| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US07824446B2 |
Prosthetic foot with longer upper forefoot and shorter lower forefoot
The invention provides a prosthetic foot device including an elongated upper forefoot portion extending through an upper attachment section, forwardly through an arch section, and to a toe section positioned at a toe location of a natural foot. The foot device also includes an elongated lower forefoot portion extending through an upper attachment section attached to the attachment section of the upper forefoot portion, and forwardly under the arch section of the upper forefoot portion to a terminal end positioned under the ball location of a natural foot and rearward of the toe section of the upper forefoot portion. |
| US07824445B2 |
Corpectomy vertebral body replacement implant system
An improved artificial spinal implant system for replacing a disc or vertebral body that provides adjustability in height, and provides support and stability of the spine with proper lordosis or kyphosis, osseous-integration of the implant, and motion preservation (if desired) of the adjacent vertebrae while preserving the space. Motion preservation is achieved with compressible and/or tiltable artificial discs. |
| US07824440B2 |
Stent with drug coating
Coatings for stents that include a polymer and a drug are provided. A method of forming the coatings is also provided. |
| US07824439B2 |
Zigzag-shaped stent configured to produce less wall damage
A stent of interconnected ring-shaped stent units formed by a continuous threadlike material that extends back and forth to form a zigzag pattern of segments extending between opposite side turned edge portions. The zigzag pattern forming the outer circumference of each ring-shaped stent unit with at least some of said turned edge portions at a same side of the segments having a shifted position along the stent axial direction relative to a position of others of said turned edge portions at that same side of the segments so that not all of the adjacent tuned edge portions at that same side of the segments are aligned along a common circle extending around the outer circumference of each ring-shaped stent unit. At least some of the turned edge portions are also formed to have a wider line width than the line width of the segments. |
| US07824437B1 |
Multi-functional abdominal cramp reducing device and associated method
A portable electronic device for reducing periodic cramping about an abdominal cavity of a user during a menstrual cycle includes an elastic panty garment, a controller removably attached directly to an outer surface of the panty garment and a plurality of electro-mechanical transducers generating output vibrations, and a plurality of heatable magnetic straps directly coupled to the outer surface of the panty garment. The heatable magnetic straps extend along anterior and posterior faces of the panty garment and are simultaneously actuated to a desired temperature level while the transducers are actuated to an on position. The heatable magnetic straps being freely movable along the outer surface of the panty garment while the transducers are nested within respective pouches. |
| US07824436B2 |
Methods and devices for non-invasive cerebral and systemic cooling
A method for cerebral and systemic cooling by providing a nebulized liquid having a boiling point of 38-300° C. The nebulized liquid is delivered as a mist or a spray via the nasal and/or oral cavities of a patient. The mist causes cooling by direct heat transfer through the nasopharynx and hematogenous cooling through the carotids and the Circle of Willis. Compositions and medical devices for cerebral and systemic cooling are also provided. Cooling assemblies, and methods of use, are also provided that include flexible balloon assemblies that are inserted to various locations in a patient's body. The flexible balloons are then infused with a liquid having a temperature between about −20° C. and about 37° C. The flexible balloon assemblies can be inserted into the nasal cavity, oral cavity, throat, stomach, and other locations to effect cerebral cooling. |
| US07824433B2 |
Bone anchored surgical mesh
A bone-anchored surgical mesh has slot-like anchoring members that allow for the variable placement of screws and other bone fasteners. This permits the surgeon discretion in the placement of bone fasteners used to attach the mesh to the patient's bone. The elongate openings of the anchoring members allow for a sliding motion between the bone fasteners and the anchoring members, and facilitates positioning and articulation of the mesh. The anchoring members may include bushings to aid the sliding motion of the anchoring member on the bone fastener. In one embodiment, the mesh consists of shorter modular strips that overlap each other such that a single bone fastener is passed through two overlapping anchoring members to lock the two modular mesh strips together. Additional modular mesh strips can be added on at either end, as desired, to provide the desired length of dural coverage. |
| US07824431B2 |
Cervical distraction method
A device and method for a minimally invasive surgical implantation to reduce radicular symptoms by inserting an expandable cervical distraction implant in the facet joint and distracting the adjacent cervical vertebrae to increase the foraminal dimension. The implant, when positioned in the cervical facet joint, expands via delivery of an inflation medium to increase the space between the vertebrae, thereby increasing the foraminal area or dimension, and reducing pressure on the nerves and blood vessels of the cervical spine. |
| US07824430B2 |
Methods and devices for treating a multi-level spinal deformity
The present application discloses methods for treating a multi-level spinal deformity. The methods may include inserting a tether in a minimally-invasive manner through an entrance incision. The tether is moved along the spine and positioned to reduce and/or eliminate the deformity. Once the tether is positioned along the spine, the tether may be secured to the vertebral members. In one embodiment, the tether includes a rigid section and a flexible section. The tether may be positioned within the spine with the rigid section extending along a first length of the spine and the flexible section extending along a second length of the spine. The different sections provide different corrective forces to the spine to reduce and/or eliminate the spinal deformity. In one embodiment, the rigid section extends along an apex of the spinal deformity. |
| US07824427B2 |
Minimally invasive interbody device
An interbody device that restores the disc space height between two vertebrae during spinal fusion surgery. The device includes a center plate surrounded by a perimeter portion that combine to have a relatively flat configuration in one dimension and relatively wide configuration in a perpendicular dimension. After the disc space has been cleared, the device is inserted into the disc space in a direction so that the wide dimension of the device is substantially parallel to the body of the vertebrae. The device is then rotated so that the wide dimension of the device becomes perpendicular to the vertebral body so as to cause the disc space height to be restored. Bone graft material is then introduced through a fill tube coupled to the device so that the bone graft material is distributed on both sides of the center plate and into the disc space. |
| US07824425B2 |
Ambidextrous locking clamp system
An ambidextrous locking clamp system for providing a user the ability to alter the configuration of a hand operated device allowing a right or left handed user to operate the device. The device has a hingedly connected first and second elongated member each with a finger engaging member, a working head, and an indicator for identifying if the clamp is setup for left or right handed operation. At least two inter-engaging latching members are removably attachable to the first and the second elongated members. The latching members are symmetrical, interchangeable, and reversible, allowing a user to change the configuration of the ambidextrous device. The latching members can be retained to the elongated members by a rotatably lever, a removable retaining cap, or a removable retaining pin. Additionally, the latching members can be incorporated into removable finger engaging members, thereby allowing the entire finger engaging member and latching member to be removed, interchanged or reversed. |
| US07824423B2 |
System and method for making incisions for scleral eye implants
A system and method is disclosed for making incisions in the sclera of an eye to form a scleral pocket to receive a scleral prosthesis. The system and method comprises a surgical tool comprising a surgical blade for making incisions in the sclera of an eye. When a surgeon places the surgical blade on the sclera of the eye a pressure sensor in the surgical tool determines whether there is sufficient pressure between the surgical tool and the sclera of the eye for the surgical tool to operate properly. The surgeon activates the surgical tool to cause the surgical blade to advance through the sclera to form an incision having dimensions to receive a scleral prosthesis. When the incision is complete the surgical blade is rotated back out of the incision. The incision has the exact dimensions to receive a scleral prosthesis. |
| US07824421B2 |
Anchors for use in anastomotic procedures
Disclosed is an instrument for use in a procedure to effect anastomosis of a patient's bladder and urethra following a prostatectomy having a tube assembly, and an end effector assembly operably supported by the tube assembly, where the end effector assembly includes an anchor for insertion into and through the patient's bladder wall and pelvic floor and an anchor guide associated therewith. |
| US07824420B2 |
Implantable prosthesis
An implantable prosthesis for an anatomical defect, such as a tissue or muscle defect, that promotes tissue or muscle growth into the prosthesis and subsequently strengthens the area of the defect. At least one pocket and preferably two concentric pockets may be provided to aid with manipulating the prosthesis. Where two pockets are used, a barrier or partition exists between the pockets and the outer pocket allows manipulation of the outer periphery. The incidence of postoperative adhesions between a portion of the prosthesis and tissue, muscle or organs may be minimized with the use of a barrier layer. Reinforcing members may be attached to portions of the prosthesis to aid in positioning and deployment in the area of desired coverage without rendering the prosthesis unduly difficult to implant or uncomfortable for the patient. Typically, two concentric members are employed. Further, the prosthesis is constructed to allow it to be provisionally held in place at desired locations by openings in the pockets that allow access for a stapler or sewing device. |
| US07824417B2 |
Guide for a medical device
The invention provides a puncturing guide (1, 16) for guiding a puncturing needle into a target site within the body of a patient. The puncturing guide (1, 16) comprises a base plate (2, 17), a needle guide (3, 18), a retainer (4, 19) for securing the needle guide (3, 18) to the base plate (2, 17), a first segment (7, 20) of a first semi-sphere, a second segment (8, 21) of a second semi-sphere, and a needle guide (3, 18) attached to the second segment (8, 21). During a positioning operation, the second segment (8, 21) slides on the first segment (7, 20), so that the needle guide (3, 18) is movable around the center of the first semi-sphere, which is in level with the underside of the base plate (2, 17), thereby providing the possibility to position the tip of a puncturing needle at a puncturing point on the patient's skin and then, in a separate operation, set the entrance angle of the puncturing needle without changing its entrance point. |
| US07824415B2 |
Atraumatic medical device
A medical device, and related method, for manipulating material, such as calculi, within a patient's body includes a handle, a sheath, a retrieval basket, and a retainer coupled to the distal end of the retrieval basket. The retrieval basket includes a plurality of legs, each of which includes an intermediate portion located at the distal end of the retrieval basket. The retainer secures at least the intermediate portion of one of the plurality of legs to the intermediate portion of another of the plurality of legs. |
| US07824406B2 |
Irrigated ablation catheter having a valve to prevent backflow
The invention relates to an ablation catheter which controls the temperature and reduces the coagulation of biological fluids on an electrode of a catheter, prevents the impedance rise of tissue in contact with the electrode, and maximizes the potential energy transfer to the tissue, thereby allowing an increase in the lesion size produced by the ablation. The electrode includes passages positioned to allow saline flow out of an inner cavity of the electrode. This fluid flow produces the desired cooling effect and is accomplished, for example, by saline irrigation flow with a valve element to block flow of blood into the inner cavity of the electrode. |
| US07824404B2 |
Methods of treating the sacroiliac region of a patient's body
Methods of treating the sacroiliac region of a patient's body by delivering energy are described. In some embodiments, the method comprises the steps of: positioning one elongated probe comprising at least one energy delivery device within a sacroiliac joint of the body; and delivering radiofrequency energy through the elongated probe. In some embodiments, the delivery of energy results in the creation of a lesion. In further embodiments, energy may be delivered substantially along a long axis of the sacroiliac joint. In yet further embodiments, at least one energy delivery device may be positioned adjacent a sacroiliac joint and energy may be delivered so as to create a lesion at least partially within the joint. |
| US07824403B2 |
Methods and devices for ablation
An ablating device has a cover which holds an interface material such as a gel. The cover contains the interface material during initial placement of the device. The ablating device may also have a removable tip or a membrane filled with fluid. In still another aspect, the ablating device may be submerged in liquid during operation. |
| US07824399B2 |
Ablation system and method of use
A system and method for creating lesions and assessing their completeness or transmurality. Assessment of transmurality of a lesion is accomplished by monitoring the depolarization signal in a local electrogram taken using electrodes located adjacent the tissue to be ablated. Following onset of application of ablation energy to heart tissue, the local electrogram is measured with electrodes located adjacent tissue to be ablated so that the ablation energy to ablation elements can be selectively reduced or terminated when transmurality is detected. |
| US07824395B2 |
Method and apparatus for monitoring and controlling thermally induced tissue treatment
A method and apparatus for thermal treatment of tissue by irradiating the skin with electromagnetic energy is disclosed. Sources of electromagnetic energy include radio frequency (RF) generators, lasers, and flashlamps. The apparatus includes either a positional sensor or a dosage evaluation sensor, or both types of sensors. These sensors provide feedback to a controller. The controller may control the electromagnetic source parameters, the electromagnetic source activation, and/or the sensor measurement parameters. An additional scanning delivery unit may be operably coupled to the controller or to the sensors to provide a controlled distribution of electromagnetic energy to the target region of the skin. The use of positional measurement sensors and dosage evaluation sensors permits the controller to automatically determine the proper electromagnetic source parameters including, for example, pulse timing and pulse frequency. |
| US07824393B2 |
Medical connector having high flow rate characteristics
A soft grip medical connector can include a housing and a flexible member. The housing has a lumen extending through it from an upstream end to the downstream end. The flexible member includes a valve portion integrally formed with a sleeve portion. The valve portion is positioned within a section of the housing and can control a flow of fluid through the housing lumen. The sleeve can be inverted to envelop some or all of the outer surface of the housing. The sleeve can include a gripping portion integrally formed with the valve portion. The connector can also create a positive pressure in the lumen upon removal of a syringe or other medical device from the upstream end of the connector. |
| US07824389B2 |
Disposable absorbent undergarment for males
A disposable absorbent garment includes a body chassis having a terminal front waist edge, a terminal back waist edge longitudinally spaced from the terminal front waist edge, a first length defined between the terminal front waist edge and the terminal back waist edge, and a laterally extending centerline defined half way between the terminal front and back waist edges. An absorbent insert is fixedly secured to the body chassis. The absorbent insert has a retention region including an absorbent material. The retention region has first and second longitudinally spaced boundaries and a second length defined between the first and second boundaries. The second length is less than or equal to 50% of the first length, and at least 70% of the second length is positioned between the centerline and the terminal front waist edge. There is no absorbent material disposed outside of the retention region defined between the first and second boundaries. In one embodiment, the body chassis is formed from separate front and rear body panels. A method of assembling a disposable absorbent garment is also provided. |
| US07824387B2 |
Method for using a disposable absorbent article as training pant
Aspects of the present disclosure involve new methods for using disposable absorbent articles having replaceable absorbent core components as a training pant. Non-removable absorbent core components may be disposed in a chassis of the disposable absorbent article. The absorbent article may also include one or more replaceable absorbent core components selectively disposed in capillary liquid communication with the non-removable absorbent core component. Embodiments of such absorbent articles can be configured for use as a training pant by removing the replaceable absorbent core component. As discussed below, removal of the replaceable core component can be done without having to remove the absorbent article from the wearer. In addition, embodiments of the absorbent articles can be reconfigured for use as a high absorbency diaper by reinstalling a replaceable absorbent core component without having to remove the absorbent article from the wearer. |
| US07824381B2 |
Safety disposable syringe
A safety disposable syringe includes: a barrel; a plunger extending into the barrel; a piston mounted on the plunger and formed with a first engaging member; and a needle seat extending fittingly into the barrel and having a front end disposed outwardly of the barrel, and a rear end disposed in the barrel and having a rear end face facing toward the piston. The needle seat defines a fluid passage extending through the rear end face of the rear end of the needle seat. The needle seat is formed with a second engaging member. The fluid passage has a terminating end terminated at the rear end face of the rear end of the needle seat. The second engaging member has a terminating end terminated at the rear end face of the rear end of the needle seat and spaced apart from the first terminating end of the fluid passage. |
| US07824376B2 |
Injection needle apparatus for making injection in tissue in body cavity
An injection needle apparatus in which an operation for relatively moving an outer tube 4 and an inner tube 5 is performed to project and retract a needle body 12 from and into a distal end of the outer tube 4, and to carry out a movement of rotation of the needle body 12 at a predetermined angle by relative forward and backward movements of the outer tube 4 and inner tube 5 in their longitudinal directions every time the forward and backward movement operations is repeated, thereby enabling changing a direction of a needlepoint 14 of the needle body 12 at each angle. |
| US07824372B1 |
Syringe guide and shield for use in administering ophthalmologic injections
A guide for use in medical procedures involving the eye comprises a shield for protecting portions of a patient's eye, as well as guide apertures through which an instrument, such as a needle can be inserted. The guide is positioned on the patient's eye, and a visible alignment member, such as a central opening will align the guide relative to the cornea, exposed through this opening. The guide apertures would thus be positioned so that penetration of the eye would occur at a site where no damage to the eye, and especially to the lens, could not occur. The guide apertures extend through cylindrical members that will position a syringe and insure proper entry of the needle into the patient's eye. |
| US07824364B2 |
Liquid-mixing infusor
A liquid mixing infusor includes a main body defining an internal chamber and has an upstream port, a downstream port and a confluent port. Each port is fluidly couplable with the internal chamber. A valve may be mounted within the internal chamber of the main body and is adapted for rotational movement between a blocking position interrupting fluid flow between the confluent port and one of the upstream port and the downstream port and between the upstream port and the downstream port, and a flow position permitting fluid flow between the upstream port and the downstream port. A manually manipulative member is mounted relative to the main body and operatively connected to the valve. The manipulative member is movable to cause corresponding movement of the valve between the blocking position and the flow position. |
| US07824363B2 |
Hands-free breast pump with balanced reciprocating drive
A hands-free breast pump that includes a balanced push-pull reciprocating drive system that applies pumping force to a vacuum chamber formed by a breast interface cup during inward and outward pump strokes. The breast pump includes a breast cup that has a resilient bellows structure that partially collapses the volume of the vacuum chamber during the inward stroke and recovers the volume of the vacuum chamber during the outward stroke. The pump mechanism includes a cam drive system that translates rotary electric motor power into reciprocating linear action of an actuator arm that drives the bellows structure. The bellows structure acts like a spring that charges (resists the pump force) during the inward stroke and discharges (assists the pump force) during the outward stroke, and the shape of the cam track is designed to produce a desired operating profile for the pump. |
| US07824361B2 |
Connector for use in single and double breast pumping
The connector of the present invention provides fewer connections and attachments to a breastpump configured for expressing breast milk from both of a woman's breasts simultaneously, thereby facilitating easier use of the breast pump and yielding fewer pieces for the user to carry or misplace. The connector includes a manifold with four ports. Individual tubes extend from three of the four ports and each has a plug member. One tube engages with a vacuum source and the remaining two tubes engage with a breastshield assembly for double breast pumping. When single breastpumping is desired, one of the two tubes connected to the breastpump assemblies is disconnected and engaged with the dock port of the manifold. |
| US07824359B2 |
Bioinjection device
The bioinjection device has a housing including a pistol grip and an elongated barrel. A trigger is pivotally mounted to the housing. A plunger and needle are slidable between a first position in which the plunger and needle are slidably disposed in the barrel and a second position in which the plunger and needle extend from an opening in the end of the barrel. A retaining member is disposed about the opening at the end of the barrel. A spring-biased actuation mechanism connects the trigger with the plunger and needle. A membranous cartridge containing bone morphogenic protein, antibiotics, and/or other medication is loaded into the retaining member. A surgeon can inject the cartridge into a bone fracture or degenerative bone tissue during surgery to deliver the medicament directly to the affected site. |
| US07824355B2 |
Methods and devices for processing blood
Methods, devices and device components are presented for blood processing. Particularly, methods, devices and device components are presented for separating blood into blood components and collecting one or more separated blood components, which reduce the incidence of blood vessel infiltration and enhance donor comfort. In one aspect, the invention provides blood processing methods having a return flow rate which decreases systematically during a return time. In another aspect, the invention provides blood processing methods having a removal flow rate, return flow rate or both which are derived from a subject's total blood volume. In another aspect, the present invention provides blood processing methods wherein the fraction by volume of removed blood corresponding to collected components is selected to optimize blood processing efficiency and enhance the purities of collected blood components. |
| US07824351B2 |
Feminine hydro-therapeutic massage device
A portable hydro massage device for submersion in a body of water containing a female user, i.e. a bathtub, provides a local massage to the labium region and a focused stimulant to the female user's clitoris thereby resulting in a superior sensation to the entire body promoting an overall euphoric state and calming effect. The apparatus employs a saddle shaped housing, where the buttocks are placed, and a saddle horn for controlling the stimulus. Disposed within the midsection of the saddle horn is a hydro jet with a driven flow from a circulating water pump that draws suction from the main body of water. The hydro jet is adjustable in pressure and a method is provided for aeration of the water discharged to allow for a rhythmic pulsation effect. The saddle horn may be held and the lower body positioned as needed to focus the discharged stream from the hydro jet to the desired point of the pelvic region. |
| US07824349B2 |
Massage chair having concealable leg massage unit
The present invention reveals a massage chair having concealable leg massage unit, including a massage chair and a leg massage unit positioned in a front portion of the massage chair. The two sides of the massage chair are provided with guiding tracks respectively and a moving means which moves along the guiding tracks. The rear portions of the guiding tracks are horizontal, and the front portions arc upward. The moving means is fixed with forward extended push-pull rods with a front end of each push-pull rod pivotally connected to a rear end of a tow board. A front end of the tow board is provided with a rolling wheel, and the leg massage unit is pivotally connected between two tow boards. The present invention not only reduces the volume of a massage chair but also makes itself more convenient and comfortable to users. |
| US07824348B2 |
System and method for variable depth ultrasound treatment
A non-invasive variable depth ultrasound treatment method and system comprises a variable depth transducer system configured for providing ultrasound treatment to a patient. An exemplary variable depth transducer system can comprise a transducer configured to provide treatment to more than one region of interest, such as between a deep treatment region of interest and a superficial region of interest, and/or a subcutaneous region of interest. The variable depth transducer can comprise a transduction element having a piezoelectrically active layer, matching layers and/or other materials for generating radiation or acoustical energy. The variable depth transducer may be configured to operate at moderate frequencies within the range from approximately 750 kHz to 20 MHz or more. In addition, the transduction element may be configured with a variable depth device comprising one or more materials configured to allow for control and focusing/defocusing of the acoustic energy to more than one region of interest. |
| US07824344B1 |
Method and apparatus for non-invasive analysis of saliva
A method and apparatus for non-invasive analysis of saliva includes a user friendly lolli-pop like apparatus that is self contained and provides the user with a method to stimulate saliva by sucking on the pop head. The saliva activates a color change reaction on the apparatus that results in a visual response that can be compared to a user gauge for analysis in monitoring health conditions and concerns. |
| US07824343B2 |
Method and apparatus for blood sampling
Methods and apparatus for collecting blood samples in vacuum sample tubes are disclosed. The samples, including the initial blood sample, are substantially free of excess air. |
| US07824337B2 |
Ultrasonic image processing apparatus and control program for ultrasonic image processing apparatus
Motion information of a tissue at a plurality of positions in a subject to be examined which is obtained by transmission/reception of an ultrasonic wave is acquired. This information includes, for example, a quantitative value associated with the strain of the tissue in the subject or a quantitative value associated with a displacement in the subject. A predetermined motion timing of the subject is calculated on the basis of the motion information of the tissue. A first image for indicating the motion timings of the tissue at a plurality of positions in the subject is generated. |
| US07824335B2 |
Reconfigurable array with multi-level transmitters
An imaging probe having multi-level transmitter cells. The imaging probe includes a plurality of acoustical sub-elements for transmitting and receiving acoustic energy for imaging. Each of the multi-level transmitter cells is arranged along a respective transmitter cell path between a switching matrix and one of the acoustical sub-elements. The multi-level transmitter cells in the probe are capable of producing signals having multiple voltage levels. |
| US07824329B2 |
Control system for supplying fluid medium to endoscope
A control system for supplying fluid medium to an endoscopic apparatus which comprises an operation handle and an insertion tube provided with an insufflation channel, an irrigation channel and a suction channel extending therealong. The control system is provided with a system control unit with at least one source of a first fluid medium, with a source of a second fluid medium, with a source of vacuum and with a multifunctional connector for bringing the operation handle in fluid and electrical communication with the system control unit. The source of the first fluid medium and the source of the second fluid medium are simultaneously connectable to and disconnectable from the insufflation channel and the irrigation channel. |
| US07824328B2 |
Method and apparatus for tracking a surgical instrument during surgery
An endoscopic surgical navigation system comprises a tracking subsystem to capture data representing positions and orientations of a flexible endoscope during an endoscopic procedure, to allow coregistration of live endoscopic video with intra-operative and/or pre-operative scan images. Positions and orientations of the endoscope are detected using one or more sensors and/or other signal-producing elements disposed on the endoscope. The sensors include optical curvature sensors located along the endoscope, where the length of each optical curvature sensor decreases with increasing proximity to the distal end of the endoscope. Output signals of the sensors can be routed to the tracking subsystem through the light channel in the endoscope. A hybrid approach can be used to separately track the position and orientation of the (rigid) base and the flexible portion of the endoscope. |
| US07824324B2 |
Magnetic core for medical procedures
The inventive technique include a system, method and device for treating a patient. The inventive system includes a magnetic field generating device created using a powdered ferromagnetic. The system further includes a circuit in electrical communication with the magnetic core, and a power source in electrical communication with the circuit. The ferromagnetic powder core may be manufactured by at least one of the following: machining, pressing, molding, gluing, and extruding. Also, the ferromagnetic powder core may have a distributed gap structure, where the gap structure operates to focus the magnetic field between pole faces of the magnetic device. |
| US07824323B2 |
Apparatus for evaluating blood flow and controlling blood flow using a magnetic field and methods therefor
In a blood flow controlling apparatus using a magnetic field for controlling blood flow within a living body, and methods therefor, the blood flow controlling apparatus includes a magnetic field applying unit for supplying the magnetic field and applying the magnetic field to the living body, a blood flow measuring unit for measuring a blood flow signal including information about blood flow, and a blood flow controlling unit for controlling the blood flow according to the measured blood flow signal. |
| US07824313B2 |
Exercise device for cross training
An exercise device includes one or more foot supports movable along an arcuate path defined around a point of rotation. The arcuate path is divisible into machine defined user selectable arc segments and the movement of the foot support(s) is limited to the machine defined user selected arc segment. The exercise device can include a frame, a linkage movably engaged with the frame, a foot support movably engaged with the linkage, a crank arm movably engaged with the frame, a motor operative to move the crank arm location with respect to the frame, and a drive linkage movably engaging the linkage. |
| US07824307B2 |
Control device for vehicle power transmission device
A control device for a vehicle power transmission device including an electrical differential motion portion in which a differential state between input shaft rotation speed and output shaft rotation speed is controlled through control of the operation state of an electric motor linked to a rotating element of a differential motion portion, and a power connection-disconnection device constituting a portion of a power transmission path, includes a controller that lessens a transmission capacity of the power connection-disconnection device if during a switch of the state of the vehicle power transmission device from a non-driving state to a driving state, a change in input torque to the vehicle power transmission device occurs, in comparison with when the change in the input torque does not occur. Therefore, the control device reduces the shift shock when the vehicle power transmission device is switched from the non-driving to the driving state. |
| US07824302B2 |
Multi-speed transmission
A transmission having gearsets (RS1-RS4), shafts (1-8) and shifting elements (A-E). A carrier of gearset (RS4) and an input shaft forming shaft (1), a carrier of gearset (RS3) and an output shaft form shaft (2), sun gears of gearsets (RS3, RS4) form shaft (3). A ring gear of gearset (RS1) forms shaft (4). Ring and sun gears respectively of gearsets (RS2, RS1) couple as shaft (5), a carrier of gearset (RS1) and a ring gear of gearset (RS3) form shaft (6), sun and ring gears respectively of gearsets (RS2, RS4) couple as shaft (7). A carrier of gearset (RS2) forms shaft (8). Located in the flow of power: elements (A, B) are respectively between shafts (3, 4) and a housing, element (C) between shafts (5, 1), element (D) between shafts (8, 2) or (8, 6) and element (E) between two of shafts (5, 7, 8). |
| US07824300B2 |
Multi-speed transmission
An automatic transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices may be either brakes or clutches. Eight forward speeds or gear ratios and reverse are achieved by engaging various combinations of the brakes and clutches. |
| US07824295B2 |
Power-branched, continuously variable vehicle transmission
A power-branched, continuously variable vehicle transmission includes a CVT variable speed drive that is connected to an input shaft through a planetary gear train and to an output shaft through a multistage gearbox. In an alternative embodiment, one variable speed drive shaft of the variable speed drive is connected to an input shaft, and the variable speed drive shafts are connected to an output shaft through a planetary gear train module. The power-branched transmission is compactly constructed, but permits a high start-up torque and enables a wide transmission ratio spread. |
| US07824294B2 |
Transmission system, in particular for a motor vehicle
A vehicle comprises a drive source that drives the wheels via a transmission system. The transmission system has an epicyclic gearing with three rotational members a first rotational member connected to the drive source, a second rotational member connected to the wheels via a first reduction and a final reduction and a third rotational member connected to a brake. The brake constitutes reaction means for balancing torque. The transmission system also includes a transmission parallel to the epicyclic gearing and a transmission in series with the epicyclic gearing. Moreover, the transmission system has a lock-up clutch capable of connecting the first rotational member to the second rotational member. This transmission system enables shifting between various transmission ratios without torque interruption, using only one brake. The transmission in series with the epicyclic gearing can directly be connected to the load via the lock-up clutch or via the ‘braked ’ planetary set. |
| US07824292B2 |
Rear wheel drive automatic transmission with a selectable one-way clutch
A vehicle includes a rear-wheel drive (RWD) automatic transmission having a stationary member, a two-mode selectable one-way clutch (SOWC), pressurized fluid, and a valve body assembly (VBA). The VBA has a piston, a return spring, and an actuator linkage in contact with the piston and a shift lever of the SOWC. Fluid moves the piston and linkage in one direction to lock the SOWC and enable a reverse mode having no spin losses, and the spring moves the piston and linkage in another direction to unlock the SOWC in a forward mode. A method reduces spin losses by admitting fluid into the VBA to move the piston in one direction to thereby rotate the shift lever of the SOWC to one angular position to lock a driving member of the transmission to the stationary member during reverse, engine braking first gear, and manual low speeds. |
| US07824285B2 |
Bicycle rear derailleur
A bicycle rear derailleur includes a base member, a movable member movably coupled to the base member and a chain guide coupled to the movable member. The base member is configured to be mounted to a bicycle portion. The base member includes a metal plate that is a one-piece member forming a stroke adjustment mounting structure, an angular position adjustment mounting structure and an outer casing adjustment mounting structure. |
| US07824284B2 |
Power transmission belt and cord adhesive system and adhesion method
A power transmission belt incorporating an adhesive treatment system and method for bonding fiber to rubber which includes an optional primer coat based on a low-molecular-weight isocyanate, followed by an overcoat including: (a) a prepolymer based on an isocyanate-terminated diene oligomer, and optionally (b) a low-molecular-weight isocyanate, and/or (c) a thermoplastic urethane comprising the reaction product of the same prepolymer with MDI and EHD. A polyester, aramid, or carbon fiber tensile cord for rubber reinforcement may be treated with the primer coat and the overcoat. A power transmission belt or other dynamic rubber product having ethylene-alpha-olefin elastomer as the primary rubber constituent may be reinforced by the tensile cord. |
| US07824283B2 |
Pre-stressed hockey shaft
A hockey stick comprising a shaft portion and a blade portion, the shaft portion including means having preformed stresses to induce a flexural resistance at about mid-span so as to create in the shaft portion induced stresses which are neutralized as stresses are further induced in the shaft portion at impact on the blade portion to thereby provide a stiffer and more rigid shaft portion. |
| US07824274B2 |
Rodeo or riding device
A riding device includes one or more cranks rotatably attached to a base, and a rider support supported on a carrier and movable relative to the base for supporting a rider, the carrier has a front portion pivotally coupled to the base with a link and an arm and a rear portion coupled to the cranks for moving cyclically relative to the base and for allowing the carrier to be moved in an elliptical and reciprocating action relative to the base by the crank device, and the rider support is supported on the carrier and moved in concert with the rider support for supporting the rider, and an actuating device may be used for actuating the carrier and the rider support to move relative to the base in an elliptical and reciprocating action. |
| US07824273B2 |
Child motion device
A child motion device has a frame assembly configured to rest on a floor surface. A support arm assembly is coupled to and cantilevered from part of the frame assembly above the floor surface. A child supporting device is supported by the support arm assembly. A bounce mechanism of the device is employed to reciprocally bounce the child supporting device above the floor surface. |
| US07824265B2 |
Virtual camera control method in three-dimensional video game
A central position of each character participating in a battle is obtained as a fixation point, and multiple temporary points are set on a hemisphere around the fixation point. Each temporary viewpoint position is set on a straight line connecting the fixation point to each temporary point. Each temporary viewpoint position is a position from which all characters can be projected on a virtual screen when perspective transformation is executed at a predetermined visual angle and a distance to the fixation point is shortest. Points are given to each temporary viewpoint position based on the result of a distance evaluation, an angle evaluation, an overlap evaluation, and a height difference evaluation. The top scoring temporary viewpoint positions are selected as positions where the viewpoint of a virtual camera should be moved. |
| US07824263B2 |
Gaming device including a game having a player selected function based on symbols in a free spins game
A gaming device including a free spins game displaying a plurality of reels including a plurality of symbols where the symbols include a plurality of award symbols and at least one target symbol. A plurality of selections including at least one game function are displayed to a player. In a game, the gaming device provides the player with a plurality of free spins of the reels. In each free spin, the gaming device provides the player with an award or awards for any award symbols or combinations of award symbols indicated on the reels. In addition, the gaming device provides the player with one or more picks of the selections for each target symbol indicated on the reels. The gaming device then determines the game function or game functions associated with the picked selections in each free spin. A total award based on the awards and game functions is provided to the player. |
| US07824262B2 |
Gaming device having a first game scheme involving a symbol generator, a second game and a first game terminator
A gaming device including a primary game having one or more symbol generators and one or more secondary games associated with the symbol generators. The gaming device activates the symbol generators for a number of activations. When the symbol generator generates one or more predetermined symbols, the gaming device operates one or more of the secondary games associated with the symbol generators. In one embodiment, the gaming device continues to activate the symbol generators until at least one of the symbol generators generates one or more termination symbols, or until there are no activations remaining in the primary game. |
| US07824261B2 |
Gaming machine with second symbols substitutable for first symbols during a feature game
In the gaming machine according to the present invention, when symbols are displayed within display regions of a display means, a determination means determines, from a combination of symbols displayed, establishment/non-establishment of the shift condition. More specifically, the determination means determines that the shift condition is established when a predetermined number or more first symbols are displayed within the at least one display regions. Further, a condition control means for controlling, when the first symbols displayed within the at least one display regions are less than the predetermined number and when a second symbols are displayed within the display regions, to establish the shift condition by the first symbols and the second symbols. Accordingly, even when the first symbols displayed within the display regions are less than predetermined number, the player can look forward to the shift to the bonus game and therefore feel interest more than in a conventional gaming machine. |
| US07824260B2 |
Gaming device for determining a re-drawing group for following games
To display a plurality of symbols in a plurality of display regions, upon starting a game, and in a case where trigger symbols are stop displayed in any of the plurality of display regions, to draw for specific display regions where trigger symbols are displayed, from a plurality of types of symbols so that the symbols are displayed having a predetermined relationship among the symbols in at least game units, and at the same time, to draw for general display regions that have symbols other than the trigger symbol displayed, from a plurality of types of symbols so that arbitrary symbols are independently displayed. |
| US07824259B2 |
Methods and apparatus for facilitating remote viewing of gaming outcomes
In accordance with some embodiments, a plurality of outcomes are generated for a wagering game. The plurality of outcomes are stored on a tangible medium (e.g., a DVD) or otherwise stored. The plurality of outcomes are sold to a player, for viewing by the player at a location remote from a casino. |
| US07824255B2 |
Apparatus for a card game with certain fixed actions
Some embodiments include a card game in which a set of rules for the card game require a player of the game to perform an action in a particular set of circumstances. For example, in a poker game, rules of the poker game may require a human player to bet in a particular set of circumstances. |
| US07824252B1 |
Mechanical wheel indicator with sound effects
In an embodiment, set forth by way of example and not limitation, a game includes a rotating wheel and sound effects, both under microprocessor control. In another example embodiment, a wheel indicator with sound effects includes a wheel, a motor for rotating the wheel, a speaker, and a microprocessor providing commands capable of causing the motor to rotate the wheel and speaker to emit a sound. In another example embodiment, a method for controlling a wheel and sound display includes providing a motorized wheel, providing a speaker, and providing a microprocessor and program instructions stored in ROM coupled to said microprocessor for controlling a rotational position of said wheel and for generating sound effects from the speaker. |
| US07824249B2 |
Polishing material having polishing particles and method for making the same
The present invention relates to a polishing material having polishing particles and a method for making the same. The polishing material having polishing particles includes a base material, a plurality of polishing particles and a polymer elastic body. The base material has a plurality of fibers for defining a plurality of grid-spaces. The polishing particles are distributed in the grid-spaces. The polymer elastic body covers the base material and the polishing particles, whereby, the polishing particles are uniformly distributed on a surface of a polishing workpiece during the polishing process. Furthermore, the base material prevents the polishing particles from contacting the polishing workpiece so as to avoid scratching of the polishing workpiece. Also, the base material provides effects for sweeping the small grinded pieces. |
| US07824244B2 |
Methods and apparatus for polishing a semiconductor wafer
Methods and apparatus provide for: a base on which a substrate may be releasably coupled; a moving belt located with respect to the base such that a contact surface thereof is operable to remove material from a top surface of the substrate; and a plurality of actuators, at least two of which are independently controllable, located with respect to the base and the moving belt such that a corresponding plurality of pressure zones are defined to provide pressure between the moving belt and the top surface of the substrate. |
| US07824240B2 |
Plasma display device capable of increasing attachment of heat-dissipating plate to plasma display panel
A plasma display device having a laminar attachment structure capable of increasing attachment of a heat-dissipating plate to a plasma display panel. Through a laminar attachment structure with a plurality of small pieces of thermal pad or adhesive double tape and a closed loop of thermal pad or adhesive double tape accommodating the plurality of small pieces as well as by means of vacuum pumping, the air within the closed loop is drawn out when the heat-dissipating plate is combined to the plasma display panel so as to reduce bubbles formed between the heat-dissipating plate and the plasma display panel and to increase tight attachment therebetween. |
| US07824239B2 |
Rescue harness
A. rescue harness including an inflatable bladder coupled with the harness near a harness upper back portion. The inflatable bladder is held in a stored position on the harness. In one example, the inflatable bladder includes at least first and second folds in the stored position. The first fold is configured to direct inflation of the inflatable bladder along a first direction away from a harness neck area. The second fold is configured to direct inflation of the inflatable bladder along a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The first and second folds are sized and shaped to direct inflation along the first direction and afterward direct inflation along the second direction. In another example, the rescue harness includes a deflector configured to direct the inflatable bladder away from the harness neck area during inflation and after inflation of the inflatable bladder. |
| US07824238B1 |
Marker buoy
A self-setting marker buoy comprising a floatation unit (20), including a hollow upper member (22), a separable end cap closure lower member (36) with a line storage spool (38) having a uniquely shaped line-trapping element (52) on its lower flange (50), anchor line (44), and anchor (68). The upper member (22) can be tapered inwardly toward the top to allow multiple upper members (22) to nest together for storage. Lower members (36) can also stack together. The line-trapping element (52) is in the shape of a disk having alternating slots (54) and spokes (56) at the perimeter thereof. When tossed onto the water, the weight of the anchor (68) causes the floatation unit (20) to tilt sufficiently to allow the release of anchor line (44) as the anchor (68) descends to the bottom of the water body. When the anchor (68) reaches the bottom, ballast (62) in the lower member (36) rights the floatation unit (20), and the line-trapping element (52) comes into effect to prevent any further release of anchor line (44). |
| US07824235B2 |
Conducting terminal connector and manufacturing method thereof
There is disclosed a conducting terminal connector which comprises an insulating tube, a conducting terminal and a soldering sleeve. The conducting terminal has a first end received in the insulating tube and a second end opposite to said first end, and the second end is exposed outwardly for connecting an external conducting contact point so that the first end is bent to form a longitudinal elongation with an opening facing upward. The soldering sleeve is formed by a casting method so as to form a corrugated surface on the outer periphery thereof, and has a melting point in which a heat source is applied to an outer part of the insulating tube so that an inner part of the insulating tube is shrunken to lodge in the outer corrugated surface of the soldering sleeve thereby forming the conducting terminal connect. |
| US07824224B2 |
Printed board connector
The present invention provides a printed board connector reinforced with a circuit board, and the printed board connector includes an insulating casing, a plurality of signal modules, and a plurality of metal shielding elements. The insulating casing includes a rib. The rib extends a plurality of insulating shielding walls downwardly and the signal modules are received between the insulating shielding walls and are tightly mounted in the rib. The metal shielding elements are received between the insulating shielding walls and are tightly mounted in the rib and the signal modules. When a user presses the printed circuit connector to connect with a circuit board, the rib guides and positions the signal modules and the metal shielding elements, moreover, the rib enhances the strength of the assembling with the circuit board. |
| US07824223B1 |
Portable assembly having a subscriber identification module
An electrical assembly comprises a housing having a frame portion. A substrate has a first side and a second side opposite the first side. A subscriber identification module is mounted to a first side of the substrate and has device terminals. A first connector portion is secured to the second side of the substrate and has connector terminals. A retainer is associated with an interior of the frame portion. The retainer retains at least one of the substrate and the first connector portion. Conductive (e.g., conductive vias or through-holes) in the substrate connect the connector terminals to the device terminals. |
| US07824215B2 |
Axial compression coaxial connector with grip surfaces
A coaxial connector with a connector body is provided with a connector body bore, an annular ramp surface proximate the cable end of the connector body and a connector body mounting surface proximate the cable end of the connector body. A back body is provided with a back body bore and a back body mounting surface proximate the connector end of the back body, the back body mounting surface dimensioned to couple with the connector body mounting surface via axial compression. A surface grip on an outer conductor section of the back body bore is dimensioned to grip an outer diameter of the outer conductor, whereby the outer conductor is retained within the back body bore during the axial compression. The surface grip may be applied, for example, as a helical burr or a grip ring with a gripping feature. |
| US07824208B2 |
Electrical cable connector latch mechanism
An electrical cable connector has a latch mechanism wherein the moveable portion is part of the mating receptacle, and the mechanism for unlatching resides in the cable connector. A rocker part is located such that one end extends under the resilient latch member and the other end has a surface which is made to rotate about a pivot point by an externally actuated ramp. The rotation of the rocker lifts the resilient member from its seat and releases the connector latch. The actuating ramp is spring loaded to return to its resting position which is the latched position; it is attached to a loop designed to allow a finger pull action to initiate latch disengagement. Forces and friction resistance is managed such that reliable single-hand operation is achieved, with push to engage and pull to disengage. |
| US07824207B2 |
Plug-in connector with a sleeve with an unlocking member
A plug-in connector is provided that can be released easily and reliably from an assigned mating connector, and has increased lifetime. The plug-in connector includes a plug head and a sliding sleeve. The plug head has a hollow body with at least one cable connector, and at least two locks located on at least one surface of the body. The locks are connected by a bridge, and extend in a sliding direction. Each lock includes at least one free end. The sliding sleeve includes an opening to receive the plug head in a sliding direction and is movable in an axial direction relative to the plug head. An unlocking element is located on an inner side of the opening and positioned to contact the bridge of the plug head. The unlocking element pushes against the locks when the sliding sleeve moves in the sliding direction. |
| US07824204B2 |
Connector for serving both screw type and bayonet type connectors
A connector includes a plug and a socket that are connected and integrated to each other. The plug and socket each have an end to which a connection line may be respectively connected. The plug of the connector includes a plug body for connecting to the connection line and having a fitting recess on one end, a plug holder configured to be freely rotatably fitted over the plug body without slipping, and a stopper fitting configured to be freely rotatably fitted over the plug body and slidable in the shaft center direction. The socket of the connector includes a socket body for connecting to the connection line at one end and a socket holder. The socket body has an insertion portion configured so as to fit into the fitting recess of the plug body. The socket holder is configured to be freely rotatably fitted over the socket body without slipping. |
| US07824198B2 |
Connector
A connector configured to be connected with a cable including a drain line, comprises a plurality of ground contacts, a housing holding the ground contacts, and a ground plate connected with the ground contacts. The ground plate has a first surface and a second surface and provided with a drain connection portion. The first surface is configured so that the cable is mounted on the first surface. The second surface is a back of the first surface. The drain connection portion is configured to be connected with the drain line and being formed on the second surface. |
| US07824195B1 |
Dual-mode electrical plug
A dual-mode electrical plug includes an insulating body formed with a channel and an elongate guiding aperture; a pair of conductive components disposed on the insulating body; a ground prong including a hollow prong body disposed in the channel and movable between an extended position and a retracted position, and the prong body defining a wire containing space, the ground prong further including an operating part disposed on an outer surface of the prong body, the operating part extending through and being movable in the elongate guiding aperture so as to drive movement of the prong body; and a ground wire extending into the wire containing space and including a connecting end for connecting electrically to an inner surface of the prong body. |
| US07824192B2 |
Electrical connector having two engaging portions
An electrical connector (100) includes an insulative housing (10) with a base portion (11, 12), a first engaging portion (14) and a second engaging portion (121) extending from the base portion along same direction, a plurality of conductive terminals (30) retained in the insulative housing (10) and a shielding member (20) assembled on the housing. The shielding member (20) has a pair of sidewalls (21, 23) opposite to each other and a pair of end walls (22) surrounding the first engaging portion (14) thereby forming a mating cavity between thereof. One of the end walls (22) is served as a partition located between the first engaging portion (14) and the second engaging portion (121) which extends outwards through the shielding member (20) then nearly presses against the shielding member. |
| US07824190B2 |
Connector for connecting conductors of a cable to flat conductors of a photovoltaic cell
A connector arrangement connects the flat conductors that extend upwardly from a horizontal photovoltaic cell panel with the insulated conductors of a cable via the circuits of a printed circuit board, respectively. A flat conductor support member is adhesively secured to the upper surface of the horizontal photovoltaic cell panel and includes upwardly extending bridge portions having flat upper edges about which are reversely bent the upper free ends of the flat conductors. A hollow sectional connector housing includes a lower body section containing a bottom opening that receives the flat conductor support member when the lower body section is seated on the panel upper surface. Bifurcated resilient contacts mounted on the lower section have first portions that engage the bent flat conductor ends, respectively, and second portions that engage the circuits on a replaceable printed circuit board carried by the removable upper cover section of the housing. |
| US07824188B2 |
Socket for electric component with radiating member
A socket for an electric component includes: a socket main body having a receiving portion which receives an electric component such as an IC package; a socket cover supported to be capable of turning by a first turning shaft provided in a vicinity of one side end of the socket main body to turn to thereby open or close the housing portion; and a radiating member mounted to the socket cover and is in contact with the electric component received in the receiving portion to radiate heat from the electric component in a state of the socket cover being closed. The socket cover has an opening portion formed in a position corresponding to the receiving portion of the socket main body in the closed state, and the radiating member is supported to be capable of turning by a second turning shaft parallel to the first turning shaft in the opening of the socket cover. |
| US07824183B2 |
Measured object mounting tool and production method of three-dimensional shape data of dental prosthesis using that tool
A measured object mounting tool for producing three-dimensional shape data includes a placing part at a lower face of a cylindrical part, an inclined part at a boundary between a side face and an upper face of the cylindrical part, and a pillar part at the upper face of the cylindrical part. The pillar part has a mounting part at the upper face thereof. A three-dimensional coordinate other than the engaging portion of a model is produced by engaging the model of the dental prosthesis with the mounting part of the tool on a placing table, detecting a position where a received light amount is remarkably decreased with a laser sensor to detect a lower end of the inclined part, and thereby calculating an upper end of the engaging portion. |
| US07824178B1 |
Air transfer arm for boiler
A water heater apparatus includes a fuel-air transfer arm connecting a blower outlet to a burner inlet. The transfer arm includes a continuously curved 180° bend portion and at least one inwardly extending internal flow disrupter located in the 180° bend portion for improving fuel-air mixture distribution across the burner inlet. |
| US07824176B2 |
Needle valve nozzle
A feature of a needle valve nozzle positioned in a hot-runner injection mould and actuated by means of an actuator, where the direction of actuation of the shut-off needle and that of the flow channel in the hot-runner nozzle differ from one another, is that, in the closed position, the shut-off needle (13), as distinct from the actuation device (12), is held in position, in the closed position, exclusively by the cooler mould plate (2) at at least two locations at a distance from one another. |
| US07824175B2 |
Injection molding anti-drool nozzle
A shutoff nozzle body and valve assembly operative to reduce molten plastic resin drool when the nozzle body is separated from the mold or runner system. The apparatus includes a porting system that shuts off the flow of resin through the sprue plunger of the valve nozzle body before the valve body seals on the valve seat so as to permit any resin that is within the sprue passages to drain out through the sprue plunger into the mold cavity or runner system before the sprue tip completely withdraws from the mold or runner system thereby eliminating drool. |
| US07824173B2 |
Apparatus for molding a hollow molded article
First and second semi-finished molded articles and a third semi-finished molded article are molded simultaneously so as to have joint end faces by using a slide die, a fixed die, and first and second slide cores fitted to the fixed die. The slide die with the third semi-finished molded article remaining thereon is moved toward the first and second slide cores, and their respective joint end faces are registered. Heating surfaces are inserted between the joint end faces. After melting the joint end faces, the heating surfaces are retracted, and the molding device is closed to weld the joint end faces. |
| US07824164B2 |
Controller of injection molding machine
The present invention comprises a speed feedback control system for carrying out speed feedback control on the basis of a speed detected value Vd obtained by converting a position detected value Xd obtained from a screw position sensor 4, a pressure feedback control system for carrying out a pressure feedback control on the basis of a pressure detected value Pdb obtained from an injection pressure sensor 6b, and a VP switching control function portion Fc for carrying out switching from a speed control region to a pressure control region Zp when a pressure deviation Ep between a preset pressure set value Ps and the pressure detected value Pdb becomes a preset switching determination value Eps or less and carrying out the switching to the pressure control region Zp after control of a speed command value in the speed control region Zv by a predetermined control pattern Dp at this switching. |
| US07824162B2 |
Vacuum pump
A vacuum pump includes a rotor assembly mounted on a driven shaft, and a motor for rotating a drive shaft in forward and reverse directions. A drive member on the drive shaft engages a driven member on the driven shaft. Each member has first and second impact surfaces. The members are configured to permit at least one quarter of a revolution of the drive member relative to the driven member in either the forward or the reverse direction before one of the impact surfaces of the drive member impacts upon a corresponding impact surface of the driven member. This enables the drive member to acquire sufficient angular momentum before it impacts the driven member such that the amount of energy transferred to the driven shaft upon impact can be sufficient to free a pump that has become locked by process deposits. |
| US07824157B2 |
System for retaining blades in a rotor
The rotor disk carries an axial retention plate facing slots having blade roots received therein, the disk and the plate are shaped so as to define outer circumferential interlock and inner circumferential interlock. |
| US07824156B2 |
Cooled component of a fluid-flow machine, method of casting a cooled component, and a gas turbine
A cooled component of a fluid-flow machine, through which a hot working medium flows, in particular a turbine blade of a gas turbine, in whose outer wall, to which the working medium can be applied, a cooling passage is provided, through which a cooling fluid can flow along its longitudinal axis. |
| US07824155B2 |
Fan holder
A fan holder is provided for holding a fan on a base, wherein the fan holder includes a fixed frame, a movable frame, and a lid. The fixed frame is fixed on the base while the movable frame is pivotally connected to the base, and the movable frame is spaced from the fixed frame by an interval. When the movable frame rotates relative to the base, a containing space is formed between the fixed frame and the movable frame to accommodate the fan. The lid is pivotally connected to an upper edge of the fixed frame, so as to be swiveled relative to the fixed frame for covering the fan, and the lid is engaged with the movable frame simultaneously, so as to holding the fan in the containing space. |
| US07824151B2 |
Zero running clearance centrifugal compressor
A turbine engine includes an engine housing enclosing: a centrifugal compressor having a rotor; at least one centrifugal compressor bore mounted to the rotor; at least one blade mounted to each of the at least one centrifugal bore and disposed proximate to at least one static wall; a turbine disposed in connection with the centrifugal compressor; a thrust bearing disposed in connection with the rotor; and means for moving said rotor with reference to the at least one static wall attached to the thrust bearing. |
| US07824147B2 |
Airfoil prognosis for turbine engines
A method and control for predicting the remaining useful life of an airfoil for a gas turbine engine includes the steps of monitoring conditions of the blade such as flutter, leaning, etc. A measured amount of deflection of the airfoil is compared to tabulated data to predict an expected crack length which is likely causing the deflection, etc. Once a predicted crack length has been identified, the amount of accumulated damage to the airfoil at the crack is monitored and stored. The amount of useful life for the blade can be predicted by compiling the accumulated damage over time. The useful life remaining can be displayed such that flight plans or maintenance schedules for the aircraft can be modified as appropriate. |
| US07824139B2 |
Parallel shaft strap tie down apparatus and system
A parallel shaft strap tie down apparatus and system. Exemplary embodiments include a parallel shaft strap tie down apparatus and system for vehicle transports. Exemplary embodiments include a central shaft having a ratchet wheel and a pawl configured to wrap a strap around the central shaft. A parallel shaft is positioned parallel to the central shaft. The strap can be inserted between a variable gap between the central shaft and the parallel shaft. When the central shaft is rotated the strap is wound around the central shaft and the parallel shaft, both of which cooperate to create a self-tightening response of the strap on the central and parallel shafts. |
| US07824137B2 |
Universal quick connect system for a hole saw
The invention is directed at a quick connect mechanism for mounting a hole saw to a tool comprising a hole saw; a mandrel having a first end for mounting to the hole saw and a second end for mounting to the tool; and a drill bit, assembled within the mandrel such that when the mandrel is connected to the hole saw, the drill bit being concentrically centered within the hole saw; a holder, mounted to the tool, for receiving the second end of the mandrel; wherein the second end of the mandrel includes quick connect means for easily mounting the mandrel to and releasing the mandrel from the holder. |
| US07824131B2 |
Building over the water, group of buildings, their maneuvering methods and their hosting sites
A building over the water, maneuvering methods for the building and hosting sites of the building. The buildings including a superstructure (A) provided a floor structure (1) that is placed over a water surface (2) on which an inhabitable subassembly (3) is positioned, a support (B) sitting on ground (4) positioned under the floor structures (1), and mobile floating docks (C) with variable and controllable buoyancy that includes a load carrying platform (5) positioned under the floor structure (1). The superstructure (A) is held above the water surface (2) by the supports (B), that sit on the ground (4), and respectively carried by the floating docks (C), the superstructure being detachable from the ground (4), and transportable on water on the mobile floating docks (C), thus being possible to reposition the superstructure (A) on ground (4), at a destination of choice. |
| US07824125B2 |
Clamping assemblies
A self-aligning coupling device for installation in a channel having an open end and a pair of substantially parallel side walls. The device includes an elongate connecting portion having a longitudinal axis, a channel abutment portion, and at least one laterally projecting lug. In use, the coupling device is installed in the channel with the channel abutment portion located at least partially within the channel and the laterally projecting lug located outside the open end of the channel. The channel abutment portion is formed such that when aligned in a first angular position within the channel it abuts the side walls of the channel to prevent rotation of the device in a first rotational direction about said longitudinal axis, while allowing rotation in a second, opposed rotational direction. The lug is formed such that in said first angular position it extends beyond at least one of the side walls of the channel. When the coupling device is retracted into the channel while simultaneously applying a torque to rotate the device in said first rotational direction towards said first angular position, the channel abutment portion abuts the side walls of the channel thereby aligning the lug to extend beyond at least one of the side walls of the channel and preventing the coupling device from being fully retracted into the channel. Various methods and apparatus for applying suitable translational and rotational forces to the self-aligning coupling device, and to form adjustable clamp assemblies, are also provided. |
| US07824124B2 |
Fluid dispenser assembly
The present invention is directed toward a cost effective instrument for storing a fluid material, and applying a predetermined amount of the fluid material to a surface. The instrument is comprised of few parts including an outer casing and a fluid insert, making the instrument cheaper to manufacture, and easy to assemble. The embodiments disclosed can be provided in a pre-assembled form to cosmetic companies and the like seeking to fill a dispenser with their fluid cosmetic products. The ability to provide dispensers in a pre-assembled form, combined with the compatibility of the fluid dispensers with industrial high speed filling machines, reduces the overall filling costs to the cosmetic company, as well as the cost to the consumer. |
| US07824118B2 |
Printer comprising a flexible member extending over the antennas of RFID labels wound on a roll
A printer according to the present invention includes a sheet holder, a feed/print mechanism, an RFID reader/writer, and a flexible member including electrically conductive metal. The sheet holder holds a sheet of label paper wound into a roll. The sheet of label paper includes a mount and RFID labels stuck on the mount. Each of the labels includes an IC chip and an antenna connected to the chip. The feed/print mechanism for unwinds the held sheet of label paper, feeds the unwound sheet along the sheet path, and makes prints on the RFID labels of the sheet being fed. The RFID reader/writer writes information on the IC chips of the RFID labels of the sheet being fed along the sheet path. The flexible member extends over the antennas of the RFID labels of the held sheet of label paper and curves in contact with the outer periphery of the held sheet. |
| US07824116B2 |
Self-centering media support assembly and method of using the same
A printer assembly for dispensing a printer media and printing on the printer media as it is dispensed. The printer assembly includes a housing with a container portion and a lid portion, and a latching mechanism configured to coordinate latching, unlatching and biasing of the lid with locking and unlocking of the printer media supply from a media supply assembly. The latching mechanism may be configured to urge the lid portion away from the container portion when the lid portion is unlatched. The latching mechanism can include a locking surface that is configured to engage a locking surface on relatively movable media support members, restraining relative movement of the media support members and locking down the media supply therein when the latching the lid portion closed. The locking surface is positioned external to opposing, relatively movable surfaces of the media support members enabling a compact assembly for hand held printers. |
| US07824115B2 |
Camera module
An exemplary camera module includes a lens mount, a lens unit, a magnet unit, a printed circuit board (PCB)-based Rogowski coil and a blade spring. The PCB-based Rogowski coil is fixed around the lens unit. The PCB-based Rogowski coil establishes an induced magnetic field when an electric current is applied thereto. The induced magnetic field interacts with the magnet unit to generate a magnetic force moving the lens unit telescopically. The blade spring includes a plurality of ribs. Each rib includes a moveable end connected with the lens unit and an opposite fixed end. The moveable end moves together with the lens unit with respect to the fixed end to cause the ribs to distort and generate an elastic force. The lens unit stops at a focal position when the magnetic force and the elastic force come to a balance. |
| US07824113B2 |
Small form factor pluggable (SFP) optical transceiver module and method
A small form factor pluggable (SFP) optical transceiver module and method for performing optical communications are provided. The SFP optical transceiver module has a housing to which a duplex receptacle is secured. The duplex receptacle has a C-shaped opening, the upper and lower portions of which are defined by upper and lower flexible retaining elements for receiving and retaining a duplex optical connector therein. An electrical assembly of the module is secured within the transceiver module housing. The electrical assembly comprises a PCB, the back end of which is configured as a plug end for removably plugging the PCB into a receptacle of an external communications management system. |
| US07824109B2 |
Optical connector
An optical connector comprising: first and second movable members 7, 8 held on an optical connector body 6 to be axially movable in a longitudinal direction; locking means for locking the first and second movable members when the first movable member is located at a predetermined locking position in a tip part of the optical connector body, and integrally moving the first and second movable members; and unlocking means formed in the optical connector body 6, and including a locking acting portion which acts on the locking means when the first movable member is located rearwardly of a predetermined unlocking position in a rear part of the optical connector body, to unlock the first and second movable members, and which locks the first and second movable members when the first movable member is located forwardly of the unlocking position, and a second movable member hooking portion 10 for inhibiting rearward movement of the second movable member after the first and second movable members are unlocked, and wherein the second movable member has a functional portion having a predetermined function, and when the second movable member is located at a predetermined position in the optical connector body, the function acts on a ferrule 2 or an optical fiber 1 to fulfill the function. |
| US07824108B2 |
Connection device with conductor length compensation
A connection device for connecting a cable having at least one signal conductor to a signal connector. The connection device including a housing, the at least one signal conductor being disposed in the housing, the housing having at least one securing device configured to detachably secure the housing to the signal connector. The connection device further includes a plug disposed on the housing, the plug having a locking mechanism. The housing has a strain relief device configured to provide strain relief for the plug. A deflection device is configured to deflect the at least one signal conductor into a deflected position so that a movement of the at least one housing portion of the housing relative to the plug results in a defined lateral movement of the at least one signal conductor so as to provide a corresponding length compensation. |
| US07824106B2 |
Bearing device for wheel
A bearing device for a wheel enabling the easy control of quality since there is no possibility of cracking even if caulking is applied thereto. The bearing device comprises an outer ring having double rows of raceway surfaces on the inner periphery thereof, an inner member having raceway surfaces opposed to the raceway surfaces, and balls interposed between the double rows of raceway surfaces opposed to each other. The inner member further comprises a HUB ring and an inner ring. Caulking is applied to the HUB ring to join it to the inner ring. The grain size number of the austenite grains of a caulked section is at least 6. |
| US07824104B2 |
Adaptable slide bearing for telescopic crane jibs
A telescopic crane jib-slide bearing part comprises a receiver and a filler compound introduced into the receiver. A telescopic crane jib-slide bearing includes one or more such slide bearing parts. |
| US07824102B2 |
Thermometer quick linkage apparatus and method
A thermometer quick linkage apparatus comprises an elastic member, a button, a probe, and a chamber having one end provided with an opening for receiving the end portion of the probe, and the other end also provided with an opening for receiving the button. Within the chamber, one end of the elastic member connects with the button, and the other end thereof connects with the probe. The elastic member is configured such that, when the button is pressed to compress the elastic member to a certain degree, the end portion of the button comes into contact with the end portion of the probe, and when the button is pressed further down, the probe is pushed away from the chamber. The apparatus is simplified in structure, and allows quick replacement of the probe jacket, and therefore is cost-efficient. |
| US07824099B2 |
Accurate gas temperature estimation at transient conditions based on temperature sensor readings
A method for accurate estimation of a gas temperature at transient conditions includes measuring temperature sensor readings in a gas flow and estimating the gas temperature by equating the specific heat properties of the temperature sensor to the sum of conductive heat, convective heat, and radiative heat acting upon the temperature sensor and solving for the gas temperature. |
| US07824093B2 |
Backlight assembly, liquid crystal display device having the same, and method of manufacturing thereof
A backlight assembly includes a light source, a light-guide plate (LGP), a reflective sheet and at least one optical sheet. The light source emits light. The LGP includes a light-incident surface, a light-reflecting surface and a light-emitting surface. The light-incident surface receives the light from the light source. The light-reflecting surface has a plurality of first prism patterns spaced apart from each other and flat portions formed between the first prism patterns, which are substantially perpendicular to the light-incident surface. The light-emitting surface has a plurality of second prism patterns formed thereon. The reflective sheet is disposed below the LGP. At least one optical sheet is disposed on the LGP. |
| US07824090B2 |
Optical sheet and backlight unit using the same
An optical sheet and a backlight unit using the same are disclosed, in which deviation of a viewing angle is minimized to improve picture quality. The optical sheet includes a diffusion sheet provided with a plurality of diffusion patterns diffusing incident light in at least two directions to allow the incident light to have different strengths. |
| US07824089B2 |
Gradient index surgical illuminator
A gradient index wide-angle illuminator is disclosed, one embodiment comprising: a light source for providing a light beam; an optical cable, optically coupled to the light source for receiving and transmitting the light beam; a handpiece, operably coupled to the optical cable to receive the light beam; an optical fiber, operably coupled to the handpiece, wherein the optical fiber is optically coupled to the optical cable to receive and transmit the light beam; an optical element, optically coupled to a distal end of the optical fiber, for receiving the light beam and transmitting the light beam to illuminate a surgical field, wherein the optical element comprises a gradient index lens; and a cannula, operably coupled to the handpiece, for housing and directing the optical fiber and the optical element. The optical element can be a small-gauge, divergent gradient index lens having a distal surface co-incident with the distal end of the cannula. For example, the optical element can be a 19, 20 or 25 gauge optical element. Further, the cannula and the handpiece can be fabricated from biocompatible materials. |
| US07824088B2 |
Vehicle lighting apparatus
A planar reflection surface is arranged between a projection lens and a lens focal point of the projection lens. The lens focal point exists as a pseudo lens focal point at a symmetric position with respect to the planar reflection surface. A horizontal optical axis exists as a vertical pseudo optical axis that intersects at right angles with the horizontal optical axis. |
| US07824086B2 |
Lamp unit for vehicle headlamp and vehicle headlamp
A lamp unit for a vehicle headlamp includes a projection lens disposed on an optical axis extending in a longitudinal direction of a vehicle and a plurality of light source units disposed rearwards of a rear focal plane of the projection lens. Each of the light source units includes a light emitting device; and a light guiding member having a front end light output port and adapted to guide light from the light emitting device to the front end light output port so as to allow the light be emitted from the front end light output port. The front end light output ports of the light guiding members of the respective light source units are arranged adjacent to each other in a horizontal direction in a vicinity of the rear focal plane. |
| US07824085B2 |
Vehicular illumination device
A vehicular illumination device includes a light distribution control unit, a determination unit and a control unit. The light distribution control unit performs an alteration control of a vehicular illumination unit so as to alter a light distribution with respect to an illumination object detected by a detection unit. When the illumination object ceases to be detected, the determination unit determines whether or not there is a need to maintain the alteration control in a current state. When it is determined that there is a need to maintain the alteration control in the current state, the control unit controls the light distribution control unit so as to maintain the alteration control in the current state. |
| US07824084B2 |
Lighting fixture with decorative elements
A lighting fixture includes a support frame and a plurality of elongated, light-enhancing, decorative elements. Each of the decorative elements has a proximal portion, a distal portion and a curvilinear central axis extending therebetween. The proximal portions of the decorative elements are rigidly affixed to the support frame. The distal portions of the affixed decorative elements are unsupported and curve away from the support frame. The support frame may include elongated arms, and the decorative elements may be affixed to the support frame via the arms. The decorative element may be fabricated of crystal. |
| US07824082B2 |
Outdoor lighting assembly
In one aspect, the invention features a flexible base receptacle configured to be coupled to a lighting unit. The base receptacle includes a lower portion, which has a lower portion perimeter. The base receptacle includes a neck portion, which is movable relative to the lower portion. The neck portion has a lower neck portion perimeter that is proximate the lower portion. The neck portion has an upper neck portion perimeter. The neck portion has an intermediate neck portion perimeter, which is smaller than the lower neck portion perimeter and the upper neck portion perimeter. Some embodiments enable outdoor lighting assemblies to absorb forces due to bumping, thereby making it more difficult to break the outdoor lighting assemblies. |
| US07824079B2 |
Light tower diffuser
The invention provides a diffuser for a portable light tower that has an envelope of fire resistant material designed to diffuse light situated on a frame forming a generally spherical structure that can be opened and closed by use of a pulley and cable system. |
| US07824078B2 |
Cover that has a logo and that the logo has three-dimensional appearance
A cover of an electronic device has a body inside and is penetrable by light yield from an illumination device. The body has an inner surface having a region impenetrable by light as a light-blocking region and the remaining region penetrable by light as a light-passing region. The body further has an outer surface having a region impenetrable by light as another light-blocking region and the remaining region penetrable by light as another light-passing region. The light-blocking region of the outer surface correspond to the light-passing region of the inner surface in shape, but in a size that is smaller, so that when light pass through the body, light can give an effect that the shape of the light-blocking region looks three-dimensional. |
| US07824074B2 |
Display for an electronic device with additional illumnation function
A display with illumination function, comprising: a display body, including a display screen; a support, have a top and a base, said top includes at least one of the pivot member joint to one side of display body allow the display body to rotate freely; a light source disposed around the display screen; and a stand connected to the base of the support. When the surrounding environment has insufficient lighting for reading or using the display, the user can simply turn on the light source to illuminates the display screen and work area, without the needs of additional lamps or other lighting devices which can occupy extra desk space. |
| US07824066B2 |
Prism member, backlight assembly provided with the same, and display device provided with the same
A prism member, a backlight assembly having the same, and a display device having the same, wherein the prism member includes a plate-type body portion having a thickness, and a plurality of unit light-concentrating portions formed on the body portion and arranged along a first direction and in a second direction crossing the first direction. |
| US07824065B2 |
System and method for providing multi-functional lighting using high-efficiency lighting elements in an environment
A system and method for providing multi-functional lighting in a lighting system in an environment is disclosed. The system uses high-efficiency lighting elements for providing multi-functional lighting in the environment. The types and quantity of high-efficiency lighting elements is determined based upon information entered provided to the system by a user according to their functional desires for the environment. Among the functions provided to the environment include: lighting, bacteriological control, biological control, pest control, and pollution control. In one embodiment of the high-efficiency lighting elements are light emitting diodes (LEDs). In one embodiment of the multi-functional lighting system, the system further determines location of the lighting elements to be used within the environment based on the information provided by a user. |
| US07824063B2 |
Knurled handgrip for portable device
The present invention is directed to lighting systems and illumination devices, and more particularly to a removable handle and battery pack for a portable lighting system that produces a high intensity beam of light in the visible and infrared spectral regions that can be used for non-covert and ultra-covert operations. The battery pack includes a 360 degree ballast connector, a locking, water-proof, recharge connector and plug, and a four-function back switch. The battery pack fits tightly into the redundantly sealed, water-proof handle, which includes a specially designed knurling system around the handle to improve a user's comfort and grip during extreme conditions and a rotatable D-ring connecter that locks in place and provides covert sound protection. The 360 degree ballast connector connects to a number of sealed connectors formed within a sealed ballast assembly. |
| US07824061B1 |
Rechargeable battery powered cordless lamps
A cordless lamp is provided which includes at least one rechargeable battery pack in electrical communication with a light and a recharger for use therewith. |
| US07824055B2 |
Shelf light assembly
The present disclosure provides a light assembly (10) for connection to a shelf (16) having a top face (84), a front face (88), and a front edge (80) defined by the intersection of the top face (84) and the front face (88). The light assembly (10) includes an elongated housing (14) having an inner face (22), an outer face (30) formed opposite the inner face (22), and an upper face (26) extending between the inner face (22) and the outer face (30). The elongated housing (14) is adapted to receive a light source (34) therein. A mating portion (70) extends from the inner face (22) of the elongated housing (14) and is abuttable with a portion of a shelf (16) such that the upper face (26) of the elongated housing (14) is substantially flush with the top face (84) of the shelf (16) to form a continuous extension of the shelf (16). A clamp (96) extends from the mating portion (70) and is engageable with the shelf (16) to secure the elongated housing (14) to the shelf (16). |
| US07824054B2 |
Fishing equipment lighting assembly
The present invention is directed to a retrofit device for lighting fishing equipment at night for example, to light fishing poles or tackle boxes. More particularly, the present invention relates to lighting of fishing equipment with solid core sidelight fiberoptic cable lit with a LED light source. |
| US07824048B2 |
Discharge tube, ferrule, lighting device, display device and television receiver
A ferrule includes a body having a cylindrical shape. Elastic gripping portions are arranged on the body so as to bulge radially inwardly. The elastic gripping portions can have elastic contact with the outer circumferential surface of a glass tube. The body of the ferrule is mounted to the glass tube via the elastic gripping portions capable of elastic and radial deformation. Thereby, the variations in outer diameter of the glass tube can be absorbed, and therefore the dimensional control with high precision is not required for glass tubes at the time of manufacturing. This leads to cost reduction. |
| US07824044B2 |
Antiglare film and transmissive liquid crystal display
An antiglare film satisfies both (1) high antiglare property in the front direction and (2) absence of white blurring. One embodiment of the invention is an antiglare film provided with an antiglare layer on a transparent substrate, wherein the antiglare layer has a rugged structure on the surface opposite to the transparent substrate; the 5° reflectance of the antiglare film surface on the antiglare layer side is in a range of from 0.30% to 0.70%; the antiglare film surface on the antiglare layer side is provided with a rugged structure having arithmetic average roughness (Ra1) in the range of from 0.020 μm to 0.040 μm when a cutoff wavelength (λC) is 0.008 mm; and the antiglare film surface on the antiglare layer side is provided with a rugged structure having arithmetic average roughness (Ra2) in the range of from 0.35 μm to 0.45 μm when a cutoff wavelength (λC) is 0.8 mm. |
| US07824043B2 |
Reflection preventing layered product and optical member
A reflection preventing layered product is provided by laminating a high refractive index layer and a low refractive index layer, which has a refractive index lower than that of the high refractive index layer, in that order on a transparent plastic film, directly or through another layer. The low refractive index layer has a surface resistance of 1.0×1010 ohm/square inch or less, a total light remittance of 94% or more, and a refractive index of 1.25-1.37. An optical member provided with the reflection preventing layered product is also provided. This optical member is preferably a polarizing plate with reflection preventing function used for a liquid crystal display. The reflection preventing layered product excels in transparency, mechanical strength, antistaticity, and reflection preventing characteristics. |
| US07824041B2 |
Adjusting apparatus for projector
An adjusting apparatus is provided for a projector and received in a case of the projector. The case includes a front wall defining a through hole. Two protrusions each defining a notch are formed on the inside surface of the front wall. The adjusting apparatus includes two supporting members partially received in the case and movably coupled to the case, and an operating member partially exposed out of the through hole of the front wall of the case. A connecting member is connected to the operating member, and received in the notches. Each supporting member forms a plurality of teeth thereon. The connecting member forms a plurality of teeth at two ends thereof respectively for mating with the teeth of the supporting member. The operating member is rotated for driving the connecting member to move up and down relative to the supporting member. |
| US07824039B2 |
Projector
There is provided a projector having a projecting unit, a projecting system which projects video onto a projection surface by use of the projecting unit, a projecting direction judgment system which judges a projecting direction of the projecting system, and a menu image generating system which generates a menu image, as video generated in the projector as the video to be projected by the projecting system, so that the menu image suits the projecting direction judged by the projecting direction judgment system. |
| US07824034B2 |
Iris imaging system and method for the same
An iris imaging system is provided. The iris imaging system includes at least one light source configured to illuminate an iris at a spectrum of light. The iris imaging system also includes at least one image capturing device including at least one of an indium-gallium-arsenide, lead sulphide, and lead selenide based detector and configured to capture an image of the iris via light reflected from the iris at the spectrum. The device is further configured to provide a signal representing one or more features of the iris in response to the light reflected from the iris. |
| US07824030B2 |
Extruded open-celled ink-receiving layer comprising hydrophilic polymer for use in inkjet recording
An inkjet recording element comprising a support extrusion coated with a porous hydrophilic material. The composition comprises a hydrophilic thermoplastic polymer and blends thereof. Also disclosed are methods for making and a method of printing on the inkjet recording element. |
| US07824029B2 |
Identification card printer-assembler for over the counter card issuing
The present invention relates to assembling identification documents in an over-the-counter issuing environment. In one implementation of the present invention, an ink jet printer-based assembling system is provided. An identification document substrate receives ink jet printed information. The printed substrate is laminated. In another implementation, a carrier web carries lamination pieces. Both the carrier web and the document substrate include form feed holes or other registration notches. The holes or notches are used to align the substrate with the lamination pieces, and to align a laminated document substrate for final cutting. |
| US07824028B2 |
Method for selecting water-based ink and wetting solution for ink-jet recording
Disclosed is a combination of a water-based ink and a wetting solution for ink-jet recording, which enables smooth introduction of the water-based ink into an ink-jet head. One end of a capillary having an inner diameter of from about 0.1 to about 1 mm is dipped in the water-based ink so that the water-based ink rises inside the capillary. A combination of a water-based ink and a wetting solution that satisfy the following formula (1) is selected: Vi/Vs≧about 2 (1) wherein Vs indicates a rising speed of the water-based ink at an intermediate position before and after the water-based ink rising when an inner wall of the capillary is in a dry state, and Vi indicates a rising speed of the water-based ink when an inner wall of the capillary is wetted with the wetting solution. |
| US07824027B2 |
Solid ink stick with anti jam edge bevel
An ink stick for use in a phase change ink imaging device having a leading end; a trailing end; and a plurality of longitudinal surfaces extending between the leading end and the trailing end. Each longitudinal surface of the plurality has a leading edge adjacent the leading end and a trailing edge adjacent the trailing end. At least one of the leading edge and the trailing edge is configured as a clearance edge that enables the at least one longitudinal surface to clear a wall of a feed chute as the at least one longitudinal surface progresses through the feed chute. |
| US07824021B2 |
Printhead assembly with printheads within a laminated stack which, in turn is within an ink distribution structure
A printhead assembly is provided for an inkjet printer. The printhead assembly includes an elongate ink distribution structure defining a plurality of parallel ink ducts extending along the ink distribution structure. A laminated stack is received within the ink distribution structure and defines a plurality of ink passages in fluid communication with respective ink ducts. One or more printhead integrated circuits (ICs) are received within the laminated stack, and are in fluid communication with the ink passages so that the printhead ICs can print ink provided from the ink distribution structure and laminated stack. |
| US07824012B2 |
Ink jet recording head wiring pattern
An ink jet recording head includes: an actuator including: a plurality of energy generators; and a plurality of terminals arranged in arrays; and a wiring material superimposed on a surface of the actuator, and including a plurality of lands which are arranged in arrays; and a plurality of wiring patterns which are connected to the plurality of lands respectively and are led out in a lead out direction, wherein: lands of the plurality of lands in adjacent arrays are arranged staggered with respect to each other; a distance between at least two adjacent land arrays on a led out side is greater than a distance between adjacent ones of the other arrays of lands; and the wiring pattern has a bend portion, which extended at an angle to the led out direction, at a position between two adjacent discrete lands in the at least two adjacent land arrays. |
| US07824008B2 |
Electrostatic aerosol control
In one embodiment, an aerosol trap for an inkjet printer includes a conductor at least partially surrounding ink ejection nozzles such that, when the conductor is charged, aerosol generated when ink is ejected from the nozzles is contained by the conductor, and a source of electric power operatively connected to the conductor. |
| US07824006B2 |
Image forming apparatus and method to operatively control the same
An image forming apparatus and method to operatively control the same. The apparatus includes an ink cartridge having a plurality of print heads arranged in a widthwise direction of a print medium, a wiping unit to wipe the print heads while moving in the print medium feeding direction, a positional information providing unit to provide positional information about a position of the wiping unit, and a controller to operatively control the print heads. The controller controls the print heads that, on the basis of the positional information provided and offset information of the ink cartridge, the controller estimates a wiping timing to wipe the nozzles of the print heads with the wiping unit and determines a spitting timing to eject a predetermined amount of ink in the wiped sequence of the nozzles, whereby that the wiping and spitting operations are performed at the estimated wiping timing and the determined spitting timing. |
| US07824003B2 |
Fluid-ejection device service station
A service station for use with a fluid ejection device having a fluid-ejection mechanism with at least one nozzle includes a housing configured to attach to the fluid-ejection mechanism and to remain attached to the fluid-ejection mechanism during the fluid-ejection operation. A shutter arranged within the housing includes at least one opening, and is selectively moveable between a closed position and an open position with respect to the nozzle. In the open position the opening exposes the nozzle and in the closed position the nozzle is covered. An actuation mechanism separate from the housing is positioned to selectively couple with the shutter, such that activation of the actuation mechanism causes the shutter to move between the open and closed positions. |
| US07824001B2 |
Apparatus and methods for servicing 3D printers
The invention relates to apparatus and methods for producing three-dimensional objects and auxiliary systems used in conjunction with the aforementioned apparatus and methods. The apparatus and methods involve 3D printing and servicing of the equipment used in the associated 3D printer. |
| US07824000B2 |
Head unit
A head unit includes an input section that receives control data for controlling the discharging of liquid. The input section includes first and second input sections. First and second control data memorizing sections memorize first and second control data for a first and a second group of nozzles, respectively. Either a first or a second processing step is selectively performed. In the first processing step, first control data inputted from the first input section or the second input section is memorized in the first control data memorizing section, whereas second control data inputted from the same input section is memorized in the second control data memorizing section. In the second processing step, first control data inputted from the first input section is memorized in the first control data memorizing section, whereas second control data inputted from the second input section is memorized in the second control data memorizing section. |
| US07823999B2 |
Recording apparatus and method for controlling the recording apparatus
A recording apparatus includes a recording head configured to scan a recording medium and record an image on the recording medium. The recording apparatus includes a recording buffer to store image data representing one pixel with a plurality of bits, a reading unit to read, from a storage area of the recording buffer, image data corresponding to a region including a boundary between two regions recorded on the recording medium in successive scanning and recording operations, a thinning unit to thin out image data based on a thinning rate corresponding to the image data read by the reading unit, a storage unit to store image data thinned out by the thinning unit in the storage area of the recording buffer, a quantization unit to perform quantization processing on the image data stored in the recording buffer when the image data is transferred to the recording head, and a recording unit to perform recording based on the image data quantized by the quantization unit. |
| US07823992B2 |
Drawer interlock mechanism
A drawer interlock mechanism includes at least two drawers, a fixture, a linking frame, locking members and guiding members. The drawers may be pulled in and out. The drawers are lined straight with each other. The fixture is disposed at one side the drawers, and is formed with slots corresponding in position and in number to the guiding members. The linking frame is disposed on the fixture. Each guiding member is secured to the side of each drawer. When one of the drawers is open, the guiding member of the open drawer will link the relative locking member to move the linking frame, which then links the other locking members. The guiding member of the open drawer triggers the relative locking member to lock the linking frame temporarily, and the other locking members block their relative guiding members so that the other drawers are unable to slide. |
| US07823989B2 |
Rubber crawler having first and second rubber compositions
A rubber crawler (1) has a plurality of parallel metal links (11) embedded at regular distances from each other in circumferential direction of a rubber belt (22) and extending in the lateral direction of the rubber belt (22), each metal link (11) including a first (3) and second (13) protrusion at opposing sides (6, 16) of a sprocket (15) provided with an upper surface (7, 17) for guiding supporting rollers, extending in a height direction of the metal link (11) with respect to a base (5), each protrusion (3, 13) including a first (4) and a second (14) running surface element which extends in the longitudinal direction of the crawler (1), in which the second running surface element (14) is positioned shifted in longitudinal and the lateral direction of the belt (22) with respect to the first running surface element (4), in which the first (4) and the second (14) running surface of adjacent metal links (11) are positioned at least partially adjacent with respect to each other in the longitudinal direction, wherein the base (5) of the metal links (11) is at least partially embedded into a first rubber composition (20) and wherein the first (3) and second (13) protrusions of adjacent metal links (11) are at least partially embedded in and connected to each other by a second rubber composition (21) which has a higher elasticity than the first rubber composition (20) and which is connected with the first rubber composition (20) forming a continuous layer of rubber. |
| US07823988B2 |
Crawler without steel cores
The present invention relates to a crawler without steel cores (hereinafter referred to as “coreless crawler”), which is used for transporting the caterpillar vehicles for construction, civil engineering, agricultural use or the like. More particularly this invention relates to a coreless crawler for preventing the crawler body from being separated from a wheel or sprocket and the guide roller from riding the guide projection formed on the inward surface of the crawler, by disposing a pair of separation preventing steel cords having an oblique angle, symmetrically with respect to the center portion in the direction of driving so as to balance the deflection forces, thereby extending the lifetime of the crawler product. |
| US07823987B2 |
Drive track for snowmobile or tracked vehicle
A track formed of a molded rubber base sandwiching a cord layer, followed by a cross bar and a single layer of ply fabric extending longitudinally of the track. |
| US07823985B2 |
Brake system
A brake system includes a master cylinder which generates brake fluid pressure by a braking operation of a driver, an electric motor driven slave cylinder that generates brake fluid pressure according to an electrical signal based on the braking operation of the driver, a vehicle wheel cylinder for braking a wheel by the brake fluid pressure generated in the master cylinder or the slave cylinder, a brake light that informs a following vehicle of the operation of the wheel cylinder, and a first sensor and a second sensor that detect stroke positions of the brake pedal. During normal operation of the brake system the brake fluid pressure generated in the slave cylinder is transferred to the wheel cylinder. During abnormal operation of the brake system, the brake fluid pressure generated in the master cylinder is transferred to the wheel cylinder. Further, the first sensor activates the brake light when the slave cylinder operates normally, and the second sensor activates the brake light when the slave cylinder does not operate normally. |
| US07823983B2 |
Parking brake system
A parking brake system is provided in which a parking brake state of a wheel brake is obtained by forward movement of a parking piston slidably fitted into a casing with the rear side of the parking piston facing a parking control fluid pressure chamber, a lock piston forming part of a lock mechanism for mechanically locking the forwardly moved state of the parking piston is slidably fitted into the casing to the rear of the parking piston and urged forwardly by a spring, an opening provide in a portion of the casing that the rear side of the lock piston faces is closed by a detachable lid member, a tool connection part enables a tool inserted through the opening to be detachably connected to the tool connection part. This enables an automatic parking brake state to be obtained by a simple structure without consuming power, and the parking brake state to be released by a manual operation for maintenance or inspection. |
| US07823982B2 |
Horizontally opposed hydraulic piston pumps
In one aspect, a brake pump assembly including a plurality of pairs of pumping elements configured in a horizontally opposed arrangement, and a rotatable eccentric assembly located between the pumping elements. The pairs of pumping elements abut the eccentric assembly and are reciprocally driven to provide an output of pressurized fluid. In another aspect, a brake pump assembly including a hydraulic block defining a piston bore, and a pumping element received in that bore. The pumping element includes a polymer piston, and a circumference of the polymer piston defines a high-pressure seal slideably engaging adjacent structure. In another aspect, a hydraulic block coupled to an electronic control unit, the hydraulic block including a plurality of pairs of pumping elements located in a horizontally opposed arrangement, and an embedded pressure sensor, the pressure sensor being adjacent to but vertically separated from the pumping elements. |
| US07823981B2 |
Aerodynamic wheel hub
A wheel hub is provided. The wheel hub includes an axle, a first spoke coupling member operably connected to the axle, a second spoke coupling member operably connected to the axle and an outer surface covering at least a portion of the axle. The outer surface is located between the first and second spoke coupling members and has a length and a thickness where the length is greater than the thickness. |
| US07823980B2 |
Pieces for skin members of vehicular seats and methods of manufacturing the same
A piece for a skin member of a vehicular seat has a base member and a leather laminated to the base member. The base member has a cushion having elastic properties and a base cloth adhered to the cushion. The base member and the leather include an adhering portion bonded by an adhering agent, a sewing portion formed by being sewn at outer peripheral portions of the base member and the leather, and a nonbonding portion in which the base member and the leather are not bonded between the adhering portion and the sewing portion. |
| US07823978B2 |
Reclining device
The object of the invention is to provide a reclining device which improves engagement between a lock gear and a gear plate for reliable locking without requiring high dimensional accuracy. Four lock gears comprising a pair of first lock gears 40, and a pair of second lock gears 50 in which a gap between the second lock gear 50 and guide protrusions 12, 13 is larger than a gap between the first lock gear 40 and guide protrusions 11, 12 are adopted. Due to elastic function of a biasing member body 90a of an biasing member 90, both the second lock gears 50 are biased radially and inwardly and toward the guide protrusion 13 of the base plate 10. |
| US07823974B2 |
Lock for forward-folding backrest
A juvenile vehicle seat includes a seat base adapted to set on a vehicle seat and a foldable backrest associated with the seat base. The juvenile vehicle seat also includes a backrest lock coupled to the foldable backrest. |
| US07823973B2 |
Integrated videogaming and computer workstation
Disclosed is a videogaming and computer workstation unit, preferably integrated with an ergonomic chair, which permits ease of entry and exit to the chair for users of various sizes, and which permits users to use peripheral devices for operating video games and computers comfortably from a chair integrated with a gaming console. |
| US07823963B2 |
Vehicle rear window body structure
A body structure for an automotive vehicle includes a side member, an outer back panel and an inner back panel. The side member extends generally vertically and defines a rear pillar of the vehicle. The side member has an inner flange. The outer back panel has a middle wall extending generally transversely in the vehicle. The outer back panel has a connecting wall extending from the middle wall. The inner back panel has a center wall extending generally transversely in the vehicle. The inner back panel has a connecting flange extending from the center wall. The inner back panel is spaced apart from the outer back panel to define a cavity in which a rear window is disposed. The connecting flange, connecting wall and inner flange are fixedly secured to each other to define a longitudinally extending seal that prevents liquid from passing between the cavity and an inside region of the vehicle. |
| US07823959B2 |
Pedestrian safety structure for a motor vehicle body
The present invention relates to a pedestrian safety structure for a motor vehicle body having a soft-nose outer skin panel and a bonnet providing an overlying structure for a grille opening reinforcing front cross member. The grille opening reinforcing front cross member carries a plurality of brackets. The brackets are designed to support loads distributed thereupon by the overlying structure, vertical (Z) loads in the range of 1.0-1.5 kN and longitudinal (X) loads in the range of 0.4-0.6 kN. The brackets are further designed for energy absorbing deformation when subjected to longitudinal (X) loads distributed thereupon by the overlying structure above 0.6 kN, such that the plurality of brackets provide an energy absorbing upper leg impact zone for the protection of pedestrians in the event of a collision with the motor vehicle. |
| US07823954B2 |
Slidable visor assembly
A visor assembly includes a visor body, a support rod, and a slide mechanism coupled to the visor body that slidably engages the support rod. The slide mechanism includes a slide member having a plurality of extensions that are biased toward the support rod. |
| US07823951B2 |
Passenger's weight measurement device for vehicle seat and attachment structure for load sensor
A passenger's weight measurement device for a vehicle seat, capable of suppressing generation of an initial load. The passenger's weight measurement device includes a pair of slide rails extending in parallel and fixed to the vehicle floor, and a pair of side frames that support the seat and are disposed above the pair of slide rails. Load cells are disposed between the pair of the slide rails and the pair of the side frames. A set of first connection frames for connecting both ends the pair of side frames extend in parallel so as to be perpendicular to the pair of side frames. Second and third connecting frames connect middle parts of the pair of slide rails so as to be perpendicular to the slide rails. The pair of the slide rails and the second and a third connecting frames constitute an H-shaped frame. |
| US07823950B2 |
Seat device for vehicle
There is provided a seat device for a vehicle comprising a pair of main seats disposed in the vehicle width direction including respectively a main seat cushion and main seat back, and a sub seat back disposed between the main seat backs, wherein the sub seat back is configured so as to be in an arranged position in which the sub seat back is located above the main seat cushion and before the main seat back, and the main seat backs are configured so as to be moved inward when the sub seat back is in the arranged position. Accordingly, the width of the seat can be adjusted variably, without improperly affecting spaces behind or before the seat, thereby attaining both the movement of seat and the improvement of space utility. |
| US07823948B2 |
System for shelf mounting in mobile truck body
A system for mounting adjustable shelves (206) in mobile truck body-applications. The system includes integrated attachment means adapted to receive a cross-member (202) for affixing thereto. The integrated attachment means are integrated into the panels forming the compartments (102,112,114,116) of the body side pack. The system further includes one or more shelves (206), which include at least two slots, disposed along the periphery surface of the shelf (206) so as to receive a corresponding fastener (208). The cross-member (202) includes at least two slots, corresponding to the slots in the shelf (206), such that a fastener (208) extends through the slots to secure the shelf to the panel of the compartment. |
| US07823947B1 |
Interchangeable speaker pocket
A storage compartment for mounting on a trim panel of an automobile door. The trim panel includes an aperture configured to receive a speaker assembly. The storage compartment includes a rear wall, a side wall bounding the rear wall to define a storage cavity and having a perimeter which is complementary in shape to the aperture. A retaining wall having a shape which is substantially similar to a portion of the aperture is attached to a portion of the side wall which is adjacent to the bottom end of the rear wall by a living hinge. The living hinge allows the retaining wall to hinge relative to the rear wall so as to cover a portion of the storage cavity. |
| US07823945B2 |
Pipe engaging and lifting apparatus
A pipe clamping apparatus comprises a housing defining a pipe aperture with an open bottom. A jaw is pivotally attached inside the housing. When the jaw is in the open position, an upper portion of the jaw extends into the pipe aperture. In operation the top of the pipe contacts the upper portion of the jaw moving the upper portion of the jaw upward and moving a lower portion of the jaw laterally toward the housing to the closed position where the housing and the jaw are in close proximity to the pipe, and the bottom end of the left side portion is located under the pipe. When the jaw is in the closed position, a blocking member can be moved to a locked position to prevent the jaw from moving back toward the open position, and a lock indicator visibly indicates that the jaw is locked closed. |
| US07823944B1 |
Rear suspension carrier device and method of use thereof
A method of suspending a vehicle rear suspension assembly. The method employs at least one carrier device for facilitating the suspended support of the vehicle rear suspension assembly. The device includes a pair of rotatably coupled members having support legs that are passed at least partially through an existing opening in the vehicle rear suspension assembly. Projections extending from the support legs subsequently engage the vehicle rear suspension assembly structure, thereby providing support for the vehicle rear suspension assembly once suspended. A suspension element such as a cable or chain is coupled to the device and to a lifting mechanism, overhead conveyor, etc., for suspending the vehicle rear suspension assembly. |
| US07823942B1 |
Towing accessory
A towing accessory for use in connection with a chain having a plurality of links includes an elongate body having a J-hook at one end and a T-hook at the other end. The J-hook has a hook portion that extends away from one side of the elongate body, and the T-hook has a T-cross that extends away from the opposite side of the elongate body. The elongate body also includes a central hole that is configured and sized so that adjacent links of the chain may pass therethrough, a first slot that extends from the central hole towards one end, and a second slot that extends from the central hole towards the other end. Both the first slot and the second slot are configured and sized so that a chain may be locked therein. |
| US07823937B2 |
Rotary pawl glove box latch
A slam to close, glove box latch includes a housing, a paddle structure connected to rotate on the housing, a rotary pawl mounted to rotate in the housing, and a lock plate carried by the paddle structure to selectively engage the rotary pawl to inhibit its movement. The rotary pawl is spring biased to the open position. The paddle structure is spring biased to the closed position. The paddle structure includes guideways in which the lock plate operates. When the paddle is moved to the open position, the pawl is released to rotate open and the lock plate is carried to an interference-friction position with the pawl whereby the paddle is held in the open position. When the pawl is closed by the slam action of the latch, the interference-friction with the lock plate is released and the paddle structure returns to the closed position. Biasing is limited to two springs. The volume (envelope) of the latch is minimized. |
| US07823935B2 |
Locking system for windows and doors
A lock system for casement windows is disclosed which includes a tie bar slidably secured to the flame. The tie bat is secured to a lock handle that is also secured to the flame. The tie bat eliminates the need for rollers riveted to the tie bar by having a first bent section disposed between straight sections and a second bent section disposed between straight sections. All of the straight sections are linearly aligned with one another and at least some of the straight sections of the tie bar are slidably mounted to the flame using conventional guides. The lock system also includes first and second strikers mounted to the sash. The first striker comprising a first ramp that receives a first bent section and the second striker comprising a second ramp that receives a second bent section when the tie bat is slidably moved towards the first and second strikers as the tie bar is moved from an unlocked position to a locked position. Movement of the first and second bent sections along the first and second ramps respectively as the tie bar moves towards the locked position results in the sash and frame being pulled together. A third bent section may be included towards the middle of the tie bar and used to couple the tie bar to the lock handle or actuator. |
| US07823933B2 |
Rotating disk system for a vehicle door latch assembly
A vehicle door latching assembly has a rotating disk assembly to open and latch a door with handles located remote to the latches. The door latching assembly has at least one handle assembly and a hub assembly. The hub assembly includes a rotatable disk mounted to a disk bracket assembly. At least one handle connector connects the hub disk assembly to the handle assembly. A latch connector connects to the hub disk assembly to upper and lower latch assemblies. |
| US07823932B2 |
Press fitting arrangement with a pre-press leak indicator sealing ring
A press fitting arrangement includes a sealing ring to be housed within a bead of a press fitting into which a tube is to be inserted. There is at least one gap between the press fitting together with the sealing ring and the tube which is closed by pressing at least one portion of the press fitting. The sealing ring has at least one first portion along the majority of its circumference. Each first portion of the sealing ring has an outside diameter (SOD1) prior to fitment into the press fitting bead which is larger than the inside bead diameter (BID) and an inside diameter (SID1) prior to the insertion of the tube which is less than the tube outside diameter (TOD). Additionally, the sealing ring has at least one pair of diametrically opposing second portions, each second portion of the sealing ring comprising a recess between the two projections. |
| US07823928B2 |
Valuable document and method for producing a valuable document
The invention concerns a value-bearing document and a process for the production of a value-bearing document. The value-bearing document comprises a carrier of a paper material and a laminating film which is applied to the carrier and which has a carrier film and a decorative layer arrangement including one or more security features and/or one or more components with electrical functionalities. The laminating film is provided with predetermined breaking locations the reducing the strength of the laminating film. |
| US07823927B2 |
Media binder systems with datum stops for registering physical media sheets
Media binder systems with datum stops for registering physical media sheets are described. A media binder system that includes a cover, a binding system, and a datum stop. The cover includes an outwardly facing side and an inwardly facing side. The binding system is attached to the inwardly facing side of the cover and is operable to bind a spine end of a collection of physical media sheets to the cover. The datum stop protrudes away from the inwardly facing side of the cover and includes a datum stop surface against which a head end or a tail end of the collection is registerable prior to binding the collection to the cover. Methods of making media binder systems also are described. |
| US07823926B2 |
Dual notebook
A dual notebook including a sheet of backing material, a first set of papers bound to the backing material and having a thickness, and a second set of papers bound to the backing material and having a thickness. The backing material is configured to be folded into a folded position wherein the folded backing material is positioned between the first and second set of papers in a thickness direction of the notebook. The backing material is movable to a flat position wherein the backing material is generally flat, and wherein when the backing material is in the flat position the first and second sets of papers are spaced apart by a distance less than the combined thickness of the first and second sets of papers. |
| US07823923B2 |
Method of establishing belt pullout in an occupant restraint system for vehicles and an occupant restraint system for vehicles
A method of establishing belt pullout in an occupant restraint system for vehicles with a safety belt includes the steps: detecting the vehicle acceleration, and establishing the belt pullout in dependence on the detected vehicle acceleration. |
| US07823919B2 |
Filter for airbag inflator using variable expanded metal
An airbag inflator that includes a pyrotechnic material capable of producing a quantity of gas during deployment. The inflator also includes a filter. The filter may be an expanded metal filter that is wrapped about the pyrotechnic material. When this filter is wrapped about the pyrotechnic material, the filter forms a plurality of layers having holes that are a different size. This filter also includes a first set of barriers and a second set of barriers that are positioned exterior of the first set of barriers, the second set of barriers being offset from the first set of barriers. Gas passing through the filter will encounter the first set of barriers, be re-directed, encounter the second set of barriers, be re-directed, and then flow out of the filter. |
| US07823913B2 |
Curtain air bag unit
Curtain air bag unit for a motor vehicle is provided which comprises an air bag extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle. Further it comprises fixing means for fixing the air bag in the area of the roof bar of the motor vehicle, whereby the fixing means comprise a tension member, that extends from a first fixing element to a second fixing element. It also comprises tensioning means for influencing the tensile stress of the tension member during mounting of the curtain air bag unit into the motor vehicle. A pre-cut tension member can be used whose length is chosen in a way that the mounting in the vehicle can be carried out simply and conveniently. |
| US07823907B1 |
Garbage caddy
The present invention features a garbage caddy comprising (a) a four-sided enclosure formed by a first side, a second side, a third side, and a fourth side, (b) a base disposed within the enclosure and attached thereto, the base having a top side and a bottom side, and (c) a first wheel removably and rotatably mounted to a side of the first side, and a second wheel removably and rotatably mounted to a side of the third side. The first side and third side extend downwardly from the bottom side of the base to form a set of skis. The top side of the base has at least one slot 118a for snugly holding a trash receptacle 200. |
| US07823906B2 |
Mission adaptable portable cart/utility table arrangement
A mission adaptable multi-purpose, collapsible portable cart/utility table, for use in emergency response and disaster situations, camping, hunting and other outdoors activities, which carries medical rescue carts, canoes, small boats, game, or hauled cargo by hand. It transports one or more cargo bins over long, rough terrain and each bin can include one or more cabinet drawers therein, wherein upon tilting of a cargo bin from a horizontal transport position to a substantially vertical position the cargo bin serves as a supply cabinet. Each bin is openable to expose the supply drawers for use. |
| US07823905B2 |
Splitboard bindings
Improved boot bindings for backcountry splitboarding are disclosed. Each of a pair of soft-boot bindings has an integral boot binding lower that conjoins the two halves of a splitboard without the additional weight or height of an adaptor mounting plate and extra fasteners. Attached to the integral boot binding lower are the elements of a boot binding upper. The integral boot binding lower, in combination with upper boot bindings, provides improved torsional stiffness for splitboard riding. The integral boot binding lower further includes a toe pivot for free heel ski touring. The boot bindings can be readily detached from the ski touring position and reattached to the snowboard riding position, or vice versa, as is advantageous in backcountry touring and riding. |
| US07823898B2 |
Multiple speed chainless drive for a utility tricycle with either torque amplifying pedal beams or a conventional bicycle seat and pedals
The improved chainless drive of the present invention features a four speed planetary transmission housed within the hub of the driving wheel of an utility tricycle, and an vehicle frame which provides two options for delivering power to the transmission. In the first option the drive shaft, which extends out through bearings on the center line of the driving wheel, has a crank arm fixed on each end. A spindle is fixed in the end of each crank arm and a pedal beam is rotatably mounted near its center on each spindle. A cam roller mounted on each pedal beam near its aft end engages a short length of steel track fastened on the sides of a trunk bolted on the at end off the tricycle frame. The cam roller provides a downward force to counter balance the weight of the rider on the cantilevered forward end off the pedal beam increasing the force on the spindle and thus amplifying the torque delivered to the drive shaft. In the second option the pedal beams are replaced with conventional bicycle pedals and bicycle seat and the trunk is bolted on the forward end off the tricycle frame. Storage space in the fiberglass trunk permits use of the utility tricycle for shopping. |
| US07823894B2 |
Independent suspension for a motor vehicle
The suspension comprises at least one lower arm (14, 18; 42; 14) connected (24, 34; 24) to the vehicle body and at least one upper link (16; 58; 60, 62; 64; 66; 16, 68) connected (30; 63; 67; 30,71) to the vehicle body (20). The lower arm (14, 18; 42; 14) carries at least two substantially blade-like flexible members (22, 23; 22, 23, 25), which are connected (36, 37; 36, 37, 39) to the wheel carrier of the wheel (12) and the planes of which intersect along one common axis (T1) of predetermined orientation defining a first shear axis of the suspension. The at least one lower arm (14, 18; 42; 14) is configured so as to define a second shear axis (T2) of predetermined orientation acting in series with the first axis (T1), in such a manner that when the wheel carrier is subject to an external force acting in a substantially horizontal plane the displacement of the wheel carrier (12) results from the combination of the rotations of the wheel carrier about the two shear axes (T1, T2). |
| US07823881B2 |
Method and delivery for a sheet-processing machine
A method of depositing sheets coming out of a sheet-processing machine includes decelerating the sheets and depositing the sheets of a main pile. Certain sheets are decelerated and fed to a second sheet pile. The system includes a device for decelerating the sheets arriving from the sheet-processing machine and for depositing the sheets on a main pile. A chain gripper system is configured to hold and decelerate a trailing edge of the sheets. The chain gripper system includes an adjustable gripper opening cam. |
| US07823880B2 |
Stepper mechanism
A stepper mechanism for transporting a substrate along a linear transport path, which includes a stationary member and first and second transport members, extending widthwise across the transport path, the stationary member and transport members each being adapted to alternatively grip and release the substrate, and independent drive units are arranged on either side of the transport path for moving the respective ends of the transport members in a transport direction (X), wherein the transport members are movable independently of one another, and at least one of the drive units is adapted to move one end of the first transport member independently of the corresponding end of the second transport member. |
| US07823875B2 |
Sheet feeding device, and image forming device
There is provided a sheet feeding device in which a sheet is discriminated at preliminary loosening before feeding, and is set to be controlled according to the type of the sheet by a simple configuration without requiring a special configuration. In the sheet feeding device in which air is blown onto a sheet stack, and a sheet floating at the uppermost level by the blowing is absorbed and conveyed, a sheet type is discriminated, based on a moving amount of the tray, at preliminary loosening before sheet feeding after setting the sheet in a tray. |
| US07823873B1 |
Paper feeding device for shredder
A paper feeding device is mounted in a shredder and has a casing, and a pushing assembly and a feeding assembly mounted in the casing. When a stack of paper is put into the paper feeding device, the pushing assembly pushes the paper forward and the feeding assembly automatically feeds some of the paper into the shredder to shred the paper into small pieces until shredding of the stack of paper is complete. Furthermore, according to a capability of a cutting mechanism of the shredder, the feeding assembly is adjustable to feed different quantities of paper at a time. Therefore, the paper feeding device for the shredder is convenient, time saving and efficient. |
| US07823864B2 |
Plane braking device for electric winches and electric winch
The present invention discloses a plane braking device for electric winches and electric winch which disposes a section of hollow gear shaft, a section of core shaft, a fixing ring, a wedge shape support, a stopping piece, a braking plate, an elastic element, a wedge shape piece B, a wedge shape piece A, a braking clutch base and so on in a gear box of an electric winch. When a motor works, the section of core shaft of the motor drives the braking clutch base and the wedge shape pieces A, B to rotate, until a gap is formed between the adjacent braking plate and stopping piece between the braking clutch base and the wedge shape piece B, so that the braking effect disappears. When the motor stops suddenly, a heavy load lifted by a tight wire drum provides a reverse pulling force so that the wedge shape piece B produces a reverse thrust force to push the friction planes of the braking plate and the stopping piece, so the plane braking effect is achieved quickly. Based on the plane braking plate, the present invention can increase the braking area and the braking force and achieve safe braking. Furthermore, when there is wear of parts in long usage, so it only needs to replace the braking plate made of friction materials, which can simplify maintenance, reduce the parts costs and ensure service life of the gear box. |
| US07823860B2 |
Drive of an electromagnetic valve with a coil by supplying high voltage from a discharging capacitor to the coil
An electromagnetic valve driving apparatus is provided for reducing emission noise generated when a discharge switching element is turned off. In the apparatus, a discharging capacitor stores electrical energy for performing discharge to a coil in an electromagnetic valve and charging means generates voltage from a power source voltage, which voltage is higher than that of the power source voltage. A discharge switching element is provided in series in a current path extending from the discharging capacitor to an up-stream side terminal of the coil. Controlling means turns on/off the discharge switching element. Circulating means is provided in the current path for circulation of current to the coil. Sub-discharging means is provided in the current path, for starting discharge to the coil when the discharge switching element is turned off, and for circulating current to the coil through the circulating means when the discharge to the coil is completed. |
| US07823855B2 |
Grip with bipod
A grip including at least two hinged monopods, each having an independent leg extension, the monopods in the closed position forming a hand grip, and a mounting assembly for mounting the grip on a device, and a method for forming the grip. Preferably, the leg extension includes a housing in each of the monopods and at least one spring biased leg telescopingly mounted in the housing. |
| US07823853B2 |
Hanging device for use on vinyl siding
A hanging device attachable to overlapping siding members for supporting objects comprises an insert edge extending outwardly from an upper section, an offset section, and a lower section. The insert edge is insertable into the joint between adjacent siding members and the lower section includes a support element adapted to retain objects. The offset section extends between and joins the upper section with the lower section, with the offset section spacing the lower section from a siding member when the insert edge is inserted between adjacent siding members. The hanging device may be biased about a pivot area when an object is held by the support element such that the insert edge is urged into the joint between adjacent siding members. The insert edge defines an obtuse angle relative to the upper section and the support element may comprise hook members or mounting holes. |
| US07823850B1 |
Mounting bracket
An improved mounting bracket that provides an indication to an installer when a mount is not correctly aligned. The mounting bracket comprises a mounting contact portion and at least one side portion integrally connected to the mounting contact portion, with the at least one side portion defining a receiving region for accepting one or more retaining portions of a mount. The at least one side portion includes a first ramped surface at least partially outside of the receiving region. The first ramped surface configured to contact a retaining portion when the retaining portion is misaligned with the receiving region, thereby informing an installer of the misalignment. |
| US07823847B2 |
Display mount with post-installation adjustment features
A display mount with post-installation adjustment features according to embodiments of the present disclosure addresses the above-mentioned needs of the industry. The mount may include two or more wall brackets, each having a vertically shiftable carrier assembly. Cross-supports extend between the carrier assemblies and are received in floating connection structures in the carriers. An electronic display display is coupled with the cross-supports. The carrier assembly of each wall bracket is independently vertically shiftable to shift the orientation of the cross-supports, and thereby adjust the vertical position and orientation of the electronic display device coupled with the cross-supports. The electronic display may be coupled to the cross-supports with display interface brackets which are tilt-adjustable to change the tilt position of the display device. |
| US07823843B2 |
Surgical armrest
The invention relates to a surgical armrest, comprising an arm support and a carrying structure for the arm support. The carrying structure has a base and at least one pivot arm which at one end is articulated on the base so as to pivot about an at least approximately horizontal pivot axis and at the other end is connected to the arm support, such that a pivoting of the at least one pivot arm about the pivot axis causes a height adjustment of the arm support. The at least one pivot arm is assigned a control mechanism which alternately permits a fixing and pivoting of the at least one pivot arm in the downward direction and in the upward direction. The control mechanism has at least one bar which is movable, at least in its longitudinal direction, upon pivoting of the at least one pivot arm. The bar interacts with a freewheel coupling comprising a first coupling element and a second coupling element, wherein the first coupling element is driven by the bar and is freely movable relative to the second coupling element upon an upward movement of the at least one pivot arm, and, upon a downward movement of the at least one pivot arm, drives the second coupling element along with it, the second coupling element being braked by means of at least one brake element. |
| US07823842B2 |
Apparatus for detecting movement direction of model train
An apparatus for determining the direction of travel of an electrically driven model train through a model railroad track layout having track segments with rails of opposite polarity is disclosed. A diode and transistor are operatively coupled to at least one rail of a powered track segment, such that passage of an electrically driven model train over the powered track segment in a first direction enables a flow of electrical current through the transistor to a signal or control circuit, while passage of the electrically driven model train over the powered track segment in a second direction does not. The polarity of the rails is determined by a circuit driven by a control circuit attached to an adjacent track segment. |
| US07823840B2 |
Systems and methods for control of engine exhaust flow
Coanda Effect and lift produced along a surface of an airfoil are increased by ducting compressed fluid from the engine to the surface of the airfoil. An engine produces exhaust gases that are predominantly directed toward an aft end of the aircraft by a cowling or other structure as an exhaust plume. One or more internal ducts extend from the engine to the surface of the airfoil to thereby transmit a compressed fluid from the engine to the surface in order to suppress flow separation along the surface, thereby causing the engine exhaust flow to remain attached to the surface over a wider span. Such structures and techniques may find particular use in aircraft designed to exploit upper surface blowing (USB) techniques and structures for short takeoff and landing (STOL) performance. |
| US07823829B2 |
Equipment fastening device to enhance the crash safety of an aircraft
An equipment-fastening device EFD to enhance the crash safety of aircraft, for fastening a piece of equipment to a support structure of an airframe, includes a load-limiting release mechanism and a load-peak transformer connected to the release mechanism and having a load-limiting, impact-energy-absorbing deformation element. Load peaks that occur in case of a crash and that stem from equipment fastened to the support structure by means of the equipment-fastening device are first reduced to a residual load peak by the EFD after the release, thereby relieving the stress on the support structure. Only then is any residual load peak that might still remain introduced via a first fastening section of the EFD into the support structure with a time delay vis-à-vis the load peaks that occurred originally. |
| US07823827B2 |
Vectored thruster augmented aircraft
The Invention is a rotary-wing aircraft having at least two vectored thrusters that may be tilted from a horizontal to a vertical position and to positions intermediate between the horizontal and vertical positions. The two vectored thrusters are equipped with propellers having separately variable pitch. The two vectored thrusters also are equipped with vanes having selectable vane angles to direct separately the air flow from the two vectored thrusters. A control system detects the flight condition of the aircraft and selects vectored thruster control settings corresponding to the detected flight condition and consistent with predetermined control rules to provide lift, thrust, yaw moments and roll moments. |
| US07823825B2 |
Roll medium supporting apparatus and printing apparatus
A roll medium supporting apparatus includes: a base body portion to be inserted into a hollow shaft portion of a rolled medium; a plurality of contact supporting portions provided circumferentially of the base body portion so as to be capable of being displaced radially of the hollow shaft portion, having a plurality of predetermined positions within the displaceable range, and coming into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the hollow shaft portion and supporting the same; and a stabilizing mechanism configured to stabilize the contact supporting portions at the plurality of predetermined positions. |
| US07823819B1 |
Pill crushing device and its associated method of operation
A pill crushing device and its associated method of operation. The pill container is comprised of a container and a lid assembly that covers the container. A pill to be crushed is placed inside the container and is automatically crushed using the power of a battery operated motor. A pill is introduced into the container through its open top end. A lid assembly is provided that is selectively attached over the open top end of the container. The lid assembly includes a ram that extends into the open top end of the container when the lid assembly is attached to the container. A battery operated motor is also provided in the lid assembly for raising and lowering the ram within said container. By attaching the lid assembly to the container and lowering the ram into the container, a pill can be crushed within the confines of the container. |
| US07823815B2 |
Shredder with self adjusting sensor
Disclosed herein is a shredder having a throat for receiving at least one article to be shredded therethrough and a shredder mechanism received in a shredder housing which is driven to shred the at least one article fed therein. At least one sensor emits and detects radiation to detect the presence of the at least one article or shredded particles. The sensor communicates with a controller to operate the shredder mechanism. The controller also calibrates an intensity of the radiation of the sensor(s) to or within a predetermined amount above a minimum level in order to reduce wear and run-on conditions. |
| US07823814B2 |
Shredder head adapted to shred data bearing documents and bottles
A shredder head adapted to shred data bearing documents and/or bottles. |
| US07823811B2 |
Apparatus and method of processing raw materials
A method and apparatus for processing animal byproduct materials is disclosed. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a grinder for grinding the byproduct materials; a mixer for mixing the ground byproduct materials with an oil absorbing material and a backmix material; and a dryer for drying the mixed materials. In some embodiments, the apparatus also includes a cyclone for separating an air stream from the dried materials. The dried materials are transported to one or more presses for pressing the dried materials, thereby reducing oil content. The one or more presses includes a first opening for delivering pressed oil to a centrifuge and a second opening for sending the pressed materials to a screener. A portion of the screened material is sent back to the mixer (and/or the grinder) and the balance of the screened material are sent to storage as a finished product. |
| US07823810B2 |
Method and device for the production and/or conditioning of powdered material
A method and a device for producing and/or conditioning powdered material. The aim of the invention is to provide a method and an associated device which are used for producing and/or conditioning powdered material in a spouted bed comprising inert particles and in which a dry, fine powder having a very small particle diameter is produced at a low cost and at adequately large quantities in a continuous operation. This aim is achieved by a method in which the material is treated in several stages in a spouted bed comprising inert particles. In the method, the powdered material that is preprocessed in a first spouted bed and is separated from the larger material particles in an integrated dust collector is fed to a superimposed second spouted bed as a material-gas flow along with the gas flow discharged from the first spouted bed in order to be further reduced in size and be conditioned. After separating the fine particles from the larger material particles in a dust collector that is integrated into the second stage, the fine particles are discharged from the two-stage spouted bed treatment along with the gas flow as a powdered material having very small particle diameters. The separated larger material particles are once again fed to the second spouted bed of the second jet chamber. The device includes a spouted bed apparatus in which a jet chamber encompassing an integrated dust collector as well as a second superimposed jet chamber encompassing another integrated dust collector are disposed. |
| US07823809B2 |
Electrostatic spraying device
An electrostatic spraying device has a capability of confirming that the device is ready for making an electrostatic spraying of the liquid composition on a user's skin. The device includes a nozzle and a pump for dispensing the liquid composition out through the nozzle. An emitter electrode is disposed to electrostatically charge the liquid composition being dispensed for making the electrostatic spraying. The device is provided with a power switch and a selector for selection between a spraying mode and a dripping mode. In the dripping mode, the pump is alone actuated to dispense the liquid composition absent electrostatic charge. In the spraying mode, both of the pump and the emitter electrode are activated to make the electrostatic spraying. Thus, the user can be easy to drip the liquid composition by simply manipulating the selector prior to initiating the electrostatic spraying. |
| US07823808B2 |
Electrostatic spraying device
An electrostatic spraying device having a removable cartridge with a reservoir containing a volume of liquid compositions to be electrically sprayed on a user's skin. The device includes a nozzle for dispensing the liquid as well as an emitter electrode disposed adjacent to the nozzle for charging the liquid composition just being dispensed from the nozzle. A field electrode surrounds the reservoir in order to charge the liquid composition within the reservoir, thereby avoiding an occurrence of electric current which would otherwise flow in the liquid composition and would deteriorate the composition remaining in the reservoir. The reservoir is devoid of the field electrode, and therefor can be designed into a simple and compact structure without being restricted by the field electrode, assuring to have an enhanced liquid containing volume in relation to the bulk of the removable cartridge. |
| US07823807B1 |
Liquid manure applicator, method, and tool with bellows type downforce system
A liquid manure applicator comprises a tank for holding a supply of liquid manure that is distributed onto a farm field through a distributor having a plurality of distribution ports and hoses. The hoses lead to individual distribution tools that include a pair or rotary coulters and a bellows for applying downforce to the coulters. The distributor includes a ring that restricts the size of the solids entering the distribution ports and hoses to something substantially equal to or less than 50% of the cross-sectional area of the hoses. This prevents the hoses from plugging even when small diameter hoses are used to lower the application rates to values more consistent with the needs of a zone tilled field. A rotary chopper in the distributor reduces the size of larger solids until they have been broken up into pieces small enough to pass the restriction provided by the ring. |
| US07823806B2 |
Connector part for connecting a material supply device to a spray gun
A connector part (3) for connecting a material supply device (10) to a spray gun (20) that includes a hollow cylindrical connection piece (5); a threaded wedge element (8) with a lower starting point (8a) and an upper end (8b) running around the outer circumference of connection piece (5) and serving to produce a threaded wedge connection to a counter-element (15) arranged on gun base (19) of spray gun (20); and a stop element (14) that forms a limit stop during the production of the threaded wedge connection. In order to prevent the counter-element on the spray gun from digging into the soft connection pipe made of plastic and removing plastic chips there, it is provided in the connector part according to the invention that stop element (14) is arranged at a distance in the circumferential direction from upper end (8b) of threaded wedge element (8), whereby a gap (11) is formed between stop element (14) and upper end (8b) of the threaded wedge element. In additional embodiments of the invention it is provided that the inclination of threaded wedge element (8) runs more steeply at lower starting point (8a) than in the other area, or that threaded wedge element (8) has a smaller cross section in the axial direction at lower starting point (8a) or at upper end (8b) than in its central area. |
| US07823804B2 |
Telescoping pop-up sprinkler
The telescoping pop-up sprinkler includes a telescoping piston assembly that allows the piston assembly of the pop-up to extend upwards at a greater height than the length of the pop-up sprinkler body. The telescoping pop-up sprinkler has a main body with a piston assembly that includes two or more pistons that engage internally with one another, with stops provided at one end of each piston to limit the stroke of each piston. Multiple internal seals are provided to prevent the bypassing of water around the outer diameter of each piston. |
| US07823801B2 |
Firefighting device with light emitting component
A firefighting device comprising includes a device body with a fluid passage through which a fluid flows when the firefighting device is in operation and at least one molded body. At least a portion of the molded body is at least translucent and encloses therein or covers a light emitting source. When light is emitted from the light emitting source, light is emitted from the molded body to thereby illuminate the firefighting device. |
| US07823799B2 |
Heat-pump-type water heater
A heat source unit includes a compressor, a heat-source-side heat exchanger, an outdoor blower, and a controller for electric devices. A hydrothermal exchange unit accommodates water heat exchangers, water pipes, pumps and a controller, and is connected to the heat source unit via refrigerating pipes and electric wiring. A tank unit has tanks for storing hot water obtained as a result of heat exchange by the water heat exchangers. The hydrothermal exchange unit has a housing. The front, rear, upper, left and right sides of the housing are covered with panels. A bottom plate for the housing is disposed a predetermined distance above the lower end of the housing. The housing accommodates the hydrothermal exchange unit, and a space below the bottom plate of the housing accommodates connectors for the water pipes and refrigerant pipes. This completely prevents freezing of the water pipes, makes use-side units compact, and improves operation efficiency. |
| US07823798B2 |
Method and device for heating a motor vehicle cabin
The invention relates to a method of heating a motor vehicle cabin by means of a circuit (20) for circulating a cooling fluid for cooling an engine (10) and including a pump (23), an air heater unit (22), and a heat exchanger (21) disposed in an exhaust system (15) that is also provided with a depollution assembly (16). The exhaust gas is directed towards the heat exchanger (21) or towards a bypass duct (18) downstream from the depollution assembly (16) as a function of engine operating conditions, of the outside temperature, of the heating temperature requested in the vehicle cabin, and of the temperature of the engine cooling fluid. The invention applies more particularly to direct injection diesel engines. |
| US07823795B2 |
Pattern based elaboration of hierarchical L3GO designs
A system, method and program product that utilizes flat pattern based L3GO elaboration in a hierarchical environment to create a nested conventional layout. A system is provide for processing a glyph layout to generate shapes for use in a VLSI (very large scale integrated circuit) design process, including: a hierarchical pattern search system that matches patterns from a pattern library to a set of glyph data, wherein the patterns have dependencies that cross hierarchical design boundaries; and a target shape generation system that selects patterns from a set of matching patterns and generates associated shapes. |
| US07823793B2 |
IC card and an adapter for the same
An IC card and card adapters are designed so that the IC card of a specific standard (e.g., MMC standard) is compatible with IC cards and terminals of other standards (e.g., MS card standard and USB terminal standard). In the IC card (MMC), a controller IC, which is connected to a flash memory, includes a voltage pull-down detector, a mode controller, a USB-mode interface controller, a MS-mode interface controller, and an MMC/SD-mode interface controller. The card adapters suffice to have component parts which are easy in formation and low in cost such as wiring lines and resistors. The voltage pull-down detector of the IC card detects the voltage pull-down caused by the resistors, and the mode controller selects the USB-mode interface controller, MS-mode interface controller or MMC/SD-mode interface controller so that the IC card becomes compatible with the corresponding IC card standard. |
| US07823789B2 |
Low profile illumination for direct part mark readers
An industrial reader is provided with an image formation system that is particularly adapted to read bar codes and two-dimensional symbols marked directly on objects. The image formation system includes illumination sources and illumination transmissive components that produce a combination of bright field and dark field illumination. |
| US07823788B2 |
Anti-fake identification device and method for making the same
An anti-fake identification (14) includes a light-emitting layer (144) and a pattern layer (142). The light-emitting layer includes ultraviolet radiation photo initiator. The pattern layer has some through holes defined therein so as to form a pattern. Under ultraviolet radiation, the light-emitting layer emits light and the light passes through the pattern layer so as to show a pattern. |
| US07823787B2 |
Swipe imager scan engine
An imaging scan engine includes both a solid-state camera and an illumination source in the same package. The scan engine unit simplifies the integration of swipe imaging components into new and existing scanners. |
| US07823783B2 |
Light pipe illumination system and method
A system and method is provided for illuminating a subject using a light pipe that transmits light from a source, such as an LED ring illuminator to an outlet that directs the light appropriately as either bright field illumination, dark field illumination or both. The light pipe can include concentric cylinders, typically with a bright field illuminator nested within a dark field illuminator. The tip of the dark field illuminator may be angled so as to internally reflect light inwardly toward the central optical axis of a camera at a low angle. The tip can be located near the focal plane of the camera for the desired field of view. The field of view of the camera sensor can be modified to reject data outside of a illumination field of a particular shape. This illumination field can be created by shaping the light pipe in a predetermined form that projects the modified illumination field. Likewise, a set of aiming illuminators (in, for example, a noticeable color) can be provided around the perimeter of the light pipe to delineate outer boundaries of the illumination field or area of interest. These approaches facilitate better aiming of the sensor into the desired area of interest so that it is illuminated and/or acquired most-fully. |
| US07823781B2 |
Method and system for source tagging an optical storage device
According to one embodiment of the invention, a system for source tagging an optical storage device includes the optical storage device having a first portion adapted to store information and a second portion adjacent the first portion, and an electronic article surveillance tag associated with the second portion. |
| US07823778B1 |
Wireless inventory scanner system and method
A system for inventory scanning includes scanning devices for scanning information representing inventory items to produce input data for uploading to an inventory management system over a radio-access network, such as a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) wireless network. A scanner adapter, such as a web service adapter, is coupled to the inventory management system for transferring the input data from the scanning devices to the inventory management system. The adapter also receives control information from the inventory management system for delivery to the scanning devices. The control information is transferred to the scanning devices to manage inventory operations performed by the scanning devices, for example, operations that may be performed by and/or data that may be accessed by an identified individual user. |
| US07823775B2 |
Access to a remote machine from a local machine via smart card
A method and apparatus for accessing a remote machine from a local machine via a smart card. In one embodiment, the presence of the smart card coupled to the local machine is detected. A card reader reads the credentials from the smart card and communicates them to a remote access client application of the local machine. The remote access client application transmits the credentials to the remote machine. The remote machine sends a query for login information to the local machine upon valid credentials. The local machine transmits the login information to the remote machine and is granted permission to access the remote machine upon valid login information. |
| US07823773B2 |
System and method for creating a badge for a conference or exhibition visitor from a scanned ID document
A system and method for acquiring identification information from each visitor of an event and producing a smart badge that will automatically register him to the event activities. The system comprises a scanning or imaging device, information extraction means and printing means, including label printing and RFID, magnetic and barcode printing means. The system can also read each smart badge issued by wireless means and without the visitor having to actively cooperate and hence, continuously trace any visitor location and his points of interest. |
| US07823771B2 |
Multiplex information card, image data inputting equipment and method, and information card issuing system
An information card includes two display panels as a user interface, which constitute a card body, and display visible information constituted by a portrait image and ID information. An internal memory is incorporated in a card body, for storing verification information of that the visible information has been verified externally. Furthermore, a mode selector selectively sets an employee ID card mode or driver license mode. The display panels change over the visible information according to the employee ID card mode or driver license mode. Also, an interface is accessed by a rewriting digital still camera to rewrite the portrait image. The interface receives an encrypted form of the image data from the digital still camera. A microcomputer decrypts the image data. |
| US07823769B2 |
System for enabling competition entry and display via label
A system for enabling competition entry is provided using a printed product label provided on a product item. The system has a sensing device, computer system and display device. The sensing device senses coded data from the label attached to the product item and generates interaction data representing interaction of the sensing device with the coded data. The coded data is uniquely indicative of the product item and the label has regions including information fields, buttons and/or entry fields. The computer system receives the interaction data and correlates the interaction data with a competition. Interaction with at least one of the buttons using the sensing device causes the computer system to display information on the display device. |
| US07823766B1 |
Financial transaction system
A system and method for conducting a financial transaction is disclosed. The system includes a first memory location embedded in a personal portable device. The first memory location stores a plurality of personal financial data files associated with a user. The system also includes a second memory location to store biometric information and a first input interface to receive authentication information after initiation of a purchase transaction session. The system also includes a security module including an input coupled to the first interface to authenticate the authentication information based on the biometric information and an output interface comprising an input coupled to the first memory location and an output to provide personal financial data file information to a host device. |
| US07823759B2 |
Spring powered stapler
This invention provides a spring powered stapler comprising a power spring having a front and a rear end, the rear end of the power spring being limited from moving frontward, a middle section between the front and rear end of the power spring being bent down while the front and rear end of the power spring maintaining in upper positions for storing energy in the power spring, and the front end of the power spring moving rearward as a result of the middle section of the power spring being bent down, and a lock plate, while not moving, holding up the front end of the power spring before the rearward movement of the front end of the power spring exceeding a predetermined distance and releasing the front end of the power spring after the rearward movement of the front end of the power spring exceeding the predetermined distance. |
| US07823754B1 |
Wax delivery system of a saw blade lubricating apparatus
A saw blade lubricating apparatus has a barrel with an outlet at one end thereof, a drive cooperative with the barrel for extruding wax outwardly of the outlet of the barrel, a dispenser block connected by a conduit to the barrel and having a wax inlet and a wax outlet, and a valve positioned in or on the dispenser block. The valve is selectively movable between a first position allowing wax flow between the wax inlet and the wax outlet and a second position blocking wax flow between the wax inlet and the wax outlet. A saw blade can be positioned adjacent to the wax outlet of the dispenser block. |
| US07823752B2 |
Device for dispensing a heated liquid
A device for dispensing a heated liquid, such as a hot melt adhesive, which includes a dispenser body adapted to dispense the heated liquid, a solenoid valve, and a pneumatic section including a housing coupled between the solenoid valve and dispenser body. The pneumatic housing is formed from a thermally insulating material which may include a thermoplastic polymer such as polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) or a fluoroplastic polymer to reduce heat transfer from the dispenser body through the pneumatic housing thereby thermally insulating the solenoid valve. |
| US07823751B2 |
Dual component dispenser
A method and apparatus for extruding the first fluid capable of foaming through a porous member to produce a first foamed extrudate while simultaneously dispensing a second flowable material preferably containing particulate matter adjacent the first extrudate. |
| US07823750B2 |
Product delivery systems for vending machines
This invention is a vending machine and components parts that include a sophisticated product retrieval and delivery system. Following product selection, the positioning system quickly transports a retrieval device to the front of a tray queue where a product container is retrieved. The positioning system transports the gripper carrying the product container to a delivery port. The product is released and slides down a specially designed chute into a specially designed delivery bucket that is then tilted outward for customer pick up. Sensors associated with the bucket detect the delivery and removal of the product container. Related methods are also disclosed. |
| US07823739B2 |
Collapsible shipping container
A collapsible shipping container includes a floor, a roof, and a pair of bifolding sidewalls, that collapse accordion style to place the sidewalls and roof in a configuration wherein the roof is collapsed onto the sidewalls, and the sidewalls are collapsed onto the floor. The container further includes a pair of end walls having upper and lower end wall sections. The upper end wall sections may be lowered by activation of a power source to lie on the roof in the collapsed configuration. Collapse and erection of the shipping container may be accomplished with the aid of auxiliary equipment, such as a fork lift. |
| US07823734B2 |
Product management display system with trackless pusher mechanism
A product management display system for merchandising product on a shelf includes using a trackless pusher mechanism that travels along a surface on which product is placed. The pusher mechanism of the invention also includes a pusher paddle and a floor that extends forward of the pusher paddle. A flat coiled spring or other biasing element may be operatively connected behind the pusher paddle and extend across the floor of the pusher mechanism and to the front of the shelf. In use, the product to be merchandised may be placed on the coiled spring and on the floor of the pusher mechanism. With this configuration, the pusher paddle is prevented from tipping or bending backwards during operation. The invention may be used with the merchandising of product on horizontal or non-inclined shelves or surfaces, as well as with gravity-fed systems, or systems that use gravity as a mechanism to urge product toward the front of the shelf. |
| US07823732B2 |
Storage and display carton with multiple display orientations
A carton for storing and displaying a plurality of articles including a bottom panel, front and rear panels, first and second side panels, and a top panel. The front and rear panels extend from opposing first and second edges of the bottom panel. The first and second side panels extend from opposing third and fourth edges of the bottom panel. The top panel extends from the rear and second side panels opposite the bottom panel. A gap is defined between corresponding edges of the first side panel and the front panel. A front face is at least partially defined by the front panel, a side face is at least partially defined by the first side panel, and a top face is at least partially defined by the top panel. The carton is configured to permit viewing of contained articles from the front face, the side face, and the top face. |
| US07823731B2 |
Cigarette package
A cigarette package, in some embodiments, can comprise a tray, a cover coupled to the tray, and a cigarette holder secured to the tray and adapted to move between a first position substantially inside the tray and a second position substantially outside the tray. In some embodiments, a cigarette package can comprise a tray, a cover adapted to slide on the tray between a closed position and an open position, and a cigarette holder coupled to a first wall of the tray and adapted to move between a first position and a second position as the cover slides on the tray. In some embodiments, a consumer can operate a cigarette package of the present application with one hand to dispense at least one cigarette. |
| US07823727B2 |
Patient check system
A system for assisting in communication of the state of a patient's condition is disclosed. In an embodiment, a plastic container of washcloths includes two labels. The first label is mounted on the container and occludes an entry into the container. The second label also is mounted on the container via attachment to the first label. The second label includes a template that is mounted face down. In operation, the second label may be removed and observations regarding the patient's skin condition that are made during use of the washcloth can be marked on the template provided on the second label. The second label then may be communicated from one care provider to another care provider. |
| US07823724B2 |
Paint roller sleeve storage container
A storage container for paint roller sleeve includes a set of flutes on at least two opposing sides of an interior surface of said cylinder for stabilizing a roller cover in place from rattling inside of the housing and for holding said roller cover in place when extracting a roller frame from said roller cover. Each set of flutes includes three interior flutes that located between said two exterior flutes. The interior flutes include a middle flute that is set back a distance from the other two interior flutes so that when the exterior surface of the container is pressed inward said middle interior flute cuts into a paint roller sleeve housed within the container and the other two interior flutes bend outward around a nap of said roller sleeve to better hold said roller sleeve in place when a roller frame is being extracted from said roller sleeve. |
| US07823722B2 |
Packed and ready to use intraluminal catheter
A packed intraluminal probe comprises a tube provided with a hydrophilic coating and having a proximal holding end connected to a nozzle. The nozzle has a canal communicating with the tube and an orifice. The probe is entirely arranged in a flexible, transparent and hermetic package. The probe comprises a removable stopper which closes the orifice. The package is fixed to the nozzle in a hermetic manner such that the nozzle defines two hermetic chambers which communicate only by means of the lumen of the tube and the canal in the nozzle. A first chamber contains a wetting fluid for the coating of the tube, but a second chamber does not contain any wetting fluid. |
| US07823721B2 |
Package for containers
A package for holding a plurality of containers. The package has a top panel and side panels. The package has retention features for retaining the containers and handle features for grasping and lifting the package. |
| US07823717B2 |
Rotary conveyor
A rotary conveyor (1) utilized in equipment (1a) for filling containers (2) with liquid or powder products includes a supporting shaft (8) aligned on a longitudinal axis (X) and coupled to relative drive components (10) associated with the shaft (8), by which the shaft is set in rotation about the axis (X). A support element (11) is keyed to the shaft (8), presenting a peripheral rim (12) with a plurality of slots (13) each designed to accommodate a container (2) transferred from a transport and/or processing device (3) forming part of the equipment (1a). The slots (13) incorporate restraining components (14) having grippers (15) movable between a position of engagement, in which the containers (2) are locked to the support element (11), and a position of disengagement in which no restraining force is applied to the containers (2). |
| US07823715B2 |
Belt conveyor and processing apparatus
A belt conveyor comprising a telescopic frame (1), an endless conveyor belt (9) which is supported by idlers (12) connected to the frame (1), a drawing drum (10), and a tilting drum (11), via which the conveyor belt (9) is arranged to run, and an actuator (14) mounted to the frame (1) for changing the length of the frame (1). The frame of the belt conveyor comprises frame blocks (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 5f, 5g) installed to each other in a slidable manner and a lattice mechanism (20) installed to them in a pivotal manner to effect a change in the length of the belt conveyor as a result of the operation of the actuator (14). The frame blocks (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 5f, 5g) comprise at least one frame pipe (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f, 2g, 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, 3f, 3g), wherein at least one frame block (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 5f, 5g) comprises a supporting beam (4a, 4b, 4b′ 4c, 4d, 4d′, 4e, 4f, 4g) connected to at least one frame pipe (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f, 2g, 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, 3f, 3g). |
| US07823713B1 |
Hydraulic clutch with expansion ring assembly
A hydraulic clutch for utilization with an engine of a motorcycle is disclosed herein. The hydraulic clutch includes a hydraulic clutch adjuster assembly, a clutch basket, a cover plate, first clutch plates, second clutch plates and a dynamic expansion ring assembly having cam members. The dynamic expansion ring assembly imparts substantially equal expansion forces in opposite directions. A gap is present when the engine is at an idle speed and cam members are positioned radially inward, and the gap is not present when the engine is operating faster than idle and the cam members are positioned radially outward by centrifugal force. |
| US07823712B2 |
Wet-type multi-plate clutch
In a wet-type multi-plate clutch comprising an externally-toothed plate and an internally-toothed plate each of which is formed by adhering a friction material on a core plate and in which torque is transmitted by engaging the externally-toothed plate and the internally-toothed plate, the friction materials are adhered on opposed surfaces of the externally-toothed plate and the internally-toothed plate which are opposed to each other. |
| US07823711B2 |
Dual clutch pack dual operating clutch and method for adjusting same
A dual automatic mechanically actuated wet clutch device, for operation within a fluid tight housing, for a dual input shaft transmission that includes tightly specified average spacing between friction plate surfaces where the average spacing is selected from between about 0.05 mm to about 0.25 mm in an open position. The clutch has at least first and second independently actuatable clutch portions, and at least one clutch pack in the first or second clutch portion; and mechanical apparatus provided to move friction plates in at least one of the clutch portions toward each other so that they engage. The invention also includes apparatus and methods for adjusting and maintaining the spacing between the friction plate surfaces. |
| US07823710B2 |
Hydraulic control system for a hydrodynamic torque converter comprising a controlled torque converter lockup clutch
Description of a hydraulic control system (1A) for a hydrodynamic torque converter (1) with a controlled torque converter lockup clutch (2) of an automatic transmission for controlling a supply pressure (p_WD_zu) of the torque converter (2) and a supply pressure (p_WK_zu) of the torque converter lockup clutch (2). The torque converter lockup clutch (2) is engaged when the supply pressure (p_WD_zu) of the torque converter (1) is lower than a predefined pressure level of the supply pressure (p_WK_zu) of the torque converter lockup clutch. A converter pressure valve (WDV) is provided for controlling the supply pressure (p_WD_zu) of the torque converter (1), and a converter coupling valve (WKV) for controlling the supply pressure (p_WK_zu) of the torque converter lockup clutch, where their valve slides (WDV_S, WKV_S) can be acted upon by at least one pre-control pressure (p_VS) and one system pressure (p_sys). When the torque converter lockup clutch (2) is disengaged, the valve slide (WKV_S) of the converter coupling valve (WKV) is acted upon in such a way on an active surface (15) by the reverse pressure (p_WD_ab) of the torque converter (1), and when the torque converter lockup clutch (2) is engaged, is acted upon in such a way on the active surface (15) by the reverse pressure (p_WK_zu) of the torque converter lockup clutch (2), that at least either the supply pressure (p_WD_zu) of the torque converter (1) or the supply pressure (p_WK_zu) of the torque converter lockup clutch (2) is higher than a predefined pressure level (p—0) over the entire operational area of the torque converter (1). |
| US07823686B2 |
Motor vehicle steering system comprising a differential drive provided with a swash unit
The invention relates to a motor vehicle steering system comprising a differential drive, said differential drive having a carrier structure (12, 33), a drive shaft (3) with a shaft end (3a) facing the differential drive, an output unit (2) with a shaft end (2a) facing the differential drive, and an auxiliary drive comprising a stator (4) and a rotor (6). The aim of the invention is to simplify the structure of one such differential drive as much as possible. To this end, the shaft end (3a) of the drive shaft (3) carries a first toothed disk (7) which is connected to the drive shaft (3) in a rotationally fixed manner, the shaft end (2a) of the output unit (2) is connected to at least parts of the carrier structure (12, 33) in a rotationally fixed manner; the carrier structure (12, 33) carries a second toothed disk (8) which is connected thereto in a rotationally fixed manner; and the rotor (6) comprises a first cylindrical section (6a) and a second cylindrical section (6b) that is bent in relation to the first section (6a) at an angle (a). The first section (6a) faces the output unit (2) and the second section (6b) faces the drive shaft (3). A swash unit (9a, 9b) arranged on the bent second section (6b) couples the two toothed disks (7,8) together in a driving manner. |
| US07823682B2 |
Hood lift mechanisms utilizing active materials and methods of use
A hood lift mechanism for reversibly increasing the energy absorption capability at appropriate force levels of a vehicle hood includes a vehicle hood; an active material in operative communication with the vehicle hood, wherein the active material comprises a shape memory alloy, a ferromagnetic shape memory alloy, a shape memory polymer, a magnetorheological fluid, an electroactive polymer, a magnetorheological elastomer, an electrorheological fluid, a piezoelectric material, an ionic polymer metal composite, or combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing active materials; and an activation device in operative communication with the active material, wherein the activation device is operable to selectively apply an activation signal to the active material and effect a reversible change in a property of the active material, wherein the reversible change results in an increased clearance distance between the vehicle hood and an underlying component. |
| US07823675B2 |
Drifting kart
Drifting karts in accordance with embodiments of the invention are described that include a front wheel drive train and rear caster wheels that can be dynamically engaged to induce and control drift during a turn. One embodiment of the invention includes a chassis to which a steering column is mounted, where the steering column includes at least one front steerable wheel configured to be driven by an electric motor, a battery housing mounted to the chassis, where the battery housing contains a controller and at least one battery, wiring configured to provide power from the at least one battery to the electric motor, two caster wheels mounted to the chassis, where each caster wheel is configured to rotate around a rotational axis and swivel around a swivel axis, and a hand lever configured to dynamically engage the caster wheels to induce and control drift during a turn. |
| US07823671B2 |
Cooling structure of heat generating member
A cooling structure includes a plurality of plate-shaped heat generating members such as battery parts, DC voltage converters and electrical member (e.g., relay). In the cooling structure, the heat generating members are arranged in a plate-thickness direction to have predetermined spaces for forming fluid passages each of which is provided between adjacent heat generating members, and the fluid passages are provided to pass a fluid for cooling the heat generating members. Accordingly, all the heat generating members can be effectively cooled while the cooling structure can be made compact. |
| US07823667B2 |
Power unit for small vehicle
In a power unit for a vehicle, which is a unit composed of an internal combustion engine with a crankshaft and of a power transmission system equipped with a continuously variable transmission and configured to transmit the torque from the crankshaft to the drive-wheel side while reducing the speed of the torque, to provide a power unit for a vehicle, equipped with two oil pumps and formed, with fewer component parts, into a compact structure. A first oil pump for ejecting lubricant oil and a second oil pump for ejecting oil for at least one of the controlling of the speed change in, and the lubricating of, the continuously variable transmission share a common pump shaft, and are arranged adjacent to each other in the axial direction. |
| US07823666B2 |
Drawbar unit for a drawbar governed floor conveyor
A drawbar unit for a drawbar governed floor conveyor, in which a drawbar head is coupled to a vertical steering shaft, which optionally co-operates with a swiveling angle transmitter for an electronic steeling of the floor conveyor, wherein the steering shaft can be rotatably and axially fixedly mounted in a stationary bearing arrangement of the floor conveyor, wherein the drawbar head is connected to the upper end of a longitudinal guiding member, on which an upper portion of the steering shaft is axially guided, a lever is pivotably mounted on the guiding member, which engages with one arm into an axis parallel guiding channel on the steeling shaft such that a rotary union is produced, and an adjustment means mechanism acts on the lever in order to selectively bring the arm into clamping engagement with the steering shaft and to couple guiding member and steering shaft even axially. |
| US07823663B2 |
Expandable reamer
A downhole apparatus comprises a body, extendable members mounted on the body and being movable between retracted and extended configurations, and a remotely operable retaining arrangement for maintaining the extendable members in the retracted configuration. The extendable members may be cutters, such that the apparatus may be a cutting apparatus, such as a reamer. An operator may control the apparatus to retain the cutting members in the retracted configuration, or prevent the extension of the cutting members. |
| US07823660B2 |
Apparatus and methods for drilling a wellbore using casing
Apparatus and methods for drilling with casing. In an embodiment, methods and apparatus for deflecting casing using a diverter apparatus are disclosed. In another embodiment, the apparatus comprises a motor operating system disposed in a motor system housing, a shaft operatively connected to the motor operating system, the shaft having a passageway, and a divert assembly disposed to direct fluid flow selectively to the motor operating system and the passageway in the shaft. In another aspect, methods and apparatus for directionally drilling a casing into the formation are disclosed. Methods and apparatus for measuring the trajectory of a wellbore while directionally drilling a casing into the formation are also described. |
| US07823658B2 |
Analyzing resistivity images for determining downhole events and removing image artifacts
Borehole images obtained with MWD measurements have a mismatch with subsequent images obtained when measurements are repeated over the same depth interval after the drillstring has been raised up. The difference is attributable to stretch of the drillstring. This can be estimated by correlating the two images. The difference can also be estimated by monitoring drilling conditions such as RPM, WOB and torque on reentry. |
| US07823656B1 |
Method for monitoring drilling mud properties
A method for monitoring drilling mud properties, the drilling mud being transported through a well drilling system and stored in a mud pit includes directing the flow of drilling mud in the well drilling system from the mud pit to a sampling unit. A sample of the drilling mud from the mud pit is obtained. At least one mud property of the sampled drilling mud is sensed automatically and in real time to obtain a condition value. If the condition value is within a set point range for the mud property the drilling mud is returned to the mud pit. The drilling mud is directed to a centrifuge for adjustment of the mud property if the condition value is outside the set point range. The drilling mud from the centrifuge is returned to the mud pit after the mud property has been adjusted. |
| US07823646B2 |
Riser tensioner with lubricant reservoir
A tensioner for an offshore structure has inner and outer barrels engaging each other for movement between retracted and extended positions. The barrels are filled with gas pressure. A primary seal is located between the inner and outer barrels at the open end of the inner barrel. An annular lubricant reservoir is mounted to an interior wall surface of the inner barrel at the open end of the inner barrel. A lubricant port extends from the lubricant reservoir through the inner barrel to a high pressure side of the primary seal for dispensing lubricant between the inner and outer barrels. A fill tube leads from the reservoir to the exterior of the inner barrel for replenishing lubricant. |
| US07823639B2 |
Structure for wired drill pipe having improved resistance to failure of communication device slot
A structure for wired drill pipe includes a pipe joint having a pin end and a box end. The pin end and box end each have threads for engagement with corresponding threads on a respective box and pin of an adjacent pipe joint. A longitudinal end of the threads on the pin and on the box include at least in an internal shoulder for engagement with a corresponding internal shoulder on an adjacent box or pin. The internal shoulder of each of the pin and the box includes a groove around a circumference thereof for retaining a communication device therein. An external flank of the groove on the pin, and a corresponding surface of the box include deflection resistance feature. |
| US07823638B2 |
Sound source for stimulation of oil reservoirs
The present invention relates to a sound source for the stimulation of an oil reservoir or an oil well for enhanced oil recovery or for seismic logging of the reservoir. The sound source is operated by a pressurized gas from a compressor or a pressure tank on the surface, and the gas is transported to an in the sound source situated cylinder with an accumulator, via a feed line. |
| US07823636B2 |
Packer
A packer includes first and second external seal elements. The first external seal element is adapted to form an annular seal in the well. The second external seal element is adapted to be moved in response to fluid in the well to produce a force to at least partially assist an operation of the packer. |
| US07823633B2 |
Valve apparatus
A valve apparatus for controlling fluid flow between a fluid passage and a fluid delivery conduit therein includes a valve housing having first and second housing ports spaced therealong, and a driven member driveable toward and away from the first housing port. A closure member having a port is coupled to the driven member and slidable therealong. The driven member and closure member close and open the closure member port during movement of the driven member toward and away from the first port to induce and relieve a pressure differential, exerted on the closure member by fluid entering the housing, acting to slide the closure member along the driven member to close the first housing port. An inductive coil extends about an open end of the housing to receive a coil-equipped end of a probe therein to communicate the probe with monitoring and control systems across the valve. |
| US07823632B2 |
Method and apparatus for programmable robotic rotary mill cutting of multiple nested tubulars
A methodology and apparatus for cutting shape(s) or profile(s) through well tubular(s), or for completely circumferentially severing through multiple tubulars, including all tubing, pipe, casing, liners, cement, other material encountered in tubular annuli. This rigless apparatus utilizes a computer-controlled, downhole robotic three-axis rotary mill to effectively generate a shape(s) or profile(s) through, or to completely sever in a 360 degree horizontal plane wells with multiple, nested strings of tubulars whether the tubulars are concentrically aligned or eccentrically aligned. This is useful for well abandonment and decommissioning where complete severance is necessitated and explosives are prohibited, or in situations requiring a precise window or other shape to be cut through a single tubular or plurality of tubulars. |
| US07823631B2 |
Constructional unit for a heat exchanging device
A constructional unit for a heat exchanging device that includes at least one housing in which a gaseous medium is at least partially guided on a predetermined path, an inlet device for the gaseous medium, at least one first heat exchanging device, at least one second heat exchanging device, at least one controller that influences the direction of flow of the gaseous medium in at least some sections and that can be adjusted to at least two different positions, and an outlet device for the gaseous medium. In at least one first position of the first controller, substantially no portions of the gaseous medium are guided through the first heat exchanging device. |
| US07823629B2 |
Capillary assisted loop thermosiphon apparatus
A capillary assisted loop thermosiphon apparatus (100) has at least one evaporator (102) connected by a vapor line (104) to a condenser (106); a liquid line (108) connects the condenser (106) and the evaporator (102), the evaporator (102) is in the direction of gravity from the condenser (106) for the condenser (106) to supply liquid under gravity induced pressure to the evaporator (102), and the evaporator (102) has a vertical capillary wick (102a) in which liquid wicks in the direction of gravity. |
| US07823626B2 |
Refrigerated oven
A refrigerated oven having a cooking chamber in which is provided a heating elements and a refrigeration unit chamber in which is provided a refrigeration unit. The refrigeration unit is fluidly connected to the cooking chamber. Both the heating element and the refrigeration unit are selectively operable to either cool or heat the cooking chamber to thereby cool or heat a food item located therein. The refrigeration unit as preferably modular refrigeration unit that the slid into and out of the refrigeration unit chamber. Preferably, the refrigeration unit includes an evaporator that is thermally isolate is from a condenser. The condenser as preferably conductively coupled to a base supporting the elements of the modular refrigeration unit. |
| US07823625B2 |
Upper body thermal device with quick-disconnect connectors
An apparatus and method of making an upper body heating and cooling garment including heat transfer tubing and quick-release connectors. Operation of the garment is unaffected by the wearer carrying a load on a portion of the wearer's body. The garment includes a heat transfer area and a load bearing area. The heat transfer area includes heat transfer tubing positioned on the surface of the garment. In one embodiment, the tubing is sewn onto the fabric of the garment. The tubing is attached to a thermal unit by connector assemblies that firmly lock together and release upon application of a specified axial tension force. Each connector assembly includes a male and female adapters. The female adapter includes a latching member with an opening that has a bottom. The bottom is configured to allow for easily inserting, retaining, and releasing the male adapter. |
| US07823624B2 |
Heat exchanger, propulsion unit, and aircraft comprising such a propulsion unit
A heat exchanger comprising a main heat exchange housing, a cooling air inlet line and a hot air inlet line to bring a cooling airflow and a hot airflow in the main housing. A heat pre-exchanger is disposed upstream from the main housing, the heat pre-exchanger being able to be crossed by the cooling airflow and the hot airflow prior to the main housing. The invention also relates to a propulsion unit and an aircraft comprising such a heat exchanger. |
| US07823623B2 |
Belt casting machine having adjustable contact length with cast metal slab
A twin-belt casting machine for casting metal strip. The machine is provided with a casting cavity which includes an upstream fixed casting region, in which the belts are in fixed convergent paths in contact with the cast slab, and an adjacent downstream portion in which the belts are adjustable between alignment with the fixed convergent paths and non-alignment therewith (being less convergent or divergent). When the adjustable portions of the paths are moved outwardly relative to the fixed convergent paths, the belts separate from the cast slab at differing predetermined points within the casting cavity. By adjusting the downstream portion of the casting cavity in this manner, the casting machine can operate at essentially constant throughput for a wide range of alloys while ensuring that the cast slab exiting the caster has a temperature within a predetermined range suitable for further rolling to produce sheet product. |
| US07823621B2 |
Method for making flaskless upper and lower molds, an apparatus therefor, and a method for placing a core
A method to efficiently make flaskless upper and lower molds that are stacked, to efficiently spray a release agent in a closed space, and to promptly place a core. The method includes the steps of holding a match-plate between one pair of cope and drag flasks that are horizontally positioned, each of them having a sand-filling port for supplying molding sand at its side wall, defining upper and lower molding spaces by inserting upper and lower squeeze-plates in respective openings of the pair of cope and drag flasks which openings are opposed to the match-plate, putting the pair of cope and drag flasks and the match-plate in a vertical position, and causing the sand-filling ports to be placed in an upper position, spraying a release agent into the two upper and lower molding spaces, supplying molding sand through the sand-filling ports to the two upper and lower molding spaces, and squeezing the molding sand in the two upper and lower molding spaces. |
| US07823620B2 |
Roller shade mounting system
A roller shade mounting system provides a tube-in-tube arrangement for reducing sagging of a roller tube windingly supporting a shade fabric. The mounting system includes a mounting tube received within a roller tube, and first and second annular drive rings located on an outer surface of the mounting tube. The drive rings are secured to the mounting tube and the roller tube secured to the drive rings such that rotation of the mounting tube results in rotation of the roller tube. Each drive ring is located at a distance from an end of the roller tube for limiting sagging deflection of the roller tube. The tube-in-tube arrangement provided by the mounting system provides controlled deflection for the roller tube without necessitating undesirably large increase in the diameter of the roller tube, which could create an undesirable appearance in many roller shade installations. |
| US07823619B2 |
Film stripping method and apparatus
An adhesive tape situated near an edge of a glass board with a protection film pasted on both surfaces thereof, and a stripping head that presses an adhesive surface of the adhesive tape toward the glass board, are provided. An actuator is provided that separates the adhesive tape adhering to the edge of protection film from the surface of the glass board and that strips a part of the protection film from the glass board. A film chuck device is provided that holds the stripped edge of the protection film, and the protection film held by the film chuck device is pulled off by driving the glass board by a roller conveyor. |
| US07823611B2 |
Filler cap of fuel tank
An object is to provide a filler cap of a fuel tank capable of securely preventing a disadvantage that, when the fuel tank tilts, fuel stored in the fuel tank is discharged from an air passage disposed at a cap main body. The cap includes the air passage which is constituted at the cap main body and which allows the inside of the fuel tank to communicate with the outside, and a valve mechanism portion constituted at this air passage. The valve mechanism portion includes a tube main body having a tube-like portion and a reduced diameter portion formed externally and continuously from this tube-like portion, a float stored in the tube main body with a space between the float and an inner surface of this tube main body, a piston positioned on a fuel tank side of the float and stored in the tube main body with a space between the piston and the inner surface of the tube main body, and a spherical member positioned on an outer side of the float and stored in the tube main body. |
| US07823609B2 |
Method and apparatus for filling a plurality of air breathing tanks used by firemen and scuba divers
A source of compressed air, such as one or more air compressors and/or one or more tanks of compressed air, is used to sequentially fill a plurality of compressed air storage cylinders. A plurality of pressure-sensitive, one way check valves cause the storage cylinders to be automatically filled up, one at a time, in a determined sequence. The outputs of the storage cylinders are connected through a plurality of differential air pressure valves to a fill station, to cause the storage cylinders to fill up individual air breathing tanks, in which the storage cylinders are depleted in a determined sequence, one at a time. By depleting first the first to be filled storage cylinder, first in—first out, the same filling procedure can be used to refill the air storage cylinders. |
| US07823604B2 |
Exhaust apparatus pressure control system
A pressure control system is disclosed. The control system in one embodiment includes a main body comprising a pilot chamber wherein an intake port and a discharge port are formed, and a spool comprising an upper slide and a lower slide. The spool in this embodiment is attached by a spring to the upper part of the main body. The exhaust apparatus pressure control system includes an absolute pressure sensor for detecting the pressure in the intake port and a differential pressure sensor for detecting the difference between the pressure in the intake port and atmospheric pressure; a control valve for supplying a pressure regulating gas to the pilot chamber; and a control circuit for sending switching signals to the absolute pressure sensor and the differential pressure sensor, and driving the control valve based on the output from the absolute pressure sensor or differential pressure sensor. |
| US07823601B2 |
Drain trap
To provide a drain trap which can simplify maintenance operations by allowing effluent to flow to a discharge unit properly. The drain trap has a main body equipped with a communicating path which communicates a receiving unit and a discharge unit; a storage unit which, being installed in the communicating path, stores effluent received by the receiving unit; and a normally-closed check valve which, being installed in the communicating path, floats up to allow the effluent in the storage unit to flow to the discharge unit when the effluent reaches or exceeds a set amount, in which the storage unit is installed in such a way as to communicate with a part right under the normally-closed check valve, and the discharge unit is installed in the lowest part of a discharge-side communicating path so that no effluent will be stored in the discharge-side communicating path, which is that part of the communicating path which runs between the normally-closed check valve and the discharge unit. |
| US07823596B2 |
Head washing device
A washing device for washing a portion of a user's head includes a discharge section which discharges a cleaning liquid into a washing cap attached to a portion of a user's head, and a recovery section which drains the cleaning liquid out of the washing cap so as to recover it. The device again discharges the cleaning liquid recovered by the recovery section from the discharge section, and recirculates the cleaning liquid so as to wash the portion of the user's head covered by the washing cap. When the cleaning liquid is dispersed into the washing cap, the cleaning liquid passes through a nozzle unit so that a lot of microbubbles are generated in the cleaning liquid. The microbubbles are very fine air bubbles, and can remove fine particles of dirt down to the order of a few microns but do not damage the user's scalp and hair. |
| US07823595B2 |
Apparatus for etching substrate and method of fabricating thin-glass substrate
An apparatus for etching a substrate includes (a) a nozzle system including at least one nozzle through which acid solution containing at least hydrofluoric acid is sprayed onto the substrate, (b) a mover which moves at least one of the nozzle system and the substrate relative to the other in a predetermined direction in such a condition that the substrate and the nozzle system face each other, (c) a filter system which filters off particles out of the acid solution having been sprayed onto the substrate, and (d) a circulation system which circulates the acid solution having been sprayed onto the substrate, to the filter system, and further, to the nozzle system from the filter system. |
| US07823592B2 |
Annular adhesive structure
An apparatus for forming an anastomosis between adjacent intestinal sections of tissue is provided. The apparatus includes a circular surgical stapler having an anvil assembly with an anvil shaft and an anvil, the circular surgical stapler further having a tubular body portion with an annular knife and a body portion shaft selectively attachable to the anvil shaft; and a seal structure for deposition between the intestinal sections of tissue including a hub configured to engage attachment structure on at least one of the anvil shaft and the body portion shaft. The attachment structure is positioned so that the seal structure is located between the intestinal sections of tissue when the circular surgical stapler is disposed within the intestinal sections of tissue. |
| US07823591B2 |
Female barrier contraceptive with vacuum anchoring
A female condom has a pouch with an open end, a closed end, and a tubular body extending longitudinally therebetween. The female condom also includes an anchor attached to and outside of the closed end of the pouch. |
| US07823586B2 |
Personal respiratory protection system
A respiratory protection system which is worn by a passenger during a flight in air plane, by a patient visiting hospital or doctors office, a nurse working with a patient during hospital stay, or the like. The system includes a relatively light weight, substantially rigid, headgear structure, containing an air disinfection chamber, a fan means, a filter means, an ultraviolet air disinfection means, an air blanket origination means and an energizing means. |
| US07823583B2 |
Solar collector mounting array
A solar collector structural support system that affixes to a mounting surface without penetrating the mounting surface is disclosed. The invention in the preferred embodiment includes a base assembly comprising: a plurality of leg members, a center junction elements configured to receive (a) the proximal end of each of the plurality of leg members and (b) a support member configured to securely uphold at least one of the one or more one solar collectors, and at least one footing adapted to frictionally engage the mounting surface. Multiple base assemblies may be interconnected using peripheral junction elements to form arrays of solar collectors of arbitrarily large size. The peripheral junction element is configured to couple the leg members of multiple base assemblies. When connected with the present invention, a plurality of solar concentrators form an array with greater structural integrity and less susceptibility. |
| US07823580B2 |
Range hood apparatus and method
Method and apparatus for a range hood. The apparatus can include a housing and a lighting and control unit moveably coupled to the housing. The lighting and control unit can include a user interface and one or more lights. The lighting and control unit can be coupled to a motor that can move a first face of the lighting and control unit outward during use and can move the first face of the lighting and control unit inward when not in use. Some embodiments of the invention provide a fan mounted within the housing and a louver assembly coupled to the housing. The louver assembly can include one or more rotating louvers. In some embodiments, the louver assembly can be rotated downward to access at least one of a filter, a motor, and user interface electronics. |
| US07823579B2 |
Vertically-storable combustion heater
A vertically storable combustion heater having a fuel tank having a generally-cylindrical passage formed in the fuel-tank housing through which an axle extends to support one or more wheels; a heating conduit that is coupled to the fuel tank and includes an outermost shell that is substantially concentric with an inner shell that has a smaller diameter than the outermost shell; a control panel that is connected to the combustion heater to interface with an operator and allows the operator to input instructions governing the operation of the combustion heater; a frame that at least partially encases the heating conduit and fuel tank; a hose having a return curve and nozzle; and a combustion chamber that is defined by the interior periphery of the inner shell. |
| US07823578B2 |
High efficiency biomass stove
A biomass stove includes a housing enclosing a firebox that defines a ceiling portion opposite a bottom, a firepot disposed within the firebox, an air intake assembly coupled to the firebox, and at least one duct disposed entirely inside the firebox and extending between the ceiling portion of the firebox and the air intake assembly. The duct(s) provide a heat exchanging flow path for ambient air entering the air intake assembly, where the ambient air is heated within the duct(s) prior to exiting through the ceiling portion of the biomass stove. |
| US07823577B1 |
Grill and grill carousel for use therewith
A grill assembly includes a flat, broad first grill having a first upper grill face to receive food to be cooked and an opposed lower grill face, and a flat, broad second grill having a second upper grill face to receive food to be cooked, and an opposed second lower grill face. The second grill is positioned atop the first upper grill face of the first grill juxtaposing the second lower grill face of the second grill opposite to the first upper grill face of the first grill. A coupling is formed between the first grill and the second grill to allow rotation of the second grill relative to the first grill. |
| US07823576B2 |
Consumable charcoal starter
The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for lighting charcoal, specifically a single-use, substantially consumable, chimney-style charcoal starter. The apparatus may include an open-ended, substantially tubular body, a charcoal support, and a fuel source. The apparatus may be charged with charcoal disposed upon the charcoal support. The apparatus may be fashioned such that as the fuel source burns, the charcoal may be ignited from the innermost coals to the outermost coals, at which point the apparatus may also be substantially consumed. |
| US07823575B2 |
Tile saw
A saw includes a base, a table supported above the base and configured to support a workpiece, an arm coupled to and extending above the base, and a saw unit supported by the arm so that the saw unit is disposed above the table. A first rail is fixedly coupled to the base and extends in a longitudinal direction, and a first bearing member is coupled to the table. The first bearing member moves along the first rail so that the table is moveable relative to the base in the longitudinal direction between a cantilevered position and an uncantilevered position, without any movement of the table relative to the first bearing member. The first bearing member is directly in contact with the first rail in both the cantilevered and uncantilevered positions. |
| US07823574B2 |
Ball-throwing machine
A ball-throwing machine includes a frame and a ball-throwing mechanism pivotally connected with the frame. The ball-throwing machine further includes a circuit unit. Via a first servomotor and a first linkage, the circuit unit serves to move the ball-throwing mechanism to a ball-throwing angle and drive the ball-throwing mechanism to continuously swing up and down. The frame can be pivotally mounted on a base. Via a second motor and a second linkage, the circuit unit serves to drive the frame to horizontally swing back and forth. In addition, the ball-throwing machine has a safety switch. When setting the functions of the ball-throwing machine, a user can press the safety switch to stop the operation of ball throwing so as to protect a person from being incautiously hit and injured. The circuit unit further has a malfunction detection function for detecting whether the ball-throwing machine works normally. |
| US07823571B2 |
Dog exercising apparatus and method
An apparatus for exercising a dog with an object includes a frame having a cage for retaining a plurality of objects. The frame also includes at least one prong extending away from the cage. The prong is attached to a pouch with a resilient member. The apparatus also includes a handle attached to the frame and a collapsible forearm brace pivotally attached to a base extending from the handle. The collapsible forearm brace is pivoted proximate the frame when in transport or in storage. The collapsible forearm brace extends from the base and into a rigid engagement therewith when in an operational configuration. |
| US07823569B2 |
Method and device for controlling an internal combustion engine
According to a method for controlling an internal combustion engine by which the tank ventilation operation and an adjustment of the basic mixture can be carried out simultaneously, the engine is operated with an open tank ventilation valve. A first fuel amount correction value is determined for correction of a basic pilot control value for the amount of injected fuel. The regeneration gas volume flow rate is subsequently varied by a predefined change amount. A second fuel amount correction value is determined for correction of the basic pilot control value. Based on the first and second correction values and the flow rate change amount, a third fuel amount correction value is calculated by which the basic pilot control value would have to be corrected to again regulate the exhaust gas composition with a closed tank ventilation valve. Based on the third correction value the basic pilot control value is corrected. |
| US07823566B2 |
Vibration reducing system using a pump
A vibration reducing system for an engine is disclosed. The vibration reducing system includes at least one pumping member movable through a plurality of pumping strokes during an engine cycle. The vibration reducing system also includes a controller in communication with the at least one pumping member, the controller being configured to identify a vibration characteristic of the engine. The controller also is configured to adjust the displacement of fuel during at least one of the plurality of pumping strokes based on the vibration characteristic. |
| US07823565B2 |
Fuel injection system for internal combustion engine with injector isolator ring
A fuel injection system for internal combustion engine includes an injector mounted within a pocket formed in the cylinder head, and an isolator which defines a radial clearance gap with the injector pocket. The isolator expands radially outwardly into a clearance gap in response to axially directed force imposed upon the isolator by the injector, so that a dual rate force/displacement effect is achieved by the isolator. |
| US07823561B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling ignition timing of an internal combustion engine based on engine rotary speed
An engine ignition control apparatus includes a standard ignition map for use in retarding ignition timing when a throttle opening is within a predetermined range, and when an engine speed is within a predetermined region; and an acceleration-time advance angle correction quantity map for performing advance angle correction when the engine speed is within the predetermined region; an engine accelerometer for detecting a rate of change of the engine rotary speed; and an acceleration-time advance angle correction quantity setting unit for correcting an advance angle of the ignition timing. When the engine speed is within the predetermined range, and the rate of change of engine rotary speed is greater than or equal a predetermined rate, the acceleration-time advance angle correction quantity setting unit performs attenuation processing for deriving an advance angle correction quantity; and increases an attenuation quantity of the advance angle quantity for every ignition. |
| US07823560B2 |
Straddle-type vehicle
A straddle-type vehicle includes an engine, an air intake pipe, a throttle valve being controlled in accordance with an operation amount of an accelerator grip, an engine rotating speed detector or a vehicle speed detector, and an electronic control unit (ECU). The ECU increases the opening degree of the throttle valve or maintains the opening degree at a constant value until the engine rotating speed reaches a set rotating speed which is smaller than a prescribed rotating speed, but if the engine rotating speed exceeds the set rotating speed, the ECU reduces the opening degree of the throttle valve irrespective of operation of the accelerator grip. |
| US07823559B2 |
Internal combustion engine
In an internal combustion engine including a camshaft for operating inlet and outlet valves of the engine with lift curves EV, AV of the inlet and the outlet valves determined by the shape of cams of the camshaft, an additional auxiliary cam which acts on the outlet valve is arranged on the camshaft, as a result of which a phase-offset auxiliary lift curve AVZ is impressed onto the outlet valve. |
| US07823548B2 |
Adjusting ballistic valve timing
A method to adjust timing of an electrically actuated valve, said electrically actuated valve operating in a cylinder of an internal combustion engine, the method comprising during a cycle of said cylinder, opening said electrically actuated valve at a first valve opening position without activating a valve opening coil, and closing the valve at a first closing position; and during a second subsequent cycle of said cylinder, opening said electrically actuated valve at a second opening position that is varied based on the crankshaft angle at which said first closing occurs, where the second opening position is increased as said the crankshaft angle at which the first closing occurs increases. |
| US07823547B2 |
System and method for split-cycle engine waste heat recovery
A waste heat recovery system for a split-cycle engine includes a heat exchange unit. An air compressor device is in communication with the heat exchange unit. A waste heat input receives waste heat from the engine and is in fluid communication with the heat exchange unit. An ambient air intake connected to the air compressor device draws air into the air compressor device. A compressed air outlet member on the air compressor device in fluid communication with a compression cylinder of the split-cycle engine delivers compressed air from the air compressor device to the engine. Engine waste heat is communicated to the heat exchange unit and energy from the waste heat is used to drive the air compressor device, causing the air compressor device to draw in ambient air through the ambient air intake, compress the ambient air, and deliver compressed air to the engine through the compressed air outlet. |
| US07823546B2 |
Super charged engine
An engine with an output shaft extending through the engine block and generally parallel to the piston, the engine includes a boost piston cylinder integral to the cylinder, and a boost piston for producing compressed air so as to supercharge the engine. The engine further includes an energy translation mechanism translating linear movement into rotary movement, an energy translation mechanism for reducing the side force that the piston exerts against the inner wall of the combustion chamber, an energy transforming member working in concert with an engine torque absorbing/motion control torque reaction device to eliminate the lemniscate motion from being translated to the piston and to absorb all engine torque to case ground through a rolling element bearing, and a port time control system having a shaft phaser to adjust the phase of the pistons or the position of the air control valve. |
| US07823545B2 |
Piston squirter system and method
A piston squirter system for an internal combustion engine includes an oil reservoir, a variable displacement pump, and, for each cylinder, a piston squirter that sprays oil onto a piston for cooling and lubricating. A gallery connects the variable displacement pump to the piston squirters. The variable displacement pump receives oil from the oil reservoir and distributes the oil through the gallery to the piston squirters at a flow rate according to pressure required. The gallery does not require a relief valve and the piston squirters do not require check valves. |
| US07823544B2 |
Steam boiler
A steam boiler (15) comprising a fuel burning device (16) disposed in a combustion chamber and adapted to burn a fuel to form combustion gases (19), a passage (30) extending between a water inlet (20) and a steam outlet (23), the passage having a water space (31) and a steam space (32), a flue passage (33) extending between the combustion chamber and a flue outlet (24) and having a gas heat transfer space (34), a heat exchange element (43) between the gas heat transfer space and the water and steam spaces, the heat exchange element having a gas-side surface (35) that absorbs heat from the combustion gases and an opposed water-side surface (38) that radiates heat, the water-side surface having a first portion (39) adjacent to the water space and a second portion (40) adjacent to the steam space, the gas-side surface having a first portion (36) opposite the water-side first portion and a second portion (37) opposite the water-side second portion, the water-side first portion having a surface area and the water side second portion having a surface area, the gas-side first portion having a surface area and the gas-side second portion having a surface area, and a heat shield (41, 42, 45, 48) covering at least some of the surface area of the gas-side second portion. The surface area of the gas-side first portion may be greater than the surface area of the water-side first portion and the surface area of the gas-side second portion may be less than or approximately equal to the surface area of the water-side second portion. |
| US07823543B2 |
Heat exchanging apparatus and superheated steam generating apparatus using the same
A heat exchange flow passage 21 comprises a plurality of annular flow passages arranged in parallel to each other and also communicated to each other in the circumferential direction, a plurality of inflow ports and a plurality of outflow ports provided in the annular flow passage 24 at positions displaced from each other in the circumferential direction, and a plurality of communication pipes 25 each communicating the inflow port and the outflow port provided in different annular flow passages 24, 24. A fluid feed pipe 22 and a fluid discharge pipe 23 are communicated to this heat exchange flow passage 21 to form a heat exchanging apparatus. |
| US07823535B2 |
Liquid portioning method and device
Methods and apparatuses for dispensing samples or reagents onto a target object are provided. A dispensing position designating section (62) designates the dispensing position on the target object (50), such as a membrane, based on an image of the target object (50) displayed on a monitoring section (60). A dispensing control section (64) positions the target object and the dispensing device relative to each other so that the designated dispensing position on the target object is placed beneath the dispensing device (10) and controls the dispensing operation of the dispensing device (10). A dispensing position information creating section (68) creates dispensing position information about the dispensing position on the target object (50) which is designated by the dispensing position designating section (62) and to which the dispensing operation has been performed and outputs it to the outside. |
| US07823532B2 |
Die, manufacturing method of an optical disk, and an optical disk
The die as provided is a die in which an upper block is placed on an upper surface of a lower block with a lower surface of the upper block in contact with the upper surface, wherein the lower block includes a manifold and a slit serving as a path for discharging paint from the manifold to the outside, constituted respectively from between the lower block and the lower surface of the upper block by forming a cavity and a space which communicates with the outside from this cavity along a columnar direction, respectively, from one end face of a columnar body with a trapezoidal shape of cross section to the other end face, a paint supply path which communicates with the manifold is formed from an outer side located between the one end face and the other end face of the lower block, a slit space dimension of the slit between front end portions in a paint discharge direction of the lower block and the upper block in a discharge port serving as an open end to the outside is smallest on the one end face side and increases toward the other end face side, and a slit length which is a dimension along the paint discharge direction of a space forming surface of the lower block constituting the slit is largest on at least one of the one end face side and the other end face side and is smallest in a position between both the end faces. |
| US07823530B2 |
Adjustable film applicator
The present invention discloses an adjustable film applicator which comprises an applicator body, a first knife, a second knife, a first fixing apparatus, a second fixing apparatus, a pair of first adjusting screws, and a pair of second adjusting screws. The first and second knife are adjusted to a first and second height by adjusting the first and second adjusting screws, wherein the second height is greater than the first height. |
| US07823528B2 |
Vestine motif unique bookmarks
A bookmark comprising a metal rod member having hooks on each end to support the arrangement of bead members. A top and bottom double ring is mounted on the hooks of the metal rod. The top double ring member mounts the circular end of the crimp member. The clamp side of the crimp member attaches to the ribbon material member. The ribbon material members are used to be placed between the pages of the book. The elastic cord member which is used to attach to the book is pulled through the top and bottom double ring member and overlaps to form two slip knots. The clamp side of the crimp member mounts to the elastic cord ends of the two slip knots to keep the skip knot ends attached. |
| US07823526B2 |
Foldable cone
The foldable warning cone (10) is formed from paper, thin plastic, fabric, or a combination thereof, and includes two tapered side panels (12) and a base panel (14). The base panel (14) extends between the lower edges (34) of the side panels and includes a central folding seam (16), which allows the base panel to be folded upward so that the cone can collapse into a very thin configuration. |
| US07823524B2 |
Construction of FPDSO vessel
A vessel with drilling and workover capability is constructed rapidly in a shipyard or dry dock by using an existing vessel that has most of the required hull. Bow and stern sections of the existing vessel are separated to leave them at opposite ends of a shipyard space, and a mid hull section is built in that shipyard space in the usual manner by welding together steel plates. The bow and stern sections are moved against opposite ends of the mid hull section and welded to it. Topside equipment is already on the bow and stern sections, and is added to the new mid hull section. |
| US07823523B2 |
Portable dry dock system and method for commercial servicing of recreational vessels in inland waterways
A Portable Dry Dock (PDD) system designed for commercial servicing of recreational vessels (RVs) in inland waterways (IW). This PDD is disassembled and transported from one IW to another. This PDD was designed specifically to improve the efficiency in the most typical maintenance jobs in RVs. The convenient layout of the equipment and the closed environment of the PDD reduce the execution time and improve the working conditions. The isolated environment created by the superstructure, deck and roof of the PDD significantly reduces the environmental impact. The isolated environment inside the PDD is controlled in temperature and humidity. The air filtering and waste water collection systems remove dust and other substances coming from the operation, stopping pollutants from getting into the IW. |
| US07823516B2 |
Table apparatus
A very practical table apparatus is provided that can be made smaller and thinner without the need to stack a first table that moves in a first direction and a second table that moves in a second direction as in prior art. The table apparatus has a table (1) on which work is disposed, a first actuator (4) for moving the table (1) in the first direction a, and a second actuator (7) that is disposed on substantially the same plane as the first actuator, and that moves the table (1) in the second direction b, thereby allowing a single table (1) to be moved in the first direction a and second direction b without the need to stack two tables. |
| US07823510B1 |
Extended range projectile
A projectile and method of extending the range of the projectile. The projectile includes a storage tank operable to release a working fluid through an exhaust manifold to at least partially fill a wake aft of the projectile during projectile flight. |
| US07823508B2 |
Connector for detonator, corresponding booster assembly, and method of use
Mining operations frequently involve the use of electric or electronic delay detonators in operative association with an explosive charge contained in a booster. Disclosed herein are connectors for connecting a signal transmission line to a detonator associated with a booster. In this way, the connectors, at least in preferred embodiments, allow the production of a substantially sealed booster assembly having a secure electrical connection to a signal transmission line. Also disclosed are methods of producing substantially sealed booster assemblies, and methods for their use in mining operations. |
| US07823506B2 |
Printing unit having different extents of movement of the blanket cylinders in order to reach a throw-off configuration and corresponding printing press
A printing unit for printing a web of paper is provided. The printing unit includes a frame and at least an upper printing group and a lower printing group, each printing group including a blanket cylinder and a plate cylinder. The printing unit also including a cylinder support and movement and having at least one throw-on configuration in which the blanket cylinders are pressed against each other and against the plate cylinders, and at least one throw-off configuration in which the blanket cylinders are spaced apart from each other. In the throw-off configuration, the upper blanket cylinder has been raised by a first height relative to the position which it occupies in a throw-on configuration, and the lower blanket cylinder has been lowered by a second height relative to the position which it occupies in a throw-on configuration, and the second height is different from the first height. |
| US07823503B2 |
Apparatus for the evaporative cooling of a liquid product
The disclosure relates to an apparatus for the evaporative cooling of a liquid product. The apparatus comprises a vacuum chamber (1) which is divided into a first, centrally positioned space (6) and a second space (7) which concentrically surrounds the first space (6). Both of the spaces (6, 7) are open towards the upper end wall (2) of the vacuum chamber (1). The first space (6) has an outlet (25) for condensed steam. The second space (7) has an inlet (11) for steamed product, as well as an outlet (12) for the product. The apparatus also includes a circulation circuit for coolant liquid. The first space (6) is extended downwards so that it extends at least as far below the bottom end wall (4) of the vacuum chamber (1) as the extent of the space (6) inside the vacuum chamber (1). |
| US07823500B2 |
Compact grinder
This application describes a compact grinder that allows scooping particulate material to be ground (such as coffee beans), grinding the material to a controlled and consistent size, while concurrently emitting the stream of grinds directly into a receptacle, such as a coffee filter or the receptacle for an automatic coffee maker. The scoop portion of the grinder is sized to fit into the standard bags used for whole bean packaging, eliminating the need for a separate storage vessel or the need to pour the beans from their bag into the grinder. It has calibrated markings within the scoop, eliminating the need for a separate measuring device. |
| US07823495B2 |
Process for manufacturing trackable ammunition
The present invention refers to a process for manufacturing ammunition labeled with a sequence of characters which allows identification multiple data items, being said sequence of characters (1) laser-engraved, in one or more components of said ammunition, affording positive identification upon retrieval of an engraved component of said ammunition, even if it is already spent. |
| US07823491B2 |
System and method for reducing physiological material on surfaces of cut meat
A system and method for reducing physiological material on surfaces of meat cut transferred to surfaces of cut meat by an endless band saw blade is disclosed. The system includes a water jet manifold positioned adjacent the saw blade and having a first and second nozzle orifices formed therein, the first and second orifices operable to be placed in fluid communication with a source of water. The first nozzle orifice is operable to direct a first water jet substantially across and into a first side surface of the saw blade and a second nozzle orifice is operable to direct a second water jet substantially across and into a second side surface of the saw blade. Together, the first and second water jets direct a sufficient volume of water onto the saw blade to remove residual physiological material and to deposit a layer of water onto the first and second side surfaces of the saw blade, which layer of water acts as a lubricant to reduce the residual physiological material that adheres to the saw blade and thereby reduces the residual physiological material transferred to the surfaces of cut meat by the saw blade. |
| US07823489B1 |
Systems and methods for making a pizza pie having an outer cheese portion
A system and/or method for making a pizza pie having an outer cheese portion comprises a cutting tool and/or a cutting guide to enable formation of at least one opening at an outer crust region of a pizza pie to cause an inner cheese portion embedded within the outer crust to flow through the at least one opening, thereby forming the outer cheese portion at the upper surface of the outer crust. A cutting tool of the system comprises a rotatable disc with notches in its cutting surface to enable formation of the at least one opening in the outer crust. A cutting guide of the system comprises a generally disc shaped member with a support surface at its outer edge for supporting and guiding application of a cutting device against an outer crust region of a pizza dough. |
| US07823487B2 |
Cutting tool
A cutting tool for machining by chip removal has a supply of a cold-gas flow for cooling the immediate machine-cutting region. Accordingly, in this case, the cold-gas flow is supplied internally and is generated by a low-temperature generator, which is integrated into the tool main body and which, via a vortex tube, converts compressed gas from normal temperature into a cold-gas flow and a warm-gas flow. |
| US07823485B2 |
Digital beam torque wrench
A torque wrench includes a main beam having a distal end and a proximal end, a drive element disposed at the distal end of the main beam, a stationary beam having a distal end fixedly secured to the main beam at a first location on the main beam, and having a proximal end, and a displacement sensor assembly disposed at a second location associated with the main beam and with the stationary beam to detect an amount of displacement of the main beam relative to the stationary beam. The displacement sensor assembly includes an actuating element to produce a radiation signal and rigidly secured to one of the main beam or the stationary beam and an actuable element responsive to the radiation signal and rigidly secured to the other one of the main beam or the stationary beam. |
| US07823481B2 |
Pedal module
A pedal module includes a double coil spring, a pedal, and a damping part. The double coil spring includes an outside coil and an inside coil. The pedal turns in a forward direction when a depressing force is applied thereto and turns in a reverse direction when a restoring force of the double coil spring is applied thereto. The damping part has an inserting portion disposed between the outside coil and the inside coil. The inserting portion includes a middle portion and a first side end portion disposed relative to each other in a width direction that corresponds to a circumferential direction of the double coil spring. The middle portion crosses a radial axis of the double coil spring and protrudes beyond the first side end portion toward an axial end of the double coil spring. |
| US07823480B2 |
Support bracket with an integrated switch for a pedal assembly
A brake pedal assembly, for use in a vehicle, includes a support bracket, a first and second side walls extending outwardly from the support bracket. The first side wall includes an integral switch portion having a pair of generally parallel arcuate slots. A pedal arm, having a pair of contact posts positioned to extend through the pair of arcuate slots, is pivotally mounted between the first and second side walls. A conductive strip interconnects each of the pair of contact posts. The support bracket further includes a switch cover plate enclosing the integral switch portion of the first side wall. An electronic switch is disposed on an inside surface of the cover plate, and comes into electrical communication with the conductive strip as the contact posts travel within the arcuate slot in response to movement of the pedal arm, to send an electrical signal to an associated vehicle component. |
| US07823478B2 |
Infinitely adjustable steering column assembly
An adjustable steering column assembly having an outer jacket, an inner jacket, and a tilt housing. A longitudinal locking device moves between released and engaged positions allowing and preventing longitudinal movement of the inner jacket relative to the outer jacket. A tilt locking device moves between released and engaged positions allowing and preventing tilting movement of the tilt housing relative to the inner jacket. A control lever is coupled to both of the longitudinal locking device and the tilt locking device for simultaneously moving the devices between the released and engaged positions. The longitudinal locking device has first and second members each having interengaging chamfers. The first member has an engagement surface abutting an abutment surface of the inner jacket when in the engaged position to prevent the longitudinal movement of the inner jacket relative to the outer jacket. The engagement and abutment surfaces are preferably uninterrupted along a longitudinal axis to provide an infinite number of adjustment positions for the inner jacket. |
| US07823477B2 |
Setting device joint with a rotating wobbler
A joint (17) for connecting to a parallel-kinematic machine (1) a setting device (5) mounted in said machine, wherein the setting device (5) is intended to move a machine-connected positioning head (16) in space, and wherein the setting device (5) is mounted around a wobbler (30, 106) for rotation about a wobbler axis (50), and wherein the wobbler (30, 106) is, in turn, mounted for rotation around a main axis (20) which extends through the bearing means of the setting device (5) around the wobbler (30, 106). |
| US07823476B2 |
Single direction coupling device and correction device including the same
A single direction coupling device, including a first transmission member (10) fitted with a first saw-like contrate toothing (13), mobile in rotation about an axis XX and axially positioned by an elastic member (11), and a second transmission member (14) fitted with a second saw-like toothing (17), mobile in rotation about an axis YY, meshed with the first transmission member (10), characterized in that the XX axis is perpendicular to the YY axis. |
| US07823474B2 |
Gear with integral overcouple protection
A gear including a pinion being integral with a rotatably mounted shaft in a support by a cleavable element arranged to disengage the pinion from the shaft in case of an overcouple between the pinion and the shaft is disclosed. A guiding bearing, pending between the pinion and the shaft, is arranged to rotatably guide the pinion around the shaft, in case of a disengagement of the pinion from the shaft. In a turbomachine, a gear box including such a gear allows the driving of auxiliary machines in case of a breakdown of a shaft in the gear box. |
| US07823471B2 |
Method for hybrid vehicle powertrain control
The method of the present invention provides a variety of vehicle performance characteristics depending on the mode of operation. A first routine is initiated to provide an optimal balance of powertrain responsiveness and fuel economy for any given combination of vehicle speed and deceleration rate. The first routine may, according to a preferred embodiment, include a plurality of routines that are each configured to provide an optimal balance of powertrain responsiveness and fuel economy within a predefined range of vehicle speeds and deceleration rates. A second routine is initiated if said deceleration rate is within a predefined range. The second routine includes running the electric motor/generator while the hybrid vehicle is being stopped in order to control the driveline lash and thereby minimize disturbances during a subsequent engine re-start. |
| US07823466B2 |
Device and method for adjusting, measuring, and setting force
A device for setting, adjusting, and measuring a force in a system, including a first portion for measuring a system force at a first end of the device and including a measurement means, a second portion for adjusting or setting the system force at a second end of the device and including an adjustment means, a housing where the first portion corresponds to the first end of the housing and the second portion corresponds to the second end of the housing, a resilient means within the measurement means for generating a resistance force, and a visual means for indicating an amount of the system force that is related to the physical position of the adjustment means and the resistance force created by the resilient means. |
| US07823462B2 |
Turbulence conditioner for transit time ultrasonic flow meters and method
An apparatus for determining fluid flow in a pipe includes an ultrasonic flowmeter which communicates with the interior of the pipe through at least one pair of apertures, where each aperture of the one pair of apertures has an effective diameter. The apparatus includes a turbulence conditioner disposed in the pipe having openings where the pitch between openings is a function of the effective diameter of the aperture. A turbulence conditioner for a pipe has openings and a pitch. The conditioner has walls between the openings whose thickness is a function of the pitch. The conditioner has a length which is a function of the pitch. A method for determining fluid flow in a pipe includes the steps of flowing fluid through a turbulence conditioner disposed in the pipe having openings where the pitch between openings, is made a function of an effective diameter of an aperture of an ultrasonic flowmeter which communicates with the interior of the pipe through the aperture. There is the step of measuring the flow with the meter. A method for producing a turbulence conditioner. |
| US07823457B2 |
Pressure gauge
A pressure gauge is composed of two separate components adapted to be assembled and disassembled by hand. The one component is a pressure-motion conversion element (3, 6) for receiving a pressure and effecting a movement of a movable portion (3c, 6c) thereof in response thereto, and the other component is a force measuring element (5) for measuring a force caused due to the movement of the movable portion (3c, 6c). The pressure-motion conversion element (3, 69) is constructed as a disposable component, whereas the force measuring element (5) is intended for re-use. |
| US07823454B2 |
Ultrasonic inspection method
A method for ultrasonically inspecting components with wavy or uneven surfaces. A multi-element array ultrasonic transducer is operated with a substantial fluid layer, such as water, between the array transducer and the component surface. This fluid layer may be maintained by immersing the component in liquid or by using a captive couplant column between the probe and the component surface. The component is scanned, measuring the two dimensional surface profile using either a mechanical stylus, laser, or ultrasonic technique. Once an accurate surface profile of the component's surface has been obtained, data processing parameters are calculated for processing the ultrasonic signals reflected from the interior of the component that eliminate beam distortion effects and reflector mis-location that would otherwise occur due to the uneven surfaces. |
| US07823447B2 |
Method and apparatus for sensing a liquid level
Aspects of the invention are directed to methods and apparatus for dispensing liquids to and aspirating liquids from a container. In particular, one aspect is directed to a liquid level sensing system that includes a probe constructed and arranged to be moved relative to a liquid sample, a signal source coupled to the probe to apply an applied signal to the probe, at least one detector coupled to the probe to detect at least one detected signal, the detected signal being related to the applied signal and having a rising edge and a falling edge, and a controller coupled to the detector and configured to detect presence of a noise signal based on at least one of the rising edge and the falling edge of the detected signal. |
| US07823446B2 |
Pulsed radar level gauging with relative phase detection
A method for determining a process variable of a product in a tank based on a time delay of electromagnetic waves. The method further comprises forming a measurement signal comprising a sequence of values, each value representing a time correlation between a pulse of a reference signal and a reflected signal, sampling and digitizing this measurement signal to form a digital signal, identifying a time window of the digital signal including the surface echo peak, determining a relative time period between a reference time corresponding to the predefined reference and a beginning of the time window, time-to-frequency transforming the digital signal in the time window to obtain a phase spectrum, determining a relative phase shift of the spectrum and using the relative phase shift to calculate a corresponding time shift, and determining the time delay by adding the relative time period and the time shift.The invention is based on the realization that major improvement of measurement performance, compared to amplitude detection only, can be achieved by discrimination of the phase difference between the reflected signal and a reference. The detection is further independent of the pulse waveform and modulation, significantly reducing the requirements on pulse modulation. |
| US07823445B2 |
System and method of assessing a property of a flowing fluid
A fluid sensing system and method for sensing properties of a flowing fluid. The system and method entail a microfluidic device having a micromachined tube supported above a substrate, a tube passage within a freestanding portion of the tube, an inlet and outlet in fluidic communication with the tube passage and an exterior of the microfluidic device, elements for vibrating the freestanding portion of the tube, and elements for sensing movement of the freestanding portion of the tube so as to measure the vibration frequency and/or deflection of the freestanding portion and produce therefrom at least one output corresponding to a property of a fluid flowing through the tube passage. The system and method further entail placing the microfluidic device in a flowing fluid so that a fraction of the fluid enters the tube passage, and processing the output of the device to compute a property of the fluid. |
| US07823442B2 |
Throttle position sensor assembly
A throttle position sensor having a housing and a body rotatably mounted within the housing. An alignment clip is attached to the body so that the alignment clip rotates in unison with the body. This alignment clip, furthermore, is adapted to receive an end of a throttle shaft at a predetermined angular position and aligned body to the throttle shaft. A sensor is also mounted to the housing and generates an output signal representative of the rotational position of the body relative to the housing. |
| US07823434B2 |
Live tooling systems for machine tools
In conventional ram-driven presses, the downward stroke of the ram into a tool causes acceleration of the tool, thereby facilitating an operation on a workpiece by the tip of the tool. While the ram stroke is found to impart sufficient dynamic energy to the tool to facilitate the necessitated operation by the tool tip, there are other more efficient, and in turn, more effective, means and methods of actuating the tool tip, with such means and methods being facilitated from energy derived from the tool's acceleration or from energy from other external sources. |
| US07823426B2 |
Assembling method of electric steering lock device
A built-in step is conducted by building a drive part which generates a rotation drive power, a rotation shaft to be rotated by the rotation drive power of the drive part through a gear mechanism, a lock stopper to be screwed with the rotation shaft to move axially by rotating of the rotation shaft, a lock bar which moves between a lock position for locking a steering shaft by movement of the lock stopper and an unlock position for unlocking the steering shaft, and a first spring interposed between the lock stopper and the lock bar for giving a bias load, into a lock body to be installed in a mounting hole part of a steering column post of a vehicle from the same direction. Thereafter, a screwing step for screwing the rotation shaft and the lock stopper after the built-in step is conducted to assemble an electric steering lock device. |
| US07823423B2 |
Dry cleaning method and apparatus therefor
The object is to determine a suitable stop timing of dry cleaning operation in a dry cleaning method without an oil-soluble surface-active agent. Contamination level of a pure solvent supplied from a supply tank to an inner drum of a process tank by a supply-side pump is detected by a supply-side RGB sensor. Contamination level of a used solvent collected from the process tank to a distilling unit by a collect-side pump is detected by a collect-side RGB sensor. When the deference of the contamination levels becomes to zero, a control unit stops supplying the pure solvent from the supply tank to the process tank, collecting the used solvent from the process tank to the distilling unit. |
| US07823421B2 |
Washing apparatus
The washing apparatus has a frame body 18 to be filled with a cleaning liquid. The frame body 18 is rotated within a casing by a drive motor 23. The frame body 18 has an inner periphery having a wavy patterned surface. An inner diameter D of the frame body 18 is set to more than or equal to 600 mm and less than or equal to 850 mm. The frame body 18 is rotated so that a peripheral speed of the inner periphery 39 is more than or equal to 28 m/min and less than or equal to 57 m/min. A height h of the wave form is set to more than or equal to 2.0% and less than or equal to 9.0% of the inner diameter D, and a pitch p of the wave form is set to more than or equal to 2.0% and less than or equal to 9.0% of a peripheral length L of an imaginary circle having a diameter of the inner diameter D. |
| US07823420B2 |
Textile protection element for a plastic support
The invention relates to a textile protection element (30) for a plastic support (33) of knitted embodiment, comprising at least one section (31, 32) with a thermosealing textile thread (2). The above is particularly of use for protection of a plastic hose. |
| US07823418B2 |
Method of making glass base material
A glass base material manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing a glass base material comprising: a plurality burners, arranged in a row at a predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction of a starting base material of the glass base material, for forming a deposit, which is a base material of the glass base material by depositing glass soot on the starting base material while moving reciprocatory over a section of the entire length of the starting base material along the longitudinal direction of the starting base material; a plurality of flow rate regulators, at least one of which is connected to the plurality of burners, respectively, for regulating a flow rate of raw material gas of the glass soot, which is supplied to the plurality of burners; and a control unit connected to each of the plurality of flow rate regulators for controlling individually the plurality of flow rate regulators. |
| US07823417B2 |
Method of manufacturing high performance glass fibers in a refractory lined melter and fiber formed thereby
A method of forming high strength glass fibers in a refractory lined glass melter is disclosed. The refractory lined melter is suited to the batch compositions disclosed for the formation high modulus, and high-strength glass fibers. The glass composition for use in the method of the present invention is up to about 70.5 Weight % SiO2, 24.5 weight % Al2O3, 22 weight % alkaline earth oxides and may include small amounts of alkali metal oxides and ZrO2. Oxide based refractories included alumina, chromic oxide, silica, alumina-silica, zircon, zirconia-alumina-silica and combinations thereof. By using oxide based refractory lined furnaces the cost of production of glass fibers is substantially reduced in comparison with the cost of fibers using a platinum lined melting furnace. Fibers formed by the present invention are also disclosed. |
| US07823415B2 |
Piece of jewelry with mobile elements
Piece of jewellery of generally toroidal shape having an annular enclosed space (18) closed upon itself of which the outer wall (1) and/or inner wall (2) are at least partly transparent. This enclosed space (18) holds decorative elements (13) freely moving inside of it. |
| US07823411B2 |
Beverage cooling system
A beverage dispenser for dispensing a carbonated beverage from a beverage source into a receptacle. The dispenser includes a first housing defining an interior volume and having a first surface closer to the beverage source and a second surface further from the beverage source. The dispenser also includes a beverage cooler including a second housing having a top surface, a bottom surface, and sides defining an interior volume. A first circuit is disposed within the interior volume of the second housing and forms a first set of fluid flow paths. A second circuit is disposed within the interior volume of the second housing and forms a second set of fluid flow paths in parallel with the first set of fluid flow paths. A third circuit is disposed within the interior volume of the second housing and forms a third set of fluid flow paths in parallel with the first and second sets of fluid flow paths, wherein, the first, second, and third circuits defines an inlet and an outlet. The beverage dispenser also includes a first tubing in fluid communication with the beverage source entering the second housing and coupled to the inlet of the first, second, and third circuits. In addition, the beverage dispenser includes a second tubing coupled to the outlet of each of the first, second, and third circuits and entering the first surface of the first housing and terminating proximate the second surface of the first housing. The beverage dispenser also includes a multi-nodal flow rate controller disposed within the interior volume of the first housing in contact with the second tubing, and a subsurface dispensing nozzle in fluid communication with the terminal end of the second tubing. |
| US07823410B2 |
Cooling device
In a cooling device for cooling an object to be cooled without using a forced cold air circulating system, which circulates cold air forcibly, a cooling device at a practical level is provided, and a cooling device capable of achieving a sufficient cooling effect is provided. A cooler 18 is provided in an interior that is insulated adiabatically from an exterior, a cooling fan 20 is disposed on a front surface of the cooler 18, a cooling chamber 22 in which an object to be cooled is placed is defined by a space in front of the cooling fan 20, a cooled air behind the cooling fan 20 is drawn with the fan and allowed to flow into the cooling chamber 22, and a/D=½ to ¼ is satisfied, where a indicates a dimension of a gap between the cooler 18 and the cooling fan 20 along a front-back direction and D indicates a diameter of the cooling fan 20. |
| US07823409B2 |
Freezing system
A freezer housing for a freezer for cooling and/or freezing of products lying on a conveyor belt, and which are conveyed through a freezing zone for the freezing, where upper ejector plates are provided above the conveyor belt and lower ejector plates are provided below the conveyor belt for inflow of air into the freezing zone while applying an impingement principle, where the ejector plates are provided with transverse air return ducts. |
| US07823408B2 |
Icemaker in refrigerator
An icemaker in a refrigerator is disclosed, by which heat generated from a heater to detach ice is prevented from being transferred to an inside of the refrigerator. The present invention includes an icemaker body provided to a prescribed position of the refrigerator to make to ice from a supplied water, a heater provided to the icemaker body to generate heat to facilitate detachment of the made ice, and a heater shielding unit provided to prevent the heat generated from the heater from being supplied to an inside of the refrigerator. |
| US07823407B2 |
Water filter and refrigerator having the same
A water filter capable of preventing breakdown thereof due to freezing and a refrigerator having the same. The water filter includes a filter housing having entrance and exit ports to allow water to flow into and out of the filter housing, respectively, a filter member housed in the filter housing, and an expansion compensation part provided in the filter housing to compensate for expansion due to freezing of water. |
| US07823404B2 |
Air conditioning system with variable condenser reheat and refrigerant flow sequencer
A vapor-compression air conditioning system comprising a blower positioned in a return air flow path from a conditioned space, a reheat heat exchanger positioned in the return air flow path and downstream from the blower, a system reversing valve fluidly coupled to the reheat heat exchanger, and a refrigerant flow sequencer interposed the system reversing valve and the reheat heat exchanger. A method of manufacturing an air conditioning system is also provided. |
| US07823403B2 |
MEMS cooling device
A preferred embodiment of the MEMS cooling device of the invention comprises one or more MEMS micro-channel volumes in communication with one or more MEMS micro-pump assemblies wherein each micro-pump assembly comprises a flexure valve, such as a leaf valve and means to drive a coolant through the channel volumes such as an electrostatic interleaved comb drive structure. A preferred embodiment comprises an inlet micro-pump assembly and an outlet micro-pump assembly but the device may also be fabricated with a single pump mechanism per channel volume. |
| US07823402B2 |
Air-conditioner unit and method of conveying the same
A housing capable of being carried into an elevator cage and turned with ease even in the elevator cage having a narrow frontage is provided. A housing 1 is configured to have a dimension A of a first face narrower than an effective doorway dimension a of an elevator cage 20, and a dimension B of a second face wider than an effective depth b of the elevator cage 20, and corner portions are chamfered in an up and down direction, and the chamfered dimension X is set to a value obtained by subtracting the effective depth b of the elevator cage 20 from the dimension B of the second face. Further, the corner portions may be chamfered in a same shape. In addition, each of the corner portions is chamfered to have an angle of approximately 45 degrees in relation to an adjoining surface. |
| US07823401B2 |
Refrigerant cycle device
In a refrigerant cycle device having an ejector, a branch portion for branching a flow of refrigerant flowing out of the ejector into at least a first refrigerant stream and a second refrigerant stream is located. A first evaporator for evaporating the refrigerant of the first refrigerant stream is located to allow the refrigerant to flow to a suction side of the compressor, and a second evaporator for evaporating the refrigerant of the second refrigerant stream is located to allow the refrigerant to flow to an upstream side of a refrigerant suction port of the ejector. In addition, the branch portion is located to maintain a dynamic pressure of the refrigerant flowing out of the ejector, and the second evaporator is connected to the branch portion in a range where the dynamic pressure can be applied to an inside of the second evaporator. |
| US07823400B2 |
Two-stage decompression ejector and refrigeration cycle device
A two-stage decompression ejector includes a variable throttle mechanism having a first throttle passage for decompressing a fluid and a valve body for changing a throttle passage area of the first throttle passage, a nozzle having therein a second throttle passage for further decompressing the fluid decompressed by the variable throttle mechanism, and a suction portion for drawing a fluid by a suction effect of a high-velocity jet fluid from the nozzle. The formula of 0.07≦Vo×S/vn≦0.7 is satisfied, in which Vo is an intermediate-pressure space volume (mm3) from an outlet of the variable throttle mechanism to an inlet of the second throttle passage, S is a throttle passage sectional area (mm2) of a minimum passage sectional area portion of the second throttle passage, and vn is a flow velocity (mm/s) of the fluid passing through the minimum passage sectional area portion. |
| US07823397B2 |
System and method for detecting clogged state of pipe of heat pump type multi-air conditioner
A method for detecting a clogged state of a pipe of a heat pump type multi-air conditioner includes: detecting a temperature of a pipe of an arbitrary indoor heat exchanger among a plurality of indoor heat exchangers; detecting a pressure of a refrigerant sucked into an arbitrary outdoor unit among a plurality of outdoor units in case of performing an air-conditioning operation, and detecting a pressure of a refrigerant introduced into the arbitrary indoor heat exchanger after being discharged from an arbitrary outdoor unit among the plurality of outdoor units in case of performing a heating operation; and comparing a pressure corresponding to the detected temperature of the pipe and the detected pressure of the refrigerant and determining whether the pipe is clogged based on the comparison result. By detecting a clogged state of a pipe, the heat pump type multi-air conditioner is prevented from being damaged due to a clogged state of the pipe. |
| US07823395B2 |
Universal coupling device
A coupling in accordance with the present invention may be used to join devices together without the need for conduits or other intermediaries. A nut may be used to couple the coupling to a first device via a first thread portion and to a second device via a second thread portion. In some embodiments, the coupling may be affixed to one of the first or second devices. |
| US07823393B2 |
Peltier cooling systems with high aspect ratio
New Peltier semiconductor heat transfer systems are presented herein. In particular, Peltier heat transfer systems of Peltier semiconductor elements of highly unique shapes are arranged to bias the cooling side with respect to its size and consequently performance. In effect, a Peltier heat transfer system is created whereby the Peltier called side is greatly reduced in size and the Peltier hot side is greatly expanded in size. Such ‘high aspect ratio’ Peltier systems promote ‘focused’ cooling effect, which is particularly useful in conjunction with high-performance electronic devices having a small footprint. The entire cooling fact of the Peltier device is brought to the small space approximated by a point. Thus a ‘point’ heat source such as a semiconductor laser are high-performance light emitting diode is more effectively cooled by these systems. |
| US07823391B2 |
Turbine engine arrangement
A turbine engine arrangement incorporates an electrical machine combination which can act as a generator or motor. Thus, the combination during initial turbine engine arrangement start-up acts through this motor to drive shaft rotation. This shaft rotation creates core compressed air which is bled through a valve to an air turbine such that the electrical machine when acting as a motor or generator at low engine loads is appropriately cooled. The arrangement also includes a compressor fan which generates an airflow utilised by the air turbine in order to drive the electrical machine as a generator of electrical power when engine conditions dictate. A duct is provided to direct airflow exhausted from the air turbine to a heat exchanger arranged to exchange heat with a bypass flow from the compressor fan. In such circumstances, the generators can operate substantially independently of rotational speed of the engine shafts within the core whilst bled air through the valve acts to cool the electric machine during initial start-up. Generally, a gearbox is provided whereby matching of air turbine rotation with generator requirements is achieved whilst also through a coupling allowing connection to the primary drive shaft of the core to either allow engine start-up or driving of the generators when engine speed is appropriate. |
| US07823389B2 |
Compound clearance control engine
A gas turbine engine includes a compressor, combustor, and turbine having a row of blades mounted inside a surrounding turbine shroud. A heat exchanger is used for cooling pressurized air bled from the compressor. A distribution network joins the heat exchanger to the turbine for selectively channeling air from the heat exchanger below the blades and above the shroud for controlling blade tip clearance. |
| US07823388B2 |
Gas turbine engine control system
In a gas turbine engine control system having a first valve for regulating the flow rate of fuel in premixed combustion and a second valve for regulating that in diffusion combustion, when the combustion mode is switched from one mode to the other mode, whichever of the first and second valves is associated with the other combustion mew is opened to supply the amount of fuel required for conducting the other combustion mode and, the opening of the valve associated with the one combustion mode is gradually decreased, while that of the other combustion mode is gradually increased, thereby maintaining the total amount of fuel supplied to the engine constant, after elapse of a predetermined period. At the time of switching the combustion mode, therefore, the total amount of fuel supplied to the engine can be accurately controlled to a desired value to minimize engine speed fluctuation. |
| US07823387B2 |
Gas turbine engine diffuser and combustion chamber and gas turbine engine comprising same
A gas turbine engine diffuser defined between an external casing and an internal casing of the engine and supplied with air via an upstream annular diffuser duct is disclosed. The diffuser includes a combustion chamber of the convergent type, forming an external annular duct with the external casing and an internal annular duct with the internal casing, and a cowling partially closing off the external annular duct. The cowling is positioned toward the closed end of the combustion chamber. |
| US07823386B2 |
Organic working fluids
The present invention provides an improved, commercially available organic working fluid, which is operable under a broad range of temperatures, is thermally stable, has a high auto-ignition temperature, low freezing point and high critical temperature and is benign to the environment, and safe for human use. Such an organic working fluid is useful in organic Rankine cycle (ORC) power plants or units and other systems of the like as an intermediate fluid for heat-recovery wherein heat from various heat sources is transferred using the intermediate fluid to a further working fluid and converted into work, and the intermediate fluid is also exploited to produce electricity. Such organic working fluids are also operable as heat transfer fluids either in ORC power plants or units or in other heat transfer systems. For this purpose the present invention presents a working fluid comprising at least one highly branched, heavy iso-paraffin hydrocarbons, or a mixture of two or more of such hydrocarbons. Preferably, at least one highly branched iso-paraffin hydrocarbon is present as the major component (i.e. at least 50°% by volume) in the working fluid. A preferred subclass of the class of the branched iso-paraffins which are suitable to be incorporated in organic working fluids of the present invention includes 8 to 20 carbon atom-containing hydrocarbons having at least one methyl radical (CH3) arranged to achieve a highly stable compound. |
| US07823381B2 |
Power plant with heat transformation
A power plant with heat transfer, in which power is generated by an arbitrary number of heat engines, described above and illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 18. is disclosed. The heat engines (A) are arranged in series with a cooling medium (22) and a heating medium (30) passing through them in a counter flow principal. After exiting the last heat engine the heated-up cooling medium is used as a combustion air. The heating medium (30) exiting in the opposite direction the last heat engine (A) can be used further on for heating purposes or other heating consumers. |
| US07823377B2 |
System for controlling the function of a diesel engine in a motor vehicle connected to an oxidation catalyst
A system for controlling the function of a diesel engine (1) in a motor vehicle having anti-pollution means (6, 7) includes an oxidation catalyst (6) and arranged in the exhaust system (3) of said engine (1). The catalyst (6) has at least one non-initialized state and one initialized state and the engine (1) has means (8) for supplying the engine cylinders with fuel with at least one injection during the recovery phase thereof. The system includes a single temperature sensor (18) downstream of the catalyst (6) and means (19) for controlling the supply means (8) by switching of the phase control and/or the quantity of fuel injected during the recovery phase between a first value for the initialization of the catalyst and a second value for maintaining the initialized state of the catalyst as a function of the measured temperature downstream of the catalyst. |
| US07823375B2 |
Infrared suppression system
An InfraRed Suppression System includes a high aspect ratio exhaust duct which vectors a high temperature engine exhaust flow. |
| US07823373B1 |
Multi-bladed cutting deck with adjustable flow control baffles and mulch plug
A rotary cutting deck for a mower has dual, side-by-side cutting chambers that discharge their grass clippings through a common, rearwardly extending exit tunnel. A pair of pivotal flow control baffles are positioned ahead of the mouth of the exit tunnel. The baffles have an open position in which the baffles clear the mouth of the exit tunnel and form guide channels in concert with some of the walls of the cutting chambers which help direct the grass clippings from each cutting chamber towards the mouth of the exit tunnel. The baffles can be pivoted to a closed position in which the baffles block but do not completely close the mouth of the exit tunnel to provide the operator with some way of controlling how long it takes to fill a grass collector attached to the exit tunnel. A mulching plug with a forwardly extending separator vane can be inserted into the mouth of the exit tunnel to convert the deck from a discharge/collection mode of operation to a mulching mode of operation. |
| US07823371B2 |
Guiding arrangement for forage pickup device of an agricultural harvester
An agricultural machine for harvesting forage including a frame supporting at least one device for picking up plants lying on the ground and at least one device for moving the plants that have been picked up. The machine includes a device for guiding the plants which is situated at least partially above and at a short distance from the pickup device and which is supported by arms which extend rearward above the moving device and whose rear ends are articulated relative to the frame by means of substantially horizontal axes situated, during work, above the rear portion of the moving device and about which they can pivot through a certain angle. |
| US07823370B1 |
Wheeled weed trimmer support apparatus
The wheeled weed trimmer support apparatus provides a vehicle for supporting a weed trimmer by adjustably clamping the trimmer shaft, typically above the shaft bend, in two spaced apart locations. By adjustably supporting the shaft with respect to both height and angular positioning of the trimmer head, a trimmer can be exactly controlled to allow angular cuts, more exact flat cuts, and overall desired positioning of the trimmer cutting line and/or blades. The rapidity with which such adjustments are made, especially accommodated by the t-handled tighteners, is further equally important to the adjustment capabilities themselves. The apparatus importantly provides support for a trimmer so that the load of the trimmer is not born by a user's back, shoulders, arms, and other muscles, joints, and bones. |
| US07823369B2 |
Device for packaging an electronic component
The invention relates to a method of packaging or a device for packaging an electronic component, such as semiconductor device, whereby the component is positioned in a cavity of a foil by tweezers and is supported by means of a further foil which is attached to the foil at one side thereof. According to an example embodiment, the component is first placed into the cavity of the foil by the tweezers, and only after that is the further foil positioned adjacent thereto and attached to the foil. The tweezers are moved through the foil to pick up the component, hold it, and move it into the cavity. A feature of this embodiment is that the component may be temporarily supported by a supporting means after being positioned in the cavity and before being attached to the further foil and the foil with the component is moved in a longitudinal direction of the foil. |
| US07823367B2 |
Method and combined machine for cutting and closing boxes with inserted void-filling bags
The invention relates to the making of boxes of a variable volume adapted in each case to the height of the packed products, including cutting the box along its vertical edges and forming fold lines at a suitable height around the sides of the box to define top flaps; and then folding these flaps onto the contents of the prefilled box. At least one inflated or inflatable void-filling bag is inserted into the box, around and/or above the packed products, after the fold lines have been formed, and before the flaps are folded onto the contents of the box. The invention also provides a combined machine that cuts, marks, prepares and inserts void-filling bags, and closes boxes.Applicable to order filling. |
| US07823365B2 |
Load bearing laminates
Laminates comprising at least two glass plys surrounding at least one interlayer having at least one bore extending through the laminate are produced by excluding the interlayer from the area surrounding the bore(s) and positioning a load bearing insert around the bore. The insert may be positioned before or after the laminating process. The invention reduces the tendency for delamination around the area of the bore when the laminate is placed under load. |
| US07823361B2 |
Conduit holder for use with a metal stud
A conduit holder is constructed to be mounted to an elongated metal beam with upper and lower surfaces and rod-like coupling elements extending therebetween. The conduit holder includes a conduit path defining element with an opening defining an axis. The opening is designed to receive conduit therethrough parallel to the axis. An attachment element is fixed to the conduit path defining element and includes an elongated channel extending transverse to the axis of the conduit defining element. The channel has an external opening directed generally toward the conduit defining element and is constructed to engage a coupling element of the metal beam in the elongated channel and hold the conduit path defining element with the opening directed generally transverse to the metal beam. |
| US07823360B1 |
Open core building blocks system
A system for utilizing building blocks to build a corrugated structural section that incorporates continuous longitudinal reinforcement with an offset joint pattern. The system includes building blocks whose shapes include open-core units. The use of the system results in a corrugated structural section that is useful for construction of walls, screens, fences, floors, roofs, and other construction elements requiring corrugated structural panels. |
| US07823359B2 |
Floor panel with a tongue, groove and a strip
Floorboards with substantially planar and parallel upper top sides and lower undersides and panel material located between the upper and lower top sides, and a mechanical locking system for locking a first edge of a first floor board to a second edge of a substantially identical second floor board, the mechanical locking system including a tongue and groove forming a first mechanical connection locking the first and second edges to each other in a first direction at right angles to a principal plane of the floor boards, and a locking device forming a second mechanical connection locking the first and the second edges to each other in a second direction and at right angles to the edges; wherein, when the first edge and the second edge are locked together, there is space in the locking system between the first and the second edges. |
| US07823356B2 |
Shearing force reinforced structure and member
The purpose of the present invention is to provide a shearing force reinforced structure of an existing RC structure body that can simply and surely ensure a predetermined pulling-out rigidity. Then a shearing force reinforced structure (1) of the invention is configured with: a side wall (W) of an existing reinforced concrete structure; shearing force reinforced members (20) arranged inside reinforced member insertion holes (10) with bottoms formed in a direction intersecting a major reinforcing bar of the side wall (W); and fillers (30) filled in the holes (10), wherein each of the shearing force reinforced members (20) is configured with a shearing force reinforcing bar (21), a plate head 23 and a ring head (22) respectively fixed at a base end and top end of the reinforcing bar (21); each of the holes (10) is formed at a general part (12) having an inner diameter larger than a reinforcing bar diameter of the reinforcing bar (21) and smaller than a width of the head (23), and a base end width broadening part (11) formed at a base end of the hole 10 and having a diameter larger than the width of the head (23). In accordance with such a shearing force reinforced structure and a shearing force reinforced member, it is enabled to simply and surely ensure a predetermined pulling-out rigidity. |
| US07823354B2 |
Structure reinforcement system
A concrete reinforcing system includes a reinforcing member that is adapted to be adhered to a structure through the use of an adhesive. The reinforcing member includes a first leg and a second leg. The first leg is adapted to penetratingly engage the structure or a surface of the structure. The second leg is adapted to adhere to another surface of the structure. The second leg angularly extends from the first leg. |
| US07823353B2 |
Door, method of making door, and stack of doors
A door, method of making a door, and stack of doors includes providing a door having front and back skins that have differing, but complementary profiles, one for the front side of the door and one for the back side of the door where each allows and fits onto the other, while still providing direct contact in the stile and rail zones of the door permitting conventional door layup practices. |
| US07823352B2 |
Construction element for heat insulation
A construction element for heat insulation between two construction parts, in particular between a building part and a protruding exterior part, is provided, and includes an insulating body (2) to be arranged between the two construction parts with reinforcement elements (4, 5, 6) that can cross it and that can be connected to the two construction parts, with at least shear force rods (6) being provided as reinforcement elements. The construction element is here adjusted for the installation in passively energy conserving houses such that the insulating body is provided with a protrusion (3), which includes open recesses (7) for the upper exit sections (6f) of the shear force rods (6) that extend out of the insulating body, and extend in the direction of the supporting building part to the area of the horizontally protruding shear force rod sections (6a) so that it laterally overlaps the bent shear force rod sections (6d) in their entirety. |
| US07823351B2 |
Stackable insulated unit for wall construction and method of fabrication thereof
A stackable insulated unit for wall construction for forming a self-supporting wall structure consists of two side wooden planks spaced apart and secured to one another with an intermediate insulating layer bonded thereto, and a plurality of stud longitudinal sections transversely extending through the insulating layer and being secured thereby. The insulating layer ensures structural integrity of the stackable unit. The stud sections are preferably spaced from at least one of the side planks. The invention also includes the method of fabrication of stackable unit. |
| US07823349B2 |
Masonry wall vent
A vent for an exterior brick wall. The vent includes a first enclosure which is installed in the brick wall in place of an entire brick. The enclosure defines a flow path from ambient conditions to the air in between the brick wall and an interior wall. The vent includes a shield for protecting the flow path of the enclosure from being obstructed by falling debris. Some embodiments includes a vertical section of vents which is also protected from falling debris such as trash mortar. |
| US07823345B1 |
Unitary sheathing wedge
An apparatus for fixing the sheathing of an end of a tendon within an anchor body of a post-tension anchor system has an anchor body having a cavity formed in an interior thereof, a tendon extending into the cavity and having a sheathing extending at least partially thereover and having a sheathed portion and an unsheathed portion, a pair of wedges engaged with the unsheathed portion of the tendon in the cavity of the anchor body, and a wedge member engaged with the sheathing of the sheathed portion. The wedge member is a unitary piece having a longitudinal split extending from an end of the piece to an opposite end of the piece. The wedge member substantially encircles an interior or an exterior of the sheathing of the sheathed portion of the tendon. |
| US07823342B1 |
System and method for attaching panels to enable removal from the inside of a structure
A system and method which provides a means to install a hurricane shutter panel in a manner which enables release of the panel from the inside of the structure, thus providing means of egress through the opening on which the panel is installed. There are four preferred embodiments of the invention to correspond with the four primary means for installing hurricane shutter panels; namely angle track, F-Track, direct mount systems using wall anchors and direct mount systems using direct mount studs permanently mounted into a structure. The various embodiments require little or no modifications to the components of the various industry standard installation systems. The invention can be used with new installations or adapted to existing installations. |
| US07823341B2 |
Height-adjustable, structurally suspended slabs for a structural foundation
To form a new structurally suspended slab or to raise an existing slab for a structural foundation, structural supports are placed in the ground. The structural supports are attached to lifting assemblies, which are also installed in the slab. Actuation of the lifting assembly allows the slab to be raised and/or lowered, thereby forming a suspended slab over a void of a desired size. Existing slabs may be repaired using similar techniques. |
| US07823338B2 |
Modular access control system
An access control system includes first and second portable containers. The first portable container comprises a first sidewall opening and the second portable container comprises a second sidewall opening. The portable containers are arranged such that the first sidewall opening in the first portable container communicates with the second sidewall opening in the second portable container. The first portable container comprises a passing room disposed in the first portable container. The passing room includes a barrier device located in the walkway defining a first space between a first passing room opening and the barrier device, and a second space between the barrier device and a second passing room opening. The access control system is constructed such that when the access control system is disposed between a first area and an enclosed second area ingress and egress from and to the second area is controlled by the access control system. |
| US07823336B2 |
Soffit support
A fascia and soffit system having a fascia component, a soffit component and a soffit support structure, the fascia component comprising first and second members which are adjustable with respect to each other to permit different heights, the soffit having a plurality of apertures formed therein to permit air passage, the soffit support structure comprising first and second members which are retained in position by an interlocking system. |
| US07823333B2 |
Structure for connecting prefabricated architectural panels
A structure for easily connecting prefabricated panels, which are attached to outer and inner walls of buildings, is disclosed. The structure includes inner prefabricated panels (10), each of which has a recess (11) and a rib (12) at its upper end and has an inner rib (13) bent downward to be engaged in a recess of a lower adjacent panel; corner finishing members (20) provided at a corner between adjacent panels, and each of which has opposite wing portions (21); inner ribs (22) protruded inwardly and having claw portions (23) respectively; outer prefabricating panels (10-2) attached onto the inner prefabricated panels (10); connecting members interposed between the adjacent outer panels (10-2) to attach the outer panel (10-2) to the inner panel (10); side finishing members (40) provided at sides of the inner panels (10), upper finishing members (40) provided at sides of the inner panels (10), upper finishing members (40) provided at uppermost inner panel; and lower finishing member (60) provided at uppermost inner panel; and lower finishing member (60) provided at an lowermost inner panel. |
| US07823327B2 |
Method and apparatus for accelerating plant germination and growth
A method and apparatus for germinating seeds is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a plurality of translucent hollow spheres, each sphere having apertures there through for entry and egress of liquid and air, wherein each of the plurality of translucent hollow spheres includes soil and at least one of the seeds; a tray, for confining the spheres to an basin area within a periphery of the tray while permitting the spheres to roll on a rolling surface within the periphery of the tray; a platform; and a plurality of solenoids disposed on the platform for tilting the tray to displace the spheres, each solenoid having a shaft longitudinally extendable in a direction away from the platform upon activation of the solenoid and each shaft having an end distal from the solenoid coupled proximate to the periphery of the tray. |
| US07823326B2 |
Unattended plant watering system
An apparatus is provided for unattended watering of plants over an extended period of time utilizing a watering system that regulates a partial vacuum to control the discharge of water to the roots of the plants. A water reservoir is provided having an encapsulated interior cavity and an exterior exposed to ambient air, and having upper and lower ends. The reservoir is located above the root level of a plant to be watered. At least one drain opening is defined in the lower end of the reservoir. The upper end of the reservoir is closed and is provided with an adjustable valve, preferably a pinch valve, and an air conduit, preferably a flexible tube, that passes through the valve and extends between the interior and the exterior of the reservoir. The valve thereby interacts with the conduit to partially obstruct air flow through it, so as to maintain a partial vacuum in the upper end of the reservoir as water drains from the lower end of the reservoir. |
| US07823324B2 |
Indoor greenhouse
Described herein is an indoor greenhouse that includes a rack unit, an outer layer that surrounds the rack unit and defines a greenhouse interior, at least one light surrounded by a light enclosure, a cooling system, and a ventilation system all disposed in the greenhouse interior. The ventilation system includes a fan, a filter and at least one duct that cooperate to exhaust air out of the exhaust vent opening. The rack unit includes a top, a bottom, and an intermediate portion extending therebetween. The outer layer includes a top, a bottom, and an intermediate portion extending therebetween that correspond to the similar portions of the rack unit. The outer layer also has intake and exhaust vent and light cooling openings defined therein. The cooling system includes at least one duct that cooperates with the light enclosure to define an air path between the intake and exhaust light cooling openings. |
| US07823323B2 |
Remote monitoring system for detecting termites
The subject invention pertains to materials and methods useful for management of certain pests. The invention is particularly well suited for the control of social insect pests and, particularly, termites. The invention concerns unique toxicant-containing matrices as well as apparatuses for monitoring pest activity and presenting a toxicant. The invention is useful as part of an Integrated Pest Management Program and can greatly reduce the introduction of harmful chemicals into the environment. |
| US07823320B1 |
Air-actuated wing assemblies
An air-actuated wing assembly includes a wing body; at least one half-wing portion having a generally elongated, flexible, cupped wing panel extending from the wing body; and an attachment mechanism carried by the wing body. In some embodiments, the air-actuated wing assembly includes an assembly base; a wing support assembly carried by the assembly base; at least one half-wing portion having a generally elongated, flexible, cupped wing panel rotatably carried by the wing support assembly; and an attachment mechanism carried by the assembly base. A fowl decoy is also disclosed. |
| US07823319B2 |
Protective cover for sporting rifles
The invention relates to a protective cover which is intended for sporting rifles that comprise screws (2) which are used to fix a shell propulsion mechanism (3) to a rifle support (4). The invention is characterised in that the dimensions of the cover (5) are pre-determined as a function of the area to be covered, said area to be covered including the heads (1) of the screws (2) which are used to fix the shell propulsion mechanism (3) to the support (4). The invention is further characterised in that it comprises means for fixing the cover to the sporting rifle. |
| US07823316B2 |
Adjustable gun rail lock
Systems and methods for mounting accessories to a firearm are disclosed. The systems include a rail connector and quick release device for mounting on a firearm. The connector includes at least one mounting rail and a fastening member for securely fastening the connector directly to the firearm. The quick release is then mounted to the mounting rail. |
| US07823315B2 |
Method and apparatus for easy connect stocks
A method and apparatus are disclosed for substituting a different stock, or a different receiver assembly, in a long gun (e.g., a shotgun) without the use of tools by a user in the field. Applicants' preferred apparatus comprises: a long gun (e.g., an illustrated shotgun) having a stock and a receiver assembly; and an adaptor assembly which removably interconnects the stock to the receiver assembly, wherein the adaptor assembly includes: an adaptor base affixed to the receiver; an end of the stock is mounted onto the adaptor base; and a rotatable locking pin, continuously attached to the base, which can be lifted up and rotated or turned on its axis by 90° to unlock the adaptor assembly. The stock can then be pulled off the adaptor base. Upon a new stock being mounted on the adaptor base, the locking pin can be rotated back to its original orientation and pushed down to lock the adaptor assembly, whereupon the adaptor assembly interconnects the substitute stock with the receiver assembly. While Applicants' locking pin can rotate and move up-and-down, it is always maintained within the adaptor assembly, even throughout the entire process of swapping a different stock. |
| US07823308B1 |
Electronic sign having a formed metal cabinet
An electronic sign having a formed metal cabinet where precise and close tolerance formed planar panels and formed channels are fastened together only by rivets, nut inserts, adhesive coated tapes, or the combination thereof for rapid assembly thereof. |
| US07823306B1 |
Room for conducting medical procedures
A room for use in conducting medical procedures includes an image on a screen disposed in the room. The room preferably includes a track for disposing the screen across the room to create a panoramic view of the scene in the screen. Preferably the track, and hence the image on the screen disposed on the track, are arcuate. The screen provides a virtual reality and a calming effect to the patient undergoing the procedure. The screen can be moved mechanically around the room to display different images on the screen. The screen can be changed to provide a different set of images. Ceiling lights, sounds and smells can be added to the room to further accent the theme of the screen's image and enhance the overall calming effect by portraying the medical procedure room as the scene in the screen. Illumination may be provided behind the screen, as well. The medical procedure may be a magnetic resonance imaging procedure, in which case the room comprises a magnetic resonance imaging assembly. The magnetic resonance imaging assembly may be an open magnetic resonance imaging assembly. The assembly may define, at least in part, the room. Methods of preparing a room for a medical procedure and methods of conducting a magnetic resonance imaging procedure are also disclosed. |
| US07823304B2 |
Method and device for forming steam
A method and device for forming steam with high pressure and a cleaner or iron comprising the device are provided. |
| US07823300B2 |
Correlated magnetic footwear and method for using the correlated magnetic footwear
A footwear (e.g., bike shoe, snow ski boot, snowboard boot, wakeboard boot, water ski boot, work boot) is described herein that incorporates correlated magnets which enable a person who has their foot placed within the footwear to attach or remove the footwear to or from a corresponding device (e.g., bike pedal, snow ski, snowboard, wakeboard, water ski, or work platform) which also incorporates correlated magnets. |
| US07823299B1 |
Interchangeable flip-flop/sandal
The present disclosure describes a novel interchangeable flip-flop/sandal footwear that is capable of interconversion between a flip-flop and a sandal by movement of a heel and/or forefoot band between a first stored position and a second in-use position. In the first stored position, the heel and/or forefoot band is movably stored adjacent to the heel portion of the sole. In the second in use position, the heel and/or forefoot band is placed on the user's foot as described herein. In one embodiment, the flip-flop/sandal comprises a sole, a forefoot cover, at least one of a heel band and a forefoot band, each of which being capable of movement between a first stored and a second in-use position, at least one central member rotatably secured and received by the sole, said central member being in removable communication with the heel band and/or forefoot band and at least one void or indentation in the sole to rotatably receive and secure the central member. |
| US07823298B2 |
Athletic shoes having an upper whose fitting property is improved
The present invention relates to the upper U of an athletic shoe comprising a first opening 1 out of which the foot sticks upwards during wearing and a second opening 2 which is closed with a tongue. The two openings 1, 2 are continuous with each other, and the upper U comprises a medial side stretchable part 51 which covers a part of a medial side face of an arch of the foot, a lateral side stretchable part 50 which covers a part of a lateral side face of a ball of a little toe (a fifth toe), a front part 3 located forward of the two stretchable parts 50, 51 and a rear part 4 located backward of the two stretchable parts. Each of the stretchable parts 50, 51 is provided so as to essentially cross one of side faces of the upper U from a top surface of a sole S to the second opening 2. Young's modulus along the lengthwise direction L of the foot of each of the stretchable parts 50, 51 is set smaller than that of the front part 3 and the rear part 4. |
| US07823296B2 |
Depth gauge
A depth gauge for measuring the depth of blind holes in bones and/or nails inserted into bones. The measurement tool comprises: a probe with an abutment at its end to engage against the distal edge of the blind hole; a tubular body; and a grooved insert. After the probe, lying into the tubular body, is positioned through the blind hole to be measured, the grooved insert is slid forward inside the tubular body, surrounding the probe, and pushing the probe sideward, towards the blind hole wall. When probe and groove insert are retracted together, they firmly engage against the distal bone wall. The tubular housing is then pushed forward until it abuts against the proximal bone wall, allowing even in small diameter holes, an accurate reading of hole depth on the scale located at the rear end of the probe. |
| US07823295B2 |
Method for calibration of a measuring table of a coordinate measuring machine
A method is disclosed which is suitable for the calibration of a measuring table (20) of a coordinate measuring machine (1). For this purpose, a mask (2) is deposited in a three-point support of the measuring table (20), wherein the mask (2) used for the calibration of the measuring table (20) is a mask (2), which is used for the semiconductor production. The measurement of positions of a plurality of different structures (3) which are arranged in a distributed manner on the mask (2) is carried out. The structures (3) are available in an initial orientation on the mask (2). The mask (2) is rotated and the position of the structures (3) is determined in the rotated orientation. Afterwards, the mask (2) is shifted and the position of the structures (3) is also determined. A total correction function for eliminating coordinate-dependant measuring errors is determined, wherein the total correction function has a first correction function and a second correction function. |
| US07823293B2 |
Plunge-cut circular saw
The present invention provides a plunge-cut action circular saw having a double pivot hinge mechanism. Problems associated with this hinge mechanism, in particular axial end flow are reduced by urging a component of the hinge against a fixed component of the saw, such as a base plate component or the like. The urging force is applied by a resilient member, such as a spring washer. |
| US07823291B2 |
Rotary cutter for mowing machine
A rotary cutter for a mowing machine includes a cord for mowing grass by rotating, a reel which contains the cord and intermittently rotates to pay out the cord, a case which contains the reel, and a cover which covers the case, wherein the reel includes an upper cam and a lower cam, a stopper is incorporated in the case at a center of a bottom thereof, one end of the stopper is engaged with the upper cam thereby to stop the rotation of the reel, the other end of the stopper is engaged with the lower cam, one end of the cord is engaged with the stopper from outside thereof and guided out of the rotary cutter through a cord guide, and the other end of the cord is guided out of the rotary cutter without touching the stopper. |
| US07823290B2 |
Method of forming a hub for use in a disk drive motor
Methods of machining a single piece hub with integral upper and lower female cones includes providing a single piece hub with upper and lower conical voids having respective narrow ends proximal each other and respective wide ends distal each other. Surfaces of the voids are machined using a tool provided from a single side of the hub that is dimensioned to fit through an opening defined by the interface between the narrow ends of the conical void. The tool can be moved parallel to a rotational axis for accessing conical surfaces of both voids and perpendicular to the rotational axis while contacting the surfaces so as to produce a final machined surface. |
| US07823289B2 |
Method for producing valve housings, and a valve housing
In a valve housing 11, which is constituted by an section of an extruded billet material, into which are formed inlet and outlet conduits 27, 28, 29, 30, which are substantially arranged in a common plane, and a receiving bore 20 for at least one valve element 21, 26, arranged transversely in relation thereto, the billet material is formed as a profiled element provided with ribs 15, 16, 17, 18 which project from a substantially parallelepiped base body and in which ribs the inlet and outlet conduits 27, 28, 29, 30 open. |
| US07823286B2 |
Method for disposing wick structure in a heat pipe body assembly
A wick structure of a heat pipe includes two elongated stripe-like continuous woven meshes and a plurality of fibers. A method for disposing the wick structure includes the steps of: providing a heat pipe body for accommodating the two meshes and the fibers; stacking up the two meshes so as to bundle and dispose the fibers between the two meshes; curling one end of the two meshes along a width direction, thereof; penetrating a pulling rod into an opening of one end of the heat pipe body, connecting the end of the two meshes together by means of the pulling rod, penetrating out of an opposing end of the heat pipe body so as to curl the two meshes within the heat pipe body, and the fibers being located on an axial stripe-like region within the heat pipe body; and cutting both ends of the heat pipe body. |
| US07823281B2 |
Method for compensating for crosstalk
An apparatus and method for crosstalk compensation in a jack of a modular communications connector includes a flexible printed circuit board connected to jack contacts and to connections to a network cable. The flexible printed circuit board includes conductive traces arranged as one or more couplings to provide crosstalk compensation. |
| US07823279B2 |
Method for using an in package power supply to supply power to an integrated circuit and to a component
A packaged device may be provided with an in package power supply. The in package power supply may be selectively coupled to another component when the packaged device is not active. |
| US07823277B2 |
Pre-nesting of the active area on plates to reduce thickness variation
A method for preparing a bipolar plate assembly for a fuel cell stack is provided. The method first includes the steps of providing a first unipolar plate having a first active area with a plurality of channels formed on a first inner surface thereof, and a second unipolar plate having a second active area with a plurality of lands formed on a second inner surface thereof. The first unipolar plate and the second unipolar plate are aligned to dispose the first active area adjacent the second active area. A first pressure is then applied to the first and second active areas to pre-nest the first active area and the second active area. The perimeters of the first and second unipolar plates are then joined. A clamping fixture and associated method for assembling the bipolar plate assembly is also provided. |
| US07823275B2 |
Method for making an electronic switch that is mountable on a circuit board
A method for making an electronic switch mountable on a circuit board includes the steps of: (A) providing a housing that includes a base having opposite inner and outer sides, and a cover body having a main portion that cooperates with the inner side of the base to define a chamber, and an end portion that cooperates with the outer side of the base to define a sealing space; (B) providing a terminal having a connecting part extending through the base and the sealing space for connection with the circuit board; (C) providing the base with a hollow portion that projects outwardly from the outer side thereof into the sealing space and that confines an air-discharge hole communicating fluidly with the chamber; (D) providing a first adhesive layer to seal the sealing space without covering the air-discharge hole; and (E) sealing the air-discharge hole. |
| US07823270B2 |
Clamp or clamp assembly having a low profile
A clamp including an inverted spring portion and a plurality of tabs about a circumference of an inner portion of the clamp. The inverted spring portion of the clamp is insertable into a groove of a clamping interface between a flange and an outer portion thereof to align the plurality of tabs proximate to the flange. As described, the clamp provides a low profile interface for clamping discs to a spindle assembly which snap fits into the groove to provide a screwless clamp interface. Other features and benefits that characterize embodiments of the present invention will be apparent upon reading the following detailed description and review of the associated drawings. |
| US07823258B2 |
Self-locking wire lock
A wire lock includes a body having an opening therethrough, a locking member disposed at least partially within the opening, and a biasing device. The biasing device urges the locking member into a configuration wherein a wire passing through the opening is restrained in at least one direction, and may operate in either tension or compression. The locking member may include one or more locking elements that are compressed about the wire through engagement with a wedge-shaped locking section of the body, with the biasing member urging the locking member against the locking section. In other embodiments, the locking member is a locking pin riding on an inclined surface of an elongate slot extending across the body, with the biasing member urging the locking pin against one end of the slot, and the wire pinched between the pin and a body surface opposite the inclined surface. |
| US07823257B2 |
Apparatus for the fibre-sorting or fibre-selection of a fibre bundle comprising textile fibres, especially for combing
In an apparatus for the fiber-sorting or fiber-selection of a fiber bundle, especially for combing, which is supplied by means of supply device to a fiber-sorting device, especially a combing device, in which a mechanical device is present which generates a combing action to loosen and remove non-clamped constituents, and a clamping element is present for transfer of the supplied fiber material. To enable productivity to be increased in a simple manner and an improved combed sliver to be obtained, downstream of the supply device there are arranged two rotatably mounted rollers, which are provided with clamping devices for the fiber material having clamping elements that are distributed spaced apart in the region of the roller periphery and co-operate with counter-elements, the counter-elements in the case of the first roller being arranged opposite the roller periphery and in the case of the second roller on or in the roller. |
| US07823256B2 |
Auxiliary handle with eccentric clamping lever for a hand-held power tool
The invention relates to an additional hand grip (2) for a hand machine tool, comprising a clamp (4) for clamping the additional hand grip (2) to a part of the hand machine tool, a handlebar (6) for gripping and holding of the additional hand grip (2), and a pivot joint (8) that can be blocked, arranged between the clamp (4) and the handlebar (6). The pivot joint (8) can be blocked with an eccentric tension lever (10), which is formed by a pivotable part (24) of the handlebar (6). |
| US07823254B2 |
Hinge assembly
A hinge assembly suitable for coupling a notebook computer base to a display includes a first coupling member for coupling to the base and a second coupling member for coupling to the display. A positioning device supports the display at various angular positions relative to the base. A friction device increases resistance to movement throughout the range of motion of the hinge assembly while decreasing torque and pressure load transmitted to the positioning device. |
| US07823252B2 |
Accessory for blower
An accessory for a blower having a first end with a connector assembly for connecting the accessory to the blower, a second end for directing air under pressure from the blower, a lower blade portion extending at least partly between the first end and the second end for facilitating a pneumatic shoveling operation, and an upper funnel portion extending at least partly between the first end and the second end for facilitating a pneumatic sweeping operation. The accessory can be selectively connected to the blower via the connector assembly so that the air under pressure from the blower cooperates with the lower blade portion and the upper funnel portion to perform a combined pneumatic shoveling/sweeping operation. |
| US07823249B2 |
Motor control for a vacuum cleaner
A vacuum cleaner includes a nozzle, an air-filtering dirt receptacle, and a motor. A fan is configured to be driven by the motor to drive a flow of air that carries dirt from a surface through the nozzle and into the receptacle to clean the surface. A controller is configured to provide a notification to a user when the speed of the motor exceeds a threshold value. |
| US07823247B2 |
Wiper connector for a motor vehicle comprising a safety fastener
A wiper connector for a motor vehicle intended for the connection and articulation between a wiper arm and a component of a wiper blade is engaged longitudinally from rear to front inside the front end of the arm, which is curved longitudinally towards the rear in the form of a U. The wiper connector includes at least one elastically deformable element for securing the connector in the engaged position inside the front end of the arm and two longitudinal vertical flanks, which are designed to be received between two lateral wings of the blade component. The wiper connector is locked in the engaged position in the arm by a safety fastener mounted so as to be able to move between a closed position, in which it extends with regards to the securing element in order to prevent its elastic deformation, and an open position allowing the disengagement of the connector from the arm. |
| US07823245B2 |
Cleaning and scouring glove
A cleaning glove includes a waterproof glove body having a front surface, including a palm portion, and multiple finger stalls cooperatively joined together to fit a wearer's hand. A water absorbent material is bonded onto a front surface of at least one finger stall. Preferably, the water absorbent material is bonded onto the front surface of each finger stall, as well as the palm portion of the glove body. An abrasive type scouring material is bonded onto the front surface so as to be adjacent to the water absorbent material, typically substantially surrounding the periphery of the water absorbent material. |
| US07823239B2 |
Illuminated loading dock system
An illuminated loading dock system includes a series of light fixtures having sufficient power to illuminate the interior of a series of trailers from a distance that spans a dock leveler pit. The light fixtures are mounted to stanchions (or a railing thereof) that extend upward from an elevated floor that is higher than the pit's floor. In some cases the light fixtures are coupled to control panels that control the operation of the dock levelers. In this arrangement, the pit floor is kept clear of clutter, and dockworkers can control the lights and the dock leveler from one safe location, as opposed to having to step down into the pit, underneath a raised dock leveler deck. |
| US07823237B2 |
Methods for cleaning laundry with reduced sorting
A method for cleaning within a washing zone comprising: placing at least one article for treatment in the washing zone, providing of at least partially deionized water into the washing zone, and optionally providing cleaning composition into the washing zone wherein the combination of said optional cleaning composition and partial deionized water have a specific conductance of less than about 200 μS/cm. |
| US07823236B2 |
Actuation device and method
An actuation device comprises a driving member, a driven member and an actuator device. The driven member has a seat, in which there is operatively inserted, with possibility of relative movement, an engagement part of the driving member. According to the invention also the driving member has a seat, which, in at least one position of the actuation system, at least partially faces the seat of the driven member. The actuation system further comprises a floating body, displaceable in a controlled way between the two seats when said seats at least partially face one another. |
| US07823230B2 |
Bath tub rail
A bath tub rail assembly for use on a bath tub sidewall includes a hand grip and a clamping device. The hand grip and the clamping device are adjustably connected such that the hand grip may be adjusted in both height and angular orientation relative to the bath tube sidewall when the bath tub rail assembly is attached thereto. |
| US07823229B2 |
Pivoting and locking wall mounted support rail for elderly and disabled persons
A wall mounted pivoting and locking support rail assembly providing improved support to assist elderly and physically challenged persons with safely using a bathtub or shower area. The present invention mounts to the wall in a similar way to a conventional grab bar, however, it adds an additional rail handle with the ability to pivot outward from the wall, and lock in one of several angular positions to extend support outward from the wall, and more to the centre of a shower or tub. This outward support is invaluable to assist with elderly and disabled persons to safely enter, use, and exit from the bathtub without dangerous reaching. |
| US07823222B2 |
Hood with adaptive face opening
A protective hood is provided for covering at least a portion of a wearer's head. The hood includes an upper head covering section, a posterior head covering section, a neck covering section and an anterior head covering section. The anterior head covering section includes a window through which a portion of the wearer's face is exposed. The window is adjustable from a first position to a second position, exposing different portions of the wearer's face. |
| US07823218B2 |
Protective pads having customizable flexibility
A protective padding system is provided in which a padding member has one or more cavities formed therein. The padding member preferentially flexes at the cavities. An insert is adapted to selectively engage and fit into the cavity. When engaged, the insert reinforces the padding member at the cavity, and thus reduces or eliminates the flexibility of the padding member at that location. By selectively engaging or disengaging an insert, a user may customize the flexibility characteristics of the padding member in a reversible manner. |
| US07827615B1 |
Hybrid role-based discretionary access control
A method for access control is provided. A request is received from an administrator to modify a user role for a user. Whether the user is in a user group that belongs exclusively to the administrator is determined. Whether the administrator role permits the request is determined in response to a determination that the user is in the user group. The user role is modified based on the request in response to a determination that the administrator role permits the request, wherein the user accesses a resource based on the user role. |
| US07827612B2 |
Malicious-process-determining method, data processing apparatus and recording medium
A malicious-process-determining method, a data processing apparatus, and a recording medium according to the present invention each consists of reading the data stored in a buffer memory by one byte, and for a plurality of instruction sequences each having a different read address, sequentially analyzing what kind of instruction code is contained therein. When the int instruction is contained in the analyzed instruction sequence, the number of times the immediate value is pushed to the stack is greater than 1, and the character code corresponding to “/” is contained in the virtual stack, a determination is made that a malicious code is contained in the relevant instruction sequence. |
| US07827611B2 |
Malware scanning user interface for wireless devices
A system, method and computer program product are provided for scanning a mobile wireless device for malware. Initially, an update command is received from a user utilizing a graphical user interface of a mobile wireless device. An anti-malware scanner installed on the mobile wireless device is then updated over a wireless network in response to the update command. The mobile wireless device is then scanned utilizing the updated anti-malware scanner. Such anti-malware scanner may be conditionally updated based on the update command so as to regulate usage of the wireless network with the mobile wireless device. |
| US07827610B2 |
Wireless LAN intrusion detection based on location
A intrusion detection method is disclosed for use in a wireless local area data communications system, wherein mobile units communicate with access points, and wherein the system is arranged to locate transmitters using signals transmitted by the transmitters. A database relating authorized transmitters to location is maintained. Selected signals are detected at the access points and location data corresponding to the selected signals for use in locating a source of the signals is recorded. The source location is determined using the location data, and the source location is compared to a corresponding location in the database. An alarm is signaled if the source location is inconsistent with the corresponding database location. |
| US07827604B2 |
Enterprise access configuration
The present invention provides a solution in which a script containing general security parameters and access policies in a file is placed on an appropriate internal server. The location of the script may then be stored on an external server. When an end-user within the organization decides to purchase a wireless network device, he may attach it to his existing computer. The computer then may retrieve the security file location from the external server, retrieve the security file from the internal server using the security file location, and program the security file into the wireless device. |
| US07827602B2 |
Network firewall host application identification and authentication
Systems for providing information on network firewall host application identification and authentication include an identifying and transmitting agent on a host computer, configured to identify each application in use, tag the application identity with a host identity, combine these and other information into a data packet, and securely transmit the data packet to the network based firewall. The embodiment also includes an application identity listener on the network based firewall, configured to receive the information data packet, decode the data packet and provide to the network based firewall the identity of the application. The network based firewall is provided with an application-awareness via an extension of firewall filtering or security policy rules via the addition of a new application identity parameter upon which filtering can be based. Other systems and methods are also provided. |
| US07827600B2 |
Electronic equipment and image forming apparatus
An electronic equipment includes: a first connecting unit that connects an external apparatus and a transmit and receive unit; a prohibit unit; an identification information storage; a second connecting unit that is connected to a key constituting member including memory unit storing therein authentication information corresponding to the identification information; a covering unit; a gain unit; a judge unit; and a permit unit. |
| US07827599B2 |
Self-service provisioning of digital certificates
A system and method for provisioning digital certificates. An automated provisioning engine receives notification of a need to provision a user with a digital certificate. The engine electronically instructs the user to obtain a digital certificate. When obtained, the user responds by forwarding the certificate. The engine then electronically instructs a trusted or provisioned user to verify that the user obtained the digital certificate. The trusted user verifies this, and may obtain the user's certificate or a fingerprint of the certificate to include in a response to the provisioner's instructions. If verified, and if the certificate or fingerprint matches the certificate provided by the user, the user's digital certificate is then activated, to allow it to represent the user in public key transactions. |
| US07827598B2 |
Grouped access control list actions
Access Control Lists control permitted actions on protected network computer system resources by providing an access control policy associated with the requested protected system resource containing a permission list of permitted identities and at least one action group tag with associated action indicators; reusing a finite quantity of action indicators among a plurality of action group tags to control a number of unique permissions less than or equal to the product of the quantity of allowable action indicators and a quantity of allowable action group tags; evaluating the permission list according to a specific permission definition associated with the action group tag, the permission definition providing a correlation between members of a set of action indicators; and granting authorization to perform actions on the requested protected system resource to the requesting user if the access control policy permission list includes an appropriate action indicator correlated to an action group tag. |
| US07827590B2 |
Controlling access to a set of resources in a network
Systems and techniques are provided for controlling requests for resources from remote computers. A remote computer's ability to access a resource is determined based upon the computer's operating environment. The computer or computers responsible for controlling access to a resource will interrogate the remote computer to ascertain its operating environment. The computer or computers responsible for controlling access to a resource may, for example, download one or more interrogator agents onto the remote computer to determine its operating environment. Based upon the interrogation results, the computer or computers responsible for controlling access to a resource will control the remote computer's access to the requested resource. |
| US07827585B2 |
Electronic program guide with digital storage
An interactive television program guide system with digital storage is provided. The program guide gives users the ability to store information associated with recorded programs in a directory in the digital storage device thereby providing easy access to program information. The program guide may also provide a global media library for indicating the programs stored on removable storage media used with the program guide. The guide may also allow the user to manage and maintain a user media library to do the same. Non-time-sensitive data associated with recorded programs may be stored in a way that allows the user to interact with the data on playback as if the program were being originally aired. The program guide also allows the user to define “super-programs” for playback of a sequence of stored programs or program segments. |
| US07827584B2 |
Method and system for adaptive transmission of smoothed data over wireless channels
A method and system that reduces the impact of packet loss on video data quality. Packet selection is performed by the method and system to selectively drop low priority packets so that the overall quality of the received video data may be improved. In one exemplary embodiment, the probability of higher priority layers being delivered on time is computed and a packet is transmitted only if this probability is greater than a given threshold h. In another exemplary embodiment, the system and method have the capability of backing up the process to transmit previously skipped packets, if time allows. |
| US07827583B2 |
Web television having a two-way communication bus interconnecting a television controller and an internet module
A web television includes a display, a tuner, an internet module, and a PIP module. The tuner is arranged to select television video for display on the display and to select television audio for display by a speaker of the web television. The internet module is arranged to supply internet video for display on the display and to supply internet audio for display by the speaker of the web television, and the internet video and audio are derived from internet communications between the web television and internet content providers. The PIP module is arranged to provide a PIP area within a main area of the display. The internet video and the television video may be swapped between the PIP area and the main area of the display, and the speaker of the web television may be swapped between the internet audio and the television audio. |
| US07827582B2 |
Program guide system with video-on-demand browsing
An interactive television program guide system is provided in which a viewer may direct a television to simultaneously display a selected television program and a program guide display. A viewer may use the program guide display to browse available video-on-demand (VOD) while continuing to view a previously selected program in the background. The viewer may browse through video-on-demand programs on the program guide display using a variety of keys on a remote control unit. The viewer may direct the program guide to order a given video-on-demand program, and set a desired broadcast time for that program. |
| US07827579B2 |
Mobile television electronic service guide delivery system
Methods and systems for transmitting electronic service guide (ESG) data to a mobile terminal are described. The method for delivery of ESG data comprises steps of receiving ESG data, encapsulating metadata associated with the ESG data to generate a new ESG object, replacing a current ESG object with the new ESG object, transmitting the new ESG object in a carousel, and transmitting a notification of a change in the carousel. Another method for receiving ESG data comprises steps of receiving a notification of a change in a carousel, receiving a new ESG object in the carousel, replacing a current ESG object with the new ESG object, extracting metadata associated with ESG data from the new ESG object, storing the ESG data and metadata, and updating an ESG on a mobile terminal with the ESG data. |
| US07827578B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing simplified peer-to-peer recording
A television apparatus having digital serial bus ports allows a user to select a user-designated digital video content source input such as a digital tuner of the television apparatus and digital serial bus compliant components connected to the television apparatus via the digital serial bus ports of the television apparatus, and to cause digital content from the user-designated digital content source device to be recorded onto a digital recording device connected to the television apparatus via the digital serial bus ports. The present invention allows a user to continuously record digital content onto a digital recording device (e.g. an AVHDD), whether from the TV's digital tuner or from another digital serial bus compliant device in a peer to peer arrangement. The connection is always recording, but allows the user to select or designate a digital (i.e. MPEG2) source (i.e. the TV tuner or another digital serial bus compliant device), in addition to displaying the selected content. |
| US07827574B1 |
Method and apparatus for targeted advertising
A novel network controller for use with a digital cable headend capable of monitoring and controlling set top terminals in a television program delivery system is described. The invention relates to methods and apparatus for a network controller that manages a configuration of set top terminals in a program delivery system. Specifically, the invention modifies a program control information signal at the cable headend before the modified signal is transmitted to each set top terminal. This signal is used with polling methods to receive upstream data from the set top terminals. The invention initiates such upstream data retrieval, gathers all data received and compiles viewer demographics information and programs watched information. The invention processes this data and information to generate packages of advertisements targeted towards each set top terminal. The invention uses upstream data reception hardware, databases and processing hardware and software to accomplish these functions. |
| US07827568B1 |
Integration of structural and cosmetic bezel having a disk guide for a slot loading optical drive
An optical drive bezel assembly for coupling to an optical drive. The optical drive bezel assembly includes a functional bezel having a first opening to receive an optical disk and a first plurality of attachment features. The functional bezel is coupled to the optical drive. A disk guide is rigidly coupled to the functional bezel. A cosmetic bezel has a second opening to receive the optical disk and a second plurality of attachment features. The cosmetic bezel is rigidly coupled to the functional bezel. A cosmetic screen is attached to the cosmetic bezel. The first opening and the second opening are in alignment. |
| US07827563B2 |
Open architecture and interfaces for workflow applications in office document systems
A system for enabling client software applications to interface with peripheral devices over a network. An application connection layer interfaces with a programming language of a client software application. A simple object access protocol (SOAP) client processor communicates with the application connection layer and a client software application using the application connection layer. The SOAP client processor includes an eXtensible mark-up language (XML) processor for converting data provided in XML format to a form usable by the client software application. A transport layer for interfaces with the SOAP processor and peripheral devices connected to the network. |
| US07827557B2 |
Method and apparatus for allocating resources to applications using a linearized objective function
A method, system, and apparatus is disclosed for allocating resources to applications. Available resources of a networked computing system may be determined. For each application, required resources of the application may be determined. An assigned subset of the available resources for each application is determined as a function of the required resources of the application and the available resources. The function reduces communication delays between resources of the subset of the available resources in conformance with bandwidth capacity requirements of the application and in conformance with network bandwidth limitations. The applications may then be associated with the assigned subsets of resources. |
| US07827551B2 |
Real-time threading service for partitioned multiprocessor systems
An embodiment of the present invention is a technique to provide a real-time threading service to an application in a multi-core environment. An executive is launched, within a most privilege level of an operating system (OS), on a real-time core in the multi-core environment. The real-time core is sequestered from the OS. A real-time thread is created in a least privilege level on the real-time core for an application using a library. The library is loaded by the application. The real-time thread shares a virtual address space with the application. |
| US07827548B1 |
Environment-neutral application build
A computer implemented method for an environment-neutral application build is provided. The method includes installing an application build in a target environment of a set of target environments, wherein the application build includes a variable corresponding to each environment configuration parameter. The method also includes installing a configuration file of a set of configuration files in the target environment, wherein the configuration file includes an environment configuration value corresponding to each variable. Each configuration file of the set of configuration files corresponds to at least one target environment of the set of target environments. Furthermore, the method includes reading each environment configuration value from the configuration file. Additionally, the method includes writing each environment configuration value to the corresponding variable in the application build. |
| US07827546B1 |
Mechanism for downloading software components from a remote source for use by a local software application
Methods and systems are provided for dynamically configuring document solutions and for obtaining desired or required components of such document solutions for use with computer-generated documents. If a document is associated with a document solution, a request for components of the solution is sent to a manifest of document solutions. Identification of a user of the document is also passed to the manifest. At the manifest, identification information for the user is used to query a user database to determine a profile of the user such as the user's job description, location, security clearance, and the like. Based on the user's profile, the document solution is configured dynamically to include solution components most helpful to the particular user. A manifest collection is provided for serving as a repository of document solution location information for many different namespaces (schemas) that may be associated with one or more user documents. |
| US07827543B1 |
Method and apparatus for profiling data addresses
Data address profiling allows determination of sources of code execution hindrance with different perspectives of memory references and allows correlation of sampled runtime events and memory reference objects, such as cache lines. Associating sampled runtime events with data addresses provides for efficient and targeted optimization of code with respect to data addresses and physical and/or logical memory reference objects (e.g., memory segments, heap variables, variable instances, stack variables, etc.). An instruction instance is identified in relation to a sampled runtime event. A data address is determined from the instruction instance. From the determined address, a memory reference object is ascertained. |
| US07827541B2 |
Method and apparatus for profiling execution of code using multiple processors
A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable medium for gathering performance related data in a multiprocessing environment. Instrumentation code is executed on a processor that minimizes the distortion to the processor resources used to execute the program to be profiled. Data is written by the instrumentation code to a shared memory in response to an event occurring during execution of the program. The data is generated during execution of the program on the processor and the instrumentation code uses shared memory to convey the data to a profiling application running on a set of profiling processors. The data is collected by the set of profiling processors in the shared memory written by the instrumentation code. |
| US07827536B2 |
Critical path profiling of threaded programs
A method and apparatus for critical path profiling of threaded programs that use messaging. An embodiment of a method includes creating a package slip for a message from a first program thread, the package slip containing information regarding the message, placing the package slip on a queue, the package slip being accessible to a second program thread, and sending the message from the first program thread. |
| US07827535B2 |
Application performance tuning server-side component
An application tuning server-side component, and a method, system, and computer program product for application tuning, provides application deployers with a single, unified facility for modifying the relevant parameters. A method of tuning an application deployed in an application server comprises the steps of deploying the application in the application server, invoking an application tuning server-side component operable to retrieve information relating to application parameters to be tuned, receiving specifications of values of application tuning parameters, and tuning the application using the received specified parameter values. The application tuning server-side component may be implemented using Java Management Extensions. |
| US07827533B2 |
Analytical server, program analysis network system, and program analysis method
To offer a user an analysis service that identifies problems, in a program that includes a part that can be customized, an application reception processing section receives an analysis application for a program from a user via a network, a quick evaluation executing section automatically executes a quick evaluation that performs evaluation regarding typical causes of performance deterioration of a program with respect to the received analysis application, a quick evaluation report transmitting section transmits to the user a quick evaluation report that is a report of the executed quick evaluation, and a consulting results report transmitting section transmits to the user a consulting results report that includes results of detailed analysis by an analyst with respect to the analysis application received by the application reception processing section. |
| US07827530B2 |
Methods and systems for testing a software program
Methods and systems for testing a software program are provided. The methods include receiving a textual input for testing at least one static type used by the software program. The textual input of an embodiment is pre-linked to the at least one static type. The method includes creating a dynamic type based on the textual input in a dynamically typed language. The dynamic type is populated based on a predefined set of test vectors and is then passed on to the software program. The software program is executed using the dynamic type. Executing the software program by using the dynamic type invokes the at least one static type used by the software program. |
| US07827529B2 |
System and method for generating a probability distribution of computer performance ratios
A system and method for generating a probability distribution indicating the probability of a range of performance ratios between computer systems. Benchmark and/or other testing results are obtained for both computer systems. For each test, a ratio of one system's performance to the other is calculated. The ratios and/or testing results may be weighted. From the performance ratios, a histogram is produced to indicate the probabilities of achieving the various ratios. Based on the distribution of probabilities, a particular performance ratio can be predicted with a corresponding level of confidence, and used for capacity planning or configuring a computing environment. |
| US07827523B2 |
Query serving infrastructure providing flexible and expandable support and compiling instructions
A system and method for dynamically composing a class is provided. A query is parsed and a compiler object tree is generated that corresponds to the operators in the query. A set of feature requests and responses are initiated and a set of feature objects are generated that are executed at runtime. The language of the query may be extended by registering a new operator, and optionally a new feature for a query language, with a search engine without modifying the source code of the search engine. The new operator may be specified in a plug-in and provided to the search engine via the plug-in. An application converts an end user query into an application query that conforms to the query language supported by the search engine and includes the new operator. The application query may also include references to traditional programming constructs and search engine primitives. |
| US07827522B2 |
Computer method and apparatus for implementing redefinition of model features
Computer method and apparatus implements redefinition of features in a programming model. The invention method includes (i) providing a model element having a feature with a redefinition such that the feature is a redefined feature; (ii) storing indications of the redefinition; and (iii) interpreting the stored indications and generating therefrom a model that implements the redefined feature. Redefined features include redefined property names, redefined property type and redefined multiplicity of a property. |
| US07827519B2 |
Method, system, and computer program product for preparing multiple layers of semiconductor substrates for electronic designs
Disclosed is an improved method, system, and computer program product for preparing multiple levels of semiconductor substrates for three-dimensional IC integration. Some embodiments utilize the process and design models to check and fabricate the insulating dielectric layer (IDL) separating the first and the second film stacks on separate substrates and then prepare the surface of the IDL to receive an additional layer of semiconductor substrate for further fabrication of the chips. Yet some other embodiments further employ the design and process models to ensure the IDL and the semiconductor substrate are sufficiently flat, or are otherwise satisfactory, so the three-dimensional integrated circuits meet the reliability, manufacturability, yield, or performance requirements. Yet some other embodiments further employ design and process models to place the vias connecting the multiple film stacks. |
| US07827518B2 |
Incrementally resolved phase-shift conflicts in layouts for phase-shifted features
Phase shifting allows generating very narrow features in a printed features layer. Thus, forming a fabrication layout for a physical design layout having critical features typically includes providing a layout for shifters. Specifically, pairs of shifters can be placed to define critical features, wherein the pairs of shifters conform to predetermined design rules. After placement, phase information for the shifters associated with the set of critical features can be assigned. Complex designs can lead to phase-shift conflicts among shifters in the fabrication layout. An irresolvable conflict can be passed to the design process earlier than in a conventional processes, thereby saving valuable time in the fabrication process for printed circuits. |
| US07827516B1 |
Method and system for grouping logic in an integrated circuit design to minimize number of transistors and number of unique geometry patterns
A method and system are described to group logic terms at a higher level of abstraction than that found using standard cells to implement the logic functions using a reduced number of transistors, and to reduce the total number of unique geometry patterns needed to create the integrated circuit implementation. By grouping the logic functions in terms of a larger number of literals (logic variable inputs), the functions can be implemented in terms of a number of transistors that is often less and no more than equal to that which is required for implementing the same function with a number of logic primitives, or simpler standard logic cells. The optimized transistor level designs are further optimized and physically constructed to reduce the total number of unique geometry patterns required to implement the integrated circuit. |
| US07827512B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of designing the same
A plurality of internal circuits (11 to 14) are formed on a semiconductor chip 10, and receive different power supply voltages. An ESD protection circuit (15) is connected to the power supply lines (31 to 34) for the internal circuits (11 to 14). The area in which the protection circuit (15) is formed is closer to the center of the semiconductor chip (10) than the areas for the internal circuits (11 to 14). Surge voltages applied to the power supply pads reach the protection circuit before reaching the reaching the internal circuits. |
| US07827506B2 |
Methods and systems for outputting data on a graphical user interface of a computer system
Methods and systems are provided for outputting data on a graphical user interface of a computer system. Consistent with one implementation, a method of outputting data on a graphical user interface is provided. The method comprises retrieving data descriptive of an object from a data repository, transferring the data as an ordered plurality of rows of data to a drop down list box, and displaying the drop down list box on the graphical user interface. Consistent with another implementation, a method of displaying a screen view on a graphical user interface of a computer system is provided. The method comprises defining a screen element allowing display of data, assigning a drop down list box attribute to the screen element, configuring the screen element to suppress data input to the screen element, and displaying the screen element on the graphical user interface. |
| US07827501B2 |
Interactive alert bubbles for alert management
Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to alert bubble management and provide a method, data processing system and computer program product for interactive alert bubbles for alert bubble management. In one embodiment of the invention, an interactive alert bubble can be provided for an alert management data processing system. The interactive alert bubble can include an alert bubble interface to the interactive alert bubble. An alert text field can be disposed in the interface and configured to provide a reference to an alert notification in the alert management data processing system. Additionally, a rating control can be disposed in the interface and configured to establish a rating for the alert notification responsive to a selection of the rating control. |
| US07827497B2 |
User interface and method for viewing short messages on a wireless device
A method is performed by an electronic communication device. The method includes storing electronic messages, and storing criteria for determining whether a stored message is related to a current message. A current electronic message is displayed to a user of the communication device, including the current message's outside address and message body. The relevance of each of the stored messages to the current message is assessed based on the previously-stored criteria. Those messages that meet the criteria are selected and displayed along with the current message. |
| US07827496B2 |
Method and system for dynamically generating user interfaces
A method and a system are for dynamically generating user interfaces for an application, independently of resolution and platform. In this case, a configuration file is read in and interpreted. A layout engine generates the user interface by accessing a mapping which assigns a respective control event to an event handler. |
| US07827491B2 |
Systems and methods for video editing
Systems and methods are disclosed to edit video by receiving a source video; processing the source video with a plurality of tasks including one or more transitions, effects, and audio; assigning the tasks to a plurality of general purpose processor cores and a graphics processing unit (GPU); and rendering a video output. |
| US07827490B2 |
Media state user interface
A media state user interface (UI) indicates a section of past recorded content corresponding to content prior in time sequence to the current viewing position via a first visual element and a section of future recorded content corresponding to content post in time sequence to the current viewing position via a second visual element. The first and second visual elements are visually distinguishable, for example, through the presentation of each visual element in a contrasting color. Adjacent ends of the visual elements abut at an interface. The interface visually represents the current viewing position within the media content. A third visual element in the form of a position indicator tracks the current viewing position at the interface and provides additional information regarding playback and other manipulation of the media content. |
| US07827484B2 |
Text correction for PDF converters
To correct at least one extraneous or missing space in a document, weights are assigned to tokens contained in a dictionary. Each token is defined by an ordered sequence of non-space symbols. The weights are assigned based on at least one of a token length and frequency of occurrence of the token in the document. Corrected text is generated from text of the document by applying an ordered sequence of symbol-level transformations selected from a group of symbol-level transformations including at least (i) deleting a space, (ii) inserting a space, and (iii) copying a symbol. The ordered sequence of symbol-level transformations is optimized respective to an objective function dependent upon the weights of tokens of the corrected text. |
| US07827478B2 |
Dynamic generation of form pages for accessing a database
Systems and methods for generating dynamic form pages for accessing a database. An item model is stored in the database and defines attributes or characteristics of item types. The item model is separate from the actual data and from the data model. When a form page is requested, the page is dynamically generated by accessing the item model based on the requested form. The page is then displayed to the user. Data can be included in the page as necessary. Form pages can be generated on the fly and can automatically adapt to changes in the definition of the item model. |
| US07827475B2 |
Enhanced random access transmission
In a transmitting entity a message of a first time period L is divided into N self-decodable blocks and transmitted towards a communications network. At the communications network the N self-decodable blocks are detected by a receiving entity and decoded on a block basis. |
| US07827467B2 |
Method for checking of video encoder and decoder state integrity
The present invention provides a method and a system for verifying a match between states of a first video processor and a second video processor, wherein one of said first and second video processors is a video encoder utilizing predictive video encoding and the other one of said first and second video processors is a video decoder capable of reproducing a decoded bit stream from an encoded bit stream generated by said video encoder. |
| US07827459B1 |
Communications protocol
The present invention relates to an improved communications protocol which increases the efficiency of transmission in return channels on a multi-channel slotted Alohas system by incorporating advanced error correction algorithms, selective retransmission protocols and the use of reserved channels to satisfy the retransmission requests. |
| US07827452B2 |
Error catch RAM support using fan-out/fan-in matrix
In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a method and apparatus are provided for obtaining test data from multiples devices under test. This could be accomplished in accordance with one embodiment by outputting from a testing device a test signal for input in parallel to at least two devices under test; inputting in parallel to the testing device at least two response signals, each response signal produced by one of the at least two devices under test; storing the response signals received in parallel in a storage device; and serially outputting the response signals from the storage device. |
| US07827451B2 |
Method, system and program product for establishing decimal floating point operands for facilitating testing of decimal floating point instructions
A method, system and program product are provided for establishing one or more decimal floating point (DFP) operand for facilitating testing of a decimal floating point instruction. The method includes obtaining an encoded DFP operand previously generated for testing the decimal floating point instruction, and logically modifying at least one bit of the encoded DFP operand without decoding the encoded DFP operand to obtain an additional encoded DFP operand. In one embodiment, m sequential bits of the encoded DFP operand, n randomly generated bits (wherein n=m), and a logical operation (such as an AND, OR, XOR or SHIFT) are employed in modifying the previously generated, encoded DFP operand. |
| US07827447B2 |
Sliding window mechanism for data capture and failure analysis
A computerized method, program product, and an autonomic data processing system for archiving real-time log data immediately upon the occurrence of an event. An application is executing and a logging application is obtaining real-time log data. The real-time log data is temporarily retained in a memory and when the memory fills, the real-time log data is archived to a longer-term memory. Upon archival, selected parameters of the real-time log data is saved. When an event occurs that is considered significant meaning that an aspect of the data processing system is impacted by or is indicative of the event, an information level module immediately adjusts the level of information of the selected parameters archived to the longer-term memory, allowing for selected levels to be retained for future analysis. As part of an autonomic computer system, the information levels can be adjusted for learning about specific events and the behavior of the data processing system. |
| US07827443B2 |
Processor instruction retry recovery
Recovery circuits react to errors in a processor core by waiting for an error-free completion of any pending store-conditional instruction or a cache-inhibited load before ceasing to checkpoint or backup progress of a processor core. Recovery circuits remove the processor core from the logical configuration of the symmetric multiprocessor system, potentially reducing propagation of errors to other parts of the system. The processor core is reset and the checkpointed values may be restored to registers of the processor core. The core processor is allowed not just to resume execution just prior to the instructions that failed to execute correctly the first time, but is allowed to operate in a reduced execution mode for a preprogrammed number of groups. If the preprogrammed number of instruction groups execute without error, the processor core is allowed to resume normal execution. |
| US07827441B1 |
Disk-less quorum device for a clustered storage system
A disk-less quorum device in a clustered storage system includes non-volatile memory to store status information regarding the cluster and each storage controller in the cluster. The quorum device maintains a bitmap, shared by the controllers in the cluster, in the non-volatile memory. The bitmap indicates the status of a write operation to any data block or parity block. A “dirty” data unit in the bitmap indicates that a write operation has been submitted but is not yet finished. Upon submitting a write request (to update a data block or a parity block) to the storage facility, a controller sets the corresponding data unit “dirty” in the bitmap. After receiving an acknowledgement from the storage facility indicating that the operation has been completed, the controller clears the corresponding data unit. If a controller fails during a write operation, another controller can use the bitmap to re-establish data consistency. |
| US07827440B1 |
Re-synchronizing corrupted data
The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a method that includes identifying and restoring corrupted data stored, for example, on a portable media player. Some of the described implementations include synching a media player with a host device (e.g., a personal computer). During synchronization, the host device can query the media player to determine whether any media stored on the device should be replaced. For example, the host device can determine whether a corruption event occurred in association with a media file (e.g., whether the media player skipped the media file as unplayable). In another example, the host can determine whether portions of a media player's storage device are damage or “bad.” If a bad portion is detected, the host device can identify media stored on the portion as corrupt. After identifying corrupted media, the host can replace the media with valid copies. |
| US07827438B2 |
Distributed testing system and techniques
A fully distributed system for testing a distributed computing system utilizes test services exposed in conjunction by independent test components deployed on one or more computing nodes of the distributed computing system. The test services ensure dynamic and adaptive coordination amongst the test components. The test services include but are not limited to: an atomic synchronization service; a distributed shared memory service; a lock manager service; a publish/subscribe service; and a producer/consumer service. |
| US07827437B1 |
System and method for takeover of partner re-sources in conjunction with coredump
A system and method for allowing more rapid takeover of a failed filer by a clustered takeover partner filer in the presence of a coredump procedure (e.g. a transfer of the failed filer's working memory) is provided. To save time, the coredump is allowed to occur contemporaneously with the takeover of the failed filer's regular, active file service disks by the partner so that the takeover need not await completion of the coredump to begin. This is accomplished, briefly stated, by the following techniques. The coredump is written to a single disk that is not involved in regular file service, so that takeover of regular file services can proceed without interference from coredump. A reliable means for both filers in a cluster to identify the coredump disk is provided, which removes takeover dependence upon unreliable communications mechanisms. A means is provided for identification during takeover of the coredump disk and SCSI-3 reservations are employed to coordinate write access to (ownership of) shared disks, so as to prevent takeover from interfering with coredump while simultaneously preventing the failed filer is from continuing to write regular file system disks being taken over by its partner. |
| US07827436B2 |
Method of updating a dual redundant chassis management system
The present invention discloses a method of updating a dual redundant chassis management system, and the method is applied in a server. If the server obtains a change message, it creates a virtual channel between an active chassis management system and a standby chassis management system, so that the active chassis management system can be updated according to the change message, and the change message can be sent to the standby chassis management system through the virtual channel. After the active chassis management system and the standby chassis management system are updated, the virtual channel is closed to provide sufficiency transmission bandwidth and stability for data transmissions, when the server synchronously updates the active chassis management system and the standby chassis management system. |
| US07827431B2 |
Memory card having memory device and host apparatus accessing memory card
A memory card includes a clock I/O circuit, a data I/O circuit, a delay element, and an adjustment value holding circuit. The clock input/output circuit receives a first clock from a host apparatus. The data I/O circuit receives a second clock from the host apparatus in a write timing adjustment mode. The data I/O circuit transmits and receives data to and from the host apparatus in a data transfer mode. In the write timing adjustment mode, the delay element adjusts a phase of the second clock in accordance with the first clock so as to receive the data received in the data transfer mode in response to the first clock. The adjustment value holding circuit holds an adjustment value for the phase of the second clock adjusted. In the data transfer mode, the delay element adjusts a phase of the data in accordance with the adjustment value. |
| US07827429B2 |
Fault tolerant computer
A fault tolerant computer comprises a first unit, a second unit, a delay buffer and a delay time setting unit. The first unit executes a computer program in response to an input signal. The second unit executes the computer program in the same execution environment as the first unit in response to the input signal. The delay buffer controls a delay time of a timing when the input signal is input to the first unit with respect to a timing when the input signal is input to the second unit. The delay time setting unit sets the delay time to zero when receiving a synchronization mode signal and sets the delay time to be larger than zero when receiving a delay mode signal. |
| US07827423B2 |
Low power computer with main and auxiliary processors
A processing device comprises a processor, low power nonvolatile memory that communicates with the processor, high power nonvolatile memory that communicates with the processor. The processing device manages data using a cache hierarchy comprising a high power (HP) nonvolatile memory level for data in the high power nonvolatile memory and a low power (LP) nonvolatile memory level for data in the low power nonvolatile memory. The LP nonvolatile memory level has a higher level in the cache hierarchy than the HP nonvolatile memory level. |
| US07827421B2 |
System and method for throttling power in one or more information handling systems
An information handling system includes support for dynamic power throttling. In one embodiment, an information handling system includes power level detection and power control modules. The power level detection module may monitor power consumption for the information handling system and may automatically transmit power level data to a power level manager, based on the monitored power consumption. The power control module may receive power control data from the power level manager. The power control module may also automatically adjust power consumption of the information handling system, in accordance with the power control data received from the power level manager. In another embodiment, an information handling system may include an interface and a power level manager. The power level manager may receive power information for computers via the interface, may automatically compute an adjusted power threshold setting, and may automatically transmit the adjusted power threshold setting to a computer. |
| US07827419B2 |
Apparatus and method for centralized power management
The invention describes a system and method for arranging to provide power to a power monitor device. The disclosure describes the system and method receiving a request for power for at least one device specified by a power monitor device. The disclosure describes receiving at least one proposal from an entity desiring to supply power according to the request for power. A best proposal of the at least one proposal is determined. And the system and method command the power monitor device to supply power in accordance with the best proposal. |
| US07827418B2 |
Controlling power distribution among multiple wires in communication cable
A novel system and methodology for supplying power over a communication cable, such as an Ethernet cable, using power distribution circuitry for controlling power distribution between wires or pairs of wires in the communication cable. The power distribution circuitry may control distribution of current among wires or pairs of wires in the communication cable. In particular, balance of current among the wires or pairs of wires may be provided. |
| US07827410B2 |
System and method for identity validation for a regulated transaction
A system and method for performing an identity validation is provided. The invention includes an identity transaction engine component and a communication component. The identity transaction engine component facilitates searching of data store(s) in order to validate identity related to a regulated transaction. The communication component facilitates communication between the identification validation system and remote system such as database(s) and/or data storage system(s). The data store(s) can store governmental agency and/or private entity information. The data store(s) can be remote or local. The invention further provides for the identification validation system to, optionally, include input device(s) and/or output device(s). The input device(s) facilitate identifying an entity to the identification validation system. The output device(s) facilitate communication to user(s) of the identification validation system. |
| US07827409B2 |
Remote secure authorization
The present invention discloses a technique provisioning network cryptographic keys to a client when direct physical transfer is not feasible. In an embodiment of the invention, a client token generates a temporary key encrypted with a first secret key known only in a master token database and passes this on to an enterprise network token of a network to which service is requested. The enterprise network token then further encrypts the encrypted temporary key with a second secret key and passes that on to the master token database. Since the second secret key is also known by the master token database, the originally encrypted temporary key can be securely decoded only by a master token coupled to the master token database. The decrypted temporary key can then be re-encrypted with a key known only by the enterprise network token and the master token, and returned to the enterprise network token. This allows the enterprise network token to gain secure access to the temporary key of the client token, thereby allowing the enterprise network token to securely provision the remote client token with the appropriate enterprise Network Keys. |
| US07827406B2 |
System and method for processing encoded messages for exchange with a mobile data communication device
A system and method are provided for pre-processing encrypted and/or signed messages at a host system before the message is transmitted to a wireless mobile communication device. The message is received at the host system from a message sender. There is a determination as to whether any of the message receivers has a corresponding wireless mobile communication device. For each message receiver that has a corresponding wireless mobile communication device, the message is processed so as to modify the message with respect to one or more encryption and/or authentication aspects. The processed message is transmitted to a wireless mobile communication device that corresponds to the first message receiver. The system and method may include post-processing messages sent from a wireless mobile communications device to a host system. Authentication and/or encryption message processing is performed upon the message. The processed message may then be sent through the host system to one or more receivers. |
| US07827404B1 |
Secure sockets layer proxy architecture
A method for secure communications between a client and one of a plurality of servers performed on an intermediate device coupled to the client and the plurality of servers. |
| US07827402B2 |
Method and apparatus for ingress filtering using security group information
A method and apparatus for ingress filtering using security group information are disclosed. The method includes performing access control processing on a packet and sending access control information to an ingress node of the packet in response to the access control processing. The access control information includes security group information and an address of a network node. The security group information identifies a security group. The network node is a member of the security group and is a destination of the packet. |
| US07827401B2 |
Efficient certificate revocation
We propose new systems for certificate revocation that are more economical and efficient than traditional ones. We also point out what we believe to be a structural problem in traditional public-key infrastructures, and various ways to solve it. |
| US07827392B2 |
Sliding-window, block-based branch target address cache
A sliding-window, block-based Branch Target Address Cache (BTAC) comprises a plurality of entries, each entry associated with a block of instructions containing at least one branch instruction having been evaluated taken, and having a tag associated with the address of the first instruction in the block. The blocks each correspond to a group of instructions fetched from memory, such as an I-cache. Where a branch instruction is included in two or more fetch groups, it is also included in two or more instruction blocks associated with BTAC entries. The sliding-window, block-based BTAC allows for storing the Branch Target Address (BTA) of two or more taken branch instructions that fall in the same instruction block, without providing for multiple BTA storage space in each BTAC entry, by storing BTAC entries associated with different instruction blocks, each containing at least one of the taken branch instructions. |
| US07827391B2 |
Method and apparatus for single-stepping coherence events in a multiprocessor system under software control
An apparatus and method are disclosed for single-stepping coherence events in a multiprocessor system under software control in order to monitor the behavior of a memory coherence mechanism. Single-stepping coherence events in a multiprocessor system is made possible by adding one or more step registers. By accessing these step registers, one or more coherence requests are processed by the multiprocessor system. The step registers determine if the snoop unit will operate by proceeding in a normal execution mode, or operate in a single-step mode. |
| US07827382B2 |
Network system and method for setting volume group in the network system
Storage network arrangements effecting a method including: acquiring information on the real volumes, and port information on the physical devices in which the real volumes reside; creating virtual volumes being linked to the real volumes, based on the information on the real volumes; forming one or more virtual volume groups by combining the virtual volumes, based on the port information, in such a way that the virtual volumes and the virtual volume groups in which the virtual volumes reside have a virtual-volume-to-virtual-volume-group configuration which is identical to a real-volume-to-physical-device configuration of the real volumes and the physical devices in which the real volumes reside; and establishing the created virtual volume groups in the upper storage apparatus. |
| US07827378B2 |
Defect management using mutable logical to physical association
The application relates to defect management using mutable logical to physical association. Embodiments disclosed utilize mutable mapping between logical blocks and physical blocks. Dynamically updated mapping data, which mutably associates the logical blocks and the physical blocks, also includes physical block defect allocations. |
| US07827376B2 |
System and method for protecting hidden protected area of HDD during operation
A “setmax” command is issued in BIOS to hide the service area (HPA) of a HDD during normal operation, so that the HPA cannot be accessed or erased inadvertently by the user or by a virus. Pressing a special key (e.g., F11) during booting permits access to the HPA. |
| US07827375B2 |
Defensive heap memory management
A data structure, method and system are provided incorporating a general purpose memory allocator and defensive heap memory manager. This provides an ability to reliably detect various types of memory errors, dynamically enable or disable memory debugging, enhance success of read and write operations using various memory verification techniques. Further, through separation of control information associated with allocated and free chunks of memory from the chunks themselves (separation of metadata from actual data), enhanced protection of vital information about the heap memory layout in general is provided. The heap memory manager uses read, write, and execute protected heap header walls and pool header walls and may, for each pool and memory block, separately use hidden front and back Memory Debug Information Areas (MDIAs) with checksums and well-known signature fields thereby enhancing overall memory management. |
| US07827369B2 |
Data processing system having a plurality of storage systems
It is an object of the present invention to conduct data transfer or data copying between a plurality of storage systems, without affecting the host computer of the storage systems. Two or more auxiliary storage systems 100B, 100C are connected to a primary storage system 100A connected to a host device 180. The auxiliary storage systems 100B, 100C read journals of data update from the primary storage system 100A at respective independent timings, save the journals in prescribed logical volumes JNL 2, JNL 3, produce copying of the data present in the primary storage system 100A based on the journals present in the logical volumes JNL 2, JNL 3 at the independent timings, and save the copies in auxiliary logical volumes COPY 1, COPY 3. The primary storage system 100A holds the journals till both auxiliary storage systems 100B, 100C read the journals and restore. The timing of journal read can be controlled according to the journal quantity, processing load, and the like. |
| US07827360B2 |
Cache locking device and methods thereof
A method and device for locking a cache line of a cache is disclosed. The method includes automatically changing a state of a cache line from a valid locked state to an invalid locked state in response to receiving an indication that a memory location external to the cache and corresponding to the cache line is associated with an access request by a processor or other data access module. Thus, the locked state of a cache line is maintained even after data in the locked cache line is invalidated. By maintaining the invalid locked state, the cache line is not available for reallocation by the cache. This allows locked cache lines that become invalidated to remain locked without additional software overhead to periodically determine whether the lock has been lost due to invalidation of the cache line. |
| US07827356B2 |
System and method of using an N-way cache
A system and method of using an n-way cache are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method includes determining a first way of a first instruction stored in a cache and storing the first way in a list of ways. The method also includes determining a second way of a second instruction stored in the cache and storing the second way in the list of ways. In an embodiment, the first way may be used to access a first cache line containing the first instruction and the second way may be used to access a second cache line containing the second instruction. |
| US07827354B2 |
Victim cache using direct intervention
A method, system, and device for enabling intervention across same-level cache memories. In a preferred embodiment, responsive to a cache miss in a first cache memory a direct intervention request is sent from the first cache memory to a second cache memory requesting a direct intervention that satisfies the cache miss. In an alternate embodiment, direct intervention is utilized to access a same-level victim cache. |
| US07827349B1 |
Method and apparatus for coalesced multi-block read
A storage system, such as a storage server, receives a list of volume block numbers (VBNs) in a multi-block read request. In response to the request, the storage system coalesces the list into one or more chains of sequential VBNs. The storage system issues each chain to the storage subsystem. |
| US07827348B2 |
High performance flash memory devices (FMD)
High performance flash memory devices (FMD) are described. According to one exemplary embodiment of the invention, a high performance FMD includes an I/O interface, a FMD controller, and at least one non-volatile memory module along with corresponding at least one channel controller. The I/O interface is configured to connect the high performance FMD to a host computing device The FMD contoller is configured to control data transfer (e.g., data reading, data writing/programming, and data erasing) operations between the host computing device and the non-volatile memory module. The at least one non-volatile memory module, comprising one or more non-volatile memory chips, is configured as a secondary storage for the host computing device. The at least one channel controller is configured to ensure proper and efficient data transfer between a set of data buffers located in the FMD controller and the at least one non-volatile memory module. |
| US07827340B2 |
Graphics processor in a docking station
A system that includes a docking station comprising a graphics processor and a transceiver. The system also includes a computer comprising a display. The computer is in communication with the docking station. The graphics processor receives input signals from the computer and, as a result, provides output signals to the computer. The computer uses the output signals to display images on the display. |