| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US07794656B2 |
Device for handling and analysis of a biological sample
An apparatus for detection of an analyte of interest in a solid, semi-solid, or liquid biological sample, using a lateral flow assay test strip, is described. The apparatus minimizes sample handling and manipulation upon introduction of the sample into a sample-receiving chamber and transfer of the sample to a test chamber containing the assay strip. |
| US07794652B2 |
Noble dental alloy
A dental prosthesis may be cast and machined from a cobalt-, iron- and/or nickel-chromium base dental alloy comprising at least 25% metal selected from the group consisting of ruthenium, platinum, palladium, iridium, osmium, rhodium, and gold wherein the major portion or at least 15%, whichever is larger, of metal in this group is ruthenium; from 15 to 30% chromium; and a principal balance of metal selected from the group consisting of iron. nickel and cobalt. |
| US07794647B1 |
Method of selective laser sintering with improved materials
A method of providing improved powder materials for selective laser sintering (SLS). and related sintering including High Speed Sintering and Selective Inhibition Sintering, processing by orienting a polymer material. The improved materials increase the melting temperature thus increasing the process temperature window, reduce or eliminate amorphous regions thus reducing water absorption, reduce the toughness thus making size reduction easier, and increase heat of fusion. The orientation may be accomplished by deforming the polymer by drawing, rolling, machining, equal channel angular extrusion or similar processes, or by a high shear two roll mill. |
| US07794644B2 |
Thin-walled optical obturator
The invention is directed to a method for manufacturing a thin-wall, single-piece optical obturator having an integral tip and shaft. The invention includes providing an injection mold defining a mold cavity having a core pin positioned within the mold cavity. The mold includes at least one gate and multiple core support pins between the core pin and the mold cavity walls, with at least one primary core support pin positioned on a side opposite the at least one gate. The method also includes injecting a transparent molten polymeric material having high flow properties into the injection mold such that the polymeric material flows between the surface of the mold cavity and the core pin. The core support pins substantially prevent the core pin from shifting while the polymeric material is injected into the mold. The high-flow nature of the polymeric material allows for complete filling of the mold cavity. |
| US07794639B2 |
Method for manufacturing carbon nanotube composite
A method for manufacturing a carbon nanotube composite, comprising the steps of:(a) preparing a solution of a polymer precursor; (b) immersing carbon nanotubes in the solution and ultrasonically cleaning the solution; (c) polymerizing the polymer precursor in order to obtain a polymer matrix having carbon nanotubes uniformly dispersed therein; (d) forming the polymer matrix into a composite having carbon nanotubes distributed therein by way of extrusion; and (e) elongating the composite so as to cause the carbon nanotubes to be orderly distributed therein. |
| US07794638B2 |
Transferring resin for forming fastener products
Method and apparatus for making fastener products (117) having molded projections (110) or other molded features carried on a surface (130) feature a transfer device (135) having an outer surface with at least one transfer area (H) relatively raised with respect to another area (L) of the outer surface of the device. |
| US07794630B2 |
Lithium dispenser for lithium evaporation
Mixtures are provided of lithium salts with reducing agents for lithium evaporation. The mixtures may be particularly used in the manufacture of electroluminescent organic displays. Lithium dispensers based on the use of these mixtures are also provided. |
| US07794622B2 |
Preparation method of a liquid crystal film having uniaxial alignment and liquid crystal device
Disclosed is a method for preparation of a liquid crystal film having uniaxial alignment, comprising steps of: elevating temperature of a substrate coated with a nanostructure formed of liquid crystal molecules to a value sufficient to alter the nanostructure into a liquid phase; and decreasing the temperature to another value sufficient to again alter the liquid phase into a liquid crystal phase in the presence of a magnetic field to horizontally align the nanostructure of liquid crystal molecules. |
| US07794620B2 |
Cholesteric monolayers and monolayer pigments with particular properties, their production and use
The invention provides novel cholesteric monolayers and pigments obtained therefrom with high brilliance and viewing angle-dependent color change (color-flop/tilt effect) with additional particular properties such as magnetizability, conductivity, fluorescence, phosphorescence and increased hiding power, a process for their production and their use. |
| US07794619B2 |
Refrigeration lubricant composition and refrigerant working fluid composition
A refrigeration lubricant composition contains an ester compound obtained from a polyol and a fatty acid, and a five- or six-membered ring cyclic ether compound having a side chain with an ester bonding. The content of the cyclic ether compound is adjusted to 0.01 to 5 parts by mass based on 100 parts by mass of the ester compound. |
| US07794618B2 |
Azeotrope-like compositions of pentafluoropropene and 1,1,1,2,2-pentafluoropropane
The present invention provides azeotrope-like compositions of 1,1,1,2,2-pentafluoropropane (HFC-245cb) with either the Z isomer of 1,1,1,2,3-pentafluoropropene (HFO-1225yeZ) alone or with mixtures of the E and Z isomers of 1,1,1,2,3-pentafluoropropene (HFO-1225 yeZ and HFO-1225 yeE) and uses thereof, including use in refrigerant compositions, refrigeration systems, blowing agent compositions, and aerosol propellants, and in process for separating azeotrope-like mixtures. |
| US07794615B2 |
Plasma processing method and apparatus, and autorunning program for variable matching unit
A plasma processing apparatus includes an upper matching unit 44 which is a variable matching unit whose impedance can be varied, and a main controller 100. The upper matching unit 44 includes a controller 104 for variably controlling the impedance positions of a variable reactance element of a matching circuit 102, a RF sensor for measuring a load impedance including the matching circuit 102, and a VPP measuring circuit 112 for measuring a peak value (peak-to-peak value) of a radio frequency voltage in a waveguide line at the output side of the upper matching unit 44. The main controller 100 executes and controls an autorunning of the matching units 44, 88 for optimizing an off preset of the impedance positions thereof. The plasma can be readily get ignited without requiring to set or change special processing conditions while influencing none of the processes. |
| US07794613B2 |
Method of fabricating printhead having hydrophobic ink ejection face
A method of fabricating a printhead having a hydrophobic ink ejection face is provided. The method comprises the steps of: (a) providing a partially-fabricated printhead comprising a plurality of nozzle chambers and a relatively hydrophilic nozzle surface, the nozzle surface at least partially defining the ink ejection face; (b) depositing a layer of relatively hydrophobic polymeric material onto the nozzle surface, the polymeric material being resistant to removal by ashing; and (c) defining a plurality of nozzle openings in the nozzle surface, thereby providing a printhead having a relatively hydrophobic ink ejection face. Steps (b) and (c) may be performed in any order. |
| US07794611B2 |
Micropump for integrated device for biological analyses
A micropump includes a body (10) of semiconductor material, accommodating fluid-tight chambers (32), having an internal preset pressure, lower than atmospheric pressure. The fluid-tight chambers (32), sealed by a diaphragm (35) that can be electrically opened, are selectively openable using a first electrode (37) and second electrodes (38), accommodating between them portions of the diaphragm (35). |
| US07794607B2 |
Composition and method for enhanced sanitation and oxidation of aqueous systems
Compositions and methods for their use are presented that substantially increase the rate of inactivation of microbiological organisms, especially those resistant to inactivation from free halogen based sanitizers, and oxidation of oxidation resistant organic based compounds in aqueous solution. Aquatic facilities susceptible to accumulation of organic N-chloramines, cyanuric acid and other oxidation resistant compounds, as well as oxidation resistant parasitic organisms such as cryptosporidium and Giardia, obtain dramatic improvements in the rate of oxidation and subsequent inactivation of these undesirable contaminants. |
| US07794605B2 |
Horizontal belt filter with vacuum pan alignment
A mechanism in a horizontal belt filter controls the position of the drainage belt to ensure its alignment with the vacuum pan. A section of belt rollers supporting the drainage belt is mounted on a movable structure capable of shifting the rollers laterally to the degree necessary to compensate for misalignments between the drain holes and the vacuum pan. The control operation is implemented with a detector capable of sensing the position of the drain holes in the belt with respect to the vacuum pan. A signal is sent to an actuator that causes the belt rollers to move laterally in the direction required to maintain alignment of the drain holes with the vacuum pan. A dual-drive system is preferably utilized to provide a more uniform force distribution along the drive pulley and to increase torque, thereby also advantageously increasing the capacity of the filter. |
| US07794598B2 |
Bioreactor and method for the biological purification of water
The invention relates to a bioreactor (1) for the purification of waters, said reactor comprising a cross-sectionally essentially circular or elliptical tank section (2) provided with inlet means (5) for water to be purified and outlet means (6) for purified water. The tank holds thereinside carrier material (3) on which a biofilm may develop. The tank is further provided with means (4) for supplying a fluid which contains a reaction gas required by the purification process, such that the water to be purified develops gas bubbles containing a reaction gas. The tank section is adapted to be essentially full of water during the purification process. The fluid supply means (4) are disposed on the tank wall and the reactor comprises control means for operating the fluid supply means in such a way that a spinning motion of the carrier, the water, and at least some of said reaction-gas bearing bubbles is effected thereby around a rotation centerline passing essentially through the tank's cross-sectional center. The control means are adapted to optionally effect a deactivation of the fluid supply means at desired times and/or a replacement of the fluid with an oxygen-free fluid for providing an anaerobic process. The invention relates also to a method for the biological purification of waters in a bioreactor. |
| US07794597B2 |
Treatment of waste mixture containing liquids and solids
A facility for treating solid and liquid waste includes a receiving station, a screening station, a preprocessing station, a press station and a processing station. The screening station is connected to an inlet capable of receiving liquid and solid waste and includes a screen for capturing at least some of the solid waste. The preprocessing station is in fluid communication with the screening station, and includes a degrit chamber for settling out an additional amount of the solids. The press station included at least one alkali mixing tank and a screw press for separating out an additional portion of the solids. The processing station includes at least one aerobic microorganism generating unit for converting nitrites into nitrogen gas and consuming carbon-based waste material. |
| US07794596B2 |
Method and apparatus for waste water treatment
A method for treating wastewater wherein the wastewater is introduced in prescribed doses of wastewater to a first treatment zone, establishing a negative pressure gradient using mechanical ventilation within said zone causing exhaust air flow to remove gases and promote evaporation in the zone. Excess wastewater passing through the zone is collected and reintroduced. The zone contains particulate material with a large wetted surface area covered in a microbiological slime layer. |
| US07794595B2 |
Method for encapsulation, remediation and recovery of spilled oil
Diacylglycerol PEGs (DAG-PEGs) are used remediate oil contaminations. DA-PEGs encapsulate the oil into lipsomes in an aqueous environment. The lipsomes sequester the oil from causing damage. |
| US07794594B2 |
Filter module
The invention relates to a filter module (1) comprising filters layers (4a, b) made of a filter medium, especially comprising filter layers made of filter strata. Said filter layers alternate with layers made of draining spacer elements 910, 10a, b, 20), the first and last layer of the filter module (1) consisting respectively of a draining spacer element (10a, b, 20). The draining spacer elements respectively and mutually comprise flow elements (12a, b) and sealing elements (11a, b) for the filtrate chamber and the non-filtrate chamber (40, 41). Means are provided for the mutual connection thereof. The aim of the filter module (1) is to combine the advantages of known filter modules with improved sealing at the edges of the filter layers, and to make the filter module backwashable. The filter module (1) comprises draining spacer elements (10, 10a, b, 20) which are embodied in such a way that they enable the filter layers to be pressed in a sealing manner. At least some of the draining spacer elements (10, 10a, b, 20) comprise connecting means in the region of at least one filtrate chamber or non-filtrate chamber (40, 41), which co-operate with the connecting means of at least one other spacer element. The connecting means include lugs, stirrup straps (16a, b, 23a, b), and T and arrow-shaped catch elements. In this way, a stable and both backwashable filter module (1) is created. |
| US07794590B2 |
Entrapping immobilization pellets for purifying breeding water, process and apparatus for purifying breeding water, and aquarium set
Entrapping immobilization pellets for purifying breeding water in an aquarium to breed aquatic animals, wherein microorganisms are entrapped and immobilized in an aqueous polymer gel and the entrapping immobilization pellets are colored. |
| US07794588B2 |
Hydrocarbon conversion process to decrease polyaromatics
A process is provided for producing low sulfur diesel having a reduced poly-aromatic level where at least a portion of the poly-aromatics are converted to mono-aromatics. In one aspect, the process separates the temperature and pressure requirements for obtaining low levels of sulfur from the temperature and pressure requirements to saturate poly-aromatics to mono-aromatics. By one approach, the process first converts a diesel boiling range hydrocarbon stream in a hydrotreating zone at conditions effective to produce a hydrotreating zone effluent having a reduced concentration of sulfur with minimal saturation of poly-aromatics. Hydrogen is then admixed in the hydrotreating zone effluent or at least a portion thereof, which is then reacted in a substantially liquid-phase continuous reaction zone to effect saturation of poly-aromatics to provide a liquid-phase continuous reaction zone effluent having a reduced level of poly-aromatics relative to the diesel feed. |
| US07794587B2 |
Method to alter coke morphology using metal salts of aromatic sulfonic acids and/or polysulfonic acids
A method for altering coke morphology in a delayed coking process of heavy oil is provided. An effective amount of oil dispersible or oil soluble metal salts of aromatic sulfonic acids and/or polysulfonic acids is added or contacted with the resid or heavy oil at a point before or after the step of heating the heavy oil to coking temperatures. The addition of additives facilitates the formation of shot coke and inhibits the formation of sponge coke. |
| US07794586B2 |
Viscoelastic upgrading of heavy oil by altering its elastic modulus
A method for upgrading the viscoelastic properties of a heavy oil by altering its elastic modulus. An effective amount of one or more elastic modulus lowering agents are used, wherein preferred elastic modulus lowering agents include mineral and organic acids and bases, preferably strong bases, such as hydroxides of metals selected from the alkali and alkaline-earth metals. |
| US07794585B2 |
Hydrocarbon conversion process
Methods of hydroprocessing hydrocarbon streams are provided that employ substantially liquid-phase hydroprocessing conditions. In one aspect, the method includes directing a hydrocarbonaceous feed stock to a first substantially liquid-phase hydroprocessing zone wherein an effluent from the first substantially liquid-phase hydroprocessing zone is directed to a second substantially liquid-phase hydroprocessing zone generally undiluted with other hydrocarbon streams. In another aspect, the method recycles a liquid portion of a liquid hydrocarbonaceous effluent from the second substantially liquid-phase hydroprocessing zone, which preferably includes an amount of hydrogen dissolved therein, to the hydrocarbonaceous feed stock so that the feed to the first substantially liquid-phase hydroprocessing zone has a relatively larger concentration of dissolved hydrogen relative to the hydrocarbonaceous feed stock. |
| US07794583B2 |
Synergistic corrosion management systems for controlling, eliminating and/or managing corrosion
The present invention generally relates to synergistic corrosion management systems designed to deliver two or more different types of corrosion inhibiting compounds (e.g., two or more different types of corrosion inhibiting compounds) to an enclosure, and to method for using same. More specifically, the present invention relates to synergistic corrosion management systems designed to eliminate, manage, control and/or mitigate corrosion in containers, enclosures, cisterns and/or storage tanks (e.g., above ground storage tanks). In one embodiment, the present invention utilizes a combination of at least one cathodic-based corrosion prevention or mitigation system, at least one soluble corrosion inhibitor, and at least one volatile or vapor phase corrosion inhibitor. In another embodiment, the present invention utilizes a combination of at least one cathodic corrosion prevention or mitigation system, at least one soluble corrosion inhibitor, and at least one volatile or vapor phase corrosion inhibitor to control, mitigate and/or eliminate corrosion in the bottom portions of above ground storage tanks. |
| US07794581B2 |
Process for the surface treatment of a component, and apparatus for the surface treatment of a component
Components which are subject to operating loads can often be passed for refurbishment by means of an acid treatment. The time for which the components remain in the acid has hitherto been determined empirically, which means that individual loads are not taken into account. The process according to the invention for the surface treatment of a component proposes that at least repeatedly a measurement voltage be applied to the component, resulting in the flow of a current, the time profile of which represents the state of the surface treatment and is used to decide upon when to terminate or interrupt the acid treatment. |
| US07794580B2 |
Thermal and electrochemical process for metal production
A method of winning a metal from its oxide ore by heating the ore in a partial vacuum or under an inert atmosphere in the presence of a reductant. The resulting product may be further reduced electrochemically to produce a purer metal. |
| US07794579B2 |
Production of chlorates and derivative chemicals from ammonium perchlorate
A process for the production of chlorates and derivative chemicals from ammonium perchlorate as a starting material. Ammonia is produced in a first step wherein a metal hydroxide is reacted with ammonium perchlorate to produce ammonia and a metal perchlorate. If the metal hydroxide used is sodium hydroxide, sodium perchlorate is formed. The ammonia generated is recovered and sent to a reformer to produce hydrogen which is used to fuel a fuel cell that generates water and electrical energy to run an electrochemical reactor where the metal perchlorate is converted to a metal chlorate and derivative chemicals. |
| US07794578B2 |
Method for preparing a circuit board material having a conductive base and a resistance layer
A plating bath, able to form a resistance layer with a uniform thickness distribution on the roughened surface of a conductive base, including nickel ions and sulfamic acid or its salt as essential components and at least one of phosphoric acid, phosphorous acid, hypophosphorous acid, and salts of the same; a conductive base having a thin resistance layer with a stable resistance, and a resistance circuit board material using the same. |
| US07794576B2 |
Protein resolution enhancement by using matrix containing DMSO
An electrophoresis gel matrix is provided for conducting proteomics, in particular the steps of separating and/or identifying proteins. The matrix comprises at least one chemical reagent being at least one of a denaturing, buffering, disaggregating, reducing, staining or dissolving reagent, and a volume of dimethylsulfoxide. The use of such a matrix, which is provided to be filled into an electrophoresis capillary being part of a microfluidic device for carrying out proteomics, leads to an enhanced resolution of proteins. The matrix is prepared adding a volume of dimethylsulfoxide ranging from 4% to 15%, preferably from 5% to 10%, most preferably from 6% to 8% with respect to the total volume of chemical reagents being comprised in the matrix. A method is provided for preparation of the matrix for conducting proteomics and a method is conducted to carry out proteomics by the use of this matrix. |
| US07794575B2 |
Monitoring of gas sensors
A monitor is disclosed for monitoring an atmosphere for the presence of a target gas. The monitor includes an electrical gas sensor having a working (sensing) electrode and a counter electrode, an operational amplifier connected between the sensor electrodes, a detector, and a circuit. The sensor provides a current between the electrodes that is indicative of the amount of a target gas in the atmosphere. The operational amplifier generates an output signal according to the current flowing between the terminals where the output signal is indicative of the amount of target gas in the atmosphere. The detector detects when the current flowing between the sensor electrodes exceeds a predetermined threshold. The circuit restricts the potential difference between the sensor electrodes when the current between the terminals exceeds the predetermined threshold by supplying additional current or removing current from the working sensor electrode. |
| US07794573B2 |
Systems and methods for electrochemically processing microfeature workpieces
Systems and methods for electrochemically processing microfeature workpieces are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a system includes (a) a processing unit having a first flow system configured to convey a flow of a first processing fluid to a microfeature workpiece, (b) an electrode unit having an electrode and a second flow system configured to convey a flow of a second processing fluid at least proximate to the electrode, (c) a barrier between the processing unit and the electrode unit to separate the first and second processing fluids, and (d) a water balance unit for maintaining the concentration of water in the first processing fluid within a desired range. |
| US07794570B2 |
Headbox apparatus for a papermaking machine
A headbox apparatus is disclosed for a papermaking machine. The headbox apparatus defines a flow path for stock flowing between an upstream header and a downstream slice lip. The apparatus includes a plurality of elements which are anchored within the flow path between the header and the slice lip. Each element and an adjacent element of the plurality of elements defines therebetween a flow tube for the flow therethrough of the stock. The flow tube has an upstream portion and a downstream portion that gradually widens in a direction from the header to the slice lip. |
| US07794569B2 |
Support band
A support band for a drying arrangement for drying one of a paper, a board, a tissue and a fibrous web in a papermaking machine for at least one of producing and finishing the same, the support band including a water-impermeable sealing layer and at least one water-absorbing storage layer. The at least one water-absorbing storage layer being adjacent to the water-impermeable sealing layer. At least one of the water-impermeable sealing layer or the water-absorbing storage layer being made, at least partially, of a highly thermally conductive material. |
| US07794567B2 |
Uncoated facestock for adhesive-backed labels
Disclosed is an uncoated facestock product having enhanced printability, holdout, and edge wick properties, which are attained through a combination of manufacturing techniques including increased refining of the furnish, sizing, increased hard nip calendering, and the use of extended nip calendering. The resulting uncoated facestock product has the following properties: a density between about 0.7 and 1.0 g/cc and/or an ash content of less than about 15% as measured by the 525° C. standard test method; and a finished surface having a Sheffield smoothness between about 50 and 150 Sheffield units and a Parker Print Surf roughness (PPS-10) less than about 5.0 microns. |
| US07794565B2 |
Method of making low slough tissue products
The present invention is a soft tissue sheet having reduced lint and slough. The tissue sheet comprises papermaking fibers and a synthetic co-copolymer. The synthetic co-polymer has the general structure: wherein R1, R2, R3 are independently selected from a group consisting of: H; C1-4 alkyl radicals; and, mixtures thereof; R4 is selected from a group consisting of C1-C8 alkyl radicals and mixtures thereof; Z1 is a bridging radical attaching the R4 functionality to the polymer backbone; and, Q1 is a functional group containing at least a cationic quaternary ammonium radical. w, x, y≧1 and the mole ratio of x to (x+y) is about 0.5 or greater. |
| US07794563B2 |
Etching depth measuring device, etching apparatus, and etching depth measuring method
An etching depth measuring device for measuring the etching depth of an object to be processed, when etching the object to be processed by using active species present in a plasma, the etching depth measuring device comprising: a chamber in which is formed an introduction port for introducing a part of the active species; a member to be processed which is housed in the chamber and etched by the part of the active species; and a mass detecting element which receives a substance generated from the member to be processed and detects the mass of the received substance. |
| US07794562B2 |
Method of manufacturing a chemical mechanical polishing pad
A method of manufacturing a chemical mechanical polishing pad is provided, comprising: providing a polishing layer; providing a chemical mechanical polishing pad manufacturing assembly, comprising: a subpad layer having a top surface, a bottom surface and at least two wrap around tabs; a backing plate having a top side and a bottom side; a sacrificial layer having at least two recessed areas designed to facilitate attachment of the subpad layer to the backing plate; an unset reactive hot melt adhesive applied to the top surface of the subpad layer, wherein the unset reactive hot melt adhesive is applied in a pattern of parallel lines; wherein the subpad layer is disposed on the top side of the backing plate and the sacrificial layer is disposed on the bottom side of the backing plate, and wherein the at least two wrap around tabs extend to the bottom side of the backing plate; stacking the polishing layer and the chemical mechanical polishing pad manufacturing assembly with the unset reactive hot melt adhesive interposed between the polishing layer and the subpad layer forming a stack; applying an axial force to the stack; allowing the unset reactive hot melt adhesive to set forming a reactive hot melt adhesive bond between the subpad layer and the polishing layer; separating the at least two wrap around tabs from the subpad layer; and, removing the subpad layer with the polishing layer bonded thereto from the backing plate. |
| US07794560B2 |
Method and system of sheet-wise binding of documents
A method and system for binding of sheets includes providing an adhesive layer supported on a first side of a backing material. Plural sheets are accumulated against the adhesive layer, and heat is applied to a side of the adhesive layer adjacent the backing material to locally melt only a portion of the adhesive layer in a vicinity of an additional sheet accumulated against the adhesive layer. |
| US07794558B2 |
Method of bonding fluororesin films, and fluororesin film
A method for bonding fluororesin films, a wide fluororesin film obtained by the method, and a covering material for agricultural use, made thereof, are presented. A method of bonding films (A), wherein two sheets of films (A) made of a fluororesin, are disposed so that their edges overlap each other, a central part (b1) of the overlapping portion (B) is press-bonded under heating at a temperature within a range of from lower by 5° C. to higher by 20° C. than the melting point of the fluororesin, and then the entire area of the portion (B) is press-bonded at a temperature within a range of from lower by 30° C. to lower by more than 5° C., than the melting point, to weld the two sheets of films (A); a wide fluororesin film obtained by the method; and a covering material for agricultural use, made thereof. |
| US07794553B2 |
Thermoplastically processable amorphous metals and methods for processing same
High strength, thermoplastically processable (TPF) amorphous alloys composed of Beryllium and at least one ETM and at least one LTM, as well as methods of processing such alloys are provided. The TPF alloys of the invention demonstrate good glass forming ability, low viscosity in the supercooled liquid region (SCLR), a low processing temperature, and a long processing time at that temperature before crystallization. |
| US07794549B2 |
Drip shield for a drawer-type dishwasher
A drip shield is mounted to a drawer of a drawer-type dishwasher so as to extend along an outer rear surface of the drawer and catch droplets of washing fluid falling from a lid of the dishwasher. The drip shield includes a shelf that extends between up-turned wall portions. The shelf is angled away from the tub so that any droplets of washing fluid that may fall onto the drip shield will migrate away from the drawer. The shelf is also formed such that first and second end portions are positioned higher than a central or intermediate portion. This construction forces the droplets of washing fluid to collect in a centralized drain point from where the droplets of water can be guided to a controlled location. |
| US07794547B2 |
Flue pan washer for maple sugar evaporator
The present invention is directed to an automatic washer system mounted within a maple sugar evaporator above the rear flue pan for removing niter and sediment built up during the boiling of sap. The evaporator comprises a furnace, a steam hood, a pan and a nozzle for washing the pan. The steam hood extends over the furnace. The pan is mounted to the furnace and under the steam hood. The nozzle is mounted over the pan. Cleaning fluid is sprayed from the nozzle to clean the pan by an automated process. |
| US07794546B2 |
Sealing device and method for a processing system
A method, computer readable medium, and system for treating a substrate in a process space of a processing system that is vacuum isolated from a transfer space of the processing system is described. A sealing device is disposed between a first chamber assembly configured to define the process space and a second chamber assembly configured to define the transfer space. When the sealing device is engaged, vacuum isolation is provided between the process space and the transfer space. The sealing device comprises two or more contact ridges with one or more pockets formed therebetween. When the sealing device is engaged between the first chamber assembly and the second chamber assembly, gas is trapped in the one or more pockets. This trapped gas assists the release of the sealing device upon disengagement of the sealing device between the first chamber assembly and the second chamber assembly. |
| US07794543B2 |
Method of growing GaN crystal, method of producing single crystal GaN substrate, and single crystal GaN substrate
A low dislocation density GaN single crystal substrate is made by forming a seed mask having parallel stripes regularly and periodically aligning on an undersubstrate, growing a GaN crystal on a facet-growth condition, forming repetitions of parallel facet hills and facet valleys rooted upon the mask stripes, maintaining the facet hills and facet valleys, producing voluminous defect accumulating regions (H) accompanying the valleys, yielding low dislocation single crystal regions (Z) following the facets, making C-plane growth regions (Y) following flat tops between the facets, gathering dislocations on the facets into the valleys by the action of the growing facets, reducing dislocations in the low dislocation single crystal regions (Z) and the C-plane growth regions (Y), and accumulating the dislocations in cores (S) or interfaces (K) of the voluminous defect accumulating regions (H). |
| US07794542B2 |
Bulk single crystal gallium nitride and method of making same
A single crystal M*N article, which may be made by a process including the steps of: providing a substrate of material having a crystalline surface which is epitaxially compatible with M*N; depositing a layer of single crystal M*N over the surface of the substrate; and removing the substrate from the layer of single crystal M*N, e.g., with an etching agent which is applied to the substrate to remove same, to yield the layer of single crystal M*N as said single crystal M*N article. The bulk single crystal M*N article is suitable for use as a substrate for the fabrication of microelectronic structures thereon, to produce microelectronic devices comprising bulk single crystal M*N substrates, or precursor structures thereof. |
| US07794541B2 |
Gallium nitride-based material and method of manufacturing the same
Disclosed is a method of manufacturing a GaN-based material having high thermal conductivity. A gallium nitride-based material is grown by HVPE (Hydride Vapor Phase Epitaxial Growth) by supplying a carrier gas (G1) containing H2 gas, GaCl gas (G2), and NH3 gas (G3) to a reaction chamber (10), and setting the growth temperature at 900 (° C.) (inclusive) to 1,200 (° C.) (inclusive), the growth pressure at 8.08×104 (Pa) (inclusive) to 1.21×105 (Pa) (inclusive), the partial pressure of the GaCl gas (G2) at 1.0×104 (Pa) (inclusive) to 1.0×104 (Pa) (inclusive), and the partial pressure of the NH3 gas (G3) at 9.1×102 (Pa) (inclusive) to 2.0×104 (Pa) (inclusive). |
| US07794540B2 |
Method of manufacturing a semiconductor device
Method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, in which on a region of silicon oxide (5) situated next to a region of monocrystalline silicon (4) at the surface (3) of a semiconductor body (1), a non-monocrystalline auxiliary layer (8) is formed. The auxiliary layer is formed in two steps. In the first step, the silicon body is heated in an atmosphere comprising a gaseous arsenic compound; in the second step it is heated in an atmosphere comprising a gaseous silicon compound instead of said arsenic compound. Thus, the regions of silicon oxide are provided with an amorphous or polycrystalline silicon seed layer in a self-aligned manner. |
| US07794539B2 |
Method for producing III group element nitride crystal, production apparatus for use therein, and semiconductor element produced thereby
A method for producing Group-III-element nitride crystals by which an improved growth rate is obtained and large high-quality crystals can be grown in a short time, a producing apparatus used therein, and a semiconductor element obtained using the method and the apparatus are provided. The method is a method for producing Group-III-element nitride crystals that includes a crystal growth process of subjecting a material solution containing a Group III element, nitrogen, and at least one of alkali metal and alkaline-earth metal to pressurizing and heating under an atmosphere of a nitrogen-containing gas so that the nitrogen and the Group III element in the material solution react with each other to grow crystals. The method further includes, prior to the crystal growth process, a material preparation process of preparing the material solution in a manner that under an atmosphere of a nitrogen-containing gas, at least one of an ambient temperature and an ambient pressure is set so as to be higher than is set as a condition for the crystal growth process so that the nitrogen is allowed to dissolve in a melt containing the Group III element and the at least one of alkali metal and alkaline-earth metal. The method according to the present invention can be performed by using, for example, the producing apparatus shown in FIG. 7. |
| US07794538B2 |
Self-assembly method, opal, photonic band gap, and light source
A suspension of particles is rapidly self-assembled with a minimal number of defects into a three-dimensional array of particles onto a substrate under simultaneous sedimentating and annealing forces. This array of particles may be ordered as an opal structure. Optionally, the synthesized structure may incorporate an electrolyte into the suspension and be used as a sacrificial form for micromoulding an inverse structure. The inverse structure may exhibit a photonic band gap. Optionally, necking and material composition may be adjusted after micromoulding. These structures are useful to a wide variety of applications. The photonic band gap structure may be heated to function as a light source. The light source may be fitted into standard sockets. |
| US07794536B2 |
Method for manufacturing pigment dispersion
A method is provided for pigment dispersion. The method includes preparing a solution in which the pigment is dissolved in an organic acid, preparing a reaction liquid capable of decreasing the solubility of the pigment in the solution, and mixing the solution and the reaction liquid in the presence of an additive represented by a General Formula (1) below, CmH2m+1(OCH2CH2)nOH (1) wherein m is an integer higher than 14 and lower than 18, and n is an integer equal to or higher than 15 and equal to or lower than 25. |
| US07794533B2 |
Oil-based ink composition for writing utensil and writing utensil employing the same
The present invention provides an ink composition containing an olefinic wax dispersion added so as to impart smooth writing properties without causing starving at the starting of writing, and the ink composition has noticeably improved stability over time. The present invention provides an oil-based ink composition comprising a solvent selected from the group consisting of a monohydric alcohol, a polyhydric alcohol and glycol ether, and a colorant selected from the group consisting of a pigment, a dye, and a mixture of the pigment and the dye, the oil-based ink composition further comprising a dispersion of reprecipitated olefinic wax particles. |
| US07794531B2 |
Organic solderability preservative comprising high boiling temperature alcohol
An organic solderability preservative (OSP) composition comprising an alkyl cyclic alcohol and an azole compound having enhanced composition stability against crystallization of the azole compound. |
| US07794530B2 |
Electroless deposition of cobalt alloys
Systems and methods for electroless deposition of a cobalt-alloy layer on a copper surface include a solution characterized by a low pH. This solution may include, for example, a cobalt(II) salt, a complexing agent including at least two amine groups, a pH adjuster configured to adjust the pH to below 7.0, and a reducing agent. In some embodiments, the cobalt-alloy is configured to facilitate bonding and copper diffusion characteristics between the copper surface and a dielectric in an integrated circuit. |
| US07794526B2 |
Advanced methane and ammonia recovery system
An advanced methane and ammonia recovery system captures gaseous waste produced by domestic livestock to reduce the release of greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere and to generate energy. The system includes a gas capture system residing at a peak of a barn. At large commercial operations, the captured gasses pass through a separator to separate methane from ammonia gas. The ammonia is processed to obtain a fertilizer. The methane is stored in a tank, and drawn from the tank to provide fuel for an electrical generator. At smaller operations, the captured gasses may be stored in a tank for periodic collection by a tanker truck or other transportation, or where economically feasible, piped to a central processing location. The system is designed to substantially reduce the amount of methane gas released into the environment while providing additional income to the domestic livestock operations. |
| US07794516B2 |
Filter bag mounting assembly
A filter bag includes a bag structure of filter material. A panel is adhered to the bag structure and has a fill opening. A securing tab is attached by a hinge to the panel. The panel is configured to have a mounted position in which a fill tube projects through the fill opening into the bag structure to exhaust air into the bag structure. The panel can be secured in the mounted position by the attachment tab being manually pivoted about the hinge into attachment with an attachment structure coupled to the fill tube. |
| US07794515B2 |
Cyclone separating apparatus for vacuum cleaner
A cyclone separating apparatus for a vacuum cleaner includes a first cyclone with an air entrance disposed on a lower portion of the first cyclone and an air exit disposed at an upper portion of the first cyclone; a first contaminants chamber substantially enclosing the first cyclone to collect contaminants discharged from the first cyclone; a plurality of second cyclones above the first cyclone, the plurality of second cyclones being substantially perpendicular to a center axis of the first cyclone; and a second contaminants chamber disposed outside the first contaminants chamber to collect contaminants discharged from the plurality of second cyclones. |
| US07794514B2 |
Two-stage gasification apparatus coupled with heat recovery and washing and its applications
A two-stage gasification apparatus coupled with heat recovery and washing includes a columnar shell (7), an entrained flow gasification chamber (1), a fixed bed gasification chamber (18), a waste heat boiler (19) and a gas cooling-washing chamber (14) set coaxially from top to bottom inside the columnar shell (7). Process nozzle chambers (3) are set at a sidewall and/or a top of the entrained flow gasification chamber (1), and process nozzles (2) are set in a nozzle chambers (3). A feed-in lock hopper (25) is set and a fixed bed gasification chamber (18). An eccentric grate (10) is set in the middle of a lower part of the fixed bed gasification chamber (18), and the grate is connected with an ash-pan (11), which is conjoined with a motor (36) via transmission mechanism. An inverse cone (22) is erected at an upper part of a cooling-washing chamber (14). |
| US07794511B2 |
Battery separator for lithium polymer battery
A battery separator for a lithium battery is disclosed. The separator has a microporous membrane and a coating thereon. The coating is made from a mixture of a gel forming polymer, a first solvent, and a second solvent. The first solvent is more volatile than the second solvent. The second solvent acts as a pore former for the gel-forming polymer. |
| US07794509B2 |
Tricationic dyes
Disclosed are tricationic dye compounds, useful for dyeing hair, wool, leather, silk, cellulose or polyamides. The dye compounds are of formula (1), where the groups are as defined in the specification and claims. [D-E1=E2-K]3+(An1−) (An2−) (An3−) (1) |
| US07794501B2 |
Expandable intervertebral spacers and methods of use
An intervertebral spacer is inserted between vertebral members in a compact configuration and expanded post-insertion to contact the adjacent vertebral members. The intervertebral spacer comprises a first member and a second member movable with respect to the first member between retracted and extended positions. |
| US07794499B2 |
Prosthetic intervertebral spinal disc with integral microprocessor
A device for storing data related to movement of a prosthetic implant includes at least one transducer for generating at least one real time movement signal responsive to movement within the prosthetic implant. A processor generates movement data parameters and associated time stamps in response to the real time movement signal. The generated data parameters and time stamps are stored within a memory associated with the processor. A communications link may be used to selectively access the movement data parameters and the time stamps in the memory from an external source. |
| US07794496B2 |
Tissue shaping device with integral connector and crimp
A tissue shaping device adapted to be deployed in a vessel to reshape tissue adjacent to the vessel. In some embodiments the device includes first and second anchors and a connector disposed between the first and second anchors, with the connector being integral with at least a portion of the first anchor. The invention is also a method of making a tissue shaping device including the steps of removing material from a blank to form a connector and an integral anchor portion; and attaching a non-integral anchor portion to the integral anchor portion. |
| US07794495B2 |
Controlled degradation of stents
Stents fabricated from hydrolytically degradable polymers with accelerated degradation rates and methods of fabricating stents with accelerated degradation rates are disclosed. |
| US07794492B2 |
Stent and stent graft
A stent formed in a shape of a generally tubular body having a central axis. The stent has a spring function with which the tubular body is diameter-contractible toward the central axis, and the tubular body is expandable to an initial diameter after contraction. The stent maintains a configuration curved along a longitudinal direction of the stent when the stent is not inserted in a sheath. The stent is elongated in a form of a generally straight line along the longitudinal direction when the stent is inserted into the sheath. The stent, being housed in a sheath in the form of a generally straight line, is inserted into a diseased part together with the sheath, is released from the sheath, and radially expands, outwardly after release, to restore and maintain a configuration curved along the longitudinal direction of the stent. |
| US07794485B2 |
Compress with cooling effect in sterile pack
The invention relates to a compress with a cooling effect, based on particles (6) of a polymer that has a high water absorption capacity, which comes enclosed with a reserve of water to activate it in an item (2) which comprises, inside a watertight outer sachet (3), on the one hand an inner pouch (4) filled with water and sealed in a watertight manner by a wall comprising a frangible region (10) and, on the other hand, the compress (1) produced in the form of a wrapper (5) at least partially permeable to water and containing the polymer particles (6) in the dry state. The sachet (3) is made of a material of a nature able to keep the pouch (4) and the compress (1) sterile. |
| US07794482B2 |
Device for osteosynthesis
A device for osteosynthesis that includes a fixation element having at least one through hole designed to receive a pivotable bushing for a bone screw. The through hole has a central axis and a cross-section extending orthogonally to the central axis defined by two incomplete semicircles connected to each other by at least two non-circular cut outs forming grooves in the fixation element. The device also includes at least one bushing insertable in the through hole. The bushing has top and bottom surfaces, a longitudinal axis, a central bore designed to receive a bone screw, and a peripheral outside face having at least two outwardly extending protrusions defining an axis of rotation of the bushing extending through the protrusions. A cross section of the bushing orthogonal to the longitudinal axis is shaped such that the bushing is pivotable about the axis of rotation defined by the protrusions. |
| US07794479B2 |
Spinal support coupling device
The present invention is directed to a spinal support coupling device (10) comprised of first and second radial frames (44A and 44B), each pivotably coupled to a center pivot hinge (30). A traveling arm (20) is provided, coupled to the first and second radial frames (44A and 44B) at the center pivot hinge (30). The traveling arm (20) is configured to rotate with respect to the first and second radial frames (44A and 44B) around the center pivot hinge (30). A coupling rod (80) is attached to the traveling arm (20) and configured to connect a first and a second surgical screw (60A and 60B), placed into a patient. The first and second radial frames (44A and 4413) are configured to retain corresponding first and second extension rods (64A and 64B), extending away from the top of the first and second surgical screws (60A and 60B). |
| US07794475B2 |
Surgical staples having compressible or crushable members for securing tissue therein and stapling instruments for deploying the same
A staple having a crown, a deformable leg extending from the crown, and a spring extending from the crown configured to compress tissue between the spring and the deformable member. Owing to the flexibility of the spring, the staple can accommodate a wide range of tissue thicknesses while still compressing the tissue captured therein. As a result, a single staple design can be used in a wide variety of surgical procedures thereby reducing the amount of staple designs that must be provided to the surgeon. In at least one embodiment, the staple includes a crushable member. This crushable member can include a plastically deformable first portion and an elastically deformable second portion. The present invention can also include, in various embodiments, a crown, a first deformable member extending from the crown, and means for compressing the tissue against the first deformable member. |
| US07794472B2 |
Single wire intravascular filter
Single-wire intravascular filters for use in filtering blood clots within the body are disclosed. An intravascular filter in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention can include a single filter wire defining a first end section, a second end section, and one or more filter loops adapted to collect blood clots contained within a blood vessel. Each of the filter loops can be configured to slope outwardly at an angle away from a central longitudinal axis of the filter to form a conical-shaped structure having an apex section and a base section. |
| US07794471B1 |
Compliant anastomosis system
An integrated anastomosis tool may include an effector that both makes an opening in the wall of a target vessel and connects a graft vessel to the target vessel. The connection between the graft vessel and the target vessel may be compliant, and may be achieved by deploying a plurality of connectors such as staples into tissue. The effector may include a cutter assembly and a connection module that are independently actuatable. The cutter assembly and/or the connection module may be cable-actuated. |
| US07794469B2 |
Adjustable universal surgical platform
A surgical platform usable for performing a surgical procedure. In one embodiment, the surgical platform comprises a base portion configured to receive at least one probe; a plurality of adjustable legs configured to support the base portion, each adjustable legs having a first end portion and an opposite, second end potion defining a length therebetween; and at least one movable portion configured to adjust the length of at least one adjustable leg. |
| US07794468B2 |
Middle ear reconstruction process and apparatus for performing the process
Erosion of elements of the ossicular chain in the middle ear, resulting in hearing loss, is corrected by creating a bridge between the eroded elements, employing a bone cement formed as a paste of a self-hardening material, which is molded into an elongated bridge, secured at its two ends to the elements to be bridged, and supported in its desired position until the material hardens to fuse the two elements, at which time the support may be removed. The material is preferably hydroxyapatite cement, bone source, or similar material, such as ionomeric bone cement. These materials strongly bond to the contacting bone and may stimulate bone in-growth, resulting in osseointegration. The apparatus for forming the bridge consists of a reservoir of the bridge material in liquid or paste form connected to a bridge supporting tube. The tube is preferably placed in contact with the two elements to be bridged and the bone source material is injected into the tube using a manually actuated plunger until the tube is full. The tube is then supported, manually or otherwise, until the material hardens and the supporting tube is removed. |
| US07794458B2 |
Bipolar radio frequency ablation device with retractable insulator
An ablation device, comprises a first tubular element and a first electrode which, when in an insertion configuration, is received within the first tubular element, the first electrode being deployable from the first tubular element to anchor in a target portion of tissue at a first electrode operative position in combination with a second electrode which, when in the insertion configuration, is received within the first tubular element, the second electrode being deployable from the first tubular element to anchor in the target portion of tissue at a second electrode operative position separated from the first electrode operative position, the second electrode being deployable independently of the first electrode and an insulating element movable relative to the first electrode to insulate selected portions of the first electrode. The device is employed to ablate first and second portions of tissue. |
| US07794456B2 |
Systems and methods for electrosurgical intervertebral disc replacement
The present invention provides systems and methods for selectively applying electrical energy to a target location within a patient's body, particularly including tissue in the spine. The present invention applies high frequency (RF) electrical energy to one or more electrode terminals in the presence of electrically conductive fluid or saline-rich tissue to contract collagen fibers within the tissue structures. In one aspect of the invention, a system and method is provided for contracting a portion of the nucleus pulposus of a vertebral disc by applying a high frequency voltage between an active electrode and a return electrode within the portion of the nucleus pulposus, where contraction of the portion of nucleus pulposus inhibits migration of the portion nucleus pulposus through the fissure. |
| US07794455B2 |
Wide area ablation of myocardial tissue
The present invention advantageously provides a method and system for cryogenically ablating large areas of tissue within the left atrium. In an exemplary embodiment a cryotherapy device includes a catheter body having a substantially fixed diameter, a proximal end and a distal end; a first lumen for permitting passage of a cooling fluid from the proximal end to the distal end; a second lumen permitting return of the cooling fluid from the distal end to the proximal end; and an ablation element expandable from a first diameter that is substantially the same as the diameter of the catheter body to a second diameter that is at least twice the diameter of the catheter body, the ablation element having a surface portion that conforms to the uneven surface topography of the cardiac tissue. The ablation element can include one or more balloon and/or a flexible element that is deformed by moving the distal end of the catheter toward the proximal end of the catheter. The surface of the balloon can further be shaped by regulation of pressure within the one or more balloons. In an exemplary method a tissue ablation device is provided and tissue in the antrum of the left atrium is ablated with the device. In an exemplary method, only tissue in the antrum is ablated, and the ablation is created by freezing tissue. |
| US07794453B2 |
Apparatus for treating age-related maculopathy (arm)
Apparatus for treating age-related macular degeneration, the apparatus comprising a light source which, in operation, serves to emit a therapeutic light beam presenting an emission wavelength lying in the range 1.2 μm to 1.3 μm, and preferably equal to 1.26 μm to 1.27 μm. The laser source is preferably comprises an optical fiber Raman laser. |
| US07794445B2 |
Needle safety and protection device
A fluid delivery device for delivering fluid to a patient includes a fluid delivery tube, a needle in communication with the fluid delivery tube, a base connected adjacent a distal portion of the fluid delivery tube and a flexible shield connected at one end to the base. The shield includes an adhesive portion located on an outer surface, wherein in an insertion configuration the needle fits through a shield aperture and the adhesive portion contacts a target skin region, and when in a protection configuration a needle tip contacts a portion of an inner surface of the shield spaced apart from the shield aperture when the fluid delivery device is removed from the skin region. |
| US07794440B2 |
Disposable absorbent articles with masking topsheet having one or more openings providing a passageway to a void space
The present invention relates to a disposable absorbent article, such as a diaper, training pants, adult incontinence article, having a specific topsheet with an opening to receive bowel movement waste (BM) and which is such that it masks the waste present underneath said topsheet. The topsheet is air permeable and it has a uniform pore size distribution with small pores only and it has a low surface energy and therefore an alcohol repellency of at least 7, typically at least 9 or even preferably 10. |
| US07794437B2 |
Reservoirs with subretinal cannula for subretinal drug delivery
Featured are devices and methods for administering a therapeutic medium to the posterior segment of an eye including instilling or disposing the therapeutic medium sub-retinally. Such instillation is accomplished by providing a reservoir containing a therapeutic medium to which is fluidly coupled a cannula and inserting a portion of the cannula sub-retinally, whereby the therapeutic medium within the reservoir is coupled to and dispersed subretinally via the cannula. |
| US07794436B2 |
Controlled gastric bolus feeding device
A gravity bolus feeding device having a cylindrical body with and intake valve to control or prevent flow of fluid through the feeding device. The device also has a check valve to receive fluids expelled from the patient back into the feeding device. The check valve allows such fluids to rejoin the fluid path and be re-fed to the patient, while allowing air to vent. A burp baffle for use with this or another feeding device to prevent spillage or splashing, while taking in or venting air. The burp baffle has a bottom section which snugly fits into the device, with a notch or opening near its outer periphery, allowing fluid to pass. A center section connected to the bottom section allows fluid to flow around it and into an opening generally opposite the notch. A top section covers the feeding device, and has a hole that allows fluid to vent out the top of the feeding device. |
| US07794435B2 |
Syringe barrel with reinforcing rib
Since this syringe has projections provided on the rear surface of a flange of a syringe barrel, when it is inserted in an insertion groove of a cylinder holder, the tips of projections are compressed and the flange is fixed. Consequently, even when a solution having high viscosity is injected at higher pressure, breakage does not occur easily. Further, pressure-receiving area may also be increased by providing a guide defining mounting direction of a syringe, alternatively, a positioning mechanism may be provided so as to obtain mounting at a correct position, or the surface of a flange may be roughened. |
| US07794433B2 |
Assembly of plunger and needle hub safety syringe needle device
An improved assembly of plunger and needle hub for a safety syringe needle device is disclosed, which comprises a syringe barrel, a needle hub and a plunger. The syringe barrel is shaped as a tube and has an interior periphery thereof shaped as a straight tube. The needle hub is inserted into the syringe barrel and has an integrated combining ring, which is bent inward as a hook and has a crease whereon the combining ring is bent inward. The needle hub has a nozzle jutting out of the syringe barrel for connecting a needle. The plunger comprises a plug for being fitly received by the syringe barrel and a front end thereof can be pierced through and coupled with the combining ring. |
| US07794428B2 |
Operating an infusion pump system
Some embodiments of a medical infusion pump system include a pump device and a removable controller device. When the pump device and the removable controller device are removably attached to one another, the components may provide a portable infusion pump unit to dispense medicine to a user. In particular embodiments, the removable controller device includes a user interface to readily provide information, for example, about the operation of the pump. |
| US07794423B2 |
Re-certification system for a flow control apparatus
A flow control apparatus adapted to load a re-certification feeding set is disclosed. The flow control apparatus comprises a sensor for sensing the loading of the re-certification feeding set to the flow control apparatus, and a software subsystem in operative association with the sensor that includes a re-certification procedure for verifying that at least one component of the flow control apparatus is functioning within a predetermined operational range. Also disclosed is a method for verifying that at least one component of a flow control apparatus is functioning within a predetermined operational range. |
| US07794422B2 |
Catheter port assembly for extracorporeal treatment
A catheter port assembly (100) having a body (101) having a distal end (110), a proximal end (120) and a longitudinal channel (116,124,136) extending therethrough is disclosed. The catheter port assembly further comprises a valve (150) disposed along the longitudinal channel. The valve (150) is adapted to restrict flow in at least one direction, and the distal end (110) is adapted to be connected to a catheter (200). The distal end (110) is adapted to be at least partially subcutaneously inserted into a patient after being connected to a catheter, and the proximal end (120) is adapted to be connected to an extracorporeal device. A distal cover (170) is disclosed to assure the connection of the port to the distal end of the catheter. Additionally, a bracket (190) is disclosed that stabilizes a plurality of catheter port assemblies after insertion into a patient. The present invention also discloses a method of inserting a catheter assembly comprising including the catheter port assembly. |
| US07794421B2 |
Aspirator sleeve and tip
The present invention provides a coupling device for attaching a sleeve (40) to a surgical aspirator tip (10) that allows airflow between the external environment and the interior of the sleeve (40). The coupling device includes a male member (26) attached to the tip (10) and a female member (42) formed in the proximal end of the sleeve (40). The male member (26) includes at least one longitudinal groove (100). When the male member (26) is received into the female member (42), at least one venting channel (80) is defined between at least one longitudinal groove of the male member (26) and the inner surface of the female member (42). Venting channel (80) permits airflow between the external environment and the interior of the sleeve (40). |
| US07794417B1 |
Footwear for medially directing big toe
Footwear has strap for medially directing the big toe. The footwear may be in a form of a sandal; the strap may be adjustable; and a bunion deformity may be addressed. |
| US07794416B2 |
Orthosis with multiple hinges
An orthopedic device has a structure with two substantially rigid parts, for instance, rods, which rods are coupled to each other by a hinge apparatus and each rod attaches to a fastener for optional temporary fastening to a limb part, wherein a pivot axis of the hinge apparatus extends in the region and in the direction of the pivot axis zone of the relevant joint. The device has an upper hinge and a lower hinge with pivot axes. The respective pivot axes of which extend in directions which make an angle with each other of 90°±40°. |
| US07794415B2 |
Surface treatment device
A surface treatment device comprising a body, a motor disposed in the body, an applicator operably coupled to the motor, and a container coupled to the applicator via a fluid flow path, the container containing a surface treatment substance. |
| US07794412B2 |
Device for applying and gauging cricoid pressure
The invention is a device for objectively applying cricoid pressure. A healthcare provider, using a locator on the face of the device, aligns the yoke with the patient's cricoid cartilage. While the healthcare provider applies force to the cricoid cartilage, a stem portion affixed to the yoke and projecting from the first end is coupled to a force sensor in the housing. The electrical signal from the force sensor is translated to a digital value by an analog-to-digital converter. The digital signal is then compared by a microprocessor to pre-established threshold values, which is reflected in a visual, auditory, or tactile signal to gauge the force being applied to the patient's cricoid cartilage. |
| US07794410B2 |
Tissue sampling device and method
A device for obtaining a sample from inside a body includes a tubular body portion defining a chamber for receiving a sample of material therein; a plunger assembly operatively associated with the tubular body portion, the plunger assembly having a stopper slidably disposed within the chamber of the body portion; feedback elements provided on the tubular body and/or the plunger assembly for providing a user with audible and/or tactile indications regarding an amount of displacement of the plunger assembly relative to the body portion; and a cutting element is provided to facilitate sample removal. |
| US07794405B2 |
Cuff for blood pressure monitor, and blood pressure monitor having the same
A cuff for a blood pressure monitor has an air bag inflated/deflated as the air comes in/out. The air bag has an inner wall portion located on the inner side in the fitted state of the cuff and an outer wall portion located outer than the inner wall portion, and a side wall portion connecting side end portions of the inner and outer wall portions and folded inwards in the deflated state of the air bag to form a gusset at each side end portion of the air bag. A bonded portion is provided at a region of the air bag in its winding direction around the living body, for reducing expansion of the gusset formed by the side wall portion. Thus, occurrence of lateral displacement of the cuff is prevented, and a highly reliable blood pressure monitor of high performance can be obtained. |
| US07794404B1 |
System and method for estimating cardiac pressure using parameters derived from impedance signals detected by an implantable medical device
Techniques are provided for estimating left atrial pressure (LAP) or other cardiac pressure parameters based on various parameters derived from impedance signals. In particular, effective LAP is estimated based on one or more of: electrical conductance values, cardiogenic pulse amplitudes, circadian rhythm pulse amplitudes, or signal morphology fractionation values, each derived from the impedance signals detected by the implantable device. Predetermined conversion factors stored within the device are used to convert the various parameters derived from the electrical impedance signal into LAP values or other appropriate cardiac pressure values. The conversion factors may be, for example, slope and baseline values derived during an initial calibration procedure performed by an external system, such as an external programmer. In some examples, the slope and baseline values may be periodically re-calibrated by the implantable device itself. |
| US07794403B2 |
System for measuring pulsatile vascular resistance
The invention relates to acquiring information concerning the hemodynamic status of the brain (or any other organ) by measuring and analysing the pulsatile properties of blood flow (velocities) in the organ's feeding vessels in relation to the pulsatile properties of the systemic arterial blood pressure. Provided is a system for the analysis of arterial blood flow velocity measurements, comprising means for receiving input signals delivered by an arterial blood flow velocity (FV) sensor and by an arterial blood pressure (BP) sensor, wherein said FV and BP signals are recorded simulataneously and continuously, further comprising means for processing and outputting signals, wherein said processing comprises calculating the pulsatile apparent resistance (PaR) or the Pulse Flow Velocity Mismatch (PFVM). Plotting PAR or PVFM against mean arterial blood pressure and/or end tidal CO2 levels can serve as an indicator for the effectiveness of imposed therapy. |
| US07794396B2 |
System and method for the automated zooming of a surgical camera
A system and method for automatically reconfiguring the magnification or zoom level of a surgical camera based upon the detection of a surgical instrument or defined anatomical feature. Utilizing image analysis algorithms, the video images generated by the surgical camera are analyzed for the presence of defined patterns, colors, motion and the like, representing a defined surgical instrument or anatomical feature. Upon detection of a surgical instrument or anatomical feature, the system can automatically adjust the actual or effective focal range of the surgical camera, and thus change the magnification or zoom level of the camera, based on the type of surgical instrument or anatomical feature detected. |
| US07794394B2 |
Device for wavelength-selective imaging
An imaging device captures both a visible light image and a diagnostic image, the diagnostic image corresponding to emissions from an imaging medium within the object. The visible light image (which may be color or grayscale) and the diagnostic image may be superimposed to display regions of diagnostic significance within a visible light image. A number of imaging media may be used according to an intended application for the imaging device, and an imaging medium may have wavelengths above, below, or within the visible light spectrum. The devices described herein may be advantageously packaged within a single integrated device or other solid state device, and/or employed in an integrated, single-camera medical imaging system, as well as many non-medical imaging systems that would benefit from simultaneous capture of visible-light wavelength images along with images at other wavelengths. |
| US07794392B2 |
Bent state holding mechanism of an endoscope
A bent state holding mechanism of an endoscope including a bending mechanism having a rotatable bending member, includes a bent state holding member for switching between a bent-state holding state and a bendable-portion free state; and a click mechanism for providing a tactile feel to the bent state holding member when rotated to the bent-state holding state and/or when rotated to the bendable-portion free state. The click mechanism includes a click leaf spring having a protrusion formed therein, and a click projection projecting toward a surface of the click leaf spring, one of the click leaf spring and the click projection being configured to rotate together with the bent state holding member upon rotation thereof. Rotating the bent state holding member causes the click projection to abut against the protrusion and ride over the protrusion with a click action while resiliently deforming the click leaf spring. |
| US07794385B2 |
System and method for treatment of anal incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse
Using a sling that includes a central portion and at least two arms extending from the central portion, a method of treating anal incontinence may include positioning the central portion posteriorly to the rectum and/or anus of a subject, and extending each arm of the sling to a respective obturator region. Using a sling having the same or similar structure, a method of treating pelvic organ prolapse may include positioning the central portion beneath the ano-rectum of a subject, and extending each arm of the sling to a respective thigh incision near the obturator region. |
| US07794384B2 |
Dual communication interface for artificial heart system
An artificial heart pump system has a heart pump implanted in a patient. A pump control unit worn by a patient includes a programmable device for adapting a secure aspect of heart pump operation in response to pump operating commands. The pump control unit has a wired interface and a wireless interface. A clinical external unit is adapted to be connected to the wired interface for delivering a pump operating command to the pump control unit. An auxiliary external unit is adapted to be connected to the wireless interface for collecting patient and/or pump system performance-related data from the pump control unit. The wireless interface is unable to consummate a pump operating command. |
| US07794382B2 |
Manual dunnage converting system and method
A motor-free dunnage conversion system for converting a sheet stock material into a relatively less dense dunnage includes a container having a wall with an opening therethrough, a supply of sheet stock material within the container, and a forming member. The forming member has converging sidewalls that define a passage alignable with the opening in the wall. The forming member is a converging chute having a relatively larger inlet spaced from the outlet, which is relatively smaller than the inlet. The forming member functions to crumple the sheet stock material as a packer draws the sheet stock material through the forming member to form a crumpled strip of dunnage. The forming member has a dimension that is larger than a corresponding dimension of the opening to keep the forming member from escaping the container as the packer pulls the stock material through the forming member. |
| US07794381B2 |
Z-folding apparatus and sheet processing apparatus
A Z-folding apparatus of an embodiment of the invention includes a pair of feed rollers to transport a sheet along a specified transport passage, a contact portion with which a head of the transported sheet comes in contact, a press member to press a specified position of the sheet apart from the head, and a pair of folding rollers to form a fold line on the sheet and to transport the sheet on which the fold line has been formed. When the head of the sheet comes in contact with the contact portion, the press member presses the specified position of the sheet apart from the head in a transport direction toward the pair of folding rollers, and guides it to a nip between the rollers of the pair of folding rollers. |
| US07794374B1 |
Elastic device
An elastic device made of a flexible and stretchable resistance tube on the inside covered by a flexible and stretchable sleeve or sheath. The sleeve or sheath may be formed in an accordion-type pleat. An end connector is formed by providing a reversed loop in the center resistance tube that is engageable with a strap means that is threadable through the loop to form a knot for securing the strap means to the end of the flexible and stretchable resistance tube. The strap means may be provided in several different forms including a handle, link or clip. In another embodiment of the invention an elastic device is comprised of a flexible and stretchable resistance tube, and a connector means that is disposed at least one end of the tube, a solid ball member that is for insertion into a hollow end of the tube, and at least one strap disposed about a loop of the flexible and stretchable resistance tube adjacent to the rigid ball member. |
| US07794370B2 |
Exercise unit and system utilizing MIDI signals
An exercise unit (20) and system (104) comprising a target (22) having at least one area (24) to be struck by a user and at least one sensor (26) located at the area (24) is disclosed. The sensor (26) generates an electrical signal in response to being struck by the user. A processor (48) is in operative communication with the sensor (26) and a musical instrument digital interface (MIDI) converter (50) is disposed between the sensor (26) and the processor (48). The MIDI converter (50) converts the electrical signal from the sensor (26) to a MIDI signal and transmits the MIDI signal to the processor (48) for generating a MIDI strike track (52). The MIDI strike track (52) is used to determine an accuracy and a force of the strike by the user to provide interaction and feedback to the user to continue to help motivate the user. |
| US07794368B2 |
Shoe assembly for strength training and fitness exercise
Insole constructions for shoes including articulated components that allow for the connection of attachments having various devices are described. The insole constructions provide a supported attachment point for various components while not compromising the flexibility of the shoe. The insole constructions allow for attachment of devices at the heel, toe or sides of the shoe. Devices for attaching to shoes having the insole construction are also described, along with apparatuses for use with shoes having the insole construction. |
| US07794366B2 |
Vertically adjustable stilts
A height adjustable stilt comprises a base and an extensible leg having a lower end secured to the base and an upper end. A foot support extends laterally from the extensible leg and is supported by the extensible leg. The foot support is height adjustable relative to the base as the extensible leg is extended or retracted. A height adjuster is configured to selectively extend the foot support relative to the base and configured to selectively fix the position of the foot support relative to the base. |
| US07794359B1 |
Process and apparatus for exercising an operator
A process is disclosed for enabling an operator to exercise on an exercise device. The process includes measuring a range of movement of the operator during exercising on the exercise device for generating an electronic range of movement data. A strength is measured of the operator during exercising on the exercise device for generating an electronic strength data. An electronic program is designed based on the electronic range of movement data and the electronic strength data. The electronic program is stored in an electronic media. The electronic program is displayed as a moving scale on a screen for instructing the operator to exercise at the same rate as the moving scale to complete the exercise in a timely and controlled matter. |
| US07794357B2 |
Control device for power train
A control device is provided for a power train including: a differential mechanism having a first rotating element linked to a first rotary electric machine, a second rotating element linked to a second rotary electric machine and a third rotating element linked to an internal combustion engine; a switching mechanism that switches between a first state that permits relative rotation of the first, second and third rotating elements, and a second state that prohibits relative rotation thereof; and a transmission mechanism connected to the differential mechanism which transmits torque from the differential mechanism to a wheel. The control device includes: a first control portion that controls the switching mechanism so as to switch between the first and second states; and a second control portion that compensates for an amount of change in the torque transmitted to the wheel when the switching between the two states is performed. |
| US07794356B2 |
Power output apparatus, control method thereof, vehicle equipped with power output apparatus, and driving system
When a vehicle speed V is out of a non-rotational synchronizing range, V≦Vref1 or Vref2≦V, in a neutral state of a transmission set in response to an operation of a gearshift lever to an N (neutral) position during operation of an engine, the engine and a motor MG1 are controlled to make a ring gear shaft rotate at a target rotation speed Nr*, which is expected in response to an operation of the gearshift lever to a D (drive) position or an R (reverse) position, and to enable self-sustained operation of the engine at the greater rotation speed between an idle speed Nidl and a minimum engine speed Nmin calculated from a minimum rotation speed Nm1min of the motor MG1. Such control effectively reduces a potential shock occurring in the case of the operation of the gearshift lever from the N position to the D position or the R position without causing negative overspeed of the motor MG1. |
| US07794343B2 |
MKV takraw ball
A takraw ball is woven from takraw ball strips of springy material having soft material pads mounted into recesses in a strip face, the pads are, at least in part, bounded by strip face parts which function to lend stiffness to the strip, and/or protect pad edges and/or assist in mounting pads onto the strips. |
| US07794342B2 |
Quick change backboard bracket system
A quick change backboard bracket system for a basketball goal permitting the quick removal and replacement of a basketball goal can include a backboard assembly and a basketball goal support assembly. The backboard assembly can include a backboard, a first yoke member, and a rim assembly. The basketball goal support assembly can include a second yoke member, a connecting pin, and bracing means for coupling the backboard to a basketball goal support. When the basketball goal is assembled, a slot of the first yoke member is coupled to a coupling shaft of the second yoke member, the connecting pin is engaged to both yoke members, and the basketball goal support is coupled to the backboard by the bracing means. When the basketball goal is in need of replacement, all of the points of coupling, as described above, are decoupled and the old basketball goal is removed, and a new basketball goal is coupled at the points of coupling. |
| US07794341B2 |
Golfrisbee basket/sporting for re-bouncing lightweight golfring/disk
The killer applications of golfrisbee are comprised of the golfball, golh club, golfrisbee disc and golfrisbee basket, golfrisbee target, grenade, water golh gun club, etc. Swiveling the golh club, the flying object is thrown to fly into the golfrisbee basket. The golfrisbee basket has either the wind-bell-chain or the wind-chime reverted umbrella structure to protect the golfrisbee from damage. The flying object has golfball, golfrisbee disk, golfring, disk-ring, boomerang, polygon boomerang, multi-boomerang ring, multi-boomerang disk-ring, golfishing, golh hunting practice, grenade, gun golh club, water grenade, water gun golh club, etc. The golfrisbee further comprises a slotted skirt made of rubber material to make it safe for playing in the park and the backbone made of the shock-resistant plastic material. The core technologies are the swiveling club throwing technology, wind-bell-chain or wind-chime reverted-umbrella golfrisbee basket and the universal direction wing flying disk. The golh killer applications comprise the course golh, park golh, snow golh, night golh, golfishing, golh-gun, golh-grenade and the baseball type golh sport named as basedisc. |
| US07794339B2 |
Pull-the-trigger hitter batting practice apparatus and method
A baseball hitter batting practice apparatus incorporates an unbalanced and potentially non-planar plurality of targets which are mounted onto a spindle. The spindle rotates about a central generally horizontal axle. The unbalanced targets in one embodiment are spaced at ninety-degree intervals from an adjacent target, thereby causing the spindle to first spin in one direction after a target has been struck, and then to oscillate or rock alternately clockwise and counterclockwise before finally coming to a rest. Striking selected targets in accord with the method of the invention teaches a batter to pull-the-trigger at the appropriate time. A novel support further enhances the utility of the spindle and targets by enabling the spindle to be coupled to many diverse supporting poles and structures. |
| US07794335B2 |
Club heads with contoured back faces and methods of manufacturing the same
Embodiments of club heads with contoured back faces and methods of manufacturing the same are described herein. Other embodiments and related methods are also disclosed herein |
| US07794331B2 |
Golf club interchanging connection structure (III)
A golf club interchanging connection structure for interchanging a club head and a shaft includes a positioning mechanism, a club sleeve, an internal screw, and an anti-rotation external screw. The positioning mechanism is placed within the club head. The club sleeve, having one end being connected to and fixed with the shaft and the other end having a first male screw, is placed within the positioning mechanism. The internal screw comprises a nut hole, which is screwed with the first male screw of the club sleeve to lock the shaft connected to the club sleeve. The anti-rotation external screw comprises a second male screw on an outer surface thereof corresponding to a female screw in the club head, in which the second male screw of the anti-rotation external screw is screwed with the female screw, and the anti-rotation external screw leans against the internal screw. |
| US07794330B2 |
Amusement apparatus
An amusement apparatus has a platform, pulleys mounted below the platform, a cable extending around the pulleys, a motor coupled to a pulley to cause the cable to move, a passenger vehicle supported by wheels on the platform, and a swing coupling having a horizontal arm coupled to the passenger vehicle and a vertical element coupled to the arm and coupled to the cable. The cable traverses a path having both left and right turns. In one embodiment, the platform defines a continuous slot located above and substantially following the path. In another embodiment, the platform defines a continuous slot with first portions above but laterally parallel the cable on one side of the cable, second portions above and laterally parallel the cable on the other side of the cable, and third portions crossing over the cable and connecting the first and second portions. Different swing coupling arrangements are described. |
| US07794329B2 |
Torque overload clutch
A radial detent torque overload clutch has a retaining ring inside the outer housing to retain the hub in the housing and a thrust bearing between the ring and pawls to bear thrust loads that tend to pull the hub out of the housing. The pawls exert driving torque in only one direction so that the hub can be turned manually relative to the housing in the opposite direction by the pawls camming on gently sloped surfaces of the housing. |
| US07794327B2 |
Game apparatus and storage medium
A display device 12 covered by a touch panel 13 displays a game space on a display screen. Position coordinates (tx, ty) obtained when the touch panel 13 is touch-operated are detected at a predetermined periodic cycle. At least one of a movement speed (V) and a movement direction (θ) is calculated as a movement parameter for a second object based on current position coordinates (tx, ty) and position coordinates (tpx, tpy) having been detected in an immediately preceding time. A new movement parameter (V and θ) is determined using movement parameters having been previously determined (Vp and θp) and the newly calculated movement parameter (V and θ). When the first object and the second object satisfy a predetermined positional relationship therebetween, the second object is moved and display-controlled based on the updated movement parameter. |
| US07794321B2 |
Video game processing apparatus, video game processing method and video game processing program
An on-line video game video game control server serves to read out a mini-game score information generated every player, in which three scores used for determining parameter of a summoned beast used for a main story in sub-game scores having no relation to a main story of the video game and a player who obtained that score are matched, and to renew a mini-game score information A of a player A by setting three scores in the score set in the mini-game score information A of the player A and a score set in a mini-game score information B of a player B. |
| US07794317B2 |
Gaming device having award generation with multiple indicators and indicator determination device
A gaming device including a wheel and multiple award indicators. The wheel includes a plurality of sections having awards associated with each of the sections. The section indicators associated with the wheel simultaneously indicate sections on the wheel. The number of activated section indicators is determined based on at least one award indicator activator symbol generator which is adapted to generate one of a plurality of award indicator activator symbols that are each associated with zero, one or more of the award indicators of the wheel. The awards associated with the sections indicated by the activated section indicators are summed and provided to a player. |
| US07794314B2 |
Slide door device for air conditioner
An object of the present invention is to prevent vibration of a sliding door within a guide groove through a fundamental review of the structures adopted in sliding door devices in the related art having a sliding door made to move along a direction intersecting an air flow path to control the flow rate or direction of air within the air flow path. The present invention is characterized in that a tension-applying means is disposed at a sliding unit of a sliding door, which is inserted at a guide groove formed on the inside of an air-conditioner case to apply tension between the sliding unit and the guide groove. |
| US07794310B2 |
Stunning animals such as poultry with gas
Animals such as poultry are stunned while still caged and on the vehicle that carries them to a processing plant, by exposing the animal to an atmosphere of gradually lessening oxygen content. |
| US07794300B2 |
Transformable toy vehicle
A toy vehicle includes a central housing having first and second oppositely disposed sides. A first wheel is rotatably mounted on the first side of the housing, and a second wheel is rotatably mounted on the second side of the housing. Each of the first and second wheels has a central hub and a plurality of individual vanes rotatably attached to the hub. Each hub has a center disposed along a first axis of rotation. Each vane is rotatable about a second vane axis extending transversely with respect to the first axis. An end of each vane distal to the hub forms a circumferential surface portion of one of the first and second wheels. |
| US07794294B2 |
Water intake grill for personal watercraft
A water intake grill for attachment to a water intake port of a jet watercraft. The water intake grill comprising a plurality of elongate members situated in between and mounted to fore and aft mounts. The fore mount comprising a base having an angularly orientated bottom surface for receiving and attaching first ends of the elongate members and an angularly orientated top surface for optionally situating atop thereof a removable key element having an overall geometric structure substantially coinciding with the geometric configuration of a mount socket integral to a forward wall section of the water intake port. The aft mount comprising a horizontally positioned base having rearward and forward sections for optionally accepting and resting atop of each thereof at least one removable spacer and an angular edge for receiving and attaching second ends of the elongate members. Each elongate member comprising a teardrop geometric profile incorporating an outward bottom section having a general rounded appearance and a tapered top end having sides commencing from an apex and extending angularly outward therefrom toward the outward bottom section, a geometric profile of which effectively reduces the amount debris into the water intake port while allowing continued passage of water into the water intake port to yield sustained operating performance of the jet watercraft and maintain effective cooling of the combustion engine generally associated therewith. |
| US07794291B2 |
Electrical transmission line repair service
An electrical conductor repair device for restoring mechanical and electrical integrity to a compromised section of an electrical conductor. The device includes a body that serves as an electrical shunt and a mechanical support. The body includes a first end section for attachment to the conductor at a location on one side of the compromised section, and a second end section for attachment to the conductor at a location on the other side of the compromised section. The end sections are connected by an intermediate section. |
| US07794287B1 |
Electrical connector configured by wafer having coupling foil and method for making the same
An electrical connector (100) includes an insulative housing (40) and a terminal module (10). The terminal module includes a dielectric wafer (2), a number of terminals (1) assembled within the dielectric wafer and a coupling foil (3) disposed on the dielectric wafer and having a plurality of circuit traces (31-34) extending along a first plane. Each terminal is formed with a joint (134-164). The circuit trace includes a body portion (312-342) aligned with a selected terminal of the number of terminals and a connection portion (311-341) fanning out from the body portion toward a specific terminal. The joint of the specific terminal comes to contact with the connection portion along a contact direction orthogonal to the first plane. |
| US07794285B1 |
Audio jack connector
An audio jack connector for receiving an audio plug connector includes an insulating housing and a contact terminal. The insulating housing defines an insertion hole from a front end to a rear end thereof for receiving the audio plug connector and a recess communicating with the insertion hole. The contact terminal has a connecting portion received in the recess. Two opposite ends of the connecting portion are extended towards a same side to form a base portion and a first elastic arm. A first contact portion is protruded towards the base portion from a free end of the first elastic arm. A second elastic arm is bent towards the connecting portion from one end of the base portion. A second contact portion is protruded towards the first elastic arm from a free end of the second elastic arm. The first and second contact portions protrude into the insertion hole. |
| US07794284B1 |
Electric connector with improved contact arrangement
An electrical connector (100) defining a receiving opening (7) for receiving a corresponding plug, includes: an insulative housing (1), an optical module (5) retained in the insulative housing (1) and a plurality of contacts (2) attached to the insulative housing (1). The insulative housing (1) has a tongue (11) extending to the receiving opening (7) and a cavity (101) under the tongue (11) and communicating with the receiving opening (7). The optical module (5) has an optical component (52) extending toward the receiving opening (7). Each contact (2) has a contact portion (211, 221) extending to the tongue (11), a tail portion (213, 223) and a body portion (212, 222) connecting the contact portion and the tail portion. The tail portions (213, 223) are arranged in rows along an inserting direction of the plug and located at an outside position of the optical module (5). |
| US07794279B1 |
Plug connector
A plug connector connected with a cable has a base and an insertion portion at a front of the base. A terminal is fixed to the base, having a soldering slice connecting with the cable. A first shell is coupled with the insertion portion. A second shell coupled with the base has a lip plate covering a top surface of the base. An edge of the lip plate is extended to form a lateral plate at a front thereof, attached to a side of the base, and a connecting arm at a rear thereof and extending apart from the lateral plate. An opposite edge of the lip plate is extended to form a parcel plate bent around the base to connect the lateral plate. The parcel plate has a support arm extending beneath the connecting arm to form a passageway for allowing the cable to pass therethrough. |
| US07794277B1 |
RF connector
A RF connector having a filter function is disclosed to include an electrically insulative housing, a metal terminal block mounted inside the electrically insulative housing and holding a terminal therein, a plurality of capacitors arranged in the top wall of the electrically insulative housing and having the respective bottom contact ends kept in contact with the top wall of the metal terminal block, and a metal clamp clamped on the electrically insulative housing and pressed on the top contact ends of the capacitors and having two spring arms that are kept in contact with the metal shield of the system casing in which the RF connector is installed. |
| US07794276B2 |
Insulating structure between conductive members of electric device
An insulating structure is employed between conductive members of an electric device. The electric device has a housing accommodating electric components therein and a cover member covering the housing, the conductive members being disposed through communication holes of the housing and the cover member. The insulating structure includes contact prevention members for preventing water infiltrated into a gap between the housing and the cover member from contacting water collected in the communication holes for the conductive members, wherein the contact prevention members are interposed between the housing and the cover member. Each contact prevention member has a substantially annular shape, surrounding one of the conductive members. |
| US07794272B1 |
Serial bus power cable
A power cable for an electronic device. Implementations may include a serial communication plug and one or more battery adaptors that each include a core including an electrical insulator where the core is coupled at a first end to a positive terminal and at a second end to a negative terminal. The positive terminal may be coupled to a diode coupled to the serial communication plug to which the negative terminal may be coupled. The one or more battery adaptors may be each configured to couple within one or more battery compartments included in an electronic device. The electronic device may receive power from the serial communication plug through the one or more battery adaptors when the one or more battery adaptors are coupled within the one or more battery compartments and when the serial communication plug is coupled within a serial communication receptacle of another electronic device. |
| US07794267B2 |
Card edge connector with IDC wire termination
A card edge connector and a card edge assembly that utilizes the individual card end connectors are disclosed. The card edge connectors have slotted insulation displacement terminals to connect to wires. Each electrical connector has a housing with first mounting project extends from a first sidewall of the housing and a mounting recess extends from an oppositely facing second sidewall. The mounting projection is dimensioned to be received in the mounting recess of a second electrical connector, thereby allowing the connectors to be mounted to each other. This type of connector assembly allows the connector assembly to be built according to the needs of the end user. This modular aspect of the connector assembly adds flexibility while reducing the overall cost of manufacture. In addition, the use of the slotted insulation displacement terminals further enhances the flexibility of the connector assembly, as various wiring schemes can be effectively and cost efficiently utilized. |
| US07794258B2 |
Card socket assembly
A card socket assembly includes a base, two latching mechanisms, and an elastic member. The base includes a mounting surface. The two latching mechanisms are oppositely fastened to the mounting surface. The two latching mechanisms and the mounting surface cooperatively enclose a card slot, used to receive a data card therein. The elastic member is disposed adjacent to the card slot and exposed within the card slot. The elastic member elastically biases the data card against the latching mechanisms. |
| US07794254B2 |
Submersible electrical connector
A connector for use underwater or in a wet or severe environment comprises first and second connector parts adapted to be interengaged to establish an electrical connection. The first connector part has at least one pin, and the second connector part has at least one electrical contact for engagement by the pin when the connector parts are interengaged. The pin comprises an axially extending electrically conductive portion and an axially extending electrically insulating sleeve around said conductive portion, and the pin is supported by and projects axially forwardly from a support whereby its insulating sleeve is exposed along a longitudinally extending portion thereof to ambient conditions when the connector parts are disengaged. The insulating sleeve of the pin has a first portion with a first diameter in front of a second portion with a second diameter wider than the first diameter, and the connector part has a protective rigid metal sleeve member arranged to extend at least partly along the first portion of the insulating sleeve and at least partly along the second portion thereof. The rigid metal sleeve provides mechanical support to the protected portion of the pin. |
| US07794253B2 |
Coaxial connector with a new type of contact
A coaxial connector for receipt of a central contact of a complementary coaxial connector to be inserted therein, comprising an insulative case including an upper insulative case portion and a lower insulative case portion; an upper fixed contact, a movable contact and a bottom fixed contact essentially stacked in the space section; the upper fixed contact arranged to be sandwiched by the upper insulative case portion and the lower insulative case portion, the upper fixed contact having a planar contact part along a lengthwise direction; the movable contact having a central planar contact section, the central planar contact section arranged to initially come into contact with the contact part of the upper fixed contact; wherein the contact section of the movable contact is arranged to be movable from a position at which the movable contact is in contact with the upper fixed contact to a position at which the movable contact is separated from the upper fixed contact while not coming into contact with the bottom fixed contact in accordance with attachment and detachment of a complementary coaxial connector. |
| US07794246B2 |
Electronic storage device having multiple-direction rotation and allocation electrical connector
An electronic storage device for connecting with a host system in accordance with the present invention includes a cover having a body section and a protection section bending from one end of the body section, and a main body having an electrical connector with an interface and defining a receiving space. The body section forms a positioning section of polygonal shape at the other end of the cover. The main body includes at least one cooperating portion disposed in the receiving space and having a flat cooperating surface. The body section of the cover covers the main body with the protection section covering the interface of the electrical connector to protect the interface. The positioning section is received in the receiving space of the main body and the main body is capable of rotating relative to the cover with the at least one cooperating portion rotating along the polygonal edge of the positioning section and being compressed by the positioning section to produce deformation. |
| US07794242B2 |
Conductive elastic sheet structure and electronic device using the same
The invention discloses a conductive elastic sheet structure mounted on a metallic cover of an electronic device eliminates static electricity. The conductive elastic sheet structure includes a main panel, a first extending portion, and a second extending portion. The main panel includes a first side wall, and a second side wall opposite to the first side wall. The first extending portion and the second extending portion extend from the side edges of the first side wall and the second side wall respectively, and each forms a sharp angle with the main panel. The first extending portion and the second extending portion extend from two opposite sides of the main panel respectively. The invention also provides an electronic device using the conductive elastic sheet structure. |
| US07794237B1 |
Electrical connector having improved retaining arrangement between the housing and the contacts
An electrical connector comprises an insulative housing defining a plurality of passageways, the passageways each defining an upper section, a lower section of a diameter larger than that of the upper section, and a plurality of contact sets respectively disposed in the passageways. Each of the contacts sets includes an upper contact loosely captured within the upper section and a lower contact retained in the lower section. The upper contact defines a lower end extending in the lower section and is able to abut against an interface between the two sections, so as to retrain upward movement of the upper contact. The upper contact is movable relating to the lower contact under condition that one of said upper contact and the lower contact is deformed to provide a restored force to ensure electrical connection between the two contacts when the upper contact is moved toward said lower contact. |
| US07794235B2 |
Continuous wireform connector
Apparatuses and methods of manufacturing woven electrical connectors is disclosed. In one embodiment, the connector is formed with a continuous wire having adjacent sections with passageways formed from the wire through which loading elements may be inserted. In some embodiments, the loading elements include spring band clips and/or helical spring coils. |
| US07794224B2 |
Apparatus for the continuous production of plastic composites
A continuous production system for fabricating composite articles from a moldable material includes, in an exemplary embodiment, a pair of opposed closed loop cleated belt conveyors spaced apart a predetermined distance. Each cleated belt includes a plurality of cleats, and each cleat includes a notch. The forming system also includes a pair of opposed endless profile mold belts positioned at least partially between the pair of cleated belts. The mold belts are located at least partially in the notches of the cleats. |
| US07794223B2 |
Tri-plate injection die with changeable male and female die cores
A tri-plate injection die with changeable male and female die cores, it has a movable-side die plate having therein a receiving space for changeably assembling in the space a male die core and a supporting plate, a movable-side mounting plate having two spaced blocks being respectively abutted on a junction between a supporting plate and the movable-side die plate to form contact areas to bear the injection pressure. And a fixed-side die plate with a receiving space for changeably assembling in the space a female die core and a changeable casting channel die core. The casting channel die core has therein a substituting casting channel that can change position deviation; thereby an injection point of hot molten plastics injected into the die can be changed in pursuance of the shape of the cavity of the female die core. |
| US07794222B2 |
Mold, pattern forming method, and pattern forming apparatus
A mold applicable to imprinting includes a first surface having an area of a pattern to be transferred, a second surface located opposite from the first surface, a first mark for alignment provided at the first surface, and a second mark for alignment provided at a position at which the second mark is spaced from the first surface. |
| US07794220B2 |
Apparatus for manufacturing oriented sheath-core type filaments
The object of this invention is to make possible the manufacturing of sheath-core type super microfilaments from sheath-core type filaments such as hollow filaments, optical filaments and conjugate filaments continuously and stably by a simple and convenient means without requiring any apparatus of high-accuracy and high-level, characterized in that original filaments delivered from sheath-core type filament supply means are heated by infrared beams and the heated sheath-core type filaments are drawn at 100 times or more by a tension provided by the own weight or under a tension of 1 MPa or less. |
| US07794218B2 |
Roots type pump and fuel cell system
There is disclosed a Roots type pump in which two rotors are rotated synchronously in a pump chamber to compress fluid therein, wherein respective stop positions of the rotors in the pump chamber at a time of stopping the pump are determined independently of each other. |
| US07794214B2 |
Pump and method
A pump for pumping a liquid comprises a rotor, a stator having at least one electrical winding and at least one cooling path, and a working conduit extending from a pump inlet to a pump outlet, the working conduit being in liquid communication with the cooling path at least at a cooling path inlet to permit a portion of the pumped liquid to circulate through the cooling path when the pump is in use. |
| US07794213B2 |
Integrated acoustic damper with thin sheet insert
An exemplary noise damper for a compressor of a turbocharger includes a compressor housing comprising a cavity substantially adjacent a gas flow surface of a conduit to a compressed gas outlet of the compressor housing and an insert that spans the cavity and forms a wall of the cavity where the wall includes one or more openings to the cavity to thereby allow acoustic energy to be damped by the cavity. Various other exemplary technologies are also disclosed. |
| US07794203B2 |
Joining device for joining two assemblies, for example for a stator of a turbomachine
A joining device including a clevis and a connecting member is disclosed. The connecting member includes a through hole which is housed between a first and a second lug of the clevis. These lugs respectively have a first clevis hole and a second clevis hole. The device further includes a shear pin system passing through each of the holes and includes a threaded end collaborating with a nut system which abuts against the second lug. The shear pin system includes a widened portion passing through the first hole and forming a shoulder situated between the two lugs. The member is situated away from the first lug. A first side of the member is pressed against the shoulder and a second side of the member is pressed against the second lug. |
| US07794200B2 |
Turbocharger with a variable nozzle device
A turbocharger comprises a center housing (3) and a turbine housing (1) with a variable nozzle device arranged there between. The turbocharger further comprises an annular arrangement of adjustable vanes (7) interposed in an annular nozzle (9) for defining a plurality of nozzle passages, wherein the vanes (7) are axially resiliently supported on the center housing (3) or the turbine housing (601), respectively. |
| US07794198B2 |
Centrifugal fan and apparatus using the same
A lateral plate and a main plate are provided inside a casing, and a plurality of blades are circularly arranged on this main plate. A plurality of asperities are formed from the front blade edge toward the rear blade edge on at least one of dorsal and ventral sides of each blade. |
| US07794197B2 |
Aerofoil blades with improved impact resistance
An aerofoil blade for a gas turbine engine, the blade having a metallic core defining a number of cavities that contain a foamed material. The cavities are shaped such that the force of an impact on one surface of the blade is dissipated through the foam and transmitted to the metallic core. A fibrous internal containment device allows the blade to fragment progressively thereby spreading the load imparted by the blade to a casing should the blade fragment upon impact. |
| US07794194B2 |
Pick and place work piece flipper
An apparatus and associated method is provided for individually positioning first and second input links of a four-bar linkage to move first and second follower links pivotally joined therebetween in order to move a chuck supported by one of the follower links between a retracted position and an extended position. |
| US07794192B2 |
Apparatus for handling and racking pipes
An apparatus and method for handling pipes in a derrick and racking the pipes on a pipe racking assembly mounted on the derrick. The apparatus includes a rotatable gate assembly rotatably mounted on the pipe racking assembly. The rotatable gate assembly includes a collar rotatably mounted to a first end of a rotatable pipe support. A pipe manipulator arm is pivotably mounted on a second end of the rotatable gate assembly. The collar defines a gate for securing an upper portion of the pipe stand. A pipe mount is mounted to a distal end of the arm for holding the pipe stand for transport between the derrick and the gate, and between the gate and the pipe rack. After the arm secures the pipe stand into the gate from the derrick, a drive mechanism rotates the rotatable gate assembly to a rack facing position from the derrick facing position such that the arm may transport the pipe between the gate and the pipe rack. |
| US07794184B2 |
Dust catcher
A dust catcher has a contact element configured to catch abraded material that is produced by a power tool on a workpiece, and the contact element includes a handgrip element for holding the contact element on the workpiece. |
| US07794183B2 |
Burrless flexible track drilling system and method having counterweight tool balancing system
A burrless, flexible track drilling system employing a counterweight tool balancing subsystem. The counterweight tool balancing subsystem provides essentially a “weightless” feel to a machining subassembly of the system that carries a drill and an electromagnet. This enables an operator to move the machining subassembly vertically with only a very minimal degree of effort being required. The machining subassembly also includes a plurality of lifting subassemblies that aid the user in lifting and lowering the electromagnet away from and toward a pair of panels on which a drilling operation is being performed. This also significantly reduces operator fatigue and contributes to a highly ergonomic system. |
| US07794181B2 |
Mine roof and rib support device
A mine roof and rib support can be a support member having a roof support arm and a rib support arm, wherein the roof support arm is provided at an angle to the rib support arm. An aperture for a roof bolt is provided through the support member adjacent an intersection of the roof support arm and the rib support arm. A bearing plate having an upper edge and a lower edge, and a through-hole provided therebetween, can be provided wherein the upper and lower edges are positioned in abutment with the roof and rib support arms, respectively, to simultaneously apply force to each arm when a roof bolt is installed through each of the bearing plate and the support member. A flange can be provided at a distal end of one or both of the roof and rib support arms, each flange projecting toward the mine roof or rib. |
| US07794180B2 |
High face-area low-volume concrete wall block, form and method
A retaining wall block and method of forming a retaining wall block are provided. The block includes front, back, top, bottom and side surfaces. The top surface of the retaining wall block includes a set of protrusions and the bottom surface includes a channel for engaging with the protrusions of adjacent blocks. Side surfaces of the block are tapered from the front surface to the back surface. A block form and a method of securing a stabilizing sheet to a block are also provided. |
| US07794168B2 |
Quantitative discharge structure for brushed cosmetic jar
Disclosed is a quantitative discharge structure for a brushed cosmetic jar. The jar includes a receptacle that receives and stores powder cosmetic product therein and has a top opening to which a closing/opening seat formed by a stacking arrangement of upper and lower valve boards is mounted. An implanting seat of bristle bundles has a bottom forms a reservoir located above the opening/closing seat so that when the opening/closing seat opens, a predetermined amount of the cosmetic product is fed into the reservoir. And the cosmetic product is then discharge into the bristles for uniform and comfortable application. |
| US07794166B2 |
Press-type cosmetic container with anti-press means
The present invention is related to a press-type cosmetic container with an anti-press means. That is, a cosmetic container adopts the way of pressing to output the material therein. More particularly, the press cover of the cosmetic container is stopped by a block to prevent discharging or leaking the material in the cosmetic container. |
| US07794162B2 |
Mechanical shutter and camera module having the same
A mechanical shutter includes a base, four shutter blades, four permanent magnets, and four electromagnets. The base has an aperture for permitting light into a camera module. The shutter blade includes a light shielding portion capable of moving across the aperture by rotating about a shaft formed on the base, a securing portion secured on the base, and an elastic portion connecting the light shielding portion and the securing portion. The permanent magnet is secured on a light shielding portion and sleeves around a shaft. The electromagnets are capable of providing magnetic force to rotate the permanent magnets. |
| US07794160B1 |
Support system for a camera stabilizing device
A support system is provided for a user operating a camera attached to a stabilizing device. The support system includes a waist belt adapted to secure around a waist of the user. A mounting bracket is secured to the front section of the waist belt and is attached to a socket block. A first brace support bar is positioned substantially along a horizontal plane through a bore in the mounting bracket. The first brace support bar has opposed ends separately secured to a first pair of end brackets. A pair of second brace support bars separately extend downwardly from the first pair of end brackets. A lower end defined in the second brace support bars are then secured to one of a second pair of end brackets. Lastly, a pair of forks are separately secured to the second pair of end brackets, each fork receiving a wheel. |
| US07794157B2 |
Wireless tuning and reconfiguration of network units including optoelectronic components
A method for monitoring conditions or adjusting a communications transmission characteristic, such as the optical wavelength, in a network unit such as a server, data storage unit, router, or switch, using a portable terminal having wireless RF communications capability. In one embodiment, the network unit has a tunable laser subassembly for converting and coupling an information-containing electrical signal with an optical fiber for transmitting an optical signal. The portable terminal may utilize an RFID interrogator, and the network unit may have a dynamic RFID tag to communicate identification and status information. |
| US07794151B2 |
Fluid dynamic bearing system
The invention relates to a fluid dynamic bearing system particularly for the purpose of rotatably supporting a spindle motor, having a first bearing part that comprises a bearing sleeve, and a second bearing part that comprises a shaft, the two bearing parts being spaced apart from one another by a bearing gap and being rotatable with respect to each other, wherein the bearing sleeve is closed at one end by a counter plate that is accommodated in an annular recess in the bearing sleeve and connected to the bearing sleeve by a welded joint. According to the invention, a bearing system is provided in which the counter plate has a reduced thickness (D2) at its outer edge and is welded in the region of its reduced thickness (D2) to the bearing sleeve. The reduced thickness of the counter plate at the region of its outer edge means that the vertical gap between the bearing sleeve and the counter plate is made very much shorter, or is done away with altogether, so that no unwanted air can remain in the gap. |
| US07794149B2 |
Container of selectively expanded plastic film with fitment
A container including a fitment providing a closure and a plurality of panels of plastic film. Each of the panels has a pair of opposing longitudinal edges with each edge joined to a longitudinal edge of an adjacent panel to form an outwardly extending seam. The panels collectively form a tube-like structure. A first end of the tube-like structure is sealed to the fitment. An opposing second end of the tube-like structure is closed by seams joining adjacent panels. A first portion of each of the panels adjacent the second end of the tube-like structure is expanded such that the first portion of each of the panels is not flat. A second portion of each of the panels between the first end and the second end is left substantially unexpanded such that the second portion of each of the panels is substantially flat. |
| US07794148B2 |
Bulk bag for dense materials
A bulk bag for dense materials includes side walls seamed together end-to-end to form a rectangular enclosure and at least a bottom wall secured to the lower ends of the side walls. Baffles are secured in the side wall seams and extend diagonally across the interior of the bulk bag to maintain the bulk bag in a rectangular cross-sectional configuration when filled with dense materials. |
| US07794147B2 |
Multiple applications of seaming solutions for heat shrunk bands and labels
A sleeve and method for making the same for use in packaging consumer goods comprising a plastic film having a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge is disclosed. The plastic film is rolled into a tube wherein the first longitudinal edge overlaps the second longitudinal edge defining a flap. A plurality of seaming beads are applied along the first longitudinal edge to seam the first longitudinal edge to the second longitudinal edge, the plurality of seaming beads including an inner seaming bead and an outer seaming bead to form a plurality of seams in the sleeve. In exemplary embodiments, the plurality of seaming beads are utilized with different adhesive solutions. Other embodiments include, but are not limited to a perforation strip between the at least two seaming solutions. |
| US07794146B1 |
Ultrasonic cleaning pouch system
A sheet of material in a generally rectangular configuration has first and second side edges and first and second end edges. The first and second end edges define an opening. A fold between the end edges forms panels with a chamber formed between the panels. Coupling components couple the panels of the sheet to form a pouch. A fastener separably couples the first and second end edges. |
| US07794145B2 |
Medical table and X-ray imaging apparatus
A medical table in which a top plate for a patient to lie on is supported by a pedestal base in a manner to be able to move parallel to a plate surface, includes a detecting device for detecting that fingers holding the top plate are about to collide against the pedestal base when moving the top plate, and a stopping device for stopping movement of the top plate according to a detection signal from the detecting device. |
| US07794144B2 |
Optical alignment system and alignment method for radiographic X-ray imaging
An X-ray optical alignment system for X-ray imaging devices includes a visible-light point source and a multi-axis positioner therefor, fixedly mounted with respect to the X-ray focal spot. A mirror or beamsplitter is fixedly mounted with respect to the X-ray focal spot and disposed in the beam path of the X-ray source. The beamsplitter reflects light emitted from the light source and transmits X-rays emitted from the X-ray source. A first X-ray attenuating grid is fixedly but removably mountable with respect to the X-ray source, having a first X-ray attenuation pattern; and a second X-ray attenuating grid is adjustably mountable with respect to the first grid having a second X-ray attenuating pattern corresponding to the first X-ray attenuating pattern. When the grids are aligned, their attenuating patterns are also aligned and allow X-rays from the X-ray source and light reflected from the beamsplitter to pass therethrough. |
| US07794142B2 |
Magnetic element temperature sensors
Small, low-cost wireless temperature sensors (26,64,96) are provided for sensing the temperature of an object (44). The temperature sensors (26,64,96) preferably include a plurality of individual, magnetically susceptible temperature sensor elements (28-34,66,92), as well as optional magnetic field-responsive data elements (38,40,20) adapted for attachment to object (44) or to a substrate (82) in turn attached to object (44). The temperature sensor elements (28-34,66,92) preferably have magnetic bodies (22,70) exhibiting a re-magnetization response under the influence of an applied alternating magnetic field, which is different below and above a set point temperature, normally the Curie temperature of the magnetic body (22) or an adjacent sheath (74,94). The temperature sensors (26,64,96) are used in conjunction with a detector (46) operable to generate a magnetic field of magnitude sufficient to cause re-magnetization responses of the temperature sensor elements (28-34,66,92) and optional data elements (38,40,20), to detect such responses, and to use the detected responses to determine the temperature of object (44) by means of a decoding algorithm. The temperature sensors (26,64,96) can be used in closed-loop heating systems (98) capable of controlling the heating of an object (114). |
| US07794141B2 |
Thermal and coductivity sensing systems, devices and methods
A sensing probe is described. The sensing probe includes a probe housing having a probe tip. A thermal sensor in the housing is also included. The thermal sensor has a sensing end and a connector end, where the sensing end is thermally coupled to the probe tip. Also included are at least two leads. The leads transfer electrical signals that are used to determine temperature and conductivity. Also included is a thermal well. The thermal well includes a hollow housing of a thermally conductive material. The housing has an outer surface and an inner surface. The inner surface is a predetermined shape so as to form a mating relationship with a sensing probe. The mating thermally couples the inner surface with a sensing probe. In some embodiments, the thermal well is located on a disposable portion and the sensing probe on a reusable portion. |
| US07794138B2 |
Device for operating an electronic multifunctional device
An operating mechanism of a multifunctional device which can be worn on the wrist and has a housing with integrated electronics. The operating mechanism is integrated into the housing and has an operating element which is a one-piece or multi-piece setting stem. The setting stem partly crosses the housing, and the setting stem is arranged parallel to a planar enlargement of the housing and is rotatably and linearly moveably mounted. The setting stem can be moved linearly parallel to the longitudinal axis and rotatively about the rotational axis/longitudinal axis by a first operating watch button and optionally with a second operating watch button. The movement of the setting stem triggers various contacts on a contact plate, from which contacts electronic signals are sent to the electronics, as a result of which the electronic control of the multifunctional device is effected. |
| US07794136B2 |
Twin-vortex micromixer for enforced mass exchange
The present invention discloses a vortex-modulation based micromixer for enforced mass exchange. The micromixer of the present invention comprises a mixing chamber with grooves on one wall thereof and a special-shape barrier on another wall. As different fluids are injected into the mixing chamber respectively from two inlets of the micromixer, the grooves and barriers of the micromixer of the present invention create the constructive interferences to form the active-like agitation of the fluid. For every groove, the flux passed by can be increased via its high pressure gradient. Understandably, the mixing efficiency of the fluids can be greatly improved within a very short distance. At last, the outlet of the micromixer is located in the downstream of the mixing chamber and further is able to connect with other elements. The present invention is entirely a passive micromixer and no additional energy is required. The present invention can apply to a continuous chemical analysis, particularly to a lab-on-a-chip or a micro total analysis system. |
| US07794135B2 |
Dry polymer hydration apparatus and methods of use
Disclosed are apparatus and methods for preparing wellbore viscous treatment gels from dry polymer and water. The apparatus includes an eductor which slurries dry polymer with water, at least two input tubes, wherein one input tube is connected with the eductor, and another to a water source. The apparatus also includes a mixing chimney connected to the input tubes. The mixing chimney includes a lower input section with inlets connected to the input tubes wherein a jet of metered dilution water is applied at high pressure to the incoming polymer-water slurry stream. This mixture is then accelerated in a circular, and preferably upward, motion where it is sheared against the wall of a central section of the chimney, without the use of an impeller. The chimney further includes an output section that comprising holes circumferentially located, through which the mixture passes from the central section and into a hydration tank. The mixture exiting the chimney is polymer-water gel which is essentially fully mixed and de-aerated, and at least partially hydrated. |
| US07794134B1 |
Method of preconditioner control with reduced or zero waste
Improved, low- or no-waste control methods for food processing systems including a preconditioner (14) and a downstream processing device such as an extruder (16) are provided. The control methods include both startup and shutdown sequences, and an optional flush sequence. During startup, a gate (64) of preconditioner (14) is initially closed and is thereafter sequentially opened to a full open, normal operating position after predetermined preconditioner temperature and/or weight set points are achieved. Shutdown involves terminating the flow of ingredients to the preconditioner (14) while the gate (64) remains open, with the preconditioner operated to deliver the preconditioned material within the preconditioner (14) to the extruder (16) for as long as possible in order to minimize any residual waste within the preconditioner. |
| US07794133B1 |
Dust-reducing mixing device and process
Mixing devices and processes that make it possible to mix flowable finely divided solid particles with liquids (and/or slurries of solids in liquids) contained in an open top container outdoors under windy conditions, with reduced or eliminated dusting from entrainment of the flowable finely divided solids by the wind, utilize a mixing device with a dust-tight housing open at its bottom and partially immersed below the surface of the liquid, an inlet port on the housing for the finely divided solids, an outlet port on the housing for escape of air displaced by liquids flowing through an opening into the immersed portion of the housing, and, inside the housing, a driven impeller that causes the actual mixing. |
| US07794130B2 |
Segmented light guide
An exemplary embodiment of a segmented light guide includes a light channeling layer having a plurality of regions, with multiple slits in the light channeling layer dividing neighboring regions. The segmented light guide also includes at least one light source associated with the light channeling layer. |
| US07794128B2 |
Lamp unit of vehicle headlamp
A vehicle lamp includes a plurality of semiconductor light emitting devices and a reflector for reflecting light emitted from the semiconductor light emitting devices toward a front side of the vehicle lamp. The reflector is formed into a shape whose front area is open. A plate-like partition member is disposed inside the reflector to partition the reflector into a plurality of reflecting areas. The semiconductor light emitting devices are mounted on the plate-like partition member in respective reflecting areas such that optical axes of the semiconductor light emitting devices are directed in a direction substantially perpendicular to a lamp optical axis. |
| US07794125B2 |
Luminous element comprising at least one substrate and a light-emitting coating
A flat luminous element with at least one substrate and one coating, applied onto the surface of the substrate and emitting light, and including plural luminous elements configured to be separately electrically connected next to one another, in different parts of the surface, so as to obtain different luminous effects. At least one separate luminous element is provided with an enhanced luminous power relative to the luminosity of the surface and with a light emission that is directed. |
| US07794124B2 |
Bi-directional boat running and emergency light apparatus and method
A boat running light and emergency light apparatus and method comprising a plurality of radially projecting lights, at least one axially upward projecting light and at least one photometer, wherein the at least one photometer senses the amount of illumination from the plurality of radially projecting lights. Upon a reduction or cessation of illumination caused by failure of one or more of the plurality of radially projecting lights, the plurality of radially projecting lights are turned off and the axially upward projecting lights are illuminated to notify boaters of a faulty light while still providing redundant lighting. Additionally, the boat light is capable of flashing SOS in Morse code during an emergency situation. The lights are preferably high intensity directional light emitting diodes. |
| US07794118B2 |
Light emitting diode assembly
An LED assembly (10) includes an LED (12) and a lens (16). The lens covers on an outer periphery of the LED. The LED has an encapsulant (125) and an LED chip (121) received in the encapsulant (125) and having a light emitting surface (122). The lens has a light output surface (161) over the light emitting surface. The light output surface defines a plurality of annular, concentric grooves (163). Each groove (163) is cooperatively enclosed by a first groove wall (165) and a second groove wall (166). The first groove wall is a portion of a periphery of an imaginary cone and a conical tip of the imaginary cone is located on the light emitting surface of the LED chip. |
| US07794116B2 |
LED lamp with a heat dissipation device
An LED lamp includes a first heat sink, a second heat sink attached to the first heat sink and a LED module thermally attached on the second heat sink. The first heat sink includes a substrate and a plurality of first fins arranged on the substrate. A plurality of channels are defined between the first fins of the first heat sink. A plurality of traverse grooves are extended through all of the first fins and the channels between the first fins. The grooves are spaced from each other a distance along a lengthwise direction of the first heat sink. The channels are divided into a plurality of parts separated from each other by the grooves. The channels and grooves of the first heat sink increase contact area of the first heat sink and air surrounding the first heat sink. |
| US07794114B2 |
Methods and apparatus for improved heat spreading in solid state lighting systems
A solid state lighting subassembly or fixture includes an anisotropic heat spreading material. A heat spreading layer may be placed between a light emitting diode (LED) and luminaire or reflector and serves to spread heat laterally away from the LED. Low profile, low weight heat spreading may be utilized both to retrofit existing light fixtures with LEDs or to replace existing incandescent and fluorescent fixtures with LED based fixtures. |
| US07794112B2 |
Lighting apparatus
It is a lighting apparatus 10 that has a light emitting element 16, a light emitting element housing 15 having a concave portion 28 that accommodates the light emitting element 16, and an optically transparent member 18 that airproofs a space B formed by the concave portion 28 and transmits light emitted from the light emitting element 16. The concave portion 28 is shaped to become wider toward the optically transparent member 18 from the bottom surface 28A of the concave portion 28. The lighting apparatus 10 is provided with a light shielding member 12 for shielding a part of light emitted from the light emitting element 16 is provided on the optically transparent member 18. |
| US07794111B2 |
White light illuminator and reading lamp using the same
A reading lamp (100) includes a lamp holder (20), a lampshade (40), a bracket (30) connecting the lamp holder with the lampshade, and a white light illuminator (50) received in the lampshade. The white light illuminator includes a light mixer (52), and at least a group of solid-state, light emitting elements (544) arranged to at least one side of the light mixer. The at least a group of solid-state, light emitting elements includes three kinds of solid-state, light emitting elements which respectively emit red, green and blue lights. The light mixer reflects, refracts and mixes the red, green and blue lights to obtain white light which directly radiates and spreads from a light emitting surface (521) of the light mixer. |
| US07794110B2 |
Anti-collision light for an aircraft
An anti-collision light for an aircraft with a first light emitting level and a second light emitting level, wherein the first light emitting level is arranged above the second light emitting level and each light emitting level comprises a board on which light emitting diodes are arranged and a reflector for reflecting light emitted by the light emitting diodes essentially perpendicular to the board in a lateral direction, and wherein on the board of the first light emitting level the light emitting diodes are arranged on at least one straight line and on the board of the second light emitting level the light emitting diodes are arranged on a closed line that essentially has the shape of an ellipse or a rounded rectangle. An anti-collision light with a first light emitting level being arranged above a second light emitting level and pointing into the opposite direction than the second light emitting level, wherein both on a board of the first light emitting level and on a board of the second light emitting level light emitting diodes are arranged on a straight line. |
| US07794106B2 |
Back light unit and display apparatus having the same
A back light unit for a display apparatus having a power supply includes: a lamp part having a plurality of lamps; and an inverter board which is provided on a path through which power is supplied from the power supply to the lamp part, and includes a connector assembly provided on one side of the inverter board, the connector assembly including at least one female connector in which a plurality of socket accommodators provided to supply the power to the lamps is formed as one body, and at least one male connector on which a plurality of socket connectors connected to the socket accommodators is formed as one body. |
| US07794103B2 |
Parking space barrier block with photovoltaic illumination
A solar-powered parking space barrier block is configured as a one-piece molded housing of a high strength, transparent plastic material in which a photovoltaic solar panel and a DC energy storage module are inclosed. A pair of white light LED lamps provide end panel marker illumination, two yellow light LED lamps provide hazard warning illumination and a rechargeable supercapacitor storage module provides operating power. A power control circuit enables use of the solar panel as a photosensor to automatically energize the LED lamps when ambient skylight falls below a predetermined safe visibility level, and removes operating power from the LED lamps when ambient skylight rises above a predetermined safe visibility level. |
| US07794101B2 |
Microprocessor enabled article of illuminated footwear with wireless charging
An apparatus and system for incorporating a resilient source of high-visibility illumination into an article of footwear. A biomechanically-sound and hermetically-sealed electronics module contains a microprocessor, power source, and at least one light source, such as a light emitting diode, or LED. The LEDs are not externally visible, but rather illuminate a diffusive substrate that is incorporated into the construction of the footwear, allowing for visibility from substantially every angle above the bottom of the sole. A control panel enables the wearer to turn the power on and off, change colors, rotate through transition effects, and the like. A charging pad allows for the wireless and contact-less recharging of the onboard power source. |
| US07794097B2 |
Planar light source
In a planar light source in which a plurality of linear light sources are arranged in parallel between a reflector and a diffuser that are disposed in parallel, and a reflective chevronwise partition plate is provided between adjacent linear light sources, the following conditions are met: T=(H+Q)/2−D/2, θ<90° −arctan(Q/L), θ<{90° +arctan(T−Q)/(P/2)}/2. A vertical distance from the reflector to a peak section of the chevronwise partition plate is T. A vertical distance from the reflector to a center of a linear light source is Q. A vertical distance from the reflector to the diffuser is H. A horizontal distance from the center of the linear light source to a foot section of the chevronwise partition plate is L. A horizontal distance between the centers of adjacent linear light sources is P. A diameter of the linear light source is D. A foot angle of the chevronwise partition plate is θ. |
| US07794095B2 |
Sanitary fitting with a lightguide outflow pipe
A sanitary fitting includes a light-permeable water-carrying outflow pipe that has (i) an exposed end face and (ii) an input face located upstream of the exposed end face. A light source, preferably including light emitting diodes (LED), inputs light into the outflow pipe through the input face. The light emerges from the outflow pipe at the end face, and may also emerge at an exposed outer peripheral surface area of the outflow pipe. The outflow pipe has a stationary first outflow pipe piece with the input face and a rotatable second outflow pipe piece with the exposed end face. |
| US07794091B2 |
Image offset adjustment apparatus for LCD projector and mobile phone having the same
An image offset adjustment apparatus for an LCD projector which is constructed to enable the adjustment of an image offset. The LCD projector includes a light source for emitting light, mirrors, and an LCD installed in front of the mirrors so that an image generated in the LCD is enlarged and projected on a screen. The image offset adjustment apparatus includes a projection lens section including a plurality of projection lenses having their respective LCDs at different circumferential positions to have different image offsets; a lens housing for housing the respective projection lenses adjacent to one another in a circumferential direction; rotation means for rotating the lens housing; and a controller for controlling the rotation means so that the lens housing can be controllably rotated to select one of the projection lenses and one of the image offsets as desired by a user. |
| US07794076B2 |
Ultraviolet ray irradiation device, recording apparatus using the ultraviolet ray irradiation device, and recording method
The ultraviolet ray irradiation devices are attached to a carriage having a print head that ejects the ultraviolet curable ink, and include a plurality of ultraviolet light sources that irradiate ultraviolet rays onto ink coating ejected on a print sheet by the print head. An ultraviolet ray of the ultraviolet light source that irradiates the ultraviolet ray onto the print sheet in the vicinity of the print head has a wavelength shorter than an ultraviolet ray of the ultraviolet light source that irradiates the ultraviolet ray onto the print sheet apart from the vicinity of the print head along the moving direction of the carriage. The ultraviolet ray irradiation device is capable of sufficiently curing a plurality of ultraviolet curable ink adhered on a recording medium without incurring a problem of blurring or color mixing for a multiple-color printing process such as a full-color printing process. |
| US07794073B2 |
Ink jet printer
A light guide 3c of the printing shear detection sensor 3 is shaped so that the width of a side cross section when viewed in the conveying direction of a recording paper sheet P indicated by arrow B may be gradually smaller with an increasing degree of change from the top toward the bottom. The light emitted from the light emitting device 3a is incident on the light guide 3c from above, passes through the light guide 3c while being reflected on the side surface of the light guide 3c, is emitted toward the recording paper sheet P from the bottom of the light guide 3c, converged and projected on the recording paper sheet P as slit-like light. The light reflected on the recording paper sheet P is incident on the light receiving device 3b and thus, the printing shear detection pattern formed on the recording paper sheet P can be detected with high accuracy. The light guide 3c can be manufactured with using an inexpensive molding die at low costs, distinct from the conventional condenser lens. |
| US07794072B2 |
Guide for printer solid ink transport and method
A solid ink delivery system for use with a solid ink stick for use in solid ink printers is provided. The solid ink delivery system is used for delivering the stick to a melting station for melting the stick so that the ink may be transferred to media to form an image on the media. The delivery system includes a guide for guiding the stick in a prescribed path. The guide defines a loading position to permit the stick to be placed in the guide and a delivery position adjacent the melt station. The stick advances from the loading position to the delivery position in the prescribed path and a portion of the prescribed path is arcuate. |
| US07794057B2 |
Fluid ejection device
A fluid ejection device having firing cells, signal lines configured to receive a series of pulses, and an address generator configured to receive pulses from the series of pulses and generate a set of address signals in response to the received pulses, wherein the set of address signals is adapted to enable the firing cells for activation. |
| US07794054B2 |
Droplet printing apparatus using capillary electric charge concentration
A droplet printing apparatus using capillary electric charge concentration includes a reservoir which contains a solution, a capillary nozzle comprising a back-end part and a front-end part disposed substantially opposite the back-end part, a target member spaced apart from the front-end part of the capillary nozzle at a predetermined distance, and a voltage supplier which supplies a voltage to the solution, wherein the back-end part is immersed in the solution and transmits the solution to the front-end part. |
| US07794046B2 |
Duplex printing system
A fluid ejection system includes a receiver transport system configured to transport a receiver in a first direction, a first fluid ejection head including a first set of fluid ejection nozzles to deposit fluid drops on a first surface of the receiver, and a second fluid ejection head including a second set of fluid ejection nozzles to deposit fluid drops on a second surface of the receiver. The first set of fluid ejection nozzles are distributed in a first region that extends at least up to an edge of the first surface that is substantially parallel to the first direction. |
| US07794044B2 |
Ink jet printing apparatus
A plurality of ejection portions are divided into groups, each containing at least one ejection portion, so that the suction-based recovery operation can be performed for each group independently. Since the number of ejection portions contained in each group differs, if an ink flow resistance varies among the different groups, simultaneous suction-based recovery operations can be done by using a common suction pump, without having to sequentially perform the suction-based recovery operations under an optimum pump driving condition. For this purpose, inner diameters of a plurality of ink discharge tubes running from a plurality of cap units, which cap a plurality of print head units having different numbers of ejection portions, to the common pump are differentiated. This allows different flows to be produced in different ink discharge systems, thus generating desirable ink flows for individual ink supply systems. |
| US07794042B2 |
Systems and methods for reducing process direction registration errors of a printhead using a linear array sensor
Systems and methods are provided for detecting process direction registration errors in a printer. The errors are detected by analyzing a metric of a dash minimum response obtained from a test pattern. The test pattern contains dashes. At least one dash is shifted in the process direction in relation to another dash. |
| US07794040B2 |
Print system motion sensor with feedback control
A print system has a print engine, a presence detector and a controller. The controller receives the signal from the detector, accesses past usage data, and combines the signal and the usage data to adjust operations of the print engine. |
| US07794039B2 |
Recording apparatus
A recording apparatus is provided which is capable of detecting a width and a position of a recording paper sheet with a simple configuration and does not cause a positional deviation of an image. The recording apparatus includes a carriage configured to reciprocate and having a recording head mounted thereon, and a sensor disposed on the carriage to detect an image recorded on the recording medium. The sensor is configured detect an end portion in a width direction of the recording medium. |
| US07794037B2 |
Method for reducing a strikethrough effect in inkjet printing on thin substrates
A method for reducing the strikethrough effect in inkjet printing on thin substrates is disclosed. The method includes determining a normal print quality; determining a normal quantity of ink which would be used for inkjet printing of a certain print image on a strikethrough-resistant substrate, based on the normal print quality; determining a minimal print quality for the print image to be printed; determining a maximal value for the strikethrough effect; reducing the normal quantity of ink to a reduced quantity of ink, so that the print image has at least the minimal print quality and the maximal value of the strikethrough effect is not exceeded. |
| US07794032B2 |
Liquid ejecting apparatus, liquid container, and method for determining liquid level of liquid container
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes: a liquid ejecting head that can eject liquid; a pressure pump that discharges pressurized air during operation; at least one liquid container that contains liquid; a pressurized-air feed channel that feeds the liquid container with the pressurized air discharged from the pressure pump; a liquid feed channel that feeds the liquid ejecting head with the liquid discharged from the liquid container in accordance with the pressure of the pressurized air that is fed to the liquid container through the pressurized-air feed channel; a hydraulic-pressure measuring device disposed in a no pressure region that is not under the pressure of the pressurized air, for measuring the pressure of the liquid fed from the liquid container to the liquid ejecting head; a determining section that determines, if the hydraulic-pressure measuring device detects a value lower than a threshold hydraulic pressure predetermined as the lower limit of the hydraulic pressure necessary for feeding the liquid from the liquid container to the liquid ejecting head during the period from the start to the end of the operation of the pressure pump or immediately after the operation stops, that the liquid container has run out or is about to run out of liquid; and a controller that controls the operation of the pressure pump on the basis of the measurement of the hydraulic-pressure measuring device. |
| US07794029B2 |
Ball bearing slide assembly
A ball bearing slide assembly includes a first slide, a second slide, a slide-aiding member, and a positioning member. The first slide is slidably received in the second slide. The second slide defines a receiving hole. The slide-aiding member is sandwiched between the first slide and the second slide. The slide-aiding member defines a slot. The positioning member is pivotably mounted to the slide-aiding member and forms a positioning tab. The positioning tab extends through the slot of the slide-aiding member for engaging in the receiving hole of the second slide to lock the slide-aiding member with the second slide such that the first slide is slidable inward relative to the second slide without pushing the slide-aiding member inward. The first slide, when slid inward, is capable of pushing the positioning member to disengage the positioning tab from the receiving hole such that the slide-aiding member is slidable relative to the first and second slides. |
| US07794024B1 |
Seat belt buckle
A buckle assembly configured to mate with a plurality of tongues may include a rotational lever; a latch plate supported by the rotational lever and configured to move in a vertical direction when the lever rotates; a plurality of latch pins, wherein each latch pin is configured to engage the latch plate at one end of the pin and one of the plurality of tongues at the other end of the pin in order to mate the tongue with the buckle assembly; and a rotational solenoid. A core of the rotational solenoid may be connected to the rotational lever, so that rotation of the core causes the lever to rotate and the latch plate to move in a vertical direction. Each of the latch pins is configured to disengage from the corresponding tongue when the lever rotates. |
| US07794020B2 |
Vehicle seat
The invention relates to a vehicle seat wherein the vehicle seat includes a back rest frame and a seat frame, which can be fastened to each other via a fitting. During assembly, mutually corresponding fastening points on the fitting and on at least one of the frame parts are brought to overlap in order to connect the two frame parts to each other with the aid of fastening elements. For the assembly, assembly aids are provided on the frame part and fitting. The assembly aids engage one inside the other in a form-fitting manner and are configured so that the two frame parts are held in an assembly aid position in which the mutually corresponding fastening points are aligned with respect to each other. |
| US07794018B2 |
Vehicle seats
A vehicle seat having a seat cushion may include a pair of slide devices disposed on a vehicle floor, a pair of lock devices respectively provided to the slide devices, and an operation mechanism of the lock devices. The slide devices are arranged and constructed to slide the vehicle seat on the vehicle floor. The lock devices are capable of releasably locking the vehicle seat at a desired position on the vehicle floor. The operation mechanism includes a synchronization member having an operation member. The synchronization member is disposed above the slide devices and is linked to the lock devices via a linking mechanism. |
| US07794014B2 |
Multimedia chair and method
A multimedia chair (200) includes an electronic module having an electronic processor and at least one electronic controller operatively connected to the electronic processor. A visual display (120) is connected to the electronic module and operatively communicates with the electronic processor. A base (202) structure connected to the electronic module is connected to a chair (200). |
| US07794011B2 |
Aerodynamic properties of ground vehicles
The present invention relates to the improvement of the aerodynamic properties of bluff-body shaped ground vehicles. A least one air modulator is assembled on the vehicle to modify an air flow around the vehicle, such that the drag on the vehicle is decreased. Each air modulator has an array of openings including a number of openings, which are arranged next to one another along an essentially straight line. A control unit controls the at least one air modulator output oscillating air from each opening such that air vortices are formed outside the opening. The at least one air modulator is arranged on the vehicle, such that these air vortices have axes that, in proximity to the opening, are essentially perpendicular to a forward driving direction of the vehicle. |
| US07794010B2 |
Door trim
A door trim having rigidity as an armrest while is easily deformed in an event of side impact to a vehicle and thereby reduces impact to a person located in a compartment of the vehicle, can be provided with the present invention.The door trim 1 for use with the vehicle includes a body 10 and an armrest 20 that protrudes from the body 10. The armrest 20 includes resin foam molding. The armrest 20 is thinner than the body 10. The door trim 1 also includes a plurality of ribs 23 disposed on an inner surface of the armrest 20. The armrest 20 is pushed against the person to be deformed in the event of side impact to the vehicle, thereby reducing impact to the person. A position of a break line 21 is set by the plurality of ribs 23 arranged in a front-back direction of the vehicle. |
| US07794007B2 |
Passenger vehicle rear end structure
A passenger vehicle rear end structure is provided with a vehicle body and a rear window. The vehicle body includes a vehicle interior area, a roof portion overlying the vehicle interior area, a pair of rear pillars and a rear body portion adjoined to a rear part of the roof portion by the rear pillars, at least one of the rear pillars, the rear body portion and the roof portion defining a rear window opening. The rear window is movably with respect to the vehicle body between a closed position that covers the rear window opening and an open position that exposes the rear window opening, with a majority of the rear window overlapping the roof portion when the rear window is in the open position. |
| US07794003B2 |
Modular storage system
A modular storage system for use with a utility vehicle is disclosed. The modular storage system can extend across the floor of the utility vehicle and have a central elongated bin that is located between two wheel wells and extends generally between a front wall and a rear door of a utility vehicle storage space. A side bin can be included and be located between the central elongated bin and one of the side walls of the storage space. |
| US07794001B2 |
Mobile medical facility
A mobile medical facility capable of treating a plurality of patients and being transported over the roadways without requiring extensive transporting means. In general the mobile medical facility includes a trailer. The trailer defines a floor area and has at least a first and second configuration. In the first configuration, the floor area is reduced to allow for transporting of the trailer over the public highways. In the second configuration, the floor area of the trailer is expanded and large enough to support a plurality of beds for treating patients. In some embodiments, the floor area in the second configuration may be at least twice as large as the floor area in the first configuration. |
| US07794000B2 |
Configuration for operating interior device and cup holder using the same
In an operating member (2) disposed in a cabin and manually operated by the occupant of a seat and an interior device (8) such as a cup holder allowing its position to be changed with a movable mechanism disposed near the seat, the operating member (2) possesses a detecting sensor (51) for detecting a starting time of a manual operation of the operating member (2) by a hand, and a movable mechanism (25) automatically changes the interior device to a position not to interfere with the manual operation of the operating member in response to the detection signal of the detecting sensor (51). |
| US07793998B2 |
Bumper fixture, and bumper mounting structure
A bumper fixture is interposed between an extended-directional end portion of a bumper and an auto body as to extend the extended-directional end portion of the bumper mounted on the auto body to form a part of a wheel house. The bumper fixture includes a mounting portion mountable to an extended-directional outer end wall of the bumper on one extended-directional end portion of the bumper, and the mounting portion is elastically deformable by a greater than predetermined load. A bumper mounting structure includes the bumper fixture such that an extended directional outer end wall of the bumper is mounted on the mounting portion. |
| US07793995B2 |
Push/push latch
A push/push latch designed to operate in high and low g-force situations, which may be mounted horizontally or vertically. The latch includes a latch body, a track, a housing surrounding the track and latch body, a follower with a pin that moves in the track to actuate the push/push latch. The invention also includes a hammer that repositions when a g-force is applied to the latch to stop the movement of the track body thus preventing the latch from opening during a g-force situation such as a vehicle crash. The hammer may be connected to the housing or to the latch body. |
| US07793994B2 |
Threaded tubular connection
A tubular connection including a first joint having outer threads and an inner bore, and a second joint having outer threads and an inner bore. The tubular connection further includes an outer nut having inner threads that cooperate with the outer threads of the first joint and the second joint. The tubular connection further includes an inner sleeve positioned within the first inner bore and the second inner bore. In one embodiment, the first inner bore contains a first groove having a first seal disposed therein and the second inner bore contains a second groove having a second seal disposed therein, wherein the first and second seals prevents a pressure from exiting the first and second inner bore. |
| US07793993B2 |
Coupling device for a fluid line
A coupling device for a fluid line has a collet and an axially movable actuating sleeve serving for operation of the collet. The collet bears several gripping teeth with associated actuating portions able to be acted on by actuating faces on the actuating sleeve in order to hold the inserted fluid line. In the non-operated state of the actuating sleeve there are at least partly different distances between the mutually associated actuating portions and actuating faces so that on actuation of the actuating sleeve several actuating portions of the collet are acted on one after the other. This means that the necessary actuating force is reduced. |
| US07793991B2 |
Pipe connector
A pipe connector (10) including a joining portion (12) having a port (14) for connection of a first pipe thereto, the joining portion also having a wall for connection of a second pipe thereto, the second pipe being able to be connected to the wall by boring a hole through the wall and bonding the second pipe thereto, the wall having a shape such that the pipe may be bonded to the wall at a plurality of angles with respect to the port, whereby, in use, the pipe connector (10) can connect the first pipe to the second pipe at a plurality of angles with respect to each other. |
| US07793987B1 |
Magnetic coupling assembly and method of using same
A magnetic coupling assembly for use in coupling portions of a gas delivery system. The magnetic coupling assembly includes a first member and a second member to be coupled together. The attractive forces between the first plurality of magnetic elements on the first member and a second plurality of magnetic elements on the second member join these members. The poles of magnetic elements in the first and second plurality of magnetic elements is opposite that of an adjacent magnetic element. The first and second members are easily detached from one another simply by rotating the first member relative to the second member such that the magnetic poles of the magnetic elements in each plurality of magnetic elements become unaligned, causing an weakening of the attractive forces. |
| US07793985B1 |
Retractable auxiliary mud flap device and associated method
The power-operated mud flap device may include a mud flap adapted to be positioned adjacent to an outer face of the existing vehicle tire. The device may also include a mechanism for automatically displacing the mud flap between a raised and a lowered position defined along a vertical plane. The automatic displacing mechanism may further include a drive shaft coupled to a power actuated motor. First and second linear adjustable driven shafts may be mated to the drive shaft. The driven shafts are preferably registered perpendicular to the drive shaft. Additionally, each driven shaft may include a threaded male member and a female member containing an axial bore. The male member may be rotatably inserted into and extracted from the female member in such a way that the longitudinal length of the driven shaft decreases and increases respectively, thus displacing the mud flap into a raised or lowered position respectively. |
| US07793982B2 |
Device for tightening a seat belt
A device for tightening a seat belt has a piston (2) drivable linearly in a piston guide (1) by the gas pressure of a propellant gas. A gearing (3) is also caused to move by the piston (2), the gearing serving the transmission of the piston movement to a pinion (4). The pinion (4) is connected to, or configured to be connected to, a belt spool of a seat belt retractor (13) in a manner whereby rotation of the pinion causes rotation of the belt spool. The gearing (3) on associated with the piston (2) is mounted displaceable transversely to the piston's direction of movement and meshes with the pinion (4) as a result of gas pressure in an expandable bladder (24). |
| US07793981B2 |
Joint, main beam of container semi-trailer provided with the joint and the connecting method thereof
A main beam of a container semi-trailer provided with the joint, and the connecting method thereof. The joint is used to connect a main beam and has a first connecting plate connected to the main beam; a second and a third connecting plate secured to the same side of the first connecting plate and spaced apart to each other; and a fourth connecting plate slantingly connected between the second and third connecting plates. |
| US07793980B2 |
Retractable steering mechanism
A retractable steering mechanism includes a steering wheel, a steering column connected to the steering wheel, a telescopic device connected to steering column, a connector for connecting the telescopic device to two front wheels of the vehicle. A first cover is connected to the vehicle. A second cover is connected to the first cover and includes at least two slots defined therein. A shell is used to house the steering column so that the steering column is rotational but not movable in the shell. The shell includes at two bosses formed thereon and movably disposed in the slots. A moving unit is provided between the vehicle and the shell and operable, in a car accident, to retract and tilt the shell due to the bosses moving in the slots. |
| US07793976B2 |
Tether structure for airbag
An airbag is provided with first and second tethers and attached to the inner surface of the ceiling. The first tether extends towards the left side of the back face side from the center portion of the front face side facing a rider. The second tether extends towards the right side of the back face side from the center portion of the front face side. The first and second tethers are arranged into a substantially V-shape with the bottom on the rider's side. When the airbag is compressed in the back and forth direction by receiving a forward momentum of the rider, the expansion of the airbag is regulated by the first and second tethers on the front face side. The expansion in the right and left direction is not regulated by the first and second tethers on the back face side of the airbag. Accordingly, the airbag expands in the right and left direction on the back face side so as to have a wide width. |
| US07793975B2 |
Method of folding passenger-seat airbag
A passenger-seat airbag (32) includes a pair of left and right airbags (44, 46), and a root portion (48) that is connected to both of the left and right airbags (44, 46). When the passenger-seat airbag (32) is provided in a vehicle, an airbag folded portion (62) that forms the left and right airbags (44, 46) is positioned closer to the rear of the vehicle than the root portion (48) is, and a slack portion (49) that forms the root portion (48) is made upright along the airbag folded portion (62), and is positioned closer to the front of the vehicle than the airbag folded portion (62) is. Thus, the slack portion (49) is expanded and deployed toward a windshield earlier to form “a wall”. Then, the left and right airbags (44, 46) are stably deployed toward a passenger seat (toward the rear of the vehicle). |
| US07793974B2 |
Gas generator for human body restraining apparatus of vehicle
The present invention relates to a gas generator for a restraining apparatus of a vehicle including: a housing having a gas discharge port; a gas source; and an ignition device accommodated inside the housing, the ignition device being connected to an outer power source through an opening of the housing, the ignition device including a igniter body which has a conductive pin and is fixed by crimping an igniter collar, the igniter collar having a plug-accommodating chamber for inserting a plug to be connected with the conductive pin, at least part of a wall surface of the plug-accommodating chamber being formed by a holder which is an independent member formed of a non-electroconductive material and is disposed inside the igniter collar, the holder being fixed in a state of contact with the igniter collar and a housing wall surface including a circumferential edge of the opening. |
| US07793970B2 |
Convertible suitcase stroller apparatus and method
A convertible suitcase stroller apparatus may comprise a suitcase that is openable at at least one side; a handle assembly that is reconfigurable between a storage configuration and a deployed configuration and that has a handgrip portion and two handle stems, wherein each of the two handle stems has an upper end and wherein the handgrip portion is established substantially between the upper ends; fabric seatback material that is established substantially between the two handle stems when the handle assembly is in the deployed configuration; a child seatbelt that is securable around a child seated directly on the suitcase; and at least two wheels established substantially at a lower portion of the suitcase, wherein a back of a child seated directly on the suitcase is supported against the fabric seatback material, the fabric seatback material is crumpable, and the convertible suitcase stroller apparatus is convertible between: a minimum space occupying configuration, a suitcase only toting configuration and a child toting configuration. |
| US07793969B2 |
Ski with suspension
Skis and methods of skiing are provided. In some implementations, the skis include a preload, and/or have a relatively low spring rate. In one aspect, the skis include (a) a ski body having a front and a back, the front and back terminating, respectively, at a tip and tail at opposite ends of the ski body; and (b) a suspension system connected to the ski body so as to apply a load to the front and back of the ski body. In some cases, the suspension system is configured to provide the ski with a spring rate that diminishes as the ski is flexed from a normal unloaded state or a predetermined state of deflection to a state of greater deflection. |
| US07793968B1 |
Integrated support structure for either a fifth wheel hitch or a gooseneck trailer hitch
An integrated support structure apparatus is provided for attaching either a fifth wheel trailer hitch or a gooseneck trailer hitch to a truck bed. The integrated support structure comprises an H-shaped body that is attached to at least one truck frame rail below the truck bed. A gooseneck ball receiver is attached to a central portion of the body and aligned with a gooseneck opening in the truck bed. A plurality of mounting pads are formed integrally as part of a plurality of end inserts that are assembled to the body. |
| US07793966B2 |
Plug-in connections
Disclosed is a plug-in coupling system for joining cables between a tractor and a trailer. The invention also relates to the individual components, i.e. the semitrailer coupling and the plug-in connector on which the invention is implemented. The cables between the tractor and the trailer are usually plugged into each other by hand. Automatic systems have not been successful on the market so far. The aim of the invention is therefore to create a plug-in coupling system which allows the supply cables to be connected in a comfortable and operationally safe manner when the trailer is joined to and disconnected from the tractor. Said aim is achieved, among other things, by disposing the socket in a stationary manner below the insertion hole on the semitrailer coupling while arranging the contact points of the plug below the king pin on the plug-in connector. |
| US07793964B2 |
Method of transportation of a wind turbine nacelle and use thereof
The invention relates to a nacelle that is releasably attachable, the nacelle being adapted for suspension of the nacelle between at least two wheel sets as completely or partly self-supporting suspension. |
| US07793963B2 |
Bicycle chainstay protector
A bicycle having a wheel and a frame supported by the wheel. The frame includes a wheel support and a stay extending from the wheel support. A stay protector resiliently engages the stay. In one embodiment, the stay includes a tubular-shaped member having an exterior surface, and the stay protector is contoured to substantially match the exterior surface. |
| US07793962B2 |
Main stand for motorcycle
A main stand for a vehicle (e.g., a motorcycle) includes a bar-like member rotatably disposed on a vehicle body frame of the motorcycle, a lever rotatably disposed on the vehicle body frame, a cam rotated integrally with the lever, and a cam rest disposed on an upper portion of the bar-like member. The cam rest is pressed by the cam as the lever is rotated to bring the bar-like member to an upright position to raise a wheel off a ground. The lever is rotated by an occupant of the vehicle. |
| US07793956B2 |
Scooter with driving mechanism
The present invention provides a scooter with driving mechanism comprising a scooter assembly and at least a driving mechanism, wherein the scooter assembly has a treadle and a rear wheel; the driving mechanism comprises a reset device and a transmission device, which has an irreversible transmission unit and a passively driven gear, wherein the passively driven gear is driven by the driving gear in meshed manner to drive the irreversible transmission unit in relay way, the irreversible transmission unit, which is connected to the rear wheel, is served to drive the rear wheel to rotate in single direction. Thus, by means of the treading and releasing actions with the treadle, the scooter can be driven smoothly with benefits in not only the risk of tumbling down accident being avoided but also the effects in energy-saving and environmental protection being achieved. |
| US07793955B2 |
Suspension device for vehicle
To control a camber angle to an adequate value by the use of a lateral force acting on a wheel, without causing a displacement of a tire ground contact point.A suspension device includes a link mechanism replaceable by a first virtual link 11 which, when a lateral force acts at a tire ground contact point, inclines a wheel in a camber angle direction with respect to a vehicle body so as to increase the lateral force, and a second virtual link 12 which is connected virtually and rotatably between the first virtual link 11 and the vehicle body 1 and which is arranged to allow the wheel 2 to move in the up-and-down direction with respect to the vehicle body 1 in accordance with a load variation of the wheel in the up-and-down direction. A rotation center A in the camber angle direction and a rotation center B in the up-and-down direction, of the wheel with respect to the vehicle body are arranged so that a lateral movement amount of the tire ground contact point due to a change in the position of the first virtual link 11 is canceled by a lateral movement amount of the tire ground contact point due to a change in the position of the second virtual link 12. |
| US07793954B2 |
Suspension system for a vehicle
A suspension system of the present invention pivotally supports a wheel of a motor vehicle. An upper control arm and a lower control arm are cooperable with a spindle, which supports the wheel. A vibration damper is cooperable with the upper control arm. A link interconnects the lower control arm and one of the terminal ends of the vibration damper thereby defining a common axis bisecting the link. The vibration damper moves along the common axis to absorb vibration transferred from a road surface and through the wheel. |
| US07793949B2 |
Foldable vehicle frame
A foldable vehicle frame includes a first main body, a second main body having a pedal portion and at least one joint portion, and a connecting mechanism connected to the first main body and the second main body. The connecting mechanism further includes a pair of rod parts, and the pair of rod parts respectively has a head end and a tail end. The head end is rotatably connected to the first main body, and the tail end is rotatably connected to the second main body, such that the connecting mechanism is turned over and stacked at a lower layer of the first main body, and the pedal portion of the second main body is folded under the turned-over connecting mechanism, so as to form a folded state. Furthermore, the connecting mechanism, the first main body, and the second main body are all unfolded simultaneously to form an unfolded state. |
| US07793948B2 |
Method of assembling a shopping cart
A method of assembling shopping carts includes providing a basket defining including rear upright frame members. Each rear upright frame member defines includes a lower connecting portion. The method further includes providing a first base and providing a second base. The first base includes a pair of first base supports each configured to be removably secured to one of the lower connecting portions. The second base includes a pair of second base supports each configured to be removably secured to one of lower connecting portions, and the second base is shaped differently than the first base. The method includes selecting one of the first base and the second base having a desired base size and shape, and removably securing the basket to the selected one of the first base and the second base including coupling each lower connecting portion with one of the first base supports and second base supports. |
| US07793944B2 |
Sealing device
In a sealing device (1) installed in an installation groove (4) provided in one member (2) of two members (2, 3) facing to each other so as to be brought into close contact with the other (3), the sealing device has a seal ring (11) and a backup ring (21) arranged in a low-pressure side (L) of the seal ring (11), the installation groove (4) has a slope bottom surface (4c), the backup ring (21) has a slope surface (21a). The sealing device (1) is to be made such that the seal ring (11) made of a rubber-like elastic body is prevented from being damaged by the backup ring (21) made of a hard material. In order to achieve this object, a second backup ring (31) is arranged between the seal ring (11) and the backup ring (21), and formed by a softer material than the backup ring (21). |
| US07793943B2 |
Metal gasket
A metal gasket is formed by first and second metal base plates laminated together. The first metal base plate includes one first half bead around the hole, and a first outer sub-bead section. The first outer sub-bead section is smaller than the first half bead, and is provided outside the first half bead. The second metal base plate includes one second half bead around the hole to project in a direction opposite to the first half bead, and a second outer sub-bead section smaller than the second half bead and provided outside the second half bead. The second outer sub-bead section projects in a direction opposite to the second half bead. When the first and second metal base plates are assembled, the first and second half beads face opposite to each other, and the second outer sub-bead section abuts against the first outer sub-bead section. |
| US07793941B2 |
Ring seal with inner lip
A device for sealing between a first component and a second component is disclosed. The first component has a groove and the groove has a first wall and a second wall. The annular body includes a first side configured to selectively contact the first wall of the groove, a second side opposite the first side configured to selectively contact the second wall of the groove, a first surface in contact with the second component, and a second surface opposite the first surface. A lip is bonded to the second surface and extends at least partially around the second surface of the annular body. A pressure acting on the first side of the annular body forces the second side to contact the second wall of the groove, and a pressure acting on the second side of the annular body forces the first side to contact the first wall of the groove. |
| US07793934B2 |
Sheet conveying device and image forming apparatus
A sheet conveying device which is capable of stably conveying a sheet, irrespective of the material of the sheet. A first conveying roller pair nips and conveys a sheet. A drive motor drives the first conveying roller pair. An encoder detects the rotational speed of the first conveying roller pair. A first nip pressure-adjusting unit controls the nip pressure of the first conveying roller pair, and a CPU controls the first nip pressure-adjusting unit according to a change in the rotational speed of the first conveying roller pair detected by the encoder during sheet conveyance. |
| US07793932B1 |
Wire stacker tray with movable bands or springs
The present invention provides a paper collecting tray that reduces or eliminates paper curling. The collecting tray has a wire structure using springs or movable bands to support various size papers. These springs are provided in one embodiment to support paper sheets having 8.5 inch widths, 24 inch widths and 36 inch widths. These are configured to provide substantial support for the sheets and configured to prevent paper curling when the paper is passed to the collecting tray. |
| US07793925B2 |
Sheet loading device
There is provided a technique which can realize stable loading performance irrespective of the state of a loaded object loaded on a tray. A loading information acquisition unit 106 acquires loading information relating to a sheet loading height on a loading tray 101 on which a sheet subjected to a specified processing is loaded, and a press force adjusting unit 107 moves, based on the loading information, at least one of the loading tray 101 and a pressing unit 104 to press from above the sheet loaded on the loading tray in a direction in which the loading tray and the pressing unit 104 are distanced from each other. |
| US07793923B2 |
Wave coil spring
A wave coil spring includes: a spring main body which has a spiral structure of a wave-shaped spring material, the spring main body bearing an axial compressive load in such a state that surfaces of the spring main body which face each other are brought into contact with each other at a plurality of contact portions, the plurality of contact portions including: a first contact portion where a component of force is produced with application of the compressive load, which attempts to cause the spring main body to slide in a direction in which the coil main body is wound spirally; and a second contact portion where a component of force is produced with application of the compressive load, which attempts to cause the spring main body to slide in a direction in which the spring main body is unwound spirally. |
| US07793904B2 |
Beverage holder assembly
Various embodiments are directed to a beverage holder assembly. In some embodiments, a beverage holder assembly may comprise a clamp device comprising a screw for tightening a first arm and a second arm to attach the clamp device to a structure. The screw may comprise a head having parallel sides. The beverage holder assembly may comprise a beverage housing to support a beverage container. The beverage housing may define a track to receive the head of the screw. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US07793900B2 |
Magnetic clamp holder
An exemplary magnetic clamp holder used for a mechanical arm, includes a housing (21), a magnetic structure (22), and two positioning pins (25). The housing includes an attaching portion (211), and a joining portion (213) fixed to the attaching portion, the attaching portion and the joining portion cooperatively defining a receiving cavity (218). The positioning pins are disposed on the attaching portion of the housing. The magnetic structure is received in the receiving cavity. The magnetic structure includes a permanent magnetic module (223), an electro-magnetic module (225), and a magnetic shield plate (227) disposed between the permanent magnetic module and the electro-magnetic module. The electro-magnetic module is able to create a magnetic field for neutralizing a magnetic field created by the permanent magnetic module. |
| US07793899B2 |
Structure for a suction device
A suction device is provided, including a suction unit, a fixing unit, a press unit and a linkage positioning unit. The fixing unit is located on top of the suction unit. The press unit is restricted between the area close to circumference of the fixing unit and the top surface of the suction unit. The linkage positioning unit is fixed to above the fixing unit and performs linked movement with the pulling element of the suction unit. When the fixing unit tilts partially by the exerted force of a hanging object, the press unit can still press tightly against the area close to the circumference of the suction unit to maintain a strong suction hold and improve the suction durability. |
| US07793897B2 |
Elevating mechanism for flat-panel display monitor and pneumatic cylinder used for elevating mechanism
An exemplary elevating mechanism used for a flat-panel display monitor includes a support structure, a sliding structure, and a pneumatic cylinder. The support structure includes a pair of guide rails. The sliding structure is mounted to the support structure and is capable of sliding along the guide rails. The pneumatic cylinder includes a cylinder body, a piston shaft, and a first piston. The cylinder body is connected to the support structure. The piston shaft includes a first end received in the cylinder body, and a second end opposite to the first end connected to the sliding structure. The first piston is positioned in the cylinder body and partitions the cylinder body into two chambers. The two chambers are filled with gas. The first piston is fixed to the first end of the piston shaft and defines a through hole for communicating the two chambers. |
| US07793896B2 |
Stabilization system for high-pressure water jet feed line
A support system (10) for stabilizing a high-pressure feed line (15) in a high-speed water jet food portioner, comprising a rigid span assembly (12) connected at one end to an extendable universal joint (40) that provides rotational motion around two axes (36,37) as well as linear freedom along a third axis (38), and at the other end to a rod-end bearing (17) that permits motion about two axes at a fixed attachment point. The extendable universal joint (40) and the rod-end bearing (17) are each anchored to a fixed point, one on a portioner housing and the other on a cutting carriage such that the rigid span assembly (12) is allowed freedom at one end to move with the rapid and dramatically changing motion of the cutting carriage in order to provide support to the high-pressure feed line (15) mounted thereon, with minimal vibration. |
| US07793888B2 |
Apparatus and method for air-to-air arming of aerial vehicles
A transfer of ordnance units from a first aerial vehicle to a second aerial vehicle performed while both vehicles are airborne. The first aircraft is used as an ordnance storage, ordnance delivery and ordnance supplier platform. The second aircraft has the functionality and capability of delivering the received ordnance to designated targets. The first aircraft includes an ordnance storage apparatus, an ordnance transfer assembly, a computer-based highly accurate ordnance transfer control apparatus, and an ordnance transfer apparatus operating crew. The ordnance transfer assembly establishes temporarily a transfer link between the aircraft and utilizes an ordnance conveyor mechanism for the delivery of the ordnance units. The second aircraft includes a multi-use multi-purpose pylon that receives the transferred ordnance in the proper manner. The aircrafts can be uninhabited. |
| US07793887B2 |
Interoperable aerial refueling methods
An Interoperable aerial refueling method enables tanker aircraft configured with a boom and receiver refueling system to refuel an aircraft configured for the probe and drogue refueling system. In one embodiment, a receptacle, coupled to a refueling drogue, is configured to fluidly receive a terminal portion of a refueling boom is. A retainer is coupled to an aircraft that removably retains the receptacle when the aircraft is refueling another aircraft configured to directly engage the boom. The receptacle releases the receptacle when the terminal portion of the boom engages the receptacle so that an aircraft that receives the refueling drogue may be refueled. |
| US07793877B2 |
Battery device for fishing and power supply method for electric fishing reel
A cell main body and a control portion are tightly stored within a case main body, which is provided with a joint connector for electrical connection to the cell main body and the control portion. A nut member is disposed to surround this joint connector, which is attached for feeding to a feed connection portion for external power source connection of an electric reel. The nut member is screwed around a ferrule portion of the feed connection portion, and the case main body is mounted on the electric reel in a state where an engaged portion of the nut member is engaged by an engagement portion of the joint connector. |
| US07793869B2 |
Particulate material applicator and pump
A nozzle assembly for a material application device includes an expansion chamber for slowing down the velocity of powder fed to the nozzle from a dense phase pump. The nozzle assembly includes a nozzle insert that forms the expansion chamber and provides air assist function. The nozzle includes an integral deflector, and further includes a passageway for a charging electrode so that the electrical path is routed away from the powder path, while permitting the electrode tip to be centered in the powder spray pattern from the nozzle. The nozzle also includes air wash for the electrode. The nozzle outlet orifice has a cross-sectional area that is equal to or greater than the inlet cross-sectional area so that a slow moving dense phase powder cloud is produced by the nozzle. |
| US07793868B2 |
Rotary drive sprinkler with flow control and shut off valve in nozzle housing
A flow shut off or throttling valve is provided in a sprinkler nozzle housing to enable a nozzle to be changed without having to turn off a flow pressure source. The valve intersects a flow path through the nozzle housing and has an opening such that when the opening is aligned with the flow path, a flow stream can flow unobstructed through the flow path. The valve is movable between a fully open position in which the opening is aligned with the flow path and a closed position which blocks the flow stream from flowing to a nozzle disposed at an outlet passage of the flow path. The valve may be constructed to be either slidable or rotatable between the two positions, and is actuated by a gearing arrangement which is operable at the exterior of the nozzle housing. The external valve actuator may function as a physical barrier to retain the removable nozzle in the nozzle housing when the valve is open and to disengage the nozzle when the valve is closed. |
| US07793865B2 |
Antifreeze foam injection system
Systems according to embodiments of the present invention include an antifreeze manifold carrying pressurized antifreeze liquid, the pressurized antifreeze liquid having a foam surfactant, an air manifold carrying pressurized air, a junction of the antifreeze manifold and the air manifold, the junction configured to combine the pressurized antifreeze liquid and the pressurized air to form antifreeze foam, a foam generator configured to enhance bubble formation, and an outlet conduit to receive the foam. Methods according to embodiments of the present invention include storing an antifreeze liquid having a foam surfactant, pressurizing the antifreeze liquid to a first pressure, pressurizing a gas to a second pressure, wherein the second pressure is different from the first pressure, combining the antifreeze liquid at the first pressure with the gas at the second pressure to form an antifreeze foam, and injecting the antifreeze foam into a conduit to displace freezable fluid in the conduit. |
| US07793858B2 |
Paint delivery and application apparatus and method
A paint delivery and application apparatus, wherein the apparatus includes a source of paint, a paint applicator, a supply line interconnecting the source of paint and the applicator and at least one pig in the supply line, wherein the paint pushes the pig from adjacent the source of paint to the paint applicator and a source of purging solvent delivering a small volume of purging solvent to the supply line when the pig is adjacent the source of paint adjacent to and upstream of the pig acting as a lubricant, reducing chattering and skipping of the pig and extending the life of the pig. Where the apparatus includes two pigs, purging solvent is delivered between the pigs adjacent the applicator, the pigs are delivered to adjacent the source of paint and a small volume of solvent is then delivered from between the pigs upstream of the pigs. |
| US07793857B2 |
Fixing means for fixing railway lines to sleepers or stretches of track
The invention relates to fixing means for fixing railway lines to sleepers or stretches of track, comprising an elastic rail clip (51) and a clip anchor element (31). According to the invention, the elastic rail clip (51) has retaining elements that can be inserted into the clip anchor element (31) and guided into the latter by being rotated about a rotational axis (D) and at least one pressure bow (52), which can be brought into pre-tensioned contact with the foot (24) of a railway line (21), when the elastic rail clip is rotated (51) about the rotational axis (D) in relation to the clip anchor element (31). The elastic rail clip (51) has essentially annular clip bows (55, 56) that act as the retaining elements and the clip anchor element (31) has guide elements (34) that are concentric with the rotational axis (D). |
| US07793849B2 |
Contactless identification device
A contactless identification device includes a flat conducting structure as an electromagnetic sensor or transducer. An electromagnetic sensor architecture is suitable for all applications where contactless or hybrid cards are of advantage: high volume paying and toll applications (public transportation, public sport events, person and good identification, access to controlled areas, control of shipment of goods, handling of luggage, product control in chain production environments), etc. The contact-less identification device has had its performance enhanced by the use of space-filling techniques in the design of its electromagnetic sensor and by the use of a planar capacitor in conjunction with said flat conducting structure. |
| US07793844B2 |
Memory device
The invention provides a memory device (10) operable to receive an input signal and to generate a corresponding data bearing output signal in response, the device including a series of circuit stages (200) operable to be triggered by the input signal at a first stage of the series (stage 1) thereby causing a sequential triggering of stages along the series to a last stage of the series to generate the output signal, the data represented in time durations taken for each stage in the series to trigger a subsequent stage in the series. Sequential triggering of the stages generates a data bearing output signal for output from the device (10). The device (10, 800) can be modified to repetitively output the data in response to the input signal. Moreover, the device (900, 940) can be adapted to provide a delay before repeating the data, thereby coping with contention when several of the devices (900, 940) are operating within range of one another. |
| US07793843B2 |
Image capture device with data input function and data management method thereof
An image capture device with data input includes a storage unit, an image capture unit, a barcode recognition unit, a data indexing unit and a display unit. The storage unit stores barcode and other information associated with the barcode data. The image capture unit captures digital images of browsed goods. The barcode recognition unit recognizes barcodes in the captured images and reads the corresponding data. The data indexing unit determines whether the barcode data has a matching price in the prestored barcode data. The display unit displays match results. |
| US07793840B2 |
Imaging zoom lens assembly for an imaging-based bar code reader
A variable focus imaging lens assembly for an imaging-based bar code reader for imaging a target bar code within a field of view of the imaging system, the imaging lens assembly comprising a simplified zoom lens assembly or system that provides for both focusing and adjustment of focal length of the imaging lens assembly with movement of a single group of movable lenses using one motor. The zoom lens assembly includes a stationary lens group comprising a plurality of stationary lenses and a movable lens group comprising a plurality of movable lenses movable with respect to a sensor array of the imaging system. The movable lens group is driven by a motor along a path of travel parallel to an optic axis of the imaging lens assembly, at least one lens of the plurality of stationary lenses being intermediate a pair of lenses of the plurality of movable lenses. |
| US07793839B2 |
System enabling the exchange of information between products
A system allowing the wireless transfer of data between a first device having a microcontroller and a second device when the first and second devices are positioned adjacent each other is described. The system includes a reader circuit and tag circuit. The reader circuit is operatively connected to the first device and provides oscillation energy to the tag circuit when the tag circuit is coupled to the reader circuit. The reader circuit receives coded information from the tag circuit and delivers the coded information to the microcontroller. The tag circuit includes a coil and logic enabling patterned oscillation at least two discrete frequencies such that the patterned oscillation is representative of coded information within the tag circuit. The system may be configured to a variety of product pairs, including consumer product pairs, to control the operation of the product pair or collect information about the operation of the product pair. |
| US07793837B1 |
Authentication using physical characteristics of tokens
A portable consumer device having a substrate layer, a protective layer and a brittle material layer having an intentionally created unique fissure patterns and systems and methods for making and using same are disclosed. The unique fissure pattern of the brittle material layer is detected and used to authenticate the portable consumer device. |
| US07793834B2 |
Financial transaction card with non-embossed, raised indicia
A financial transaction card has a first major surface on one side and a second major surface on an opposite side. A first set of raised indicia projects outwardly from the first major surface. A second set of raised indicia projects outwardly from the second major surface and is directly contralateral with the first set of raised indicia. The second major surface is devoid of any indication of the first set of raised indicia and the first major surface is devoid of any indication of the second set of raised indicia. Each indicium denotes an alphabetic letter or a number and in one embodiment is a Braille character. |
| US07793833B2 |
Apparatus and method for photographing a business card in portable terminal
Provided are an apparatus and method for photographing a business card in a portable terminal. The method includes recognizing boundary lines of the business card from an image received from a camera when a recognition and photographing key for a business card is selected, and allowing the business card to be automatically photographed by using the recognized boundary lines. |
| US07793832B2 |
Automated banking machine which dispenses, receives and stores notes and other financial instrument sheets
An automated banking machine that operates responsive to data bearing records includes a card reader (16) operative to read data corresponding to financial accounts from user cards. An exemplary machine (10) includes a fascia (12) which extends on the outside of a wall (14) and includes a user interface (15). Responsive to user inputs through the user interface, the machine is operative to receive a stack of currency notes (84) from a user. Notes in a currency note stack can be evaluated through operation of a currency note validator device (88). Acceptable currency notes can be stored for recycling. |
| US07793830B2 |
Automated transaction machine
An automated retail terminal in which a plurality of goods and/or services are provided in an integrated system. The integrated system generally avoids duplicating hardware or functions in the course of delivering the goods or services offered, so for example in a combination ATM and Internet kiosk the same credit card or smart card reader is used for both the ATM and the Internet kiosk functions, the same control screen activates the ATM functions and the Internet functions, and etc. |
| US07793829B2 |
Payment systems and methods
Disclosed are payment system and methods. |
| US07793822B2 |
Direct mailing device
An advertisement device for direct mail delivery from a sender to a recipient. The advertisement device includes a synthetic panel having a front side, a back side, an advertisement on at least one of the front side and the back side, and a thickness sufficient to maintain integrity of the synthetic panel. The advertisement device also includes a response panel for responding to the advertisement. The response panel has information responsive to the advertisement thereon and is adapted to receive delivery information thereon. The response panel is attachable to the synthetic panel for direct mail delivery to the recipient with the synthetic panel, is detachable from the synthetic panel, and is adapted for direct mail delivery from the recipient to the sender. |
| US07793816B2 |
Friction stir welding apparatus
Portable friction stir welding apparatus having a crawler which supports a motor for rotating a Friction Stir Welding tool and is coupled to a drive mechanism for urging the crawler along a predefined weld path on work pieces. The crawler can comprise one member or a set of two or three physically separated members each rotatably coupled to the friction stir welding tool. The friction stir welding tool for making the weld is rotatably coupled to each member and restricts axial displacement of the physically separate members relative to each other. The members are adapted to engage rails on the work pieces which provide at least one of guiding, alignment, fixturing, torque compensation for the members as the friction stir welding tool is rotated and the crawler is moved along a joint. |
| US07793815B2 |
Ultrasonic bonding equipment and resulting bonding structure
The disclosure is directed to ultrasonic bonding equipment, in which the anvil and horn include protrusions of varying height to grip the material being bonded. The outer protrusions may form smaller or differently shaped indentations in the material to reduce material stresses of the material at the outer region of the material. An exemplary embodiment of an ultrasonic bonding system includes an anvil and a horn arranged facing the anvil to ultrasonically bond a gripped portion of two or more layers of material. The gripped portion of the layers includes an inner region and an outer region. The anvil and the horn apply a gripping force to the outer region that is less than a gripping force applied to the inner region of the gripped materials. |
| US07793813B2 |
Hub for positioning annular structure on a surgical device
An apparatus for forming an anastomosis between adjacent intestinal sections is provided. The apparatus includes an anastomosis device including an anvil assembly having a shaft which is selectively attachable to a tubular body portion; and a hub for locating an annular structure between the adjacent intestinal sections. The hub includes a central sleeve defining a lumen for receiving the shaft of the anvil assembly therein. The central sleeve forms a connection portion for engaging a feature on the anastomosis device and connecting the hub to the device. The apparatus further includes an annular structure operatively connected to the sleeve and extending radially outwardly therefrom. |
| US07793805B2 |
Metering valve
The present invention relates to a metering valve comprising a valve stem (11) co-axially slidable within a valve body (14), the metering valve comprising a metering chamber (13) having no moving parts therein. |
| US07793803B2 |
Bellows pump system and method for the use thereof
The present invention provides an assembly of bellows part and a part against which unrolling takes place (the unrolling part), comprising a bellows part with a flexible wall of a predetermined shape and thickness variation which co-operates with an unrolling part with a stiff outer wall along which the flexible wall is movable, wherein the unrolling part has a predetermined diameter variation and/or the flexible wall has a predetermined thickness variation so as to cause a desired development of force. |
| US07793794B2 |
Hoist for low space crane
A hoist for a low space crane is disclosed, which comprises a hoist frame in which a load point transferred to a girder is positioned at a vertical surface of one side of the girder, and a balance of a biased load is maintained for thereby decreasing an entire weight of the system, and an equal distribution unit which installed between the hoist frame and the guide rail for absorbing an impact load transferred to the hoist frame and equally distributing the entire vertical load. A buckling phenomenon does not occur at the girder even when a relatively heavy object is transferred by providing the first and second support wheel parts on the first vertical surface of the girder. |
| US07793793B1 |
Jewelry display holder
A jewelry display holder includes at least three inverted U-shaped parts connectable to each other, a platform, a base, rings, and earring holder. The inverted U-shaped parts being are placed on the platform, and each of the inverted U-shaped parts has substantially parallel and uneven legs and arch-like transversal portion. Shorter legs in the inverted U-shaped parts lean against each other, whereas longer legs stand on the platform. The longer legs are equidistant from each other and give support to the inverted U-shaped parts. Additional display elements made as S-shaped hooks are attached to the arch-like transversal portions of the inverted U-shaped parts. The platform is made rotatable relative to the base, the rings are mounted via extensions between the legs in each of the inverted U-shaped parts and differ from each other by the height at which they are installed. |
| US07793792B2 |
Death care merchandise display system
A display system for death care merchandise. A display unit includes a vertical center post and a plurality of wall panels which are attachable to the center post at right angles to each other. Another display unit includes a freestanding, two-sided, portable display. |
| US07793791B1 |
Filing assembly
A filing assembly includes a housing with a top wall, a bottom wall, a first lateral wall and a second lateral wall. The housing has an open front side. A plurality of rails is attached to a bottom side of the top wall. A receiving space is defined between adjacent ones of the rails. Each of a plurality of hanging folders includes a panel that has first lateral edge, a second lateral edge, a front edge and a rear edge. The panel has a bend therein extending from the front edge to the rear edge. A plurality of connectors is also provided. Each of the first and second lateral edges has one of the connectors attached thereto. Each of the receiving spaces slidably receives one of the connectors. Secondary folders or papers are positionable in the hanging folders. |
| US07793784B2 |
Child resistant tablet package
A child resistant package for tablets is disclosed. The package includes an outer sleeve and a blister package. The blister package is designed to fit within the outer sleeve, and is capable of being slid from a closed position to an open position. The blister package includes a blister sheet and a lidding material sheet that is peeled from the blister sheet to access the tablets. |
| US07793782B2 |
Carrying case with a magnetic retaining structure for receiving an object in a suspended state
A carrying case includes a retaining structure including outer and inner surfaces, an intermediate first flexible board, a first padding between the outer surface and the first flexible board, a lower magnetic member between the inner surface and the first flexible board, and two longitudinal openings on either side proximate either end of a bottom; and a suspension plate including lower and upper surfaces, an upper magnetic member having a polarity opposing that of the lower magnetic member, a second flexible board on the upper magnetic member, a second padding between the upper surface and the second flexible board, and two spaced latches projecting from either end into the openings. The weight of a received object (e.g., notebook computer) pushes the suspension plate to slide down the latches along the openings, and the repelling force between the magnetic member counteracts the effects of the weight to suspend the suspension plate. |
| US07793781B2 |
Combination article storage container and novelty item
A combination article storage container and novelty item includes a housing having a first predetermined size and first predetermined shape and being manufactured from a first predetermined material. A predetermined article is contained within such housing. A mechanism releasably attaches such predetermined article within such housing at a predetermined location therein. An outwardly facing transparent front panel manufactured from a second predetermined material is attached to such housing at a predetermined location thereon. A mechanism provides access to remove and replace such predetermined article. A tool member is operably connected to such housing at a predetermined location on an outside of such housing for giving the appearance that in order to obtain such predetermined article such tool must be used to break the transparent front panel. |
| US07793778B2 |
Container carrier
A carrier and method of manufacture for a carrier that results in a package of containers includes a plastic sheet having an array of container apertures and an inner web. The inner web includes a flap that impinges into each container aperture thus creating a carrier that may be consistently applied to produce a desirable package. |
| US07793776B2 |
Transmission device for scanner
An image acquisition module in a transmission device for a scanner is installed in a base of the scanner, a rotating wheel and a first roller are pivotally connected onto two inner sides of the base, and a driving roller is installed below the first roller. A conveyor is respectively put around the rotating wheel, the first roller and the driving roller, and a second roller is pivotally connected onto a place between the rotating and the driving roller and used for withstanding the conveyor between the rotating wheel and the driving roller to allow the conveyor between the rotating wheel and the second roller to be parallel to the conveyor between the rotating wheel and the first roller, and the conveyor is driven by the driving roller to drive the image acquisition module to move. |
| US07793775B2 |
Method and apparatus for determining wear of a continuous chain
A system for detecting wear in a gripper chain of a chain conveyor is provided. The system includes an optical sensing system having a detection path located vertically beneath a portion of the gripper chain at a predetermined location. The detection path is located such that, when the gripper chain becomes elongated and droops a predetermined amount due to wear of the gripper chain, the sensing system senses the presence of the gripper chain in the detection path. |
| US07793774B2 |
Lockout and monitoring system with SIL3 safety rating and method for lockout and monitoring
Lockout and monitoring system with SIL3 safety rating and method for lockout and monitoring of conveyor or any distributed plant are provided where pulse width modulation and amplitude modulation are used for communication between field devices (such as remote isolation switches deployed at various locations of a conveyor belt) and a central controller, and for indication of the device location. A fail safe redundant switching system for control circuit with additional transmitter and receiver modules are provided in combination with the means for accurate indication of switch location to achieve SIL 3 rating. The ability to provide control (analogue and digital outputs) for a distributed plant, for example along the length of a conveyor, is advantageously achieved, particularly when the control outputs are line powered by means of a field bus system that provides both power and signaling on the same network. |
| US07793773B2 |
Characterisation system for objects and method for feeding objects to a characterisation device
A characterisation system for objects is provided, comprising at least one characterisation device for the objects, a conveyor belt assembly for feeding objects to the at least one characterisation device, which comprises at least one region with a first conveyor belt section and with a second conveyor belt section, wherein the first conveyor belt section and the second conveyor belt section lie parallel and adjacent to one another and can be positioned at an angle of inclination to a horizontal plane to provide a trough-shaped conveyor path with the first conveyor belt section and the second conveyor belt section in a V disposition, and a drive device for the first conveyor belt section and the second conveyor belt section for the adjustment of defined angle positions. |
| US07793766B2 |
Front fork
The front fork (100) includes a fork main body (3) in which an inner tube (2) is inserted into an outer tube (1) to enable free expansion and contraction, a damper (10) generates a damping force when a rod (5) moves within a cylinder (4) as the fork main body (3) expands and contracts, an air chamber (15) delimited by a free piston (16), which compensates for variation in the internal volume of the cylinder (4) caused by invasion and retreat of the rod (5) into and from the cylinder (4), a pressurizing spring (19) housed in the air chamber (15), which biases the free piston (16) in a direction for enlarging the air chamber (15), and a sub-spring (30) which biases the free piston (16) in a direction for shrinking the air chamber (15) in opposition to the pressurizing spring (19). |
| US07793763B2 |
System and method for damping vibrations in elevator cables
A vibration damped elevator system is provided that includes a damper or dampers attached to the elevator cable. The damping coefficients of the damper or dampers are chosen to provide optimum dissipation of the vibratory energy in the elevator cable. A method of determining the optimum placement of the damper or dampers and their respective damping coefficients is also provided. |
| US07793762B2 |
Destination entry passenger interface with multiple functions
An elevator system (20) uses destination entry dispatching techniques. A passenger interface device (22) operates in a first mode to allow passengers (24) to enter destination requests for elevator service. The passenger interface (22) operates in a second mode to provide at least one additional feature to an authorized individual. The additional feature may be at least one of a service-related function, a security-related function, a monitoring-related function or a communication-related function. |
| US07793760B2 |
Elevator
An elevator includes guide rails laid in an elevator shaft vertically, an elevator car moving up and down along the guide rails, guiding units provided on the elevator car for guiding it, the guiding unit having a magnet unit including cores and coils forming electromagnets to generate a magnetic force against the guide rail through an air gap and a controller for controlling the magnetic force by maneuvering an exciting current for exciting the electromagnets. The controller controls the magnetic force so as to make the guiding units in non-contact with the guide rails when the elevator car is traveling and brings the guiding units into contact with the guide rails when the elevator car is stopped, so that the guiding units attract and fix the guide rails while the elevator car is stopped. |
| US07793755B2 |
Steering system for vehicle
A steering system for a vehicle is disclosed. The steering system includes variable gear ratio steering apparatus, a first ECU for controlling the apparatus, an electric power steering apparatus, a second ECU for controlling the apparatus, The steering system further includes a steering wheel angle sensor and a steering wheel angle ECU, which are integrated. The steering wheel angle sensor detects a steering wheel angle of a steering wheel. The ECU calculates an estimation value of the steering wheel angle of the steering wheel and compare between the estimation value and the detected value of the steering wheel angle. Thereby, the ECU performs a process of determining detection accuracy of the steering wheel angle sensor. |
| US07793748B2 |
Vehicle cowl with opening for horn
A vehicle can include a horn able to produce an effective sound volume. The vehicle can be a motorcycle. The horn of the motorcycle can be positioned relative to parts of the motorcycle in such a way that an effective sound volume can be produced by the horn, while obstruction by the horn of cooling airflow is reduced or eliminated. In particular, at least a part of the horn can be displaced laterally from front forks of the motorcycle, in a position where the horn overlaps with an inner panel of a cowl of the motorcycle in a front view. |
| US07793737B2 |
Self servicing fire extinguisher with external operated internal mixing with wide mouth and external CO2 chamber
Improvements to a portable fire extinguisher are disclosed. The improvements allow for frequent and simpler untrained and automatic self servicing of a fire extinguisher. The improvements include an anti-bridging mechanism that can be articulated from the exterior of the chamber to fluff, mix or stir the powder within the chamber to keep it in a liquefied state. Additional improvements include a larger opening to more quickly fill and inspect the powder within the chamber. Another improvement includes the use of a CO2 canister located external to the chamber to allow easier servicing or replacement of just the CO2 canister as well as the ability to maintain the chamber in an un-pressurized condition, allows for non-HASMAT shipping. These features will extend the service intervals while maintaining the fire extinguisher in a ready condition. |
| US07793729B2 |
Gate valve and method of controlling pressure during casing-while-drilling operations
A safety valve has a body with a passage extending through it that intersected by a chamber and inclined guide surfaces located in the chamber. A single slab gate with an aperture has ramp surfaces on one side. When moving from the open position to the closed position, the ramp surfaces slide onto the guide surfaces and push the gate into sealing engagement with a side of the chamber to block the passage. The safety valve is particularly useful during a casing-while-drilling operation wherein it is mounted to the upper end of the casing when the casing gripper and top drive are disconnected from the casing string. |
| US07793724B2 |
Subsea manifold system
An improved subsea manifold system that is capable of being used in an early production system for producing hydrocarbons from a plurality of wells from a common riser system. The subsea manifold is able to control the fluid from a multiple of subsea wet-tree wells while at the same time giving the operator the option to isolate production from a single subsea well for production evaluation. The subsea manifold also includes a pigging loop which enables efficient pigging of the flowline(s) of the early production system. |
| US07793719B2 |
Top drive casing system
A torque head for gripping tubular members, in at least some aspects, has a housing, grip mechanism secured within the housing, the grip mechanism for selectively gripping a tubular member, the grip mechanism including at least one jaw selectively movable toward and away from a portion of a tubular member within the housing, the at least one jaw having mounted thereon slip apparatus for engaging the portion of the tubular member, the slip apparatus including die apparatus movably mounted to the at least one jaw, the die apparatus movable with respect to the at least one jaw so that relative movement of the tubular with respect to the torque head is possible to the extent that the die apparatus is movable. |
| US07793717B2 |
Progressive cavity pump rod guide
A rod guide is provided for use in a rotating rod string (12) for powering a progressive cavity pump (14) for pumping downhole fluids through tubing (16) to the surface. The rod guide includes a rotor sleeve (20) secured to the rod string and having a plurality of circumferentially spaced exterior surfaces (22) each positioned substantially along an exterior of a cylinder. The rotor sleeve also includes one or more stop surfaces (24) for limiting axial movement of a stator sleeve (40) with respect to the rotor sleeve, and two or more axially extending cavities (26) each extending from a bottommost surface to an opposing uppermost surface of the rotor sleeve and passing through the one or more stop surfaces. Stator sleeve (40) surrounds the rotor sleeve and has an interior surface (42) for engaging the plurality of circumferentially spaced exterior surfaces of the rotor sleeve, and a plurality of ribs (44) extending outward from two or more outer cylindrical surface portions (44) of the stator sleeve. |
| US07793715B2 |
Rotary roller reamer
The invention relates to a roller assembly for a rotary roller reamer. The roller assembly includes a roller pin and a crushing roller. The crushing roller is arranged to be mounted on the roller pin and to rotate thereabout. The roller assembly is connected together so as to form a single cartridge which can be inserted into a pocket of the rotary roller reamer and secured thereto using a single fastener device. |
| US07793714B2 |
Device and system for well completion and control and method for completing and controlling a well
A fracing and production configuration including a tubular having a plurality of openings. The openings having a beaded matrix therein, a valve sub in operable communication with the tubular and an underminable plugging material plugging each of the beaded matrixes. A method for fracing and producing from a wellbore in a formation. |
| US07793708B2 |
Anti-vibration tube support
A tube support device is used with tube bundle devices such as heat exchangers or, condensers with in-line tube arrangements (rectangular tube configuration) to mitigate the possibility of tube damage from flow-induced vibration in the tube bundle. The tube support comprises an elongated member or strip which is intended to be inserted in a tube lane between the tubes of the tube bundle. Raised-tube-engaging zones which include transverse, arcuate tube-receiving saddles are disposed along the length of the strip at successive longitudinal locations corresponding to the tube positions in the bundle. These tube-engaging zones extend laterally out, away from the medial plane of the strip, so that the saddles receive and closely hold the tubes on opposite sides of the tube lane. The support device may be made of two strips joined back-to-back with the tube-engaging zones extending out from one face of each strip or, alternatively, by a single strip with longitudinal slits which enable the tube-engaging zones to extend out on alternate faces of the strip at each tube location. |
| US07793706B2 |
HVAC dual zone temperature control with slave rear zone
An HVAC assembly including an HVAC case disposed in a passenger compartment of a vehicle includes a first air mix door. The first air mix door is movable between open and closed positions and adapted to adjust a temperature of air blown into a front passenger compartment. A second air mix door is movable between open and closed positions and adapted to adjust a temperature of air blown into a rear passenger compartment. The HVAC assembly further includes a motor and a mechanical linkage operably coupling the motor with the first and second air mix door whereby movement of the motor corresponds to movement of both the first and second air mix doors. |
| US07793699B2 |
Apparatus for mounting tires on large wheels
A device for mounting a tire on a wheel that includes a locking ring to hold the tire in place on the wheel, where the device includes a locking member which locks to the rim of the wheel and includes a cross bar with depending feet, which is connected to the locking member and is movable toward the locking member with the depending push bars engaged with the locking ring to press the locking ring into locking engagement with the wheel. |
| US07793698B2 |
Bonding device
A bonding device that is not affected by heat and that maintains wafers to be bonded parallel to each other so as to increase the accuracy with which the wafers are bonded. Spaces are formed between a first block member and a first pressure shaft and between a second block member and a second pressure shaft. In this way, little heat is transferred from the first block member and the second block member to the first pressure shaft and the second pressure shaft and a substantially uniform temperature is maintained inside the first block member and the second block member. Stresses caused by a difference between thermal expansion of the first block member and the second block member and thermal expansion of the first pressure shaft and the second pressure shaft are relieved by deflection of the first support pillar members and the second support pillar members. |
| US07793697B2 |
Film transfer apparatus with variable film web guidance
An apparatus for film transfer includes at least one printing press and at least one transfer film supply roller, a transfer film guiding device for guiding the transfer film web from the transfer film supply roller to a transfer nip. In order to ensure a variable film transfer in different printing units of the printing press, up to now the transfer film supply roller is moved with a film module into the region of the desired printing unit. In order to make a variable film transfer possible without complicated moving, the guiding device has web guiding elements at least in the region of the at least one printing press and the web guiding elements are enabled to selectively guide the transfer film web to different positions on the at least one printing press. |
| US07793694B2 |
Safety tire and hollow ring body
It is to solve problems in a safety tire in which hollow particles also referred to as the foamable compositions are filled in the hollow ring-shaped partition wall and to provide a safety tire having a partition wall structure capable of sufficiently developing the function of the hollow particles.In a safety tire comprising a tire/approved rim assembly constructed by assembling the tire onto the approved rim, a hollow ring-shaped partition wall disposed inside the assembly to define a chamber extending in a circumferential direction along the rim, and thermally expandable hollow particles filled in the chamber and each consisting of a continuous phase of a resin and a closed cell(s), wherein the partition wall is provided with a filter selectively passing only a gas emitted when the hollow particles are thermally expanded. |
| US07793691B2 |
Thermal insulating device for concrete mixing trucks
An insulator for a drum of a concrete truck is provided. Because temperature is a factor in the time in which concrete cures, thermal conditions during transport are of paramount concern. There have been efforts to alleviate this problem by providing insulating blankets that control temperature better. However, until now, a durable system that effectively insulates concrete while in transport has not been available. Furthermore, construction of an insulating system large enough to cover a concrete mixer gives rise to numerous fabrication difficulties. With the introduction of a polyethylene foam interposed between truck tarp material, a convenient system that is easily coupled and decoupled from a truck is available that is both durable and cost effective. |
| US07793685B2 |
Controlling gas partial pressures for process optimization
Apparatus for establishing and controlling a low pressure gas mixture in a vacuum enclosure (8) comprises at least one secondary pump (9) of the molecular, turbomolecular, or hybrid type, followed by at least one primary pump (10), with first control and adjustment means (22) such as a regulation valve (24) for controlling and adjusting the total gas pressure of the mixture of gases in the vacuum enclosure (8) as a function of a total pressure setpoint (27). The apparatus further comprises second control and adjustment means (28) such as a second regulation valve (29a) downstream from the secondary pump (9). The second regulation valve (29a) is controlled as a function of a delivery pressure setpoint (32) to modify the delivery pressure of the secondary pump (9) and thus to adapt its pumping capacity in selective manner. This makes it possible to adjust the proportions of the gases in the mixture of gases in the vacuum enclosure, independently of the total pressure which is controlled by the first regulation valve (24). |
| US07793684B2 |
Water purification system and method
The invention concerns a hydraulic connector (140) forming a distributor or manifold for a hydraulic circuit of a fluid purification system (100) having a purified fluid inlet (142) and three outlets (143, 144, 145), characterized in that the inlet (142) is connected directly to a first outlet (143) of the three outlets by a pipe and in that a second pipe (141) is hydraulically connected to the first pipe between said inlet (142) and said first outlet (143) and to a third pipe having two ends forming the other two outlets (144, 145) of the connector. |
| US07793678B2 |
Method and apparatus for converter valve
A converter valve allows product dispenser operator to change from a first fluid source to a second fluid source without fluid crossover. The converter valve includes a first port in fluid communication with a dispense point, a second port in fluid communication with a first fluid source having a first fluid, and a third port is in fluid communication with a second fluid source having a second fluid. The converter valve includes a passage between the first and second ports, and a plug in fluid communication with third port. The second and third ports of the converter valve are disposed symmetrically about the first port, and, accordingly, the converter valve is rotatable about the first port. As such, the converter valve delivers the first fluid to the dispense point, and delivers the second fluid through the passage to the dispense point when the converter valve is rotated. |
| US07793675B2 |
In-line gas purity monitoring and control system
Method for supplying a high purity gas product comprising providing a first gas stream including a major component and at least one impurity component, determining the concentration of the at least one impurity component, and comparing the concentration so determined with a reference concentration for that component. When the value of the concentration so determined is less than or equal to the reference concentration, the first gas stream is utilized to provide the high purity gas product. When the value of the concentration so determined is greater than the reference concentration, a second gas stream comprising the major component is provided and the first and second gas streams are mixed to yield a mixed gas stream having a concentration of the at least one impurity component that is less than the reference concentration. The second gas stream is provided by dividing the first gas stream into a first substream and a second substream, removing at least a portion of the at least one impurity component in the first substream to provide a purified substream, and mixing the purified substream with the second substream to provide the high purity gas product. The mixed gas stream is utilized to provide the high purity gas product. |
| US07793672B2 |
Apparatus and method for removing debris from a tool
An apparatus in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure has frame and a debris removal opening within the frame. The frame is secured to the ground by driving a blunt point of the frame into the ground. Further, the apparatus comprises a faucet positioned above the debris removal opening. Thus, a user may turn the faucet on to begin water flow and insert a garden tool into the opening. As the user inserts and/or removes the garden tool from the opening, the apparatus removes unwanted debris, e.g., mud, gravel, grass, etc., that is attached to the garden tool and washes the tool with the water. |
| US07793669B2 |
Device for dispensing a washing or rinsing agent
The device for dispensing a washing or rinsing agent for a dishwashing machine comprises: a container which has an inlet opening, which is adapted to be closed in a fluid-tight manner, for filling a quantity of a washing/rinsing agent inside the container; an outlet opening which is adapted to be closed in a fluid-tight manner, for dispensing a quantity of washing/rinsing agent during an operating cycle of the device; a feeder screw mounted rotatably inside the container, coaxial with the outlet opening and capable of conveying the washing/rinsing agent towards said outlet opening; transmission members driven by a motor unit and able to impart a rotation to the screw during an operating cycle of the device; and a closing valve unit able selectively to free and close off in a fluid-tight manner the outlet opening. |
| US07793665B2 |
Filtered cigarette incorporating a breakable capsule
A filtered cigarette possesses at least one breakable capsule in its filter element. The filter element can possess a central cavity extending from the cigarette tobacco rod towards the middle of the filter element. The central cavity may be defined by an inner filter portion. The inner filter portion can be surrounded by an outer filter portion comprised of filter tow material that is generally permeable to the smoke generated by the cigarette. At least one breakable capsule is disposed in the central cavity of the filter element. The breakable capsules are spherical in shape, and are composed of a gelatin outer shell that encloses a payload of triglycerides and flavoring agents. The breakable capsules are adapted to rupture in response to pressure applied by the smoker to the outside region of the filter element. |
| US07793660B2 |
Method of treating obstructive sleep apnea
A compliance monitoring system and method in which a modular compliance monitor is selectively disposed in-line in a patient circuit of a pressure support system. The monitor includes a housing having an inlet and an outlet, each of which is selectively connectable to the patient circuit so that the flow of gas in the patient circuit also passes through a passage is provided through the housing. A sensor operatively coupled to the passage detects a parameter indicative of patient breathing. A processor disposed in the housing and receives the output of the sensor and determines, from the output of the sensor, whether the patient is breathing into the patient circuit, and outputs compliance data based on this determination. |
| US07793657B1 |
Facemask snorkel
A facemask snorkel is disclosed. An illustrative embodiment of the facemask snorkel includes a facemask having a facemask interior, a snorkel disposed in pneumatic communication with the facemask interior and a resilient mouth seal disposed in pneumatic communication with the facemask interior. |
| US07793656B2 |
Underwater breathing devices and methods
A swim and skin-dive snorkel for providing positive end-expiratory pressure for pressure-balanced exhalation.The snorkel may include inhalation and exhalation conduits. Air can be exhaled into a chamber and released when exhalation pressure within the chamber exceeds a threshold pressure. The threshold pressure that must be overcome to achieve exhalation may be balanced against the compressive forces of the ambient water pressure acting against the user's chest and lungs, which may greatly reduce the resting expiratory flow rate, the minute respiratory rate, and therefore the overall work of breathing. The exhalation pressure may be linearly matched to the ambient water pressure as a function of dive depth, thereby discouraging exhalation while diving. A purge valve may also be placed at the lower aspect of the snorkel. |
| US07793655B2 |
Two-chamber cartridge for propellant-free metering aerosols
A cartridge for propellant-free administration of a liquid pharmaceutical composition by inhalation includes: an elongate displacing device including an upper end and a lower end, the lower end for at least partial insertion into a container; a cartridge chamber disposed at the lower end of the displacing device and operable store a pharmaceutical formulation, the cartridge chamber including at least one pierceably sealed opening; and a cannula guide extending from the upper end of the displacing device to the cartridge chamber, wherein insertion of a cannula through the guide pierces the sealed opening and releases the pharmaceutical formulation into a liquid solvent in the container to form the liquid pharmaceutical composition. |
| US07793654B1 |
Solar panel positioning apparatus and method
A solar tracking system comprising a solar panel, a support base, and a panel mounting section mounted to the support base for rotation about a generally vertical axis of rotation. The panel is mounted to the mounting section to be able to rotate about a generally horizontal secondary panel axis of rotation. There is a panel positioning section comprising a base positioning section and an intermediate positioning section having a rear connecting portion to contact the base connecting region and a forward connecting positioning location to connect to the panel at a forward panel connecting positioning location. The intermediate positioning section has a linking axis extending between the rear connecting positioning location and the panel connecting location. The panel is rotated about the main axis of rotation and the intermediate positioning section changes its angular position relative to the base positioning section to cause the tilt angle of the panel to change to track the sun. The positioning section can have its connecting location(s) adjusted to be adapted to both summer and winter conditions so that it is possible to maintain the panel in the proper orientation. |
| US07793652B1 |
Solar operated water heater
A free-floating, integrated, solar operated water heater appliance, for heating the body of water includes a flotation device for buoyantly supporting the appliance in the body of water. A water heater element, fueled by solar energy, heats water pumped through the heater element by an integral pump, driven by solar energy. A solar energy reflector/container supports the heater element and concentrates solar energy onto the outer surface of the heater element. A parabolic dish reflector concentrates solar energy onto the inner surface of the heater element. Water is circulated through the heater element and returned, in elevated temperature, to the body of water. |
| US07793651B2 |
Heat storage apparatus
A heat storage apparatus includes heat storage panels having primary fluid passages formed therein; passage plates having secondary fluid passages formed therein; and heat reservoirs. The heat storage panels and the passage plates are layered alternately, and the heat reservoirs are interposed between the heat storage panels and the passage plates in such a manner that the heat reservoirs, the heat storage panels and the passage plates are adhered to one another. Protrusions are formed on surfaces of the heat storage panels in such a manner that the heat reservoirs are supported by the protrusions. |
| US07793650B2 |
Open/close door drive controller for drawer-type heating cooker
When a user manually opens/closes the door of the drawer-type heating cooker, a pulse generation means attached to an electric motor generates pulses for counting the number of revolutions. A determination means determines whether the door is opened/closed manually or not on the basis of detection of the pulses. A prediction means predicts whether the manual operation is door opening or door closing in response to the status of position detection switches for detecting the position of the door. A motor control means decides the rotation direction of the electric motor in accordance with the prediction by the prediction means and controls the rotation of the electric motor on the basis of the decision. Hence the burden of door opening/closing operation is alleviated with the help of the driving force of the electric motor even when both hands of the user are occupied. |
| US07793645B2 |
Vibration dampening apparatus
Apparatuses and structures for dampening vibrational energy from a system are disclosed. Particularly, at least one dampening member including an elongated body comprising a resilient, pliable material may be coupled to the base via at least one coupling structure structured for coupling at least a portion of the elongated body of the at least one dampening member to the dampening apparatus. Such a structure or dampening apparatus may be incorporated or attached to an archery system. Specifically, an archery system or an archery accessory component (e.g., a quiver or sight) may include at least one dampening member including a elongated body comprising a resilient, pliable material and at least one coupling structure structured for accepting at least a portion of the elongated body of the at least one dampening member so as to couple the at least one dampening member to the archery bow or component thereof. |
| US07793644B2 |
Firing mechanism for paintball gun
A firing mechanism for a paintball gun is received in the path of the barrel and a trigger is used to activate the firing mechanism. The firing mechanism includes a driving member, a switch member, a control member and an inner part, all of which are received in the path of the barrel. The driving member drives the switch member to change the air flow in the marker so as to move the control member axially to control the high pressurized air to move the inner part such that the high pressurized air is released to eject the paintballs out from the barrel. |
| US07793643B2 |
High entertaining ejecting toy
An ejecting toy mainly includes a cylinder body with a receiving chamber. A front end of the cylinder body is covered by a front cover. A vent hole is formed at a middle position of the front cover and at least one air inlet hole is formed at a periphery of the front cover. A front end of the vent hole is sealed by an elastic object. A rear end of the front cover is arranged by a valve, a periphery of the valve has a diaphragm portion with flexibility which is capable of sealing or unsealing the air inlet hole while suffering a force. A handle has a rod body having a piston in a front end of the rod body. The piston can slide back and forth inside the receiving chamber. When the handle is pulled backwards, the diaphragm portion will deform to unseal the air inlet hole to inflow air into the receiving chamber. When the handle is push forwards, the diaphragm portion will deform to seal the air inlet hole so that the pressurized air can only be vented from the vent hole thus the elastic object sealed the vent hole will be ejected out. A shooting activity is thus performed and enjoyed. |
| US07793639B2 |
Apparatus for reducing the transmission for noise from the fuel rail in a direct injection engine
An apparatus which reduces engine noise caused by vibration of the fuel rail in a direct injection internal combustion engine. The apparatus includes a holder which supports a fuel inlet end of the fuel injector in the fuel cup on the fuel rail so that the fuel injector is in alignment with the direct injection fuel port in the engine head. A vibration isolator is sandwiched in between the holder and either the engine head or the fuel cup to reduce the transmission of vibration from the fuel rail to the engine head. |
| US07793634B2 |
Electro-magnetic internal combustion engine
An electro-magnetic internal combustion engine having means to operate in an electro-magnetic configuration, in an internal combustion configuration, and in an electro-magnetic internal combustion combination configuration. |
| US07793628B2 |
Device for modifying the control times of an internal combustion engine
A device (1) which is used to modify the control times of an internal combustion engine (100) is provided. The device (1) includes a drive wheel (13), a drive element (4) and a swashplate mechanism (4). The torque of the crankshaft (101) is transferred via a primary drive to the drive wheel (13) and then, via the swashplate mechanism (2) to the drive element (4) which is secured to the camshaft (11) in a rotationally fixed manner. The configuration of the mounting of the drive wheel (13) on the tooth support (9) of the drive element (4) reduces the axial area of the device (1) due to the construction measures. The invention also relates to an embodiment, wherein the device (1) is fixed to the camshaft (11) by means of a securing screw (12a) without the need for additional space. |
| US07793626B2 |
Hydraulic cam follower
A hydraulic cam follower (1), such as a roller tappet, is provided. This is used for the actuation of two identically operating gas-exchange valves and should be installed inclined to the direction of the force of gravity. The cam follower (1) comprises a pot-shaped housing (2), whose bottom (3) is provided with a roller as a cam contacting element (4). In the housing (2), two guides (5) extending parallel to the direction of the internal combustion engine are provided, in each of which a pressure piston (6) is arranged so that it can move axially, whose end (7) away from the housing is constructed as a support for contact with a respective tappet pushrod. Each pressure piston (6) encloses a reservoir (11) for hydraulic medium. For each pressure piston (6), an opening (13) extends from the outer casing (12) of the housing (2) for feeding hydraulic medium to the reservoirs (11), wherein the openings (13) are arranged on a peripheral segment of the outer casing (12) lying at the top viewed in the direction of the force of gravity. Thus, a so-called double roller tappet is provided as a cam follower (1), which can store a sufficiently large amount of hydraulic medium despite its inclined installation. |
| US07793623B2 |
Piston cam engine
The invention relates to a piston cam engine used in different field of the mechanical engineering, as internal-combustion engines compressors, pumps etc. The cam engine comprises cylinders (13) with pistons (20), a cylindrical tubular 3D cam (3) having a cam groove on the inner cylindrical surface and at least two guides (10) which are guide columns. The cam (3) is composed and includes two coaxial bushes (3a, 3b), each one having corrugated cam section (95a or 95b) from its one side and flange (35) from its other side besides the bushes (3a, 3b) are positioned against each other with its corrugated ends at a distance from each other, and further comprises spacer (37) between the flanges (35) of the bushes (3a, 3b), so as to form the cam groove having a constant section. |
| US07793621B2 |
Alternative fuel engine
An apparatus and method for converting fluid molecules from a liquid state into a vapor state wherein the fluid has unnatural bond angles. The apparatus comprises a resistor-capacitor (RC) circuit, a chamber to contain the RC circuit and the fluid and a power source to provide power to the RC circuit. The RC circuit comprises an anode, a cathode and a plurality of substantially parallel electrically conductive plates. Current through the RC circuit generates a frequency that modifies the bond angles of molecules in a vapor state. Ignition of these molecules with unnatural bond angles reverts the molecules back to normal bond angles with a release of energy that can be utilized in many different applications without the release of toxic or noxious gases, greenhouse gases or any interaction with the atmosphere or the consumption of any atmospheric oxygen. For example, the molecules with unnatural bond angles may be used in engines to power a motorized vehicle. |
| US07793619B2 |
Animal garment article and method
An animal garment article and method are provided herein. |
| US07793616B2 |
Animal litter for animals
Animal litter for animals which consist of a plurality of granular materials, wherein the granular materials contain aromatic granular materials each of which has base material which generates heat by absorbing water and an aromatic component adsorbed onto the base material. According to the present invention, the animal litter for animals, which are not emitting a strong scent regularly, but emit a strong scent by absorbing an animal's excrement, and thereby effectively restrain the stench emitted from the excrement, can be provided. |
| US07793615B2 |
Cover apparatus
A cover that attracts pet hair and other debris, while covering a table, chair, pet bed, or other item. The cover prevents moisture from penetrating completely through it, as it has a second surface to ensure that whatever it covers remains dry. Conventional means of attachment ensures that the present invention, which is biodegradable, can be held securely during use but can be easily attached and removed when desired. |
| US07793611B2 |
Film growth system and method
An apparatus for depositing a solid film onto a substrate from a reagent solution includes a reservoir of solution maintained at a low temperature to inhibit homogeneous reactions. The solution contains multiple ligands to control temperature stability and shelf life. The chilled solution is periodically dispensed onto a substrate positioned in a holder having a raised peripheral structure that retains a controlled volume of solution over the substrate. The solution is periodically replenished so that only the part of the solution directly adjacent to the substrate is heated. A heater maintains the substrate at an elevated temperature at which the deposition of a desired solid phase from the solution may be initiated. The apparatus may also dispense excess chilled solution to cool various components within the apparatus and minimize nucleation of solids in areas other than on the substrate. The apparatus is particularly suited to forming films of II-VI semiconductors. |
| US07793601B2 |
Side feed/centre ash dump system
An apparatus for gasifying solid organic fuel includes a refractory-lined oxidation chamber, fuel storage, a transfer connecting the fuel storage with an inlet into the oxidation chamber for transferring in an upwardly inclined direction the solid fuel from the fuel storage into the inlet to form an upwardly mounded fuel bed. An oxidant is supplied into the fuel bed to gasify the organic materials in the fuel to produce a gaseous effluent from the fuel bed, thereby leaving a residue of the fuel. The residue drops through an opening under the oxidation chamber onto a residue removal transfer. The oxidant is supplied through a plurality of perforated air distribution members extending across the fuel bed cavity in the oxidation chamber so as to introduce air into the interior of the fuel bed to thereby promote evenly distributed gasification, evenly distributed through the fuel bed. |
| US07793599B2 |
Device for position locking of folding modular systems
Device for position locking of folding modular systems, in particular mobile structures, containers, shelves, means of transport etc., comprising substantially parallel planar units of which at least one bears a jointed tilting frame accommodating, at a distance from the tilting axis, at least one arm whose other end swivels upon one of the planar units. The length of arm (5) is adjustable and its position can be locked. |
| US07793594B2 |
Crane
The invention is directed to a crane which comprises a traveling gear which comprises a plurality of traveling gear groups for moving along rails, each traveling gear group having at least two wheels which are rotatably mounted at a subframe so as to be spaced apart in longitudinal direction of the respective rail and are connected to an end carriage by a central joint having at least degrees of freedom for rotating the traveling gear group relative to the end carriage around a vertical axis and for swiveling the traveling gear group relative to the end carriage around a horizontal axis extending at right angles to the rails. According to the invention, the central joint is constructed in vertical direction as a floating bearing so that only horizontal forces can be transmitted by this central joint, and a respective traveling gear group is further connected to a respective end carriage by two connecting rods which are arranged on opposite sides of the central joint viewed in transverse direction of the respective rail and which are connected to the traveling gear group on one side and to the end carriage on the other side by joints lying one above the other, which joints can transmit compressive forces as well as tensile forces and which have at least degrees of freedom for swiveling the connecting rods relative to the traveling gear group and relative to the end carriage, respectively, around a horizontal axis extending at right angles to the respective rail and around a horizontal axis extending parallel to the respective rail. |
| US07793593B2 |
Hinged gantry crane
A gantry crane comprising a bridge communicating with a trolley. The two ends of the bridge are connected to a main column whose lower end is connected to rollers. Various hinged joints allow for movement of the components towards and away from each other which allows the crane to be assembled or disassembled without the need for elevated or hoisted operations. |
| US07793590B2 |
System and method for forming debit card using improved print cylinder mechanism
A flexographic printing station prints at least one print stripe of opaque scratch-off coating onto the surface of the card over a PIN as a card member is advanced into a printing station. A print cylinder has a circumferential printing surface that engages an Anilox metering roll and receives the scratch-off coating therefrom and transfers the scratch-off coating from the printing surface onto the surface of the debit card. A controller controls movement of the print cylinder via a mounting mechanism into and out of engagement with the surface of the debit card at a predetermined location and for a predetermined length of time to apply at least one print stripe of predetermined length onto the surface of the debit card based on the length of time the printing surface engages the surface of the debit card. |
| US07793587B2 |
Laser alignment device comprising plunger
According to various embodiments, the present teachings relate to an alignment device, method, and system for aligning an upper platen of a paperboard press with a lower platen of a paperboard press. The alignment device can comprise a latching collar adapted to be mounted on a lower platen. The latching collar can comprise a central hole and can be adapted to be mounted on or affixed to the lower platen. The latching collar can comprise a locking area. The alignment device can further comprise a plunger unit. The plunger unit can comprise a housing, a securing device attached to the housing, and a plunger configured for reciprocal motion through the housing. The securing device can be adapted to removably secure the housing to a top surface of an upper platen of a paperboard press. The alignment device can further comprise a biasing device for normally biasing the plunger in a retracted position with respect to the housing yet permitting the plunger to be pushed partially through the housing to attain an extended position. |
| US07793577B2 |
Retrofit cooling system for gatling machine gun
A cooling system for a Gatling machine gun can be use to retrofit an existing machine gun or can be incorporated in a newly manufactured gun. The system directs fluid through the housing assembly of the machine gun to a location intermediate barrels of the gun, and discharges the fluid to cool the barrels. |
| US07793567B2 |
Clamping device and rotary table apparatus
A clamping device for clamping a rotatably supported shaft, is provided with a thin-walled sleeve arranged such that a gap is provided along a circumferential direction of the shaft. The clamping device clamps the shaft by deforming the thin-walled sleeve towards the shaft. |
| US07793558B2 |
Motor with rotational and linear drive with integrated axial force measurement
The driving force produced by the linear drive on a motor with a rotational drive and with a linear drive can be registered in a quantified fashion by virtue of the fact that deformation of a motor element (top disc 22) which connects a rotor (30) of the linear drive to an output shaft (24) is measured. A corresponding signal can then be assigned to a measured value for the axial force, either on the basis of a known linear relationship or on the basis of standardization. Strain measuring gauges (DMS1 to DMS4) are used to measure the deformation. |
| US07793557B2 |
Vehicle seat and passenger's weight measurement device for vehicle seat
The submarine phenomenon can be prevented and the accuracy of a passenger's weight measurement is improved.A vehicle seat 1 comprises a pair of fixed lower rails 3 fixed on the floor of a passenger compartment, a pair of movable upper rails 4 which are engaged with the fixed lower rails 3 so as to be slidable in a front-and-rear direction with respect to each of the fixed lower rails 3, a sub frame 110 which is disposed at an upper side of the movable upper rails 4, load sensors 50, 60, 70, and 80 which lie between the sub frame 110 and the movable upper rails 4, brackets 8 and 9 which are disposed so as to erect them on each of the movable upper rails 4, and a submarine pipe 11 which is crossed between the brackets 8 and 9. The submarine pipe 11 is disposed to be slidable in a left-and-right direction with respect to the right bracket 9. |
| US07793554B2 |
Flexible sensor flow and temperature detector
Methods and apparatuses for detecting the flow volume of a fluid using alternating vortices. |
| US07793553B2 |
Specimen grip, having a grip shell, for use in a materials testing machine
A specimen grip assembly which can be used with a relatively light-weight jaw in a materials testing system. The specimen grip assembly illustratively contains a grip shell and a pair of wedge-shaped specimen grips. The shell has a truncated, frusto-pyramidal exterior shape with two outwardly facing inclined surfaces, both inclined at an angle and which matingly abut and slide against complementary inclined interior surfaces of the jaw. The grips are oriented in a recess within the shell such that inclined surfaces of the grips abut against interior complementary surfaces of the shell. The shell, containing the grips and specimen, is suitably positioned within the jaw, with the shell and grips then jacked into a fixed position. The shell substantially eliminates any noticeable compliance from the specimen grips that might otherwise arise from tensile and/or compressive forces applied to the jaw and specimen grip assemblies during a test program. |
| US07793552B2 |
High suction double-cell extractor
A high suction double-cell extractor includes an outer cell defining an outer chamber, and an open-ended inner cell defining an inner chamber. The inner chamber is bottle-shaped and has a neck. The high suction double-cell extractor also includes a vertical loading system for applying axial force on a soil specimen during extraction. The high suction double-cell extractor also includes a port for introduction of pressurized air supply into the outer and inner cells. The introduced pressurized air can apply cell pressure on the soil specimen during extraction. The high suction double-cell extractor also includes a relative humidity control system and a differential pressure detector system. The high suction double-cell extractor can be used to measure stress-dependent soil-water characteristics curve (SDSWCC) under various stress states three-dimensionally and more accurately, and under total suction up to 8,000 kPa. |
| US07793544B2 |
Microelectromechanical inertial sensor, in particular for free-fall detection applications
An inertial sensor provided with a detection structure sensitive to a first, a second and a third component of acceleration along respective directions of detection, and generating respective electrical quantities as a function of said components of acceleration. The detection structure supplies at output a resultant electrical quantity obtained as combination of said electrical quantities, and correlated to the value of a resultant acceleration acting on the inertial sensor, given by a vector sum of the components of acceleration. In particular, the detection structure is of a microelectromechanical type, and comprises a mobile portion made of semiconductor material forming with a fixed portion a first, a second and a third detection capacitor, and an electrical-interconnection portion, connecting the detection capacitors in parallel; the resultant electrical quantity being the capacitance obtained from said connection in parallel. |
| US07793543B2 |
Method of measuring borehole gravitational acceleration
A sensor adapted for measuring acceleration, the sensor including a light source for illuminating an optical cavity; the optical cavity oriented for receiving light from the source, the optical cavity comprising a quality factor greater than or equal to about 10,000; and a photodetector for measuring a resonant frequency of light emitted from the optical cavity. |
| US07793540B2 |
Rotor unbalance correction
A rotor such as a blisk B is balanced by determining the extent of any static or couple unbalance when the rotor is rotated about a test axis X while supported at a location surface 10 at which the rotor is supported in normal use. The location surface 10 is then modified, for example by removing material in a final machining operation, to eliminate the unbalance. For example the swash of the surface 10 may be altered and/or modification may be made to other location features (11) in order to cause the rotor to rotate, in normal operation, about an axis which is eccentric to the test axis X. |
| US07793533B2 |
Test device for metal detector portal structure
This invention relates to a test device for metal detector portal structure, characterized by the fact that it comprises a removable rack (10) comprising support and guide means (300) for displacement of a panel (400) capable of carrying a reference sample. |
| US07793531B2 |
Adjustable corrugating die sets and method of forming corrugations of varying configurations
An adjustable die set and method for forming corrugations in a sheet in which pairs of elongated forming bars are detachably mounted parallel to each other in respective holders driven by upper and lower press members. One pair is more closely spaced than the other and moves between the forming bars of the other pair to form a corrugation. The spacing and depth of the bar is varied to produce corresponding varying configurations of the corrugations. |
| US07793529B2 |
Method for producing a formed body using a forming jig
A method for producing a formed body including the steps of introducing a fluid material supplied from two or more material supply holes of a rectification plate into a drawing die, homogenizing the flow rate distribution of the fluid material in the drawing die using one or more wires stretched from the material supply holes to near the exit section of the drawing die, and extruding the fluid material from the exit section of the drawing die in which a prescribed forming pattern is formed by two or more wires. The wires form hollow holes through the formed body. |
| US07793527B2 |
Reinforced handle assembly for lock
A lock includes a handle, a hub, and a spindle rotatably mounted in the hub and coupled to the handle to turn therewith. A transmission member is fixed to the handle to turn therewith. The transmission member is mounted around and not rotatably engaged with the spindle. The transmission member is stopped by the hub after the handle has been turned through an angle, transmitting a torque from the handle to the hub via the transmission member. Thus, impact from the handle can be partly transmitted to the hub and then to a door on which the lock is mounted, instead of completely transmitted to the spindle. Damage to the spindle is, thus, avoided. |
| US07793525B2 |
Washing machine agitator assembly
A clothes mover in a washing machine comprises a body mounted for reciprocal rotational movement about a generally vertical axis and at least one vane, which comprises a base mounted to the body and a tail extending from the base and having an upper edge that transitions into a tip. The tail can be free of the body for side-to-side flexing and can be configured such that a portion of the tail extending between the upper edge and the tip can flex from a generally vertical position toward the body. The body can be made of a first material, and the vane can be made of a second material different from the first material. |
| US07793522B2 |
Method and apparatus for forming a preform for a micro-structured optical fiber
An intermediate preform is formed in a process of manufacturing an optical fibre by forming a sol containing a glass precursor; pouring the sol in a mold containing a set of elongate elements; aging the sol to obtain a gel body; removing the set of elongate elements from the gel body to create a corresponding set of holes in the gel body; and removing the gel body from the mold. The method further provides imparting a motion of the set of elongate elements during aging of the sol to avoid adhesion of the gel to the elongate elements, the motion being preferably a rotation about the respective axes or an alternate translation along the respective axes. An apparatus with means for carrying out the method is also described. |
| US07793515B2 |
Thermal energy storage and cooling system with isolated primary refrigerant loop
Disclosed are a method and device for a refrigerant-based thermal storage system wherein a condensing unit and an ice-tank heat exchanger can be isolated through a second heat exchanger. The disclosed embodiments provide a refrigerant-based ice storage system with increased reliability, lower cost components, and reduced power consumption compared to non-isolated systems. |
| US07793512B2 |
Multiple self cleaning orifice thermal expansion device
A multiport expansion device for vapor compression refrigeration systems is provided having improved reliability by preventing orifice fouling by virtue of its mechanical design. Furthermore, multiple arrays of ports of two or more similar or differently sized port holes is contemplated which allows further reliability based on redundant orifices and pin combinations. |
| US07793505B2 |
Gas turbine engine oil system operation
A method of operating a gas turbine engine having at least one electric machine associated therewith, the engine having an oil system communicating with an electric oil pump, at least one bearing cavity of the engine and a coolant passage of the electric machine, the method comprising the step of pumping oil intermittently to the oil system to cool the electric machine. |
| US07793492B2 |
Diesel engine exhaust after-treatment operator interface algorithm
A motor vehicle operator interface and control algorithm convey diesel particulate filter regeneration status to the operator. The algorithm also allows new control over heretofore automatic regeneration, through limiting the inhibit function. The DPF after-treatment operator interface provides multiple status indications to the operator. In a preferred embodiment this is effected using a switched indicator lamp. |
| US07793490B2 |
Exhaust gas system for diesel vehicles with an SCR catalytic converter
An exhaust gas system for diesel vehicles has a first exhaust line and a second exhaust line that can be connected at the exhaust end to an engine. The first and second lines with their ends pointing downstream are connected to an SCR catalytic converter and a device with which a reducing agent can be introduced into the exhaust gas at a location situated upstream from the SCR catalytic converter. An injection unit for the reducing agent is provided only on the first exhaust line, and a mixing device is provided upstream from the SCR catalytic converter so that the exhaust lines open into the mixing device, where the exhaust gas stream of the first exhaust line to which the reducing agent has been added becomes mixed with the exhaust gas stream from the second exhaust line that is free of reducing agent. |
| US07793489B2 |
Fuel control for robust detection of catalytic converter oxygen storage capacity
An oxygen storage capacity (OSC) monitoring system for a vehicle having a catalytic converter includes an inlet oxygen sensor that generates an inlet sensor signal (ISS) based on an oxygen content of exhaust flowing into the catalytic converter. A control module receives the ISS, increases a closed loop fuel control gain during a first period and determines a fuel control factor based on the ISS during the first period. The control module determines an OSC when an average value of the fuel control factor is greater than a first value and is less than a second value during the first period. |
| US07793483B2 |
Ventilated floor moldings
A ventilated quarter round molding or shoe molding can be used, in combination with a water impervious underlayment to dissipate water vapor which is often generated from subfloors. Such water vapor can damage certain flooring, and the invention allows for the installation of devices to limit or eliminate such damage without significant cost. |
| US07793473B2 |
Sheathing retaining cap
An article for engaging a sheathing of a sheathed portion of a tendon has a tubular body having an inner surface and outer surface and a first end and a second end, fins extending radially outwardly from the outer surface, a longitudinal split extending through a wall of the tubular body and extending from the first end to the second end, locking ribs extending radially inwardly from the inner surface of the tubular body, and a collar formed adjacent the second end of said tubular body. Each of the locking ribs extends parallel to the other locking ribs. The locking ribs are equally spaced along the inner surface of the tubular body. Each of the fins extends parallel to the other fins. Each of the fins have a height increasing from the first end to the second end of the tubular body. |
| US07793469B2 |
Sanitary cove base
A sanitary cove base including an outer wall and an inner wall that are separated from each other by a plurality of longitudinally-extending web members creating a plurality of hollow channels between the inner wall and outer wall is disclosed. Each of the hollow channels is separated from the next adjacent hollow channel by one of the web members. |
| US07793465B2 |
Gutter guard
A gutter guard comprises an elongate, perforated planar portion having a first longitudinal edge, a second longitudinal edge, and a plurality of apertures extending therethrough. A flange extends along the first longitudinal edge of the perforated planar portion. A sealing member extends along the first longitudinal edge of the perforated planar portion. The sealing member is angularly spaced-apart from the flange. A pair of spaced-apart side walls extend along the second longitudinal edge of the perforated planar portion. The side walls define a channel therebetween. A lip extends along a free edge of one of the side walls. |
| US07793459B1 |
Fishing hook threader and holder
A fishing hook threader and holder includes a threader body and a hook holder projection. A conical shaped opening is formed in a top of the threader body at substantially one end. The entrance opening has a greater perimeter than the exit opening. A line bore is formed through the exit opening and is substantially concentric therewith. A line removal slit is formed through a wall of the line bore. A jig clearance notch is formed adjacent the line bore. In use, a line loop of the fishing hook, a jig hook or fly hook is inserted into the line removal slit, such that the line loop is in contact with the line bore. A fishing line is inserted through the conical shaped opening and the line bore. The fishing hook and fishing line are removed from the fishing hook threader by pulling thereof out of the line removal slit. |
| US07793445B2 |
Infinitely variable commemorative coin
A body comprising a ring and a diametric bridging member is adapted to receive and retain dissimilar markers or indicia on the opposing sides of the body. The bridge member diametrically spans the void within the ring member. The bridge member preferably includes a hole to receive a permanent magnet. The ring member is adapted to receive first and second indicia, each of which is formed of iron or an iron alloy. The first and second indicia are held within the ring member by the magnet, and lie flush with the outer top and bottom surfaces of the ring member to present the appearance of a single article of manufacture. If desired, the first and second markers may be replaced with other markers, thereby altering the appearance of the coin flip token. |
| US07793441B2 |
Device and method for changing a suction mouth
A device is disclosed for changing a suction mouth of a cutter suction dredge of a vessel with cutter ladder. In at least one embodiment, the device includes, comprising a work platform which, as seen in the transverse direction of the vessel, is provided substantially in the middle with an opening, wherein—a support structure is provided which can be fixedly connected to the work platform in a position substantially under the opening, which support structure is adapted to support a suction mouth;—and the work platform with support structure is tiltable around a first, substantially horizontal transverse axis between a substantially horizontal operating position and a high position in which the cutter ladder can be moved upward, which positions are such that the work platform with support structure is movable from its high position to its operating position when the cutter ladder is situated in a high raised position. |
| US07793439B2 |
Snowshoe apparatus
A snowshoe apparatus having a frame assembly, a pivot assembly pivotally attached to the frame assembly, and a binding assembly pivotally attached to the pivot assembly is disclosed. The snowshoe apparatus may also include first and second crampons pivotally attached to the frame assembly, with the first crampon configured to pivot relative to the frame assembly substantially independent of the second crampon. In addition, at least one of the first crampon and the second crampon may be laterally movable relative to the frame assembly. The snowshoe apparatus may also comprise a resilient heel support assembly coupled to the frame assembly. A corresponding method of assembly is also disclosed. |
| US07793436B2 |
Footwear with exchangeable fastening system
A footwear member includes a set of stretchable fastening members that allow a user to select and attach those fastening members that provide the best fit. Each selected fastening member is attached at its opposite ends to connection structures that are paired. For example, the paired connection structures may be two posts that have grooves in order to properly seat and retain the ends of the fastening members. Two acceptable materials for forming the fastening members are rubber and urethane. The fastening members may be referred to as “bungee cords.” There are at least two different lengths of fastening members in order to provide selection on the basis of the shape or size of a user's foot. Selection of the proper “bungee cord” also applies to an attachment at the Achilles area of the wearer's foot. |
| US07793435B1 |
Article of footwear having an integrated support system
Articles of footwear having integrated support structures and methods for producing them. A support structure is formed by finger-like extensions of the upper material that are wrapped around at least the midfoot region of the outer surface of the midsole of the article of footwear to at least partially form a ground engaging surface of the article of footwear. The portions of the shoe upper that wrap around the midsole may have a layer of injected TPU material thereon to form an outsole of the article of footwear. Shoelace eyestays may extend through the top portion of the support structures so that when a wearer wishes to tighten the shoelaces, the entire support structure tightens around the periphery of the upper and sole of at least the midfoot region of the article of footwear. |
| US07793434B2 |
Article of footwear having an upper with a structured intermediate layer
An article of footwear and a method of manufacturing the footwear are disclosed. The footwear has an upper and a sole structure. The upper is secured to sole structure and the upper is formed from three layers: a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer. The second layer is formed from a polymer material and molded to the first layer, but the second layer may alternately be molded to the third layer. The third layer is joined with at least one of the first layer and the second layer such that the second layer is positioned between the first layer and the third layer. |
| US07793432B2 |
Mechanical cushioning system for footwear
An element forming at least part of a midsole for footwear includes a top portion, a bottom portion, and at least two strut members disposed between the top and bottom plates for supporting the top plate a distance away from the bottom plate. The top, bottom and struts may be formed of different materials. Adjacent strut members have a C shaped cross-section facing in the same direction when the midsole resting its top or bottom portion is viewed from the side. The midsole element may further comprise a heel cleft to increase the flexibility of the sole. In a preferred embodiment, the strut members on the medial side are arranged at an angle to the strut members on the lateral side of the sole. The directional design provides flexibility and stiffness anisotropically to the sole in the longitudinal and lateral directions of the sole respectively. |
| US07793431B2 |
Energy recycling footwear
Footwear including a foot support member and a sole assembly, the sole assembly having a first end and a second end, comprising a plurality of separate insole segments attached to the foot support member for bending the sole assembly, an outsole portion forming the base of the sole assembly, and a plurality of springs engaged between the insole segments and the outsole portion. The springs are arranged in a continuous series across the sole assembly from the first end to the second end, such that the springs exert a constant rebounding force on and across the sole of a user in series throughout a pace cycle. |
| US07793425B2 |
Coordinate measuring machine
A coordinate measuring machine operable to employ pentapod kinematics to determine the absolute position at a measuring point tip by measuring about five axes. The machine comprises a first, bifurcated linkage, a second, trifurcated linkage, and a plurality of elongate struts. First and second ones of the plurality of struts share the first linkage, third, fourth and fifth ones of the plurality of struts share the second linkage, and the first and second linkages are coupled via a handle. The first and second struts are preferably rotatably engaged to the first linkage, and the third, fourth and fifth struts may be rotatably engaged to the second linkage. First through fifth nodes may be provided, each node being slidably engaged to a corresponding one of the first through fifth struts. The nodes may comprise means for measuring the displacement of the corresponding strut relative to the node. |
| US07793424B2 |
Positioning device
A positioning device comprises a frame (60); a motor (61) having a drive shaft; a spindle (63) having a first end (71) and a second end (76) and being rotatable in relation to the frame (60); a coupling (62) resiliently connecting said drive shaft to said first end (71) of said spindle (63) such that the spindle (63) rotates when the drive shaft of the motor (61) rotates; and a support assembly (72, 74, 75) elastically supporting at the frame (60) at least one of the second end (76) of the spindle (63) and the motor (61). |
| US07793415B2 |
Method for suppression of EMI emissions
A method for suppression of EMI emissions around an opening of an electronic enclosure that holds a physical layer switch. Fiber optic cables are installed on a plurality of ports attached to the switch such that the cables pass through the opening in the cabinet. The cables are divided into a plurality of discrete bundles. An enclosure is placed around each bundle while the enclosure is in an open state and thereafter the enclosure is closed such that the enclosure surrounds the bundle. The enclosure is designed such that it suppresses EMI emissions. After the enclosures are closed, they are positioned in an arrangement in the opening of the electronic enclosure. |
| US07793410B2 |
Method of making a plurality of flow sensors
A method of making a plurality of flow sensors is provided, each flow sensor having a substrate with a sensing element and flow channel aligned over the sensing element. The sensing element senses at least one property of a fluid. The flow channel is aligned by one or more guide elements formed in an alignment layer. The flow channel across the sensing area is accurately and precisely aligned due to the guide elements provided at the wafer-level, facilitating reliable, low-cost, and consistent results among multiple flow sensors. The flow sensor is adapted for use in harsh environments. |
| US07793409B2 |
Methods of manufacturing electrical cables
A method forming at least a portion of a cable comprises providing at least one cable conductor core, extruding at least an inner layer of a polymeric insulation material over the at least one conductor core, providing a plurality of strength members having a coating of the polymeric insulation material, heating the at least one cable conductor core and the strength members, embedding the strength members into the inner layer of the cable conductor core, and extruding an outer layer of the polymeric insulation material over the cable conductor core and the plurality of strength members and bonding the outer layer to the inner layer and the coating to form the cable and provide a contiguous bond between the inner layer, the strength members, and the outer layer, wherein the polymeric insulation material of the inner layer, the strength member coating, and the outer layer are amended to enable the inner layer and the outer layer to melt at a greater rate than the strength member coating. |
| US07793405B2 |
Method for constructing microwave antennas incorporated within nonwoven fabric
A method of constructing fabric microwave antennas with a calendering apparatus which comprises: providing a calendaring apparatus having a plurality of roller two of said rollers are arranged as a nip or meeting point; heating said rollers located at said nip; setting the pressure at said nip or meeting point of said rollers; shaping antenna patches from conductive fabric; feeding at least one roll of carrier fabric into said heated and pressurized nip; placing said preformed conductive patches on to the carrier fabric before said carrier fabric enters said heated and pressurized nip of the calendering apparatus so that said preformed conductive patches and said carrier fabric are bonded or calendered by the heat and pressure effects of said nip; and cutting said calendered or bonded layers of conductive and non-conductive fabric into desired shapes for incorporation into flexible structures. |
| US07793403B2 |
Manufacturing method of optical component or molding die therefor
A method of manufacturing an optical component or a molding die for the optical component, the method comprising the steps of: cutting a surface of a work with a tool by rotating the tool around its axis with a cutting edge facing outward and moving in a circle to cut the work surface at a point of the circle while relatively moving the tool and the work in a line direction crossing to the axis of the tool at a predetermined feed speed; and cutting the work surface in a next line after relatively moving the tool and the work in a pitch direction perpendicular to the line direction by a pick feeding distance in such a condition that: tool rotation speed (S): 10000 to 30000 rpm; feed speed (F): 300 to 2000 mm/min; rotating radius (D) of a cutting edge of a tool: 5 to 15 mm; pick feeding distance (f): 0.01 to 0.04 mm; nose radius (r) of a cutting edge of a tool: 5 to 20 mm. The method allows to form a surface of a work into a free-form surface having a surface roughness of approximately 10 nm or less. |
| US07793402B2 |
Method for fastening two substantially coplanar edges without a weld
A method for fastening two substantially coplanar edges without a weld. The method includes: configuring a dovetail feature on a first edge; configuring a complementary dovetail feature receptacle on a second edge to receive the dovetail feature therein; disposing the dovetail feature within the complementary dovetail receptacle; and swaging an interface defined between the dovetail feature in said first edge and said complementary dovetail feature in the second edge to swage mating edges defining the dovetail feature and the dovetail receptacle at at least six swage contact points. |
| US07793397B2 |
Multi-purpose portable lay-down post and fencing system
A portable, fold-over post for use in fencing systems on both outdoor and indoor surfaces includes a vertical member; a first spring removably connected to the vertical member, the spring having a mounting spike integrally formed therewith for insertion into a soft, outdoor surface, and the spring allowing the post to fold over upon impact; and a foot assembly interchangeable with the spring and suitable for supporting the post on a hard surface. |
| US07793396B2 |
Manufacturing method of capacitor
A manufacturing method includes forming a dielectric part by oxidizing an entire first surface of a valve metal sheet; forming a through hole in the valve metal sheet in which the dielectric part is formed; applying an adhesive conductive material to a surface of a substrate; attaching the valve metal sheet in which the through hole is formed, to the substrate so that the first surface contacts the conductive material on the substrate surface; forming a conductive layer by curing the conductive material; forming a protection layer which covers a second surface of the valve metal sheet which is opposite to the first surface of the valve metal sheet; forming openings in the protection layer, so that the conductive layer in the through hole and the second surface of the valve metal sheet are partially exposed from the openings; and filling up the openings in the protection layer with another conductive material to form electrode terminals. |
| US07793395B2 |
Method for manufacturing a film bulk acoustic resonator
A film bulk acoustic resonator, and a method for manufacturing the same. The film bulk acoustic resonator includes a substrate, a protection layer vapor-deposited on the substrate, a membrane vapor-deposited on the protection layer and at a predetermined distance from an upper side of the substrate, and a laminated resonance part vapor-deposited on the membrane. Further, the manufacturing method includes vapor-depositing a membrane on a substrate, forming protection layers on both sides of the membrane, vapor-depositing a laminated resonance part on the membrane, and forming an air gap by removing a part of the substrate disposed between the protection layers. Accordingly, the membrane can be formed in a simple structure and without stress, and the whole manufacturing process is simplified. |
| US07793385B2 |
Extraction cleaning with air flow drying
A portable cleaning apparatus comprises a base module for movement along a surface, the base module having a front portion, an upright handle pivotally attached to the base module, a cleaning liquid dispensing system for applying a cleaning liquid to a surface to be cleaned, an agitation assembly associated with the base module, and a vacuum inlet associated with the base module, the improvement comprising a blower assembly associated with one of the base module and the upright handle for blowing air tangentially across the surface to dry the surface. |
| US07793383B2 |
Wiper arm made of composite material
A windshield wiper arm including a rear end segment fixed to a shaft driving the windshield wiper arm in an alternating wiping movement about the global and vertical axis, a free front segment for supporting a wiper blade, and an intermediate segment with a longitudinal orientation which is at least partly elastically deformable and which links the rear end segment to the free front segment, wherein the intermediate segment includes a longitudinal central web which is covered with an outer sleeve, wherein at least one portion of the longitudinal central web includes a multilayer plate made of globally horizontal superimposed layers of different materials and thickness, and wherein the multilayer plate comprises at least one layer made of a composite material. |
| US07793376B2 |
Truck mounted rotating broom system
A rotating broom system to be installed on the front of a self-propelled vehicle such as a truck used for the high speed sweeping and removal of snow or debris from paved surfaces such as airport runways assembly has two major components: a rotating broom drive assembly, and a support structure. The rotating broom assembly is connected to the support structure using a non-rigid connection. |
| US07793374B1 |
Adjustable height bridging ramp system
As typically embodied, the inventive ramp system for bridging between structures (e.g., marine vessels) includes a hydraulic elevator device and a ramp unit. The ramp unit includes three adjoining planar members, the ramp member (the main ramp body) being pivotably connected at each end to one of the two platform members. The hydraulic elevator device includes the coaxial combination of a cylinder and a piston, the piston being translatable along and pivotable about the axis. The cylinder-piston combination is secured, axis vertical, to a first structure, with one of the ramp unit's platform members attached atop the piston. In order to position the other (unattached) platform member upon a selected (e.g., horizontal) location of a second structure, the ramp unit is configurable in terms of the attached platform member's height, the ramp unit's horizontal rotation angle, and the respective vertical rotation angles of the ramp unit's two pivotable connections. |
| US07793370B2 |
Bed skirt accessory device
A bed skirt enhancing apparatus for placement adjacent and beneath a bed skirt. In one embodiment, the bed skirt enhancing apparatus comprises multiple layers of rigid material gathered and joined together forming a ruffled, multi-layered sheath. The sheath spans a distance sufficient to surround a perimeter of a box spring of a mattress. A band or planar piece of fabric may be used for securing the sheath to the box spring. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, a ruffle insert for placement beneath a bed skirt comprises a planar panel, and a suspended ruffle skirt; whereby said suspended ruffle skirt comprises multiple layers of material; and whereby said multiple layers of material are held together by at least one monofilament latitudinal band. |
| US07793368B2 |
Mesh crib bumper and enclosure
A mesh crib bumper enclosure having four connected vertical mesh fabric panel sections installed in a crib by suspending it from top and bottom corners and securing it to four corner posts. The enclosure panels are stretched tightly between the corner posts using a locking fastener. The mesh fabric panels allow air to circulate through the crib to prevent exhaled carbon dioxide from building up. The enclosure corners receive vertical support members for vertical structural integrity while top and bottom edges can receive horizontal support members for horizontal structural integrity. The enclosure bottom corners use tie string fasteners to secure the enclosure to bottom crib rails to keep the bottom edges in contact the mattress. Other embodiments use a mesh panel base attached to the enclosure bottom and/or a mesh panel sealable top for sealing off the top to prevent insects and animals from entering the mesh crib bumper enclosure. |
| US07793367B1 |
Furniture post and coupler
A rigid furniture post comprises a single piece of extruded material formed into any number of shapes which may serve as a post for furniture. A coupler comprises a piece of thermoplastic containing at least one female side wherein a post may be inserted to facilitate in the linear assembling of post segments into a longer post. |
| US07793364B1 |
Wheelchair with enhanced toilet accessibility
A wheelchair with enhanced toilet access has a frame including a pair of laterally-separated side frame portions, with primary wheels as well as at least one secondary wheel rotatably mounted on the frame. A seat extends between the side frame portions, and includes a stationary portion and a movable portion. The stationary portion has an opening and the movable portion is positionable in the opening. The movable portion is pivotable between a normal position that closes the opening in the stationary portion and a dropped position that opens the opening in the stationary portion. A seat moving mechanism is configured to move the movable portion of the seat with respect to the stationary portion to thereby move the movable portion between the normal and dropped positions. |
| US07793359B2 |
Performance duty uniform for law enforcement and other uniformed personnel
For uniformed personnel a shirt and pants Class A dress uniform having one or more Class B work uniform type of structural features which render it more functional, more comfortable and more attractive. More specifically, this new uniform includes a shirttail retainer, a microphone sling and an internal hidden and secure cargo pocket on each leg or combinations of one or more of these features. The shirttail retainer utilizes spaced apart silicone rubber friction strips on the outer surface near the waist which cooperate with a friction strip on the inner surface of the pants waistband. The microphone sling hangs from a button on the shoulder hidden beneath the shoulder epaulet. The internal cargo pocket is on the inner surface of the outer leg wall. |
| US07793358B2 |
Comfort bra liner
A foldable one-piece insert worn between the bra and the body having irritation reducing and/or absorbent material portions which line the bra cup and that lie under the supported breast, and portions which extends toward the torso rear under the bra side straps and a portion extending below the bra line along the torso. The invention further includes a material tab disposed between the material portions lining the bra cups, which can optionally be worn up to bridge the area between the bra cups for added protection, comfort and absorption of perspiration, or be folded down and out of sight when worn with lower cut neckline outer garments. |
| US07797756B2 |
System and methods for managing software licenses in a variable entitlement computer system
Systems and methods are disclosed in which the software license for server partitions are flexible in that, as between two (or more, if desired) partitions the software licensed resources assigned to one partition can be used by the other partitions, providing a total number of resources do not exceeded the software license limit. In one embodiment, a workload manager monitors workload utilization to be sure that the total number of CPUs working on the application does not exceed the maximum under the software license. Users are notified when the workload's policy is about to be exceeded. In one embodiment, this could be a warning while in another embodiment additional software licenses can be activated, or a limit can be placed on the CPU use. |
| US07797748B2 |
On-access anti-virus mechanism for virtual machine architecture
A tangible medium embodying instructions usable by a computer system to protect a plurality of guest virtual machines (VMs), which execute via virtualization software on a common host platform, from malicious code is described. A scan engine is configured to scan data for malicious code and determine a result of the scanning, wherein the result indicates whether malicious code is present in the data. A driver portion is configured for installation in an operating system of a target VM, which is one of the guest VMs. The driver portion intercepts an access request to a file, that originates within the target VM. The driver portion communicates information identifying a location of the data to be scanned by the scan engine without sending a copy of the data to the scan engine. The scan engine executes within the virtualization layer outside a context of the target VM. |
| US07797746B2 |
Detection of undesired computer files in archives
Systems and methods for an anti-virus detection module that can detect known undesired computer files in encrypted, compressed, password-protected and/or damaged archives are provided. According to one embodiment, an archive file is scanned without decrypting and without decompressing contents of the archive file. A type and associated structure of the archive file are identified. Then, based on the identified type and the associated structure, descriptive information from the archive file is obtained describing one or more contained files. The descriptive information for each of the contained files is evaluated to determine if any of the contained files are malicious or undesired computer files by comparing the descriptive information to signatures of known malicious or undesired computer files. Finally, an attempt is made to prevent any of the contained files determined to be a malicious or undesired computer file from being opened. |
| US07797744B2 |
Method and device for detecting computer intrusion
A method and device for detecting intrusion on a computer system utilizes a target server running software that is executed for a client only upon receiving authorization from a monitoring server to execute the software. When an attempt to execute software on the target server by a client is not authorized, monitoring server notifies the system administrator of the unauthorized attempt. |
| US07797743B2 |
File conversion in restricted process
Embodiments are described for removing malicious code from a file in a first file format by converting the file into a converted file of a second file format. In embodiments, converting the file eliminates malicious code embedded within the file from being stored in the converted file. The conversion is performed within a restricted computer process that has restricted privileges limiting its access to an operating system and an underlying computer system. As a result, even if malicious code embedded within the file executes while the file is being converted into the converted file, the damage to a computer system is mitigated because of the limited privileges provided to the restricted process. |
| US07797742B2 |
File blocking mitigation
Embodiments are described for blocking the opening of a file. Some embodiments include receiving a request to open a file. In response, a portion of the file's data is examined to determine a true file format for the file. A determination is then made as to whether the true file format of the file has been set as blocked. Based on the determination that the file format is blocked from opening, the file is prevented from being loaded into memory and from being accessed. A message is then displayed to a user indicating that the file has been blocked from opening. |
| US07797740B2 |
System and method for managing captured content
Provided are apparatuses and methods in a mobile communication and content capturing device for controlling ownership and use of captured content. A mobile device capturing content of a user of a target device may automatically request authorization to use and own the captured content from the target device and user. The mobile device may detect the target device by comparing metadata associated with the captured content with device information of a target device. Alternatively, the capture device may communicate with a server to facilitate the authorization request process. The capture device may further establish a piconet with one or more intermediate wireless devices to detect and request authorization from a target device outside of the capture device's wireless range. Tokens may further be implemented to reduce transmission and processing times of various communication information including authorization requests and content files. |
| US07797736B2 |
System and method for authentication
A system and method for authentication including verifying a password is disclosed. In one embodiment, the authentication system includes a first storage unit to store an authentication sequence and a read-only memory unit to store an authentication algorithm. A microcontroller is coupled to the first storage unit, the read-only memory unit, and is configured to be coupled to and uncoupled from a host. The microcontroller is configured to execute the authentication algorithm to verify a password with the authentication sequence, and to send an access request to a web server via the host if the authentication algorithm has verified the password with the authentication sequence. |
| US07797735B2 |
User controls for a computer
This invention is directed to provide a method for enabling an administrator to monitor and selectively limit the computer functions available to a user. The method is carried out on a personal computer by an administrator, and administrator decisions can be enforced on other personal computers in a local network. The invention enables an administrator to restrict a user's logon hours, logon duration, access to computer functions, and access to applications based on content rating. In addition, the administrator may temporarily restrict or extend normally allowed access privileges. The invention also allows for the monitoring, auditing, and reporting of a user's computer function usage to an administrator. |
| US07797732B2 |
System and method for creating a secure trusted social network
A system for a plurality of users to share resources with access, control and configuration based on pre-defined relationships of trust between the users of the system. A computer-based authority provides the services of authentication, identification and verification of each user within network. Processes are described that leads to the formation of an electronic community, which facilitates electronic communication and transactions in a defined manner. |
| US07797731B2 |
Centralized identity authentication for electronic communication networks
A method of centralized identity authentication for use in connection with a communications network includes registering users of the communications network such that each registered user's identity is uniquely defined and determinable, and registering a plurality of vendors having a presence on the communications network. The registered vendors selectively transact with registered users, wherein the transactions include: (i) the registered vendor selling goods and/or services to the registered user; (ii) the registered vendor granting the registered user access to personal records maintained by the registered vendor; and/or (iii) the registered vendor communicating to the registered user personal information maintained by the registered vendor. The method also includes each user's identity being authenticated over the communications network prior to completion of transactions between registered vendors and registered users. |
| US07797729B2 |
Pre-boot authentication system
The invention provides a method for providing enhancements to a BIOS system without using replacement hardware in a microprocessor-based device. The microprocessor-based device boots from a BIOS procedure and interrupts the BIOS procedure to read information from an information module inserted to a information module reader connected to the microprocessor-based device. The information read from the information module is used to selectively alter the BIOS procedure. |
| US07797728B2 |
Mechanism to generate restricted and unrestricted execution environments
According to one embodiment, computer system is disclosed. The computer system includes a central processing unit (CPU) having a first thread having first associated thread identification (ID) and a second thread having second associated thread ID. The computer system also includes a chipset coupled to receive access requests from the CPU and to examine a thread ID included with the access request to determine which thread is requesting access. |
| US07797727B1 |
Launching an application in a restricted user account
An original identifier of an application in a computer system is changed to a new identifier. An attempt is made, using the original identifier, to run the application. In response to the attempt, the application is then launched in a restricted user account on the computer system using the new identifier. |
| US07797722B2 |
System and method for content delivery
Based on a user profile, content that is predicted to be desired by the user, including past episodes of a series that may have been missed by the user, is downloaded to the user's home system during periods of low bandwidth usage in the home system. A determination is made dynamically as to whether to provide the content from a server or a peer-to-peer network based on network attributes, file size, etc. |
| US07797720B2 |
Advanced trick mode
An implementation of trick mode methodology receives a first request to stream media for presentation at a first normal playback rate; streams a first media stream configured to the first normal playback rate; receives a second request to stream the media for presentation at a second greater playback rate; and performs one of the following responsive to receiving the second request: switching from streaming the first media stream to streaming from an appropriate position in a second media stream that corresponds to the second greater playback rate; or in an event that a second media stream corresponding to the second greater playback rate is not available, then streaming the first media stream at a higher bit rate in an attempt to comply with the second request. |
| US07797718B2 |
Control system and user interface for network of input devices
Apparatus, methods, and systems for centrally and uniformly controlling the operation of a variety of devices, such as communication, consumer electronic, audio-video, analog, digital, 1394, and the like, over a variety of protocols within a network system and, more particularly, a control system and uniform user interface for centrally controlling these devices in a manner that appears seamless and transparent to the user. In a preferred embodiment, a command center or hub of a network system includes a context and connection permutation sensitive control system that enables centralized and seamless integrated control of all types of input devices. The control system preferably includes a versatile icon based graphical user interface that provides a uniform, on-screen centralized control system for the network system. The user interface, which includes a visual recognition system, enables the user to transparently control multiple input devices over a variety of protocols while operating on a single control layer of an input command device. In an alternative embodiment, the control system also enables gated signal pass-through control while avoiding signal jamming. |
| US07797710B2 |
Content recommendation device
Preferences of a user are analyzed with respect to each of a plurality of pieces of content already viewed by the user, and a piece viewing motivation information that is a combination of attribute entities of the piece of content is generated. A primary viewing motivation portion and a secondary viewing motivation portion are determined from the generated pieces of viewing motivation information, and pieces of viewing motivation information having a common primary viewing motivation portion are grouped together. Content having the determined primary viewing motivation portion and the secondary viewing motivation portion is selected from content not yet viewed by the user, and content information about the selected content is presented to the user in correspondence with the primary viewing motivation portion and the secondary viewing motivation portion. |
| US07797703B2 |
Real-time schedulability determination method and real-time system
Schedulability determination method of determining whether real-time scheduling of tasks is possible using processors, includes calculating Lk and Σi=1 . . . NMi*Uk, i, (1≦k, i≦N; k, i: integer) where Lk corresponds to task-k, Mi represents number of the one or more processors simultaneously used by task-i, Uk, i corresponds to task-k and task-i, and N represents number of tasks, and determining that real-time scheduling of tasks is possible using processors, if tasks all satisfy conditions, Σi=1 . . . NMi*Uk, i≦Lk for all k (1≦k≦N), wherein Lk corresponds to task-k which is to be detected to satisfy corresponding one of conditions, Lk being expressed as follows if Mk≦(M+1)/2, Lk=(M−Mk+1)−(M−2Mk+1)Ck/Dk, and Uk, i is expressed as follows if Mk≦(M+1)/2, Mi<(M+1)/2, and Xk, i≦0, (1) Uk, i=Ci/Ti{1+(Ti−Di)/Dk}+Ci/Dk, if Mk≦(M+1)/2, Mi<(M+1)/2, and 0 |
| US07797700B2 |
Method of executing concurrent tasks by a subsystem managed by a central processor
Systems and methods are provided for processing different concurrent tasks by a subsystem managed by a central processor. Each tasks is comprised of successive messages including a first message, intermediate messages, and a last message. Each intermediate message comprises a subtask parameter and a link to the next message that indicates the time when the next message is to be processed. The central processor and the subsystem are connected to a storage memory and several counters associated with respective tasks. The system and method reduce task disruptions of the system. |
| US07797699B2 |
Method and apparatus for scheduling virtual machine access to shared resources
A method for managing IO requests from a virtual machine to access IO resources on a physical machine includes determining a request priority associated with an IO request. The IO request is placed in an appropriate queue in response to determining the request priority. |
| US07797696B1 |
Dynamically updating a computer system and firmware image utilizing an option read only memory (OPROM) data structure
Methods, systems, apparatus, and computer-readable media for dynamically updating a computer system and firmware image utilizing an option ROM (“OPROM”) data structure. When a hardware configuration of a computer system is modified, a corresponding OPROM within the firmware image is modified. An OPROM data structure is created in a firmware image. Each data structure contains identification data corresponding to the data structure as well as an OPROM entry for each OPROM within the firmware image. Each OPROM entry has identification data pointing to the corresponding OPROM and identification data corresponding to the OPROM and associated hardware device. Firmware program modules utilize the OPROM data structure to identify the correct OPROMs for use with the computer system hardware configuration. An application searches for a unique signature associated with the OPROM data structure and modifies OPROM entries as hardware devices and associated OPROMs are added to and removed from the computer system. |
| US07797695B2 |
Efficient generator of update packages for mobile devices
An efficient generator of update packages employs a new command SET PTR CACHE to take advantage of a rudimentary caching mechanism that allows exploiting of local patterns in pointer replacements. |
| US07797692B1 |
Estimating a dominant resource used by a computer program
A system that estimates a dominant computational resource which is used by a computer program. During operation, for each basic block in the computer program, the system determines a nesting level for the basic block. Next, the system selects basic blocks with nesting levels greater than a specified threshold. For each selected basic block, the system analyzes the basic block to estimate the dominant computational resource used by the basic block. The system then uses the estimated dominant computational resources for the selected basic blocks to estimate the dominant computational resource for the computer program. |
| US07797691B2 |
System and method for automatic parallelization of sequential code
Systems and methods are described for automatically transforming essentially sequential code into a plurality of codes which are to be executed in parallel to achieve the same or equivalent result to the sequential code. User-defined task boundaries are determined in the input code to thereby define a plurality of tasks. It is then determined if the essentially sequential application code can be separated at at least one of said user-defined tasks boundaries and if so at least one code of the plurality of codes for at least one of said tasks is automatically generated. |
| US07797689B2 |
Using file access patterns in providing an incremental software build
Those files accessed by tools during a build process are invisibly tracked in such a way that the information can then be used to drive an incremental build of just enough files to bring the build fully up to date. The tracking information includes the association between distinct tool processes. Each build tool has its own file activity tracked, each thread of operation within tools are tracked separately and a tracking log is associated with a chain of tool processes so that when the tracking logs are interpreted the context in which they were created is preserved. |
| US07797688B1 |
Integrating applications in multiple languages
A method, system, and computer readable medium for integrating applications in multiple languages comprises receiving properties related to an application in an original language, importing source files related to the application, receiving classes related to the source files, mapping data types related to the classes, receiving properties related to an application in a target language, and generating integration classes related to the data types. |
| US07797687B2 |
Parameterized unit tests with behavioral purity axioms
Separation of parameterized unit tests (PUTs) from specific test cases supports many benefits including automated test case generation. Symbolic execution assigns symbolic input variables to parameters of a parameterized unit test. Path constraints of an implementation under test (IUT) are identified during symbolic execution. A constraint solver automatically generates test cases by determining the test inputs that satisfy one of more paths, each described by constraints, through the IUT. PUTs are used to populate behavioral summaries. Behavioral summaries are used later in future symbolic executions to emulate summarized methods. Behavioral summaries comprise behavioral purity axioms. Behavioral purity axioms require that an intensional heap before execution of a PUT be equal to the intensional heap after execution. An intensional heap is provided to represent state changes performed by summarized methods. The extensional heap is used to explicitly update memory locations, e.g. object fields or array elements. |
| US07797681B2 |
Stack memory selection upon exception in a data processing system
A data processor 2 has privilege levels associated with it including a user level and a privileged level. The processor 2 also has multiple stack memories which can be used including one or more process stacks, a main stack and a deep stack. The stack memory to be used is de-coupled from the privilege level. An activation level state variable tracking the number of pending exceptions is held by the processor and used to modify which stack memory stores pending state values when an exception occurs. If the system is at a base level of activation, corresponding to currently no pending exceptions, then when an exception occurs the current state data is saved on the process stack with the main stack being available for the exception handling code. Particular exceptions can be flagged as requiring use of a deep stack rather than either the process stack or the main stack. If the system is not at the base level of activation, then the main stack is used to save state variables when an exception occurs rather than the process stack. |
| US07797676B2 |
Method and system for switching between prototype and real code production in a graphical call flow builder
A method and system for automated code generation in a call flow builder (10) can include a display coupled to a processor. The processor can be programmed to select a real code (database connection) or a prototype code using a graphical interface (20) to provide a selected code and develop a call flow using the selected code. The processor can be programmed to select the prototype code as the selected code, test the call flow in a local development environment and further enable the switching of the selected code from the prototype to the real code to complete a database connection. The processor can be further programmed to enable specification of a default or range of values. Additionally, the processor can be programmed to use a database connection code that replaces a prototype assignment of values to variables when the real code is the selected code. |
| US07797675B1 |
Categorical approach for implementing a software component development architecture
A system produces a component framework that insulates components from an underlying communication infrastructure by receiving a component descriptor that specifies fundamental properties of a component and receiving a definition of remotable interfaces associated with the component. A generation tool emits a component framework that includes: i) a coInterface interface that exposes the component's remotable interfaces; ii) a coFactories interface that declares factories for component operation; iii) a template for a coClass class, the coClass class operable to receive developer programmed functionality; and iv) a coBridge class that extends the coClass class and functions as a morphism from an IDL-defined component to an object model based, middleware-independent component. |
| US07797674B1 |
Independent component-wide parameter specification for graphical languages
The present invention provides systems and methods for providing two or more parameterization functions which are associated with a single graphical language environment. Such an arrangement allows for modeling of complex models with interaction across multiple domains. In the present invention, the graphical language environment include components, represented by nodes, that have multiple parameterization functions associated with them, yet operate within a single graphical language environment. A change in one parameterization function associated with one or more nodes is propagated across all associated nodes within the domain. |
| US07797673B2 |
Applying coding standards in graphical programming environments
Graphical programming or modeling environments in which a coding standard can be applied to graphical programs or models are disclosed. The present invention provides mechanisms for applying the coding standard to graphical programs/models in the graphical programming/modeling environments. The mechanisms may detect violations of the coding standard in the graphical model and report such violations to the users. The mechanisms may automatically correct the graphical model to remove the violations from the graphical model. The mechanisms may also automatically avoid the violations in the simulation and/or code generation of the graphical model. |
| US07797672B2 |
Statechart generation using frames
A Statechart for management of an interaction is generated automatically from a frame that describes the interaction by extracting a data model and a set of goals from frame and then generating a Statechart from the data model and the set of goals. The data model includes a set of data fields to be completed during the interaction Procedural logic is extracted from the frame and used to annotate the Statechart with, for example, initial and final rules, prompts and grammar. The Statechart may be stored for future use or editing, or used to manage a current interaction. |
| US07797670B2 |
Mirrored file system
Mounting and populating a mirrored version of at least a portion of a file system of a recruiter machine at a volunteer machine performing one or more data processing tasks for the recruiter machine is disclosed. In some embodiments, an input stored in such a dedicated file system for the recruiter machine at the volunteer machine may be locally retrieved and reused, if still consistent with a corresponding input stored in a file system at the recruiter machine, when performing a data processing task for the recruiter machine at the volunteer machine. In some embodiments, if an input required by the volunteer machine to perform a data processing task for the recruiter machine is not cached in such a dedicated file system for the recruiter machine at the volunteer machine in a state that is consistent with a corresponding input stored in a file system at the recruiter machine, the input is obtained from the recruiter machine. |
| US07797669B1 |
Analysis of distributed software systems via specification substitution
A distributed software system of communicating software components can be tested for undesirable behavior. A specification of a component can be substituted in place of the component when testing a model of the distributed software system. Thus, the system can be checked to see if it exhibits undesirable behavior without having code for all components of the system. Also, a component can be checked to see if it is in conformance with its specification. If models built with respective components and substituted specifications indicate that the system does not exhibit undesirable behavior, and the components conform to their specifications, then a system assembled from the components will not exhibit the undesirable behavior. Thus, collaborative testing can be achieved, even if no one entity has access to code for the entire distributed system. |
| US07797665B1 |
Patterns for routing nets in a programmable logic device
Nets of a logic design are efficiently routed in a programmable logic device, which includes multiple types of programmable interconnects. Patterns are read from a library in a storage device. Each pattern includes an ordered set of the types of the programmable interconnects. A path is determined from the source to the destination for each net of the logic design. The path is through a sequence of the programmable interconnects having types that correspond to each type in the ordered set of a selected pattern. A description is output of the path for each of the nets. |
| US07797662B2 |
Method and system for design and modeling of transmission lines
A method and system for design and modeling of transmission lines are provided. The method includes providing a set of models of core structures (211) of transmission line cells and expanding each of the models of core structures (211) to include different neighboring elements. The parameter characteristics of the expanded core structures (214a-214c) are compared to determine a model having a minimal sufficiently closed neighborhood environment. A closed neighborhood environment complies with design rules to ensure desired transmission line behaviour in a real design environment. A model having a closed neighborhood environment can be used as a stand-alone model of the core structure describing the transmission line behaviour in the actual design environment. |
| US07797661B2 |
Method and apparatus for describing and managing properties of a transformer coil
A method and apparatus for describing and managing properties of a transformer coil. A metadata text file is generated which contains metadata describing objects of the transformer coil. The objects are arranged hierarchically and have one or more related properties attached therewith. One or more properties of one object refer to one or more other properties of the same object or of other objects by means of paths defined in the metadata text file. The generated metadata text file is then stored. |
| US07797659B2 |
Analog/digital partitioning of circuit designs for simulation
For increasing user control and insight into preparing a mixed-signal semiconductor design specification for simulation, there are provided methods responsive to commands that provide control over resolution of disciplines and partitioning of the design into analog and digital portions. In some aspects, the methods provide block-based assignment of disciplines, as well as design partitioning. In other aspects, the methods provide for resolving a discipline to apply in a block from among multiple possible disciplines. In some aspects, error flagging may be available for detecting disciplines different from what provided for assignment in a block. Assignments may be indicated based on instance, cell, terminal, or library names and may be specified with wild cards. In still other aspects, the methods may be embodied by instructions on computer readable media, and in systems comprising general and special purpose computer hardware that may communicate with various storage facilities and over various networks. |
| US07797655B1 |
Using standard pattern tiles and custom pattern tiles to generate a semiconductor design layout having a deep well structure for routing body-bias voltage
A semiconductor design layout having a deep well structure for routing body-bias voltage is generated using standard pattern tiles and custom pattern tiles. These tiles have a tile shape and a tile size that fit an integer number of times into a grid unit of a grid for the semiconductor design layout. |
| US07797654B2 |
Power network analyzer for an integrated circuit design
A design of an integrated circuit device, in which locations of power wires and memory/logic circuitry are known, is analyzed by at least: identifying intersections of power wires with one another, for power wires that are electrically connected to one another through vias; segmenting power wires, at their intersections; preparing estimates of conductance of vias and wire segments in the form of conductance matrix G; and preparing estimates of current I at each intersection based on power consumed by surrounding circuitry, and current vector “I” and conductance matrix “G” are used to solve for voltage drop ΔV, in a matrix equation GΔV=I, and the voltage drop is displayed, to allow a human to make changes in the design. Pins of unconnected hard macros are temporarily connected to their closest wires, and current therethrough is included in the estimates. |
| US07797652B2 |
Implementing integrated circuit yield estimation using voronoi diagrams
A method for implementing integrated circuit yield estimation includes computing Voronoi regions for an original integrated circuit layout; for each bisector segment of the Voronoi regions and one or more failure mechanisms, computing a failure probability based on geometric parameters of corresponding Voronoi edge regions associated with the bisector segment, using pre-computed failure probabilities as a function of edge orientation and spacing for the failure mechanisms; for each segment of a design edge bounded by bisectors, computing a change in the failure probability based on the geometric parameters of the Voronoi regions, using pre-computed change in failure probabilities for the failure mechanisms; encoding the computed failure probabilities for each Voronoi region in a manner suitable for visual differentiation by a user; and encoding the computed change in failure probabilities by directional displacement of a layout edge segment that would result in a decrease in failure probability. |
| US07797647B2 |
Circuit having hardware threading
Hardware threading optimizes use of hardware resources in a dynamic workload environment. Unutilized hardware resources are dynamically borrowed to increase throughput performance and/or power savings by enabling parallel processing of application pipeline stages. |
| US07797643B1 |
Live content resizing
A user interface comprises an interactive control and method for quickly changing the amount of text displayed in each item in a list of text items. The control allows the user to choose from a large range of choices for how much text is displayed and provides live updates of the changes. The method saves the user time by eliminating the need to refresh the screen when changing the amount of text displayed. |
| US07797642B1 |
Method, system, and graphical user interface for meeting-spot-related contact lists
A method, system, and graphical user interface for meeting-spot-related contact lists are disclosed. A “meeting spot” is a specific physical location where two or more people can arrange to meet face to face. One aspect of the invention involves a computer-implemented method in which a computer generates a contact list for a first user, wherein the contact list includes an identifier for a meeting spot and an adjacent list of contact information for other users associated with the meeting spot. |
| US07797641B2 |
Mobile communications terminal and method therefore
A mobile terminal has a controller, a display and an input device connected to the controller, and a digital object browser for browsing among a plurality of available digital objects. A first representation and a second representation of each of the digital objects are presentable on a display screen. The first representations of the digital objects are presented along a predefined path on the display screen, the first representation of a focused one of the digital objects being shown in a focus area on the display screen. For the focused digital object, the second representation thereof is presented in a preview area on the display screen. In response to a user input given on the input device, a desired scrolling operation is performed among the first representations presented, thereby shifting the positions of the first representations on the display screen along the path accordingly, updating the focus area to reflect a change in focus from the focused digital object to another digital object by presenting in the focus area the first representation of the other digital object, as well as updating the preview area correspondingly by presenting therein the second representation of the other digital object. |
| US07797639B2 |
Page bar control
Graphical user interfaces for computer display devices include a page bar control element that allows a user to easily and quickly navigate among the pages of a multiple page electronic document and/or among the pages of a plurality of electronic documents. In some examples, the page bar control element displayed on the computer system provides a visual representation of a multiple pages of the document(s), wherein the visual representation includes several tabs or markers, each marker representing one or more pages of the document(s). In some examples, the markers are rendered in colors that enable quick identification of the current page and/or the page being viewed as well as pages viewed in a riffling action. The page bar control element also may include a visual “flag” that helps users quickly locate text that they have previously flagged or that the system has automatically flagged for them. |
| US07797630B2 |
Method for storing and retrieving digital ink call logs
Digital ink is captured using either a digitizer attached to the serial port of the computer or by a tablet computer having a stylus during the detection, capture, storage and association of ink with particular types of information. An ink log stores handwritten notes that are generated during a phone call. Whenever a call is made or received via a regular telephone or an IP Softphone, the number being dialed or that the call is being received from is used in a search to locate a file associated with this number within an ink log. If a file associated with the called or dialed number exists, then the file is retrieved and all prior ink notes associated with this number, including their time stamps, are displayed in a window that is opened. If a file corresponding to the called or dialed number is not present in the ink log, then a new file is created along with an associated blank window, whereby the user can begin “inking” into this file. Alternatively, a user may highlight a phone number and view the InkLog for the particular number. Upon a user selecting a View Ink Log category, the ink log is accessed and all notes, drawings, etc. that a user generated in all previous calls that where either made to the number or calls received from this number are displayed. |
| US07797626B2 |
Managing different representations of information
Systems and techniques, including computer program products, for managing different representations of information. The systems and techniques can include a method that includes receiving information identifying a first customization setting, receiving information identifying a second customization setting, and mapping the customized format of the data variable in the first data processing system to the customized format of the data variable in the second data processing system. The first customization setting can describe a customized representation of information in a data variable in a first data processing system. The second customization setting can describe a customized format of the data variable in the second data processing system. |
| US07797623B1 |
Method for preventing inadvertent data entry in a web page
A method and apparatus for preventing inadvertent entries on a Web page or the like. An absolutely positioned “membrane” style is defined that covers an entire Web page at a higher z-index than other sheets (layers) in the Web page. A division of the Web page is associated with the “membrane” style. The style is initially hidden, meaning that the sheets with lower z-index numbers can be accessed. When the user submits the form (through a Submit button or similar element), a JavaScript makes the “membrane” style visible, which renders the Web page form elements (with lower z-index numbers) inaccessible. Consequently, the user in unable to click the Submit button or any other element on the page. Assuming that the “membrane” Web page division (layer) contains no text, the layer will be transparent. |
| US07797620B2 |
Information processing apparatus and processing method, and program storage medium
An information processing apparatus for suitably corresponding a plurality of images as an editing object to each of a plurality of scenes constituting scenario data. In the apparatus, when a read button (211) is operated, a material clip (212) as an editing object is displayed on a material tray (201). When a tag (271-1) is selected, a shaker window having a section button (281) is displayed. Scenarios correspond to a plurality of selection buttons (281), respectively. The number of scenes, an effect given to each scene and the like are designated to each scenario. A user selects one selection button (281) to select one scenario. When a shake button (285) is operated, a predetermined one is selected at random out of material clips (212) designated in advance by a user to assign it to each scene of the scenario selected by the user. |
| US07797618B2 |
Parallel decoder for ultrawide bandwidth receiver
A method (700) and apparatus (600) are described for performing parallel decoding in connection with 2M-1 parallel ACS unit in ACS unit (110), track buffer (112) and voting unit (114) in an Ultrawide Bandwidth (UWB) receiver having a parallel trellis decoder for decoding a message sequence encoded according to a convolutional code. Outputs from the track buffer can be input to a voting unit (114) where a voting scheme can be applied and a decision rendered as to the originally transmitted message sequence. |
| US07797617B2 |
Interleaving method in OFDM system
Provided is an interleaving method that can reduce error occurring during transmission at a receiving end in an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) system. According to the interleaving method, transmitted data bits are recorded in an interleaving memory; and the stored data bits are read based on a predetermined sequence to perform symbol interleaving, tone interleaving and cyclic shift simultaneously. Also, to simplify the logic of the OFDM system, the data bits transmitted from an interleaver go through Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) mapping, and the FFT mapped data bits are modulated. In short, the logic can be simplified by performing FFT mapping followed by modulation. |
| US07797614B2 |
Non-redundant multi-error correcting binary differential demodulator
An algorithm for a non-redundant multi-error correcting binary differential demodulator simplifies error detection and reduces memory requirements in circuits embodying the same. The demodulator includes a differential detectors (DD) module, an error signal generator (ESG) module, and an error detection-and-correction (EDAC) module. The DD module receives modulated binary input at each of (k+1) differential detectors, each producing (k+1) outputs. The ESG module combines the (k+1)2 output signals with k corrected feedback signals to derive syndromes orthogonal to an erroneous bit to be corrected and generates 2k error signals from the syndromes. The EDAC module generates a correction factor from the 2k error signals and combines the factor with the output of the first order detector delayed by k bits to correct an erroneous bit. The k corrected feedback signals may be derived by successively delaying the corrected erroneous bit. Simplified higher order demodulators may be constructed using a nested hierarchy of lower order demodulators based on the algorithm. |
| US07797606B2 |
Method for coding biometric data, method for controlling identity and devices for carrying out said methods
The invention relates to a coding method consisting of the following steps: biometric data associated with an individual is obtained; a word, relating to an error correction code, selected in order to correct a quantity of errors in a relation to a statistical quantity of errors between two biometric measurements relating to the same individual, is generated, said word dissimulating information relating to said individual with the aid of a private function; and a combination is created between the biometric data thus obtained and the word thus generated. |
| US07797605B2 |
Managing storage of HARQ packets
Methods of managing storage of HARQ packets are disclosed. One method includes a wireless device receiving variable length HARQ packets. The wireless device performing an error check on each received variable length HARQ packet, and storing within HARQ memory the HARQ packets that fail the error check. Each failed HARQ packet is stored in the HARQ memory by dividing the HARQ packet into HARQ sub-packets, and storing each HARQ sub-packet. The storage locations and storage order of each of the HARQ sub-packets are recorded for future retrieval. |
| US07797602B2 |
Compressor/decompressor circuits coupled with TDO-TMS/TDI die channel circuitry
Testing of die on wafer is achieved by; (1) providing a tester with the capability of externally communicating JTAG test signals using simultaneously bidirectional transceiver circuitry, (2) providing die on wafer with the capability of externally communicating JTAG test signals using simultaneously bidirectional transceiver circuitry, and (3) providing a connectivity mechanism between the bidirectional transceiver circuitry's of the tester and a selected group or all of the die on wafer for communication of the JTAG signals. |
| US07797601B2 |
Slack-based transition-fault testing
A system that generates test patterns for detecting transition faults in an integrated circuit (IC). During operation, the system receives slack times for each net in the IC. Note that a slack time for a net is the minimum amount of delay that the given net can tolerate before violating a timing constraint. For each possible transition fault in the IC, the system uses the slack times for nets in the IC to generate a test pattern which exposes the transition fault by producing a transition that propagates along the longest path to the transition fault. |
| US07797597B2 |
Error detection, documentation, and correction in a flash memory device
A memory device has an error documentation memory array that is separate from the primary memory array. The error documentation memory array stores data relating to over-programmed bits in the primary array. When the over-programmed bits in the primary array are erased, the error documentation memory array is erased as well, deleting the documentation data relating to the over-programmed bits. |
| US07797596B2 |
Method for monitoring and adjusting circuit performance
A method for testing an integrated circuit implemented in an electronic system. The method includes placing an integrated circuit (or portion thereof) that is implemented in an operational system (e.g., in a computer system) in an offline status. An electrical parameter of the integrated system (e.g., a voltage, clock frequency, etc.) is set, and a built-in self-test (BIST) is conducted. Any failures that occur during the BIST are recorded. Testing is then repeated for each of a plurality of predetermined values of the electrical parameter, recording any failures that occur. Once testing is complete a failure rate/range is determined for each of the predetermined values. |
| US07797592B1 |
Automatic communication channel fault mitigation
A physical layer device includes a coding circuit to transmit first data, and to receive second data, at one of a plurality of data rates. A communication circuit transmits first signals representing the first data, and receives second signals representing the second data, over one or more of a plurality of channels. A test circuit determines a condition of the channels. A control circuit selects the one of the plurality of the data rates, and selects the one or more of the plurality of the channels, based on the condition of the channels determined by the test circuit. |
| US07797591B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit, design support software system, and automatic test pattern generation system
A semiconductor integrated circuit has a memory circuit having memory cells, a first register, a second register, a register selection circuit having an input to which an output of the first register and an output of the second register are connected, a memory bypass circuit which is located between a first switching circuit and a second switching circuit, and connected to the inputs and the outputs of the memory circuit. The register selection circuit is switched to the output signals of the first register when performing testing by way of the memory circuit, and switched to output signals of the second register when performing testing by way of the memory bypass circuit. |
| US07797586B2 |
Image forming apparatus with memory properly error-checked
The whole area of volatile memories is equally divided into 16 memory blocks which are separated into 4 groups each having 4 memory blocks located away from each other. Every one of the 4 groups is selected for error-checking on memory at a power-on and is shifted sequentially. An image for selecting a plurality of error-checking types on memory is displayed on a control panel, and error-checking on memory is performed according to a user's selection. In another embodiment, instead of at a power-on, a memory check is performed as a preprocessing of a power-off, and the result of the check is stored in a non-volatile memory to display it at the next power-on. The error-checking on memory may be performed if the number of power-on times is equal to a set time, if an abnormality has occurred, or if the present time is equal to a set time. |
| US07797583B2 |
Fault diagnosis of serially-addressed memory modules on a PC motherboard
A test adaptor board connects to a personal computer (PC) motherboard that tests a memory module in a test socket. A standard memory module socket is removed from a target DRAM module slot on the component side and the test adaptor board connects to the target DRAM module slot on the reverse (solder) side of the motherboard. The target DRAM module slot is a middle slot, such as the second or third of four DRAM module slots. The first and fourth DRAM module slots are populated with known good memory modules storing the BIOS at a high address and an operating system image and a test program at a low address. The test program accesses a memory module in the test socket to locate defects. The motherboard does not crash since the BIOS, OS image, and test program are not stored in the memory module under test. |
| US07797582B1 |
Method and system for storing data using a continuous data protection system
A method for tracking changes on a primary volume in a continuous data protection system writes data to the primary volume. A copy of the data is written to a secondary volume, the secondary volume including all writes made to the primary volume. Each write made to the secondary volume is mapped in a data structure, such that the data structure tracks changes on the primary volume between two different points in time. |
| US07797577B2 |
Reassigning storage volumes from a failed processing system to a surviving processing system
Provided are a method, system, and program for reassigning storage volumes from a failed processing system to a surviving processing system. A first processing system detects a failure of a second processing system. The first processing system determines device groups of storage devices managed by the failed second processing system and determines for each determined device group, hosts that connect to storage devices in the device group. The first processing system sends, for each device group, a unit check to each determined host indicating failure of each device group through one storage device in the device group to which the determined host connects. The determined hosts execute instructions to terminate any I/O operations in progress on the storage devices in the device group in response to the unit check indicating failure of one storage device in the device group and issue, a command to one storage device for the device group to end the busy condition. |
| US07797576B2 |
Checkpoint of applications using UNIX® domain sockets
A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer program product for managing state data in a workload partitioned environment. Process state data for a process in a workload partition is saved. Process state data is used to restore the process to a given state. State data associated with open sockets and open files bound to the first process is saved. In response to a determination that the process is associated with a domain socket that is bound to a socket file, an absolute pathname for the socket file is saved. A domain socket associated with a connecting process in the workload partition uses the socket file to connect to a domain socket associated with a listening process in the same workload partition to enable the two processes to communicate with each other. |
| US07797572B2 |
Computer system management method, management server, computer system, and program
This invention provides a method of controlling switching of computers according to a cause of failure without preparing one standby node for each active node. For n active nodes (200), m standby nodes (300) of different characteristics (in terms of CPU performance, I/O performance, communication performance, and the like) are prepared. The m standby nodes (300) are assigned in advance with priority levels to be failover targets for each cause of failure. When a failure occurs in one active node (200), a standby node that can remove the cause of the failure is chosen out of the m standby nodes (300) to take over data processing. |
| US07797569B2 |
Mechanism for improving accessibility of JMX monitoring information in web content
System, method and computer program product for monitoring the status of components in a data processing system that improves the accessibility of JMX monitoring information in web content. The system includes a mechanism for acquiring a text representation of component status for display as ALT and TITLE content associated with each status image. Because the component status is displayed in a manner that is indistinguishable from ALT/TITLE text that has already been statically included in an image attribute, user experience is improved for users with and without accessibility needs. |
| US07797568B2 |
Relay agent device and proxy address leasing device
A relay agent device disposed in one of a plurality of networks each accommodating a terminal and an address leasing device performing an address lease service for the terminal, has a notifying unit notifying a proxy address leasing device, employed in common between the plurality of networks, of an address lease state of the address leasing device with respect to the terminal, a detecting unit detecting a fault in the address leasing device, and a transfer unit transferring a message related to the address lease, which is sent from the terminal, to the proxy address leasing device in order for the proxy address leasing device to take over an IP address lease service provided by the address leasing device when the fault is detected, and transferring a message related to the address lease, which is addressed to the terminal from the proxy address leasing device, to the terminal. |
| US07797565B1 |
System and method for maintaining communication protocol connections during failover
Various methods and systems for maintaining a communication protocol connection during a failover are disclosed. One method involves obtaining a first value of a parameter associated with a communication protocol connection between a primary node and a client and sending a flow control message to the client, in response to detecting that the primary node is failed. The flow control message includes the parameter. |
| US07797563B1 |
System and method for conserving power
A system includes a plurality of processors and a monitor coupled to each of the plurality of processors. The monitor is located in a location separate from the plurality of processors. At least some portions of one or more of the plurality of processors enter a power-conservation mode after the one or more of the plurality of processors request one or more resources. The system further includes a power-management controller. The power-management controller is operative to cause the at least some portions of the one or more of the plurality of processors to enter the power-conservation mode after the one or more of the plurality of processors request the one or more resources. |
| US07797558B2 |
Power over Ethernet with isolation
A powered device on a network is isolated by communicating operating power and data to a powered device from a network line, referencing the network line to a line reference, and referencing the powered device to a device reference that can be different from the line reference. The powered device is isolated from the network line with an isolation boundary positioned between distributed power and the powered device at a digital port coupled to the powered device. |
| US07797557B2 |
Method of and device for detecting a cable connection with a root hub
The detector includes a plug for connecting a personal computer through a cable, a battery power supply which provides a constant power supply, and an MCU which receives a specific potential from the personal computer when the latter is connected. |
| US07797556B2 |
Image forming apparatus allowing setting item to be changed in power-saving mode
An image forming apparatus includes a printing unit capable of printing, the printing unit being in a suspended state with power supply being cut off in power-saving mode, and being in a wait state with power being supplied thereto in normal mode; an information storage unit capable of writing and retaining setting information of the printing unit at the time of power supply, the information storage unit being in a suspended state with power supply being cut off in power-saving mode; and a signal control unit that controls power supply to the information storage unit in power-saving mode with a signal transmitted and received by an interface unit from an external terminal device. |
| US07797553B2 |
Memory device
The present invention provides a memory device that can safely hold much data necessary for using an Application (AP) therein. In the present invention, a memory device includes a first tamper resistant memory 41 that cannot be accessed directly by an electronic device and a second non-tamper resistant memory that cannot be directly accessed by the electronic device. The second memory is used to save data stored in the first memory 41 to. In this memory device, since data necessary for using many APs can be safely held in the device, any terminal device satisfying authorizing conditions can use the data held therein. |
| US07797545B2 |
System and method for registering entities for code signing services
A system and method for registering entities for code signing services. The entities may be software application developers or other individuals or entities that wish to have applications digitally signed. Signing of the applications may be required in order to enable the applications to access sensitive APIs and associated resources of a computing device when the applications are executed on the computing device. In one embodiment, a method of registering entities for code signing services will comprise the step of transmitting at least some account data to the registering individual or entity using an out-of-band communication system. This provides added security that the individual or entity registering for a code signing service is who that individual or entity purports to be. |
| US07797540B2 |
Predictive support system for software
Signatures indicating potential problems can be used by a predictive support component. The predictive support component can check to see if a signature matches data for a data source associated with the software. |
| US07797538B2 |
Broadband certified mail
The present invention provides a system and method for providing certified voice and/or multimedia mail messages in a broadband signed communication system which uses packetized digital information. Cryptography is used to authenticate a message that has been compiled from streaming voice or multimedia packets. A certificate of the originator's identity and electronic signature authenticates the message. A broadband communication system user may be provisioned for certified voice and/or multimedia mail by registering with a certified mail service provider and thereby receiving certification. The called system user's CPE electronically signs the bits in received communication packets and returns the message with an electronic signature of the called system user to the calling party, along with the system user's certificate obtained from the service provider/certifying authority during registration. The electronic signature is a cryptographic key of the called party. |
| US07797535B2 |
Authentication method and system, and information processing method and apparatus
When having established communication with a data processing apparatus, a first apparatus determines whether or not to generate authentication information based on identification information about the data processing apparatus. If it is determined that generation of authentication information is necessary, then the first apparatus generates authentication information and saves it in a memory. If it is determined that generation of authentication information is necessary, the first apparatus sends the generated authentication information to the data processing apparatus with which communication has been established. If it is determined that generation of authentication information is unnecessary, then the first apparatus sends authentication information saved in the memory to the data processing apparatus with which communication has been established. Thereby, authentication between data processing apparatuses is performed with the use of the authentication information sent from the first apparatus. |
| US07797534B2 |
Controlled path-based process execution
There is proposed a method for executing a workflow, comprising providing the workflow comprising process level activities, at least one process level activity being able to access system resources, the access to the system resources being mediated by a plurality of backend modules. A backend module of the plurality of backend modules carries out the steps of receiving a hierarchical attribute certificate, validating the attribute certificate, checking whether the attribute certificate grants a right to execute the backend module, checking whether a predefined execution path from the process level activity to the backend module has been traversed, and if both checking steps are successful, executing the backend module. Moreover, there is proposed a respective device, computer program medium and computer program product. |
| US07797533B2 |
Communication system and method in public key infrastructure
In a communication system wherein a device and a client communicate data with each other through a network, the device holds a root certificate including a public key in a pair of the public key and a private key and signed with the public key. When data is sent, a certificate creator creates a second certificate including the root certificate designated as a certificate authority at a higher level and signed with the root certificate, and the second certificate is sent to the client. In the client, the root certificate has been stored beforehand, and a verifier verifies the signature of the second certificate with the root certificate. |
| US07797530B2 |
Authentication and encryption method and apparatus for a wireless local access network
This invention pertains to the field of Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN). This invention allows a secure connection of a user client station to a base unit. The secure connection comprises the use of authentication and encryption means. The base unit comprises a switching unit, at least one firewall, an authentication/encryption unit and at least one port device. The invention also provides a secure roaming scheme when a roaming is performed by a wireless user. |
| US07797523B2 |
Method and system of executing stack-based memory reference code
A method and system of executing stack-based memory reference code. At least some of the illustrated embodiments are methods comprising waking a computer system from a reduced power operational state in which a memory controller loses at least some configuration information, executing memory reference code that utilizes a stack (wherein the memory reference code configures the main memory controller), and passing control of the computer system to an operating system. The time between executing a first instruction after waking the computer system and passing control to the operating system takes less than 200 milliseconds. |
| US07797521B2 |
Method, system, and computer program product for path-correlated indirect address predictions
A method, system, and computer program product are provided, for maintaining a path history register of register indirect branches. A set of bits is generated based on a set of target address bits using a hit selection and/or a hash function operation, and the generated set of bits is inserted into a path history register by shifting bits in the path history register and/or applying a hash operation, information corresponding to prior history is removed from the path history register, using a shift out operation and/or a hash operation. The path, history register is used to maintain a recent target, table and generate register-indirect branch target address predictions based on path history correlation between register-indirect branches captured by the path history register. |
| US07797518B2 |
Generating instruction sets for compacting long instructions
A method of generating at least one instruction set from a plurality of program instructions, said plurality of program instructions comprising a plurality of instruction fields each of said instruction fields operable on decoding to generate control signals for transmission by individual command buses, said method comprising the steps of: determining which combination of command buses each instruction is operable to communicate control signals to and forming a cluster of instructions from instructions that communicate control signals to a same combination of command buses; developing at least one instruction set for at least some of said instruction clusters, said at least one instruction set having fewer bits than said program instruction; specifying a number of identification bits within said at least one instruction set operable to identify said instruction set; determining a number of bits required for each instruction field within said at least one instruction set to specify all possible control signals that can be sent by said at least one instruction set along a respective one of said command buses and reallocating any bits that are allocated to said instruction field that are in excess of said determined required number to said identification bits, such that an increased number of different instruction sets can be identified by said identification bits. |
| US07797512B1 |
Virtual core management
A virtual core management system including one or more physical cores and one or more virtual cores. Each virtual core respectively includes a collection of logical states associated with execution of a corresponding program. The virtual core management system further includes one or more interrupt controllers configured to send one or more interrupt signals to interrupt execution of a corresponding program associated with at least one of the one or more virtual cores, and a virtual core management component configured to map the at least one virtual core to one of the one or more physical cores and route the one or more interrupt signals to the corresponding physical core. |
| US07797510B1 |
Memory management for virtual address space with translation units of variable range size
In a virtual memory system, address translation information is provided using a cluster that is associated with some range of virtual addresses and that can be used to translate any virtual address in its range to a physical address, where the sizes of the ranges mapped by different clusters may be different. Clusters are stored in an address translation table that is indexed by virtual address so that, starting from any valid virtual address, the appropriate cluster for translating that address can be retrieved from the translation table. The clusters are dynamically created from a fragmented pool of physical addresses as new virtual address mappings are requested by consumers of the virtual memory space. |
| US07797509B2 |
Systems and methods for utilizing an extended translation look-aside buffer having a hybrid memory structure
Extended translation look-aside buffers (eTLB) for converting virtual addresses into physical addresses are presented, the eTLB including, a physical memory address storage having a number of physical addresses, a virtual memory address storage configured to store a number of virtual memory addresses corresponding with the physical addresses, the virtual memory address storage including, a set associative memory structure (SAM), and a content addressable memory (CAM) structure; and comparison circuitry for determining whether a requested address is present in the virtual memory address storage, wherein the eTLB is configured to receive an index register for identifying the SAM structure and the CAM structure, and wherein the eTLB is configured to receive an entry register for providing a virtual page number corresponding with the plurality of virtual memory addresses. |
| US07797507B2 |
Virtual machine system and operating method thereof
A virtual machine system includes a physical memory and a virtual machine monitor (VMM). When a kernel image of one guest OS, in startup of the one guest OS, has already been loaded on the physical memory, the VMM starts up one guest OS with the kernel image. |
| US07797505B2 |
Program stack handling
Systems, methods, and device are provided for program stack handling. One method embodiment includes recognizing that a fault has occurred because a particular address range in a memory stack has been accessed. The method includes evaluating a current utilized size of regions in the memory stack. A particular address range between the current utilized size of regions in the memory stack is then relocated. |
| US07797501B2 |
Information handling system including a logical volume and a cache and a method of using the same
A system and method of recovering cached data can be used when a particular physical storage device becomes unsuitable for storing data. In one aspect, the method can include providing the information handling system including a logical volume and a cache. The cache includes data that is to be stored within a particular physical storage device. The method can also include persisting the data within a different physical storage device. In one embodiment, the different physical storage device can be used to temporarily store the data when a logical volume is inaccessible. After the particular physical storage device becomes suitable to persist the data, the logical volume can be restored. The method can further include persisting the data within the particular or a replacement physical storage device. In another aspect, a system can be configured to carry out the methods described herein. |
| US07797500B1 |
Geometry adaptation using data redistribution
Described are techniques for migrating data from a source device to a target device. A source device descriptor of the source device including source device geometry parameters and a source device partition definition structure is received. Target device geometry parameters are received. The source partition definition structure is translated and a mapped partition definition structure in accordance with the target device geometry parameters is generated. A target device descriptor including the target device geometry parameters and the mapped partition definition structure is generated. The target device descriptor is stored on the target device. Data for one or more partitions of the source device is migrated to the target device. |
| US07797497B1 |
System and method for providing more logical memory ports than physical memory ports
Some embodiments provide for a method of mapping a user design to a configurable integrated circuit (IC). The method is for a configurable IC that implements a user design with an associated user design clock cycle. The IC operates on a sub-cycle clock that has multiple sub-cycle periods within a user period of the user design clock cycle. The method identifies multiple port accesses to a first multi-port memory defined in the user design. The accesses are in a single user design clock cycle. The method maps the multiple port accesses to the first multi-port memory to multiple physical-port memory accesses to a second physical-port memory in the configurable IC during multiple sub-cycles associated with a single user design clock cycle. |
| US07797493B2 |
Enhancing performance of a memory unit of a data processing device by separating reading and fetching functionalities
The present invention relates to a data processing device (10) comprising a processing unit (12) and a memory unit (14), and to a method for controlling operation of a memory unit (14) of a data processing device. The memory unit (14) comprises a main memory (16), a low- level cache memory (20.2), which is directly connected to the processing unit (12) and adapted to hold all pixels of a currently active sliding search area for reading access by the processing unit (12), a high-level cache memory (18), which is connected between the low-level cache memory and the frame memory, and a first pre-fetch buffer (20.1), which is connected between the high-level cache memory and the low- level cache memory and which is adapted to hold one search-area column or one search-area line of pixel blocks, depending on the scan direction and scan order followed by the processing unit. Reading and fetching functionalities are decoupled in the memory unit (14). The fetching functionality is concentrated on the higher cache level, while the reading functionality is concentrated on the lower cache level. This way concurrent reading and fetching can be achieved, thus enhancing the performance of a data processing device. |
| US07797491B2 |
Facilitating load reordering through cacheline marking
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates load reordering through cacheline marking. During operation, the system receives a load operation to be executed. Next, the system determines whether a cacheline for the load has been load-marked by a thread which is performing the load. If so, the system performs the load. Otherwise, the system obtains the cacheline and subsequently attempts to load-mark the cacheline. If the cacheline is successfully load-marked, the system performs the load. |
| US07797489B1 |
System and method for providing space availability notification in a distributed striped volume set
A system and method for managing space availability in a distributed striped file system is provided. A master data server is configured to send space availability detection messages to a plurality of data volumes servers hosting constituent volumes of a striped volume set. If one of the constituent volumes in the striped volume set has a low-in-space flag set, then the master data volume instructs all of the constituent volumes to set a low-in-space required flag, and no further writes are accepted for the striped volume set. The low-in-space and low-in-space required flags represent two states, and these states are returned in response to subsequent space availability detection messages from the master data server. A procedure for utilizing reserved space to complete an accepted cross stripe write operation is also provided. |
| US07797488B2 |
Method of creating a multiple of virtual SATA ports in a disk array controller
A method of creating a multiple of virtual Serial Advanced Technology Attachment ports in a disk array controller, and the method builds a port multiplier in a Serial Advanced Technology Attachment disk array controller by a software method, and the port multiplier defines several slices capable of identifying the address of a computer host system. The port multiplier is connected to at least one disk set, and each disk is divided into several data blocks corresponding to data blocks of another disk of the same disk set to constitute a synchronously updated disk backup system. The software method provides a method of connecting several storage units to overcome the restriction on the point-to-point connection of the Serial Advanced Technology Attachment disk array system, so as to achieve a multi-driving function and a serial bus system. |