ejection head when both the first signal and the second signal are signals indicating inhalation intention of the user.
US07779831B1 Ultrasonic nebulizer with metal coated ultrasonic generator
A nebulizer includes a piezoelectric transducer for aerosolizing a drug solution in a disposable cup module disposed above the transducer. Acoustic waves generated by the transducer propagate sequentially through transmitting medium, a first barrier, coupling medium, and a second barrier that forms part of the cup module, and into the interior of the cup module. The transducer at least partially comprises silver. The silver fluidly contacts the transmitting medium to discourage bacteria growth in the transmitting medium. The device includes electronics components that drive the transducer and measure an electrical characteristic associated with the transducer during operation. The electronics components measure changes in the electrical characteristic to determine when the drug solution level falls below a predetermined threshold, and deactivates the device accordingly.
US07779830B2 Dosing device
A dosing device with an electromechanical interface is provided. The dosing device includes delivery means, a medium reservoir and an applicator, on the one hand, and a control unit and electrical energy store, on the other hand, in separate structural units. Guide means are provided for fitting one of the structural units into the other structural unit. The guide means has an electromechanical interface for coupling and/or uncoupling relative to the control unit and/or energy store without using tools.
US07779829B2 Solar thermal collector manifold
A solar thermal energy collector manifold is provided. The manifold is connected to solar collector tubes for collecting solar energy. A fluid is used to transfer the heat collected from the collector tubes. The manifold includes an inlet path for receiving the fluid, a fluid flow path for transferring the fluid to the solar collector tubes, and an outlet path for outputting the heated fluid. To facilitate the flow paths, the manifold includes a plate with depressions.
US07779824B2 Crossbow with stock safety mechanism
A crossbow includes a safety mechanism located on the stock of the crossbow that prevents the crossbow from firing until the safety mechanism is properly engaged. The safety mechanism includes a push button that requires the operator appendages to be securely below the path of the traveling bolt before the trigger mechanism will release.
US07779823B2 Cylinder charge temperature control for an internal combustion engine
An engine is operated with a first cylinder to provide a net flow of gases from the engine intake to the engine exhaust while a second cylinder returns combusted gases back to the intake to control a timing of auto-ignition combustion in the first cylinder.
US07779817B2 Water/alcohol injection tuning system
An injection system for injecting one or both of water and alcohol into an internal combustion engine comprising a system monitor, a control module and a mixture delivery system. The system monitor may have a parameter level display, the control module may be adapted to receive one or more user-supplied parameters and the control module may be further adapted to store the one or more user-supplied parameters. The control module may also be comprised of a plurality of connectors and at least one electrical signal generator. The system may also be comprised of electrical wiring and a mixture delivery system having a pressure source.
US07779814B2 Fuel injection apparatus and method of manufacturing same
A fuel injection apparatus includes an accumulator, an injector, a fuel supplier supplying fuel to the accumulator, and a controller controlling a fuel supply rate of the fuel supplier through manipulation of a manipulated variable. The controller is configured to set a target fuel supply rate, determine a base target value of the manipulated variable as a first function of the target fuel supply rate, determine a correction value as a second function of the target fuel supply rate, correct the base target value of the manipulated variable using the correction value to obtain a final target value of the manipulated variable, and manipulate the manipulated variable to have the final target value, thereby bringing the fuel supply rate of the fuel supplier into agreement with the target fuel supply rate. The first and second functions are predefined prior to the installation of the fuel injection apparatus to an engine.
US07779809B2 Throttle system and sensor unit
A sensor unit includes a unit main body mounted on a throttle device, and a pressure sensor chamber that is provided at the unit main body and that accommodates an intake pressure sensor to detect an intake pressure through an intake pipe. The pressure sensor chamber is divided by a partition into a pressure receiving area to receive a pressure in the intake pipe and a pressure detecting area to detect the pressure by the intake pressure sensor, such that the pressure receiving area communicates with the pressure detecting area through a communication portion. A foreign substance is prevented from flowing into the intake pressure sensor when guiding air in the intake pipe to the intake pressure sensor, thereby improving detection accuracy by the intake pressure sensor.
US07779807B2 Intake/exhaust valve and its seal for internal combustion engine
An intake/exhaust valve seal structure for an internal combustion engine is disclosed. A sealing surface is formed by a valve seat surface in a ceiling of a combustion chamber and a valve face surface provided on an intake/exhaust valve. The sealing surface lies on a first conical surface having an axis of the intake/exhaust valve as its rotation axis and includes a line of intersection of the first conical surface with an inner wall face of the ceiling of the combustion chamber. A method for manufacturing the intake/exhaust valve is also disclosed.
US07779806B2 Air intake manifold including a plenum reducer insert
An air intake manifold assembly includes an air intake manifold and a insert that is permanently bonded to an inner surface of the air intake manifold. By bonding the insert to the manifold, a dead space is formed between the insert and the manifold, which reduces the plenum volume within the manifold.
US07779804B2 Rocker arm assembly for radial and axial loads
A rocker arm assembly for a valve train of an internal combustion engine which has a rocker arm that pivots on a support pin about an axis where a push rod contacts one end of the assembly and a valve shaft of a gas exchange valve contacts the other end of the assembly. A rocker arm is mounted on a support pin through a radial roller bearing for handling radial forces. An outer bearing support wall is attached to the rocker am and covers both ends of the support pin. Between the ends of the support pin and the outer bearing wall is a thrust washer for handling axial forces in the rocker arm assembly. The radial bearing assembly can have an outer bearing shell and an inner bearing shell where the outer bearing shell has a generally U-shaped configuration that covers the end wall of the support pin. The bottom wall of the outer bearing shell forms the outer bearing support wall for the thrust washer.
US07779803B2 Rocker arm installed module
A rocker arm installed module 1 is constructed by installing the cam shaft 3, the rocker arm 4 and the pivot 5 to the housing 2. The housing 2 is provided with a drop-off preventing means 21 for supporting and preventing the rocker arm 4, which is disposed on the pivot 5, from dropping off. The rocker arm installed module 1 is constructed by disposing the rocker arm 4 among the cam 31 of the cam shaft 3, the pivot 5 and the drop-off preventing means 21 in the housing 2 to form a module, the module being configured to be disposed in a concave portion 61 of the cylinder head 6 while preventing the rocker arm 4 from dropping off.
US07779801B2 Camshaft adjuster for an internal combustion engine
A camshaft adjuster (1) for an internal combustion engine is provided, which includes a housing (21) and in which a relative angular position between a driving gear (22′) and an output element allocated to the camshaft is adjustable. In a first connection region (28), the housing is connected in a fixed manner to a support element (20) which is connected in a fixed fashion to a plastic toothed ring (19) in a radially outward direction in a second connection region (29). The outer surface of the carrier element (20) fits an inner surface of the toothed ring (19) in the second connection region (29). The carrier element (20) makes it possible to bridge the radial gap between the toothed ring (19) and the outer surface of the housing (21), and the second connection region accurately predefines a position of the toothed ring (19).
US07779800B2 Vane-type phaser
A vane-type phaser connected to drive an assembled camshaft includes a drive member and a driven member each connected to a respective one of the inner and outer shafts of the camshaft. A first of the members includes a disc with at least one arcuate cavity that is open at both axial ends. The second member includes two closure plates sealing off the axial ends of each cavity of the first member and at least one vane formed separately from the closure plates which is movably received in a respective cavity to divide the cavity into two variable volume working chambers. Each vane is secured at both its axial ends to the two closure plates.
US07779791B2 Circuit arrangement for the cooling of charge air and method for operation of such a circuit arrangement
The invention relates to a circuit arrangement (K), with a low-temperature coolant circuit (1) for the cooling of charge air on a motor vehicle with a charging device, comprising a charge air/coolant cooler (2). A temperature sensor (4) is provided at the exit of the coolant from the charge air/coolant (2), or directly thereafter, for the measurement of the coolant exit temperature. The invention further relates to a method for operation of such a circuit arrangement (K).
US07779789B2 Dog walking belt for dog having habit of pulling owner
A dog walking belt for a dog having a habit of pulling an owner of the present invention is so configured that: a waist belt 2 is inserted with a lower-back support pad 1 at a back of a lower back to protect the lower back from a pulling force of a dog 200, a hook holder 3 is assembled at a front of the waist belt 2 to move freely thereby not to disrupt the balance of a body resulting from a sudden pulling force of the dog 200 in a right and left direction, and a pulling supporting point from a main lead 8 is placed at about 12 cm at a front of a lower back of the hook holder 3 so that a force is equally dispersed to the waist belt 2 and a shoulder belt 6, whereby the pulling force of the dog 200 can be received by an entire body. The main lead 8 is coupled with a lead buffering spring 11 to alleviate rocking of the pulling force of the dog 200, alleviating a load applied to the walking person 100.
US07779788B2 Animal training system with multiple configurable correction settings
A receiver for an animal training system which includes a stimulation unit for providing at least one stimulus having a quantity of energy pulses and a stimulus pulse width; and a controller connected to the stimulation unit. The controller receives at least one transmitted signal and assigns amplitude information and rate information to at least one correction signal. The stimulation unit receives the at least one correction signal and outputs a corresponding stimulus having the quantity of energy pulses corresponding to the rate information. The stimulus has the stimulus pulse width corresponding to the amplitude information.
US07779787B2 Valve system with float control of liquid dispensing
A valve system for accepting fluid from a source supply at an upper end thereof, and ejecting it into a liquid container located below the valve system, including a fluid ejection limiting float element control located at the lower end of the valve system, to limit the amount of fluid which can be ejected.
US07779785B2 Production method for semiconductor device and substrate processing apparatus
Disclosed is a producing method of a semiconductor device comprising a first step of supplying a first reactant to a substrate to cause a ligand-exchange reaction between a ligand of the first reactant and a ligand as a reactive site existing on a surface of the substrate, a second step of removing a surplus of the first reactant, a third step of supplying a second reactant to the substrate to cause a ligand-exchange reaction to change the ligand after the exchange in the first step into a reactive site, a fourth step of removing a surplus of the second reactant, and a fifth step of supplying a plasma-excited third reactant to the substrate to cause a ligand-exchange reaction to exchange a ligand which has not been exchange-reacted into the reactive site in the third step into the reactive site, wherein the first to fifth steps are repeated predetermined times.
US07779783B2 Plasma processing device
A plasma processing apparatus includes a chamber, a dielectric top plate member disposed on an upper portion of the chamber and an antenna having a plurality of slots. The antenna is disposed on the top plate member and is in close contact with the top plate member. The top plate member includes a flat plate portion formed to face the substrate and a sidewall portion formed to extend from a peripheral region of the flat plate portion towards the substrate. The sides of the flat plate portion and the sidewall portion facing a plasma generation region have a curved surface extending between the flat plate portion and the sidewall portion and the sidewall portion has a thickness not smaller than λg/4 but not greater than λg, λg being a wavelength of the microwave.
US07779777B2 Substrate processing apparatus and method
A substrate-processing apparatus includes a sample table which mounts thereon a to-be-processed substrate, a first line which supplies a chemical solution, a second line which supplies a cleaning liquid, a three-way valve connected to the first and second lines and configured to select one of the first and second lines, a filter provided across the first line upstream of the three-way valve, and configured to eliminate a foreign material from the chemical solution, and a nozzle provided downstream of the three-way valve and configured to discharge the chemical solution or the cleaning liquid when the first or second line is selected via the three-way valve. The three-way valve selects the first line when the substrate is coated with the chemical solution, and selects the second line in other cases.
US07779776B2 Polyceramic-coated tool for applying a flowable composition
A tool is provided for applying a flowable composition onto a receiving surface. The tool includes a polyceramic coating on a surface thereof and may take the form of a stencil or mold. Also provided are an apparatus and a method that uses the tool. In use, the tool is placed such that its polyceramic-coated surface is in contact with the flowable composition, which, in turn, simultaneously contacts the receiving surface.
US07779772B2 Submarine short-range defense system
Disclosed is a launch system of an affixed lower section of launch tubing and an upper section of launch tubing configured to telescope vertically from a stowed position within the hull of a submarine to a position just above the ocean surface for a launch operation of a projectile, with the upper section returning to a stowed position after the launch operation. The launch system is capable of launching a projectile to engage air contacts by the discharge of high pressure fluid air, through the length of the upper and lower sections to impact the projectile for launch. The launch system includes surveillance, command and control elements as well as operational connection to additional projectile stowage and a supply of high pressure fluid. The projectile in use with the launch system can support surveillance and communications operations.
US07779771B2 Method for breaking ice, motor-driven watercraft and its use
Ice is broken with a motor-driven watercraft with three hulls, i.e. a trimaran (4), having a middle hull (3), a propulsion device (9), a right (1) and a left (2) side hull and a deck (5). The three hulls are attached. Ice is broken with the middle hull (3) of the trimaran. The propulsion device (9) is arranged in the middle hull (3) and a keel (7) in the longitudinal direction of the middle hull is arranged in the bow (3a) of the bottom of the middle hull for breaking ice.
US07779770B2 Method of retrofitting a pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system and an improved pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system
A pneumatic on-demand seed delivery system wherein seed from the auxiliary hopper enters the seed meter through an opening beginning rearward of the vertical axis of the seed meter. And a retrofit kit for existing on-demand seed delivery systems, and method of retrofitting such existing pneumatic on-demand seed delivery systems, so as to provide an auxiliary hopper that communicates seed to the seed meter through an opening beginning rearward of the vertical axis of the seed meter.
US07779764B2 Durable pallet and pallet block
A pallet includes an upper deck, and first joining members that project downwardly from the upper deck. Each first joining member includes an outer sleeve and a post positioned therein. The pallet includes a lower deck, and second joining members that project upwardly from the lower deck. Each second joining member includes an inner sleeve and a post receiving cavity positioned therein. The first and second joining members are coupled together to define pallet blocks joining the upper and lower decks. Each inner sleeve and post receiving cavity of the second joining members receives a corresponding post and outer sleeve of the first joining members.
US07779761B2 Under-way vehicle transfer
A guided transport vehicle has a berth with open side and bottom for a roadway vehicle to be driven along side on a station driveway and obliquely steered into the berth and lifted for transport on the transport vehicle and lowered to another station driveway and obliquely steered out from the berth. The guided vehicle can be a railway car in a train on a track or guideway flush with station driveways for the transfer vehicle. The transfer vehicle can be a bus, truck, motor home, or platform for holding containers or vehicles. This transfer vehicle has all wheel parallel steering and can shift to front wheel steering at either end. End rollers guide the transfer vehicle parallelly in and out of the berth, and end lifts raise the vehicle for travel on the train above the track. The vehicle is controlled to accelerate to train speed and aligned before all wheels are turned together at an oblique angle to enter the berth.
US07779757B2 Printing units on a web-fed rotary printing press
A web-fed rotary printing press is structured having two end-surface defining side frames. At least one printing unit, with at least two cooperating printing unit cylinders, is supported between these side frames. At least one of the at least two cooperating cylinders is pre-assembled as a cylinder unit that has side frames and face engaging bearing unit. The at least one printing unit can be placed between the side frames as the one-piece cylinder unit comprising the structural cylinder.
US07779751B2 Integrated beverage infuser and lid
An integrated beverage infuser and lid are adapted for use with an insulated drinking vessel for brewing a consumable product, such as tea, in an insulated travel mug, tumbler, or the like. The lid includes a main body adapted for movable receipt on a drinking vessel that forms a downwardly directed, open-ended cavity. A fluid-permeable brewing basket defines an enclosable receptacle for removable receipt of the brewing consumable product. The basket is movable between a stowed position, substantially within the cavity above the liquid level of the hot water in the tumbler, and a deployed position, below and substantially outside of the cavity for submersion in the hot water contained in the drinking vessel. A lever arm forms a part of the transfer mechanism and has a portion that penetrates the main body to the outside thereof so that the transfer mechanism can be operated by an individual without removing the lid from the insulated drinking vessel, tumbler, or the like.
US07779750B2 Closing mechanism for brewing device
A closure mechanism particularly useful in a brewing device includes a cover member rotatably disposed above the brewing device. A slider member is slidably disposed within an interior cavity of the cover member and has one or more tabs which may extend outside of the interior cavity. The brewing device has one or more receptacles for receiving the tabs when the cover member is closed. A lid member on top of the cover member may push the tabs into the receptacles through a link member. A release arm is disposed within the brewing device and has at least one blocker which releasably holds a tab of the slider member within a receptacle when the cover member is closed.
US07779749B2 Device for preparing a beverage suitable for human consumption with a fine-bubble foam layer
The invention relates to a device (1) for preparing a beverage suitable for human consumption and having a fine-bubble foam layer. The device is provided with a beverage unit (2) for delivering the beverage under pressure and at least one nozzle (4) which is in fluid communication with the beverage unit for supplying the beverage to the nozzle such that the nozzle can generate a jet (12) of beverage. The device further comprises a receiving unit (14) into which the jet is directed for obtaining the beverage with the fine-bubble foam layer. The receiving unit is provided with a chamber (16) with at least one drain opening (18) for delivering the beverage with the fine-bubble foam layer and a jet impact member (20) accommodated in the chamber and having a top (22) that lies free from an inner wall (24) of the chamber. The nozzle and the jet impact member are mutually oriented such that-the jet hits against a portion of the top of the jet impact member, so that the jet after hitting against the jet impact member forms a mist of the beverage. The beverage with the fine-bubble foam layer subsequently leaves the drain opening. The device is constructed such that air (34) can only be supplied to the chamber through the at least one drain opening and/or through an air supply channel which extends through the jet impact member into the chamber.
US07779745B2 Automatic-locking hydraulic jack
An automatic-locking hydraulic jack has a piston (1, 30) that slides into a cylinder (3-2, 32). Locking of the piston is achieved by elastic deformation of either the inside wall (2) of the cylinder or of the outside wall of the piston (30) so as to ensure that the one is tightly clamped over the other. The locking of the jack is maintained by pressure that causes the elastic deformation of the inside wall of the cylinder (3-2) or of the outside wall of the piston (30), until the jack is unlocked by neutralizing the elastic deformation.
US07779744B2 Vehicular hydraulic system with priority valve
A vehicular hydraulic system with a pump and first and second hydraulic applications arranged in series. A valve is disposed whereby fluid from the pump flows through an inlet port, primary flow channel and outlet port of the valve to the first hydraulic application. The valve includes a body and a valve member that axially slides within an elongate valve chamber, partitioning the primary flow channel from a low pressure volume. The valve also includes a low pressure port and a bypass port. The bypass port is sealed from fluid communication with the valve chamber in a first position and is in fluid communication with the primary flow channel when the valve member is biased into a second position by a threshold exceeding elevated fluid pressure in the primary flow channel. Fluid discharged from the bypass port is diverted past the first application to the second application.
US07779743B2 Gas piston assembly and bolt carrier for gas-operated firearms
A kit for modifying a bolt carrier group actuating apparatus of a firearm manufacturer-configured with a gas-driven bolt carrier comprises a gas expansion assembly, an operating rod driven bolt carrier and an operating rod. The gas expansion assembly is configured for receiving combustion gases from an as-manufactured OEM gas block of the firearm and for facilitating expansion of said gases for generating a bolt carrier driving force. The operating rod driven bolt carrier includes an operating rod engaging lug. The operating rod driven bolt carrier is configured for being operably engaged within an as-manufactured OEM receiver body of the firearm with the operating rod engaging lug located in a gas tube lug receiving portion of the as-manufactured OEM receiver body. The operating rod is engagable between the gas expansion assembly and the operating rod engaging lug.
US07779742B2 Armor module
An armor module having a rigid casing having a front face, a top face and a bottom face, and a plurality of multi-layer planner cassettes fixedly mounted within the casing. Each cassette has a top base plate and a bottom base plate, sandwiching between them at least a one other layer. The top base plate of an uppermost cassette constitutes the top face of the casing, and a bottom base plate of a lowermost cassette constitutes the bottom face of the casing.
US07779739B2 Chopper and slicer
A food chopper and slicer includes a lower receptacle for holding chopped food items and one or more blades at the top. A pushing element is secured within an outer housing, with the outer housing being configured to snugly and slideably fit around the receptacle. The housing forms a guide path such that the pushing element follows a generally straight and vertical path as it moves downward toward the blades.
US07779736B2 Miter saw having securable positioning structure for blade guard thereof
A miter saw having a securable positioning structure for a blade guard thereof includes a saw blade, a rotatable handle, a movable blade guard, a control unit, a positioning unit, and a rope. The rotatable handle is provided for the user's holding for the cutting operation. The movable blade guard is shiftable between where it covers the saw blade and where it does not cover the saw blade. The control unit is mounted to the rotatable handle. The positioning unit is provided for blocking the movement of the movable blade guard. The rope is connected with the control unit and the positioning unit. Accordingly, the user only needs to operate the control unit to drive action of the positioning unit via the rope to hold the movable blade guard in position, thus securing the safety of the operation. In addition, the rotatable handle can be turned smoothly without any barrier.
US07779735B2 Method for causing paper webs to tear off within rewinding machines
Apparatus for causing paper webs to tear off within rewinding machines, the web (2) being provided, at regular intervals, with transverse perforation which subdivide the web into sheets joined to each other but able to be separated in correspondence of said perforation lines, the apparatus comprising means to cause the tearing of the web (2) upon the passage of a perforation line (p) which separates the last sheet of a log (RO) in the course of formation from the first sheet of the next log to be formed, characterized in that the tearing means are of pneumatic type (SP) able to direct a jet of compressed air toward the line (p).
US07779733B1 Glow plug removal method
A method of removing a glow plug from a combustion engine utilizing a hand tool includeing two interconnected arms each being movable with respect to one another and each having a working end and an opposing handle portion. The hand tool may further include an extension body that has a generally tubular configuration. The extension body may have a first body portion and a second body portion wherein the first body portion extends from one of the interconnected arms and wherein the second body portion extends from the other of the interconnected arms and wherein each of the first body portion and the second body portion includes an interior surface that is threaded.
US07779732B2 Screwdriver handle provided with a blade tip storage chamber
Screwdriver handle has a storage chamber for screwdriver bits, the storage chamber being displaceable from a closed position into an open position by axial displacement of two parts of the handle with respect to one another. One handle part has a core, which is disposed in a cavity in the other handle part. The two handle parts are held in the closed position of the storage chamber by latching means movable out of a latching position by pressure on an actuating zone (8) associated with an end side of the handle.
US07779730B2 Hand-operated multi-function tool
A multi-function hand-operated tool that is compact in size and of light weight so as to be carried and used to perform a variety of different jobs by carpenters, painters, do-it-yourselfers, and the like. The tool includes a nail set to transmit a driving force to the head of a nail to cause the nail to be countersunk in a work surface. An open mouth which is sized to receive the cap on a bottle cooperates with a lip that applies a rotational force to remove the cap from the bottle. A nail extractor having a cavity in which to surround and capture the head of a nail transmits a pulling force to the nail head to cause the nail to be removed from a work surface. A channel having a flush-mounted magnet carries a nail to be positioned in upstanding alignment against a work surface so that the nail can be driven therein. A pair of spaced, outwardly projecting teeth are located between a lid and a can to pry the lid off the can. A chalk line is tied to the tool, and the teeth can be either staked in a work surface or located over and against an edge of the work surface so that a chalk mark can be made along the work surface. The teeth are spaced from one another so as to engage and lift a hinge pin from a hinge to which the pin is coupled.
US07779728B2 Orienting arrangement for mirror or light source
An arrangement for orienting a device angularly is provided with a back element on which the device to be oriented is installed. A ball and a spherical gear are arranged concentrically. A base portion has a socket that engages with the ball. Also, a motor having a rotatory shaft is installed on the base portion, and a worm drive element is coupled to the rotatory shaft and arranged to engage the spherical gear when the ball and socket are engaged, whereby the spherical gear is urged along the longitudinal axis of the tapered worm drive element and the tapered worm drive element slides along the gear teeth of the spherical gear. The motor enhances the rigidity of the base portion. The worm drive element and the spherical gear disengage in response to the application of a force through the first spherical gear.
US07779725B2 Modular bearing cage with integrated lubrication pump
A pump housing assembly includes a bearing cage assembly for supporting an input axle and a pump for communicating pressurized lubricant from a sump to specific driveline components. The pump housing assembly is installed to a gear housing that includes a gear assembly for driving axles supported within an axle housing. An input shaft is supported on a first end by the bearing cage within the pump housing assembly. The pump housing includes an inlet that communicates with oil contained within a sump of the gear housing. A rotor pump is driven by rotation of the input shaft to pump oil from the sump into passages defined within the input shaft. The passage within the input shaft communicates lubricant with the desired driveline components at a desired pressure.
US07779721B2 Driving operation input device
A small and low-energy consuming operation input device enabling the adjustment of an operational reaction, comprising a rigidity adjusting mechanism for adjusting the relation of the displacement amount of an input part to the deformation amount of an elastic body by changing the position of the load acting point on the elastic body.
US07779717B2 Steering column assembly having a stopping member for preventing rotation of a tilt mechanism
A steering column assembly and method of preventing rotation of a tilt mechanism relative to a steering column during application of a predetermined force is disclosed. The tilt mechanism is coupled to the steering column and includes a tilt head pivotable about a tilt axis with a lever and a moveable shoe pivotally mounted to the tilt head respectively. The moveable shoe pivots between an engaged position for preventing rotation of the tilt head and a disengaged position for allowing rotation of the tilt head. A stopping member is coupled to at least one of the lever and the tilt head for deforming at least one of the tilt and the lever to maintain the moveable shoe in the engaged position and to prevent the tilt head from pivoting about the tilt axis upon a predetermined force applied to the steering column.
US07779712B2 Double clutch transmission for a motor vehicle
The transmission comprises a gearbox having first and second input shafts coaxial to one another, wherein the second input shaft carries driving gearwheels associated to the even gears (second, fourth and sixth) and to the highest gear (sixth or seventh); and a clutch unit having first and second dry friction clutches arranged to couple a drive shaft of the motor vehicle respectively to the first and second input shafts of the gearbox. The first friction clutch associated to the first input shaft is normally disengaged, whereas the second friction clutch associated to the second input shaft is normally engaged.
US07779704B1 Anti-vibration torque sensing and control device for tools
A torque sensing and control device for tools comprises: a torque sensing and transmitting adapter fabricated with rib structure and mounted on or built in a fastening tool; at least a torque sensor secured on at least a rib evenly spaced and formed on the adapter and operatively sensing a torque signal when applying a torque on a work or object when rotatably operating the fastening tool; and a digital display control module operatively receiving the torque signal, displaying a torque data and generating an audio or visual warning signal for reminding the user for stopping operation of the fastening tool, or for switching off power or air supply to the fastening tool, and or actuating a delay control to restart a next fastening operation in a pre-determined time interval.
US07779694B2 Ultrasonic testing system and ultrasonic testing technique for pipe member
Disclosed are an ultrasonic testing system and an ultrasonic testing technique for a pipe member capable of detecting minute flaws of several hundreds of microns or less located at positions in the wall thickness inside portion of a welded portion of a seam-welded pipe and the like without omission and further easily setting optimum conditions when the size of the pipe is changed. A transmitting beam, which is focused to the welded portion at an oblique angle, is transmitted using a part of the group of transducer elements of a linear array probe as a group of transducer elements for transmission, a receiving beam, which is focused at the focusing position of the transmitting beam at an oblique angle, is formed using the transducer elements of a portion different from the above group of transducer elements for transmission as a group of transducer elements for reception, and a flaw echo is received from the welded portion.
US07779691B2 Acoustic method and apparatus for fracture detection of ball bearings
A method for testing ball bearings includes applying a Hertzian contact stress on a ball bearing to provide a fracture of the ball bearing that releases acoustic energy, establishing a signal representing the acoustic energy, and identifying occurrence of the fracture based upon the signal.
US07779689B2 Multiple axis transducer with multiple sensing range capability
A transducer package 20 includes a substrate 32 having a first axis of symmetry 36 and a second axis of symmetry 38 arranged orthogonal to the first axis of symmetry 36. At least a first sensor 50 and a second sensor 52 each of which are symmetrically arranged on the substrate 32 relative to one of the first and second axes of symmetry 36 and 38.The first and second sensors 50 and 52 are adapted to detect movement parallel to the other of the first and second axes of symmetry 36 and 38. The first sensor 50 is adapted to detect movement over a first sensing range and the second sensor 52 is adapted to detect movement over a second sensing range, the second sensing range differing from the first sensing range.
US07779688B2 Vibration gyro sensor
A vibration gyro sensor, including: a vibrating element; a pair of drive electrodes for driving the vibrating element; at least two detection electrodes for detecting Coriolis force applied to the vibrating element; a monitor circuit coupled with one of the pair of the drive electrodes, so as to output a monitor signal; a drive circuit for amplifying the monitor signal so as to output the amplified signal to the other of the pair of drive electrode; a differential amplifier circuit for differentially amplifying at least two signals obtained from the detection electrodes of the vibrating element, so as to output a differential amplified signal; a synchronous detection circuit for synchronously detecting the differential amplified signal with respect to the monitor signal, so as to output a detected signal; a filter circuit for outputting a filtered signal in which a noise of the detected signal is removed; and a ratiometric circuit which receives the filtered signal varied in proportion to a variation of a power voltage, so as to output a sensitivity signal.
US07779684B2 Apparatus and methods to perform downhole measurements associated with subterranean formation evaluation
A system for testing a subterranean formation penetrated by a well includes a downhole tool configured to be coupled to a work string that includes a tool body having a longitudinal bore for circulating a fluid and at least one aperture configured to receive at least one module. The system further includes a plurality of modules that are each configured to engage the at least one aperture and at least one cavity configured for receiving a probe, and a plurality of probes that each include at least one orifice configured for testing the formation, wherein a first of the plurality of probes has a first configuration and a second of the plurality of probes has a second configuration.
US07779682B2 Dual purpose pressure sensor
A pressure transducer, particularly adapted to measure the pressure in a tire and to enable the tire to be filled includes a first housing, having an internal hollow. Positioned in the hollow of the first housing is a second housing, also having an internal hollow. The second housing is supported within the first housing so that a passageway for airflow exists between the housings. The second housing has a pressure port for monitoring the pressure of a tire. The first housing has an inlet port for receiving a source of pressure. The inlet port contains a valve which is selectively operated. The valve, when operated, permits air to flow into the hollow of the first housing and to flow about the periphery of the second housing to enter the pressure port associated with the second housing. The pressure port may, as indicated, be associated with a tire and the second housing contains a pressure sensing device which monitors the pressure in the tire via the pressure port. In this manner, the pressure in the tire can be monitored while additional air can be added through the valve which air flows around the second housing to enter the tire or other device coupled to the pressure transducer.
US07779668B2 Detectable refrigerant compositions and uses thereof
Disclosed herein are detectable refrigerant compositions, comprising from about 0.001 to about 5 weight percent tracer compositions, which are useful to identify leaking in a vapor compression refrigeration and/or air conditioning system. The presence of the tracers make the refrigerant compositions detectable by chemo/electro-active array, corona discharge, heated diode, electrochemical, photoionization, infrared, ultrasonic and electron capture detectors.
US07779667B2 Device for extracting at least one gas contained in a drilling mud and associated analysis assembly
The inventive device (53) comprises an enclosure (63), means (65) for supplying the drilling mud into the enclosure (63), and means (67) for discharging the drilling mud from the enclosure (63). The device also comprises means (69) for introducing a carrier gas into the enclosure (63) and a pipe (71), which serves to extract the gas discharging into the enclosure (63) and which is connected to suction means (109). The device (53) additionally comprises selective venting means (72) comprising a vent pipe (115) perforated over the extracting pipe (71) and means (117) for closing the vent pipe (115). These means (117) are designed for opening the vent pipe (115) when the pressure at at least one point (121) of the device is less than a predetermined set value. The invention is used for analyzing the gaseous content of muds from drilling oil wells.
US07779661B2 Cooling apparatus for a hot rolled steel strip and methods for cooling a hot rolled steel strip
A cooling apparatus for a hot rolled steel strip including a top surface cooling means provided above a hot rolled steel strip which is transferred with transfer rollers; and a bottom surface cooling means provided below the hot rolled steel strip, each of the top surface cooling means and the bottom surface cooling means including a protective member having at least one cooling water passage hole; at least one cooling water header opposing the hot rolled steel strip separated by the protective member; and cooling water jetting nozzles protruding from the cooling water header, wherein the tips of the cooling water jetting nozzles are disposed farther from the hot rolled steel strip than the surface, opposing the hot rolled steel strip, of the protective member.
US07779659B2 Door handle device
A door handle device is provided with: a handle member 10; a handle frame member 20 swingably supporting the handle member 10, the handle frame member being fixed to a door 50; and a key cylinder cover 49 integrated with a key cylinder device 30 capable of locking the door 50. The handle member 10 has a swing center axis O about which the handle member 10 swings relative to the handle frame member 20. On the slide center axis O, an engagement pin 14 is interposed between the handle member 10 and the key cylinder cover 49.
US07779655B2 Knit-by-design method and fabric
The invention provides a method for knitting fabric with bare spandex comprising: providing bare spandex yarn; providing hard yarn; drafting the bare spandex; knitting fabric from the hard yarn and the drafted bare spandex with the hard yarn and the drafted bare spandex plated in every course; and contacting the knit fabric with a continuous phase aqueous solution under conditions of temperature and pressure for a time sufficient to set the bare spandex without heating the knit fabric on a tenter frame above 160° C. in air having a relative humidity of less than 50%. The invention further provides a bare spandex-containing knit fabric containing spandex in every knit course that has been exposed to manufacturing process temperature no higher than 160° C. as shown by molecular weight analysis of the spandex and that exhibits wash shrinkage of less than about 14%.
US07779654B2 Knitted spacer fabric and method for the production thereof
A knitted spacer fabric includes an upper textile, a lower textile and mutually crossing supporting threads arranged between the upper textile and the lower textile which connect the upper and the lower textiles to one another. Portions of the supporting threads are connected to one another at crossing points.
US07779651B2 Process for manufacturing a micro-structured optical fibre
In a process for manufacturing a micro-structured optical fibre, an intermediate preform is made by forming a sol; pouring the sol in a cylindrical mould including a set of structural generating elements defining internal structural elements of the intermediate preform; transforming the sol into a gel so as to obtain a cylindrical gel body defining the intermediate preform; and removing the cylindrical intermediate preform from the mould.
US07779649B2 Glass container forming machine
A blow head mechanism for an I.S. machine wherein the blow head has a final blow tube. The final blow tube is supported for vertical displacement between an up position where the open end of the final blow tube is proximate the top of a blown parison and a down position where the open end of the final blow tube is proximate the bottom of a blown parison. The final blow tube is oscillated a plurality of times during the time when the blow head is “on”.