| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US07824392B2 |
Catheter with thin-walled braid
A catheter braid can be formed from at least two continuous wires that are woven together. The catheter braid can include a proximal braid section and a distal braid section. Each of the continuous wires has a proximal diameter corresponding to the proximal braid section and a distal diameter corresponding to the distal braid section. The distal diameter of each wire can be less than the proximal diameter of that wire. A catheter braid so formed can be included in a catheter. |
| US07824391B2 |
Articulating guide catheter
A guiding catheter system uses one or more steering lumens embedded within the walls of a flexible shaft. The steering lumens are in fluid contact with inflation lumens that are accessible from a proximal part of the guide catheter. The catheter is steered by pressurizing or depressurizing the inflation lumens, thereby inflating or deflating the steering lumens. The change in steering lumen pressure causes a change of the catheter's distal end, allowing the catheter to be steered. |
| US07824388B2 |
Tampon having an angled finger cover
A digital tampon including an angled finger cover. The tampons can comprise an absorbent mass having an insertion end and a withdrawal end and an angled finger cover. |
| US07824385B2 |
Sanitary article including ink used to increase the hydrophobicity of an area of the article
Sanitary articles such as sanitary napkins including several layers, wherein an ink is applied on at least one of the layers. The ink application area is situated at least partially above the core and extends outwardly across at least a portion of the periphery of the core, but does not entirely cover the core. The ink is visible in the finished article. The ink provides improved resistance to re-wet of the topsheet and side leakage of the core. |
| US07824384B2 |
Chest tube drainage system
A system for draining the chest cavity of a patient subjected to a traumatic chest injury and/or to surgery within the chest. The system includes a small, portable suction device and a chest tube with an improved terminal structure. A number of embodiments of the suction device are disclosed; the first (with two variations) a small, completely disposable, bottle-shaped assembly comprising a motor/pump section, a power section, and a desiccant filled chamber, the second (also with two variations) a small box shaped assembly with a disposable desiccant pouch and a power supply that mounts to a battery charger positioned on an IV pole. A number of chest tube terminus structures are disclosed, including multi-lumen structures having high-airflow and low-airflow lumens as well as “dead” and “live” lumens. Fenestrations are variously positioned between and through the lumens in order to collect coagulated components of the extracted fluids and prevent them from clogging the primary flow tube and restricting or preventing continuous airflow. |
| US07824378B2 |
Non-axial return spring for safety needle
A needle safety device is provided having a housing, a needle assembly movably mounted within the housing and a spring for biasing the needle assembly within the housing. The needle assembly is movable along a first axis and the spring is movable along the second axis different from the first. There is also provided a lens for enhancing visualization of the flow of fluid through the needle safety device. There is further provided a safety sheath for covering a needle of the needle assembly and restraining the needle assembly against movement due to the bias of the spring. |
| US07824377B2 |
Tissue anchoring catheter systems and methods
Catheter systems and methods are disclosed for anchoring the catheter system to tissue, e.g., for delivery of biologic or chemical agents, or other therapeutic fluid during various procedures. An exemplary tissue anchoring catheter comprises an outer catheter shaft connected to a catheter handle. A delivery sheath is provided within the outer catheter shaft, the delivery sheath housing a needle. At least one anchor is operatively associated with the delivery sheath, the at least one anchor operable at the catheter handle to secure the delivery sheath to tissue for conveying biologic or chemical agents, or other therapeutic fluid from the needle to the tissue. The tissue anchoring catheter may further comprise sensing means such as piezoelectric, pressure, thermistor, thermocouple, or ultrasound sensors. |
| US07824366B2 |
Collateral ventilation device with chest tube/evacuation features and method
A collateral ventilation bypass system with chest tube evacuation device may be utilized in combination to removed trapped air from the lungs. With the chest tube evacuation device, any air trapped in the pleural space may be evacuated through the bypass system to prevent a pneumothorax. |
| US07824365B2 |
Percutaneous access
Medical devices and related methods enable physicians and/or other medical personnel to access percutaneously the interior of a patient. One particular device includes a housing which defines a cavity, a first opening into the cavity, and a second opening into the cavity. The housing is implantable in a patient. The cavity is placed subcutaneously within the patient. The first opening is substantially flush with the surface of the skin of the patient and creates a percutaneous passageway from the exterior of the skin of the patient into the cavity, and the second opening creates a passageway from the cavity into the interior of the patient. A connector is coupled to the second opening and disposed substantially within the cavity to enable a connection between a first device and a second device disposed within the interior of the patient. |
| US07824362B2 |
Connector device
An adapter for use in connecting a vacuum source with a breast shield is disclosed including a housing with at least one female coupling component formed therein, at least one male coupling component that is adapted to attach to a tube at one end for conveying pressure from the vacuum source, while the other end is sized and shaped to be received in the female coupling component. A passageway extends between the first end and the second end of the male coupling component for conveying the pressure. The female coupling component is defined therein by an interior sidewall that has a channel formed therein open to the female coupling component at least somewhere along the interior sidewall. When the male coupling component is inserted in the female coupling component, a sealing portion of the male coupling component engages the interior sidewall surface such that ambient air is prevented from entering the channel and disrupting optimal vacuum pressure. |
| US07824360B2 |
Intradermal needles injection device
A needle-less fluid injection device, including, a nozzle head with an injection hole for accepting a dose of fluid to be injected into the skin of a patient, a fluid capsule that is connected to said nozzle head and provides the nozzle head with one or more doses of fluid for injection, an injection head for mounting the fluid capsule and the nozzle head; including a first mechanism for releasing a dose of fluid from the fluid capsule to the nozzle and a second mechanism for injecting the dose of fluid from the nozzle into the skin of a patient. |
| US07824358B2 |
Heart pump connector
A heart assist device connection system comprises an inflow connector in fluid-tight communication with an inflow section of a heart assist device. The connector is configured to be releasably connected to an inlet extension inserted into a patient's ventricle. The connector has one or more recesses configured to match a protrusion on the inlet extension. The system also comprises an outflow connector in fluid communication with an outflow section of the heart assist device. The outflow connector is configured to be releasably connected to a conduit attached-to the patient's vasculature. |
| US07824354B2 |
Process for controlling blood flow in an extracorporeal blood circuit
Equipment for controlling blood flow in an extracorporeal blood circuit, comprising at least a first sensor, designed to measure an arterial pressure upstream of a peristaltic pump, at least a second sensor, designed to measure an angular velocity of a peristaltic pump, a memory designed to store at least one set value of the desired blood flow through the access branch, a calibration function, and a control unit. The calibration function has at least variables (v1), related to the angular velocity of the pump, (v2), related to the arterial pressure in a portion of the access branch upstream of the peristaltic pump, (v3), related to an actual flow of blood through the access branch. The control unit is capable of calculating an actual flow value by applying the calibration function to the values of angular velocity and arterial pressure measured by the sensors, comparing the actual flow with the desired flow, and varying the angular velocity of the peristaltic pump if the actual flow value minus the desired flow lies outside a predetermined range. |
| US07824353B2 |
Surgical support for femur
A surgical support for a femur utilizing a shaft having a proximal portion and a distal portion. The shaft lies along an axis which is coincident with a first plane. A hook connects to the shaft through an intermediate portion and lies in a second plane which intersects the first plane. The hook includes a flattened portion for support of the femur. |
| US07824352B2 |
Ambidextrous wrist brace with thumb immobilizer
An ambidextrous wrist brace is described, having a substantially rectangular main strap (2) designed to be closed in a tubular shape around the wrist and provided with a slot (21) through which the user's thumb passes to be immobilized by an immobilization system (3) connected to the main strap (2). The thumb immobilization system (3) includes a rod (30) substantially bent into a U-shape to give rise to two end arms (31) which engage telescopically in respective pockets (9, 9′) formed on the main strap (2), so as to be able to adjust the thumb immobilizer (3) in position. |
| US07824347B2 |
System for marking a location for treatment within the gastrointestinal tract
A device and method for mapping, diagnosing and treating the intestinal tract is provided using a capsule passing through the intestinal tract. Further, a capsule tracking system is provided for tracking a capsule's location along the length of an intestinal tract as various treatment and/or sensing modalities are employed. In one variation, an acoustic signal is used to determine the location of the capsule. A map of sensed information may be derived from the pass of a capsule. Capsules may be subsequently passed through to treat the intestinal tract at a determined location along its length. One variation uses an electrical stimulation capsule to treat and/or diagnose a condition in the intestinal tract. |
| US07824345B2 |
Medical device with push force limiter
A medical device with improved flexibility characteristics and methods of using the same. The medical device may include a proximal end, a distal end, and an intermediate region. In at least some embodiments, the column strength or flexibility of the intermediate portion is generally greater than the column strength or flexibility at the distal end. |
| US07824340B2 |
Pulsimeter sensor using magnetic thin films
The present invention relates to a noninvasive medical pulsimeter sensor using magnetic thin films. By forming a pulse-sensing part array with magnetic sensors such as GMR devices, MTJ devices and the likes, over the skin-contacting part which consists of a magnetic material, the present invention increases the integrity of sensors, minimizes the time for searching the pulse and it is applicable widely to portable pulsimeters and the likes. |
| US07824339B2 |
Method and system for selecting and recording biopsy sites in a body organ using ultrasound in two and three dimensions
The present invention relates to methods and systems for selecting and recording biopsy sites in a body tissue or organ. More in particular the present invention provides a method for selecting and recording biopsy sites in a body organ comprising: a) obtaining a three-dimensional volume of backscattered Ultrasound data grid of a three-dimensional region of the organ; b) obtaining a two-dimensional matrix of Ultrasound data of a two-dimensional sub-region of said organ; c) positioning the two-dimensional matrix of Ultrasound data in the three-dimensional volume of backscattered Ultrasound data grid obtained in step (a); d) optionally selecting one or more sites in the two-dimensional matrix of Ultrasound data where a biopsy is to be obtained; e) indicating in the three-dimensional volume of backscattered Ultrasound data grid and/or in the two-dimensional matrix of Ultrasound data any sites at which biopsies were obtained; and f) optionally repeating steps (b) to (e) as required. |
| US07824333B2 |
Diabetes management methods and systems
The present invention relates to methods and systems for monitoring the effectiveness of diabetes treatment. Methods and systems in accordance with the present invention provide information relating to variability of glucose levels and hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia. Such information is based on time-stamped blood glucose data obtained from a meter or the like and actual measurements of HbA1c levels are not required. |
| US07824327B2 |
Optical trocar with scope holding assembly
An optical access apparatus for receiving an endoscope to permit visualization during passage through tissue includes an access member dimensioned for insertion through body tissue. The access member defines a longitudinal axis and has a longitudinal opening for receiving an endoscope. The access member has a closed penetrating end adapted to pass through tissue. The closed penetrating end is transparent to permit visualization of tissue with the endoscope. The optical access apparatus further includes a locking collet coaxially mounted relative to the longitudinal axis of the access member and a manual member mounted adjacent the locking collet and operatively engageable therewith. The locking collet has internal surfaces defining an internal passage to permit passage of the surgical instrument. The manual member is adapted for rotational movement about the longitudinal axis to reduce an internal dimension of the internal passage of the locking collet to cause the internal surfaces of the locking collet to securely engage the surgical instrument. |
| US07824326B2 |
Bioabsorbable casing for surgical sling assembly
The invention provides a surgical sling assembly for implanting in tissue to provide anatomical support in a patient. The surgical sling assembly includes a sling and a biocompatible casing enclosing at least a portion of the sling. The biocompatible casing is absorbed by the patient's tissues after the surgical sling assembly is positioned within the patient's tissue to provide anatomical support. |
| US07824320B2 |
Expander roller
A roller, in particular an expander roller, for a web-processing machine, has a support core, which is braced in the region of both its ends via a respective bearing arrangement, and an outer covering, which in its axially central region is braced in a radially fixed manner in relation to the support core and in the region of its two ends is braced in a radially displaceable manner in relation to the support core by a respective additional bearing arrangement, whereby the radially extending center plane of both the support core bearing arrangement and the outer covering bearing arrangement lies axially within the outer covering. Preferably the outer covering is displaceable in this case in the region of its two ends respectively by an actuator arranged within the outer covering. |
| US07824319B2 |
Push-up system
The disclosure described by this invention describes a system for performing a variety of push-up exercises is disclosed. The present invention comprises multiple blocks that are arranged into columns. The user can adjust the height and width of the columns to accommodate body size, as well as the type of exercise being performed. This adds a new dimension to the basic push-up, allowing the user to perform a variety of different types of push-up. The system helps to strengthen and stretch the human body, and achieve optimum performance by working different areas of the body, promoting peak development of the musculoskeletal system. |
| US07824318B1 |
Exercise apparatus
An exercise apparatus includes a flexible panel that has a top side, a bottom side, a first end edge, a second end edge, a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge. A strap is integrally coupled to the first end edge and extends away therefrom. The strap has a distal end with respect to the panel. A coupler releasably secures the strap in a closed loop. A spherical ball is removable positioned in the closed loop. A person may sit upon the top side and utilize the closed loop as a lower back support while exercising. |
| US07824312B1 |
Exercising handgrip having a tension adjustable function
An exercising handgrip includes a base, a first handle mounted on the base, a second handle movably mounted on the first handle and disposed between the base and the first handle, a threaded tube movably mounted on the base, a tensile spring mounted in the threaded tube and biased between the threaded tube and the second handle, and a threaded adjusting knob rotatably mounted on the base and screwed onto the threaded tube. The base has two limit ribs. The threaded tube has two limit slots each slidable on the respective limit rib of the base. Thus, the adjusting knob is rotated in the base to move the threaded tube relative to the second handle and to compress or extend the tensile spring so as to adjust the tension of the tensile spring. |
| US07824311B1 |
Exercising handgrip having adjustable damping force
An exercising handgrip includes a first handle, a second handle pivotally connected with the first handle, a damping spring biased between the first handle and the second handle, a threaded adjusting module movably mounted on the second handle and pressing the damping spring, and a threaded adjusting knob rotatably mounted on the second handle and screwed onto the threaded adjusting module to move the threaded adjusting module relative to the damping spring by rotation of the adjusting knob. Thus, the adjusting knob is rotated on the second handle to drive the threaded adjusting module to move forward or backward relative to the second handle so as to change the distance between the first handle and the second handle and to compress or extend the damping spring, thereby adjusting the damping force of the damping spring. |
| US07824308B2 |
Methods for shifting a vehicle transmission
A continuously variable transmission mechanically coupled with an automated mechanical transmission is adjusted during a shifting process. At the completion of the shifting process, an engine mechanically coupled with the automated mechanical transmission is provided a fueling pulse. Additionally, the speed of an output shaft of the automated mechanical transmission is filtered by a second order variable time constant low pass filter. |
| US07824301B2 |
Gear train of automatic transmission for vehicles
A gear train in an automatic transmission for vehicles may include: a first planetary gear set outputting reduced and same rotational speeds through two pathways by using torque received from an input shaft through one input pathway; a second planetary gear set outputting reversed and same outputs by using the reduced rotational speed from the first planetary gear set, and outputting an increased input when the reduced and same rotational speeds are simultaneous inputted from the first planetary gear set; and a third planetary gear set outputting six forward speeds and one reverse speed by using the outputs from the second planetary gear set and torque from the input shaft. |
| US07824298B2 |
8-speed transmission with two fixed interconnections
The transmission has a plurality of members that can be utilized in powertrains to provide eight forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio. The transmission includes three planetary gear sets having six torque-transmitting mechanisms and two fixed interconnections. The powertrain includes an engine and torque converter that is continuously connected to at least one of the planetary gear members and an output member that is continuously connected with another one of the planetary gear members. The six torque-transmitting mechanisms provide interconnections between various gear members, and with the transmission housing, and are operated in combinations of three to establish at least eight forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio. |
| US07824297B2 |
Multi-speed transmission
A multi-speed transmission has four planetary gear sets and five torque-transmitting mechanisms packaged in at least one of six possible zones within the transmission casing. |
| US07824296B2 |
Locking differential having a split-center driver
A locking differential includes a housing with an interior chamber in which a two-piece split-center driver is located. The split-center driver is positioned on opposite sides of a cross-pin assembly. A pair of axially spaced output shafts extend from the interior chamber and are coupled to a pair of side gears. The split-center driver gear and a centered cam member are arranged co-axially about the adjacent ends of the output shafts, and annular clutch members are operable to disconnect an overrunning output shaft. |
| US07824293B2 |
Vehicle transmission
A transmission includes a first gear, and a second gear is fixed to one end of a shaft with the second gear engaging the first gear. A bevel gear is rotatably supported on the shaft and engages a power input gear. A hub is fixed to the bevel gear for concentric rotation about the shaft; the hub having a splined outer section. A planetary gear set including a sun gear and a carrier are arranged concentrically about the splined outer section of the hub. A splined section is fixed to an opposite end of the shaft. A collar assembly includes first and second collars, each having internal teeth and external teeth. The first collar and the second collar are axially coupled together and independently rotatable relative to one another, and the collar assembly slidably engages the splined section and the splined outer section. |
| US07824291B2 |
Shift control apparatus and method for automatic transmission
When a determination for a second shift is made during a first shift process, if the turbine speed is the variety of the synchronous rotational speed for the speed to which the automatic transmission is to be shifted in the second shift and the hydraulic pressure command value for the first brake, which is engaged in the second shift, is equal to or larger than a predetermined value, the multiple shift portion immediately switches the shift control from the first shift control to the second shift control so that the hydraulic pressure command value for the first brake, which is engaged in the second shift, increase at a specific rate and the hydraulic pressure command value for the third brake, which is released in the second shift, decreases at a specific rate. |
| US07824289B2 |
Steer drive for tracked vehicles
The differential steering drive for a tracked vehicle includes a drive differential interconnecting the drive shafts for the tracks and a steering differential for superimposing additive and subtractive rotations to the tracks for steering and pivot turning. In the preferred embodiment for high speed tracked vehicles, the drive differential is an all-gear no-clutch type limited-slip differential, and the steering differential is an unlimited-slip differential. The differentials are arranged to provide no-slip track operation traveling in straight paths or when steering so long as at least one track has traction. In another embodiment for pivot-turning slow-moving off-road vehicles, both the drive differential and the steering differential are all-gear no-clutch type limited-slip differentials. Further, both embodiments preferably include an additional left-side and an additional right-side all-gear no-clutch type limited-slip differential for dividing the torque delivered to a respective pair of drive axles associated with each track. |
| US07824288B2 |
Polyurethane power transmission belt
A power transmission belt having a main belt body portion of elastomeric material, a tensile reinforcement such as carbon fiber cord, disposed in said body portion, and a sheave contact portion integral with said main body portion. The elastomeric material includes the reaction product of a polyisocyanate prepolymer composition and a chain extender. The polyisocyanate prepolymer composition is prepared by reacting a diisocyanate and a polyol substantially free of moieties oxidative at less than about 150° C. and at least one triol crosslinker selected from the same group of polyols. Either before or after reacting the prepolymer, a plasticizer selected from the group consisting of alkyl-ether di-alkylesters such as polyethylene glycol di-alkylester is added thereto. The chain extender is an aromatic symmetric primary or secondary diamine chain extenders. |
| US07824287B2 |
Bicycle sprocket
A bicycle sprocket is provided that has a sprocket ring part, a synthetic resin fastening part and at least one attachment part. The synthetic resin fastening part is non-movably coupled to the sprocket ring part at a location radially inwardly of the sprocket teeth relative to the rotation axis. The least one attachment part is at least partially embedded within the synthetic resin fastening part. The attachment part includes a connecting portion and a radial projecting portion extending outwardly from the connecting portion to space the connecting portion radially inward of the sprocket ring part. The attachment part is formed as a separate member from the sprocket ring part and the synthetic resin fastening part. The synthetic resin fastening part facilitates weight saving, while the attachment part prevents the reduction of fastening power (strength) due to deterioration or deformation of the synthetic resin. |
| US07824286B2 |
Device for placing a looped belt under tension
A tensioning device has a tension arm mounted on a base. A pulley is mounted on the tension arm for engaging a looped belt. By changing mounting bushings, one can select either a static mode wherein the tension arm is held stationary relative to the base, or a dynamic mode wherein, in response to a changing force applied between the pulley and the belt (due to vibrations or load changes, for example), the tension arm moves relative to the base in such a manner as to maintain the force substantially constant. Several such devices can be employed in a system for controlling the tension of a looped belt, one or more of the devices being in the static mode and one or more being in the dynamic mode. Several such systems can be employed in a complex machine such as a photocopier or medical apparatus for controlling the tension in a number of different belts. |
| US07824278B2 |
Putter face and golf putter having putter face inserted therein
In order to solve a problem of a shift of a rebounding direction due to a contact of a golf ball and a ball contact surface of a putter face, while attaining an initial velocity, a striking touch, and a sense of distance, each of which are compared favorably to a metal face, a putter face is arranged including hexagonal posts (4) each made of material having a higher rigidity than a ball (7), the hexagonal posts (4) having a contact surface (41) which has contact with the ball (7), and impact-absorbing rings (5) made of material having a lower rigidity than that of the hexagonal posts (4), so as to elastically support the hexagonal posts (4) in a normal direction of the contact surfaces (41), wherein the plurality of hexagonal posts (4) are juxtaposed in an in-plane direction of the contact surfaces (41) and the contact surfaces (41) constitute a single surface when the ball (7) is not in contact with the contact surfaces (41). |
| US07824270B2 |
Flexible coupling
A flexible coupling for flexibly joining two rotating or moveable members includes a unitized body having a first end and a second end coaxial to each other, and therebetween having one or more coaxial longitudinally spaced disks with center holes; two or more axial spacing portions formed from the body of each disk to provide a spacing means and joining means for unitizing the disks to each other; means for joining the unitized disks to the first and second ends; and means at the first end for coaxially connecting to a first one of the two rotating or moveable members, and means at the second end for coaxially connecting to a second one of the two rotating or moveable members. |
| US07824269B2 |
Torque fluctuation absorbing apparatus
A torque fluctuation absorbing apparatus includes a hub member with a flange portion, first and second side-plates provided at both axial sides of the flange portion, respectively, a damper mechanism absorbing a fluctuation of a relative torque generated between the flange portion of the hub member and the first and second side-plates, a thrust member provided between the first side-plate and the flange portion of the hub member, and a first disc spring provided between the first side-plate and the thrust member and biasing the thrust member towards the flange portion of the hub member. The first side plate includes a bent portion bent towards the flange portion of the hub member and a bore formed at the bent portion, and the thrust member is formed with an engagement portion extending through the bore of the first side-plate and engaged with the bore of the first side-plate. |
| US07824267B2 |
Method and apparatus for gaming machines with a tournament play bonus feature
A tournament gaming system is disclosed including one or more gaming machines programmed for play of at least one tournament game. A plurality of gaming machines may be linked for tournament play by a host computer. Qualification for tournament play is based only upon criteria established only by the gaming operator or without consideration of player desire to participate in the tournament. Game play on at least some of the participating games is tracked and displayed during the tournament, which ends after a player of one of the games achieves predetermined results. |
| US07824256B2 |
Game apparatus and storage medium that stores game program
A game apparatus includes a CPU, and a selection screen including a plurality of kinds of items for allowing a player to select is displayed. The selection screen is a roulette type of display, for example, so that a display proportion of each item may be set based on an ability value of a character, a proceeding situation of a game or a support voltage of a virtual audience that reflects a play content, for example, and as the item, kinds of games, a rule, an event, etc. This roulette is rotated and suspended in response to an operation of the player. Furthermore, one item is determined when the roulette is suspended, and a game process is executed according to the item. |
| US07824254B2 |
Multi-hand electronic blackjack game
A method and gaming device for playing an electronic multi-hand blackjack game is disclosed. The game includes:a) dealing a player hand of two face-up cards;b) dealing two or more dealer hands such that each dealer hand is dealt from a corresponding shoe made up on at least one deck of cards, where each dealer hand includes one identical face-up card and one face-down card;c) completing the player hand according to input received from the player;d) completing each of the dealer hands according to conventional rules of blackjack, such that the cards in each dealer hand are drawn from the corresponding shoe and no two dealer hands are drawn from the same shoe; ande) determining a number of game results by comparing the player hand against each of the dealer hands using conventional rules of blackjack. |
| US07824248B2 |
Wheel assembly for a pneumatic sander
A wheel assembly includes a first hub assembly sealingly engageable with a first axial opening in one side of a tire. A second hub assembly is sealingly engageable with a second axial opening on the other side of the tire. The hub assemblies define between them a fluid tight volume within the tire. The wheel further includes a valve having an inlet port in fluid communication with the tire, a valve seat, and at least one annular valve member resiliently biased into unidirectional sealing engagement with the seat. Application of external pressure through the inlet port causes at least a portion of the valve member to resiliently deflect away from the valve seat to thereby open the valve and permit fluid communication with the fluid tight volume. |
| US07824247B1 |
Portable rapid and quiet drill
A hand-held drilling device, and method for drilling using the device, has a housing, a transducer within the housing, with the transducer effectively operating at ultrasonic frequencies, a rotating motor component within the housing and rigid cutting end-effector rotationally connected to the rotating motor component and vibrationally connected to the transducer. The hand-held drilling device of the present invention operates at a noise level of from about 50 decibels or less. |
| US07824246B2 |
Wheel spindle device for grinding machine
In a wheel spindle device wherein a plurality of grinding wheels are attached in a juxtaposed relation to a wheel spindle rotatably carried on a wheel head of a grinding machine, a reference position for specifying a position in the circumferential direction of the grinding wheel is provided on a core member of each of the grinding wheels, and a plurality of inclined grooves at predetermined angular intervals are formed on a grinding surface of each grinding wheel to be inclined relative to the circumferential direction of each grinding wheel. In order that the fluctuations in the dynamic pressure and the grinding resistance between respective grinding wheels and workpiece portions ground therewith do not grow as a combined or synergy effect, the inclined grooves on each grinding wheel are shifted in angular phase from those on another grinding wheel, so that grinding efficiency and accuracy can be enhanced. |
| US07824245B2 |
Automated chemical polishing system adapted for soft semiconductor materials
At least one wafer is suspended on a respective jig shaft above a polishing platen. The degree of parallelism between the wafer and the polishing platen is controlled using a three-point suspension, which allows for planar pitch adjustments using vertical actuation algorithms. As the wafer is lowered into contact against the polishing platen, a load cell senses how much of the weight of the jig shaft, wafer mount and wafer continues to be supported by the jig. The vertical displacement of the wafer is controlled using a linear actuator responsive to a signal from the load cell. Vertical actuation of the wafer serves to increase or decrease this amount of supported weight, in turn decreasing or increasing the amount of applied downforce exerted between the wafer and the platen. A compression spring is used to increase the resolution of the pressure control. Finally, system components exposed to the work environment are encapsulated by chemically resistive components to prevent corrosion of system components. |
| US07824243B2 |
Chemical mechanical planarization methods
A semiconductor process includes polishing a substrate with a slurry in an enclosure. Polishing the substrate is stopped. First mist is injected into the enclosure, such that the first mist has at least about 80% of saturation of a liquid or gaseous solvent in a carrier within the enclosure. |
| US07824237B2 |
Impeller drive for a water jet propulsion unit
A water propulsion unit having an intake housing, a pump housing and an outlet with two spaced apart counter rotating impellers being located in the pump housing. The impeller blades on one impeller have an opposite pitch to the blades of the second impeller. The impellers are configured so that one of the impellers will impart less energy to the water as it passes the blades of the impeller than the second impeller. |
| US07824236B2 |
Connecting terminal
A connecting terminal developed speedily while limiting a temperature rise when a current flows, comprising male and female terminals each having a wire crimp portion to which a wire is crimped, and a joint portion where the male and female terminals are joined to each other, wherein a contact resistance value of the whole connecting terminal is a sum of contact resistance values in the wire crimp portions and the joint portion, and a length of a contact portion is a sum of lengths of the wire crimp portions and the joint portion, wherein a normalized contact resistance value Rter is derived by dividing the contact resistance value by the length, and a relationship of a wire resistance value Rwire of the wire, a current value I and a permissive increase in temperature ΔT to the normalized contact resistance value Rter is expressed by Rter<ΔT/(752×I2)−3.7×Rwire. |
| US07824229B1 |
Audio plug connector
An audio plug connector for mating with an audio jack connector, includes a main member of substantially cylindrical shape with a plurality of contacts exposed along an axis direction thereof. A subsidiary member is extended from a portion of an outer peripheral surface of the main member and defines at least one terminal groove at a side surface thereof. The terminal groove extends substantially parallel with the axis direction of the main member. A front end of the terminal groove is hooked into an inside of the subsidiary member to form a fixing cavity. At least one conductive terminal is received in the corresponding terminal groove with a rear end thereof extending out of a rear end of the terminal groove. A front end of the conductive terminal is bent rearward to form a hook portion hooked into the corresponding fixing cavity. |
| US07824228B1 |
Audio plug connector
An audio plug connector for mating with an audio jack connector includes a main member of cylindrical shape with a plurality of contacts exposed along an axis direction thereof. A subsidiary member is extended from a portion of an outer peripheral surface of the main member and defines at least one terminal groove at a lateral surface thereof. A front end of a bottom of the terminal groove is concaved downwards and passes through a lower portion of a front wall of the terminal groove to form a fixing groove, with a stopping portion traversing above the fixing groove. At least one conductive terminal receives in the terminal groove with a rear end thereof extended beyond a rear end of the terminal groove. A front end of the conductive terminal extends oppositely to form a buckling portion inserted into the fixing groove and restrained beneath the stopping portion. |
| US07824227B1 |
USB application device with a flexible supporter under a printed circuit board
A USB application device includes a casing, a printed circuit board and a flexible supporter. The casing has a receiving space therein. The printed circuit board is completely receiving the printed circuit board and includes a top surface and a bottom surface opposite to the top surface. A plurality of contacts is disposed on the top surface of the printed circuit board. The flexible supporter is arranged in the casing and between the casing and the bottom surface of the printed circuit board. If the USB application device couples with a mating connector, the mating connector press the printed circuit board to urge the printed circuit board to press the flexible supporter. The flexible supporter is urged to be deformed by the press of the printed circuit board and to disperse the pressing force from the mating connector. |
| US07824219B2 |
Electrical connector having a connecting sheet for resisting electronic interference
An electrical connector includes an insulative housing (100), a plurality of contacts (3) retained in the housing, a shell covering on the housing (100) and a metal connecting sheet (7). The insulative housing defines an insulative base (1) and a mating portion (2) extending forwards out of a front face (10) of the insulative base, and the contacts are retained in the mating portion. The shell defines a first shell (4) covering outside of the mating portion, and a second shell (5) covering outside of the insulative housing. The metal connecting sheet defines at least one first contacting arm (74) connecting with the first shell, at least one second contacting arm (73) connecting with the second shell and a main portion (72) connecting with the at least one first and second contacting arms, and the front face of the insulative base is wholly covered by the main portion. |
| US07824218B2 |
Contact holder assembly
A contact holder assembly receives a contact. The contact holder assembly includes a movable body portion, a fixed body portion, and a ring elastically combining the movable body portion and the fixed body portion such that the movable body portion moves away from the fixed body portion as the contact holder assembly receives a contact. The movable body portion includes an inner surface and an inclined portion on the inner surface. |
| US07824217B2 |
Cable connector terminal module and method for making the same
An exemplary terminal module of a cable connector includes a first terminal, a second terminal positioned in the first terminal, an insulator positioned between the first terminal and the second terminal for insulating the first and second terminals from each other, and a latching flange disposed on an outer surface of the first terminal. The latching flange forms at least one resisting surface. |
| US07824216B2 |
Coaxial cable continuity connector
A coaxial cable continuity connector comprising a connector body, a post engageable with connector body, wherein the post includes a flange having a tapered surface, a nut, wherein the nut includes an internal lip having a tapered surface, wherein the tapered surface of the nut oppositely corresponds to the tapered surface of the post when the nut and post are operably axially located with respect to each other when the coaxial cable continuity connector is assembled, and a continuity member disposed between and contacting the tapered surface of the post and the tapered surface of the nut, so that the continuity member endures a moment resulting from the contact forces of the opposite tapered surfaces, when the continuity connector is assembled, is provided. |
| US07824214B2 |
Coupling nut with cable jacket retention
A coupling nut for an electrical connector connectable to an electrical cable having an outer conductor surrounded by a jacket. The coupling nut formed as a cylindrical body with a bore extending between a cable end and a connector end. An annular wedge groove in the bore sidewall proximate the cable end with an angled wedge surface extending from the bore sidewall at a cable end side to a bottom diameter within the wedge groove. A snap ring retained in the wedge groove, an inner surface of the snap ring provided with a gripping feature. |
| US07824213B1 |
One-piece electrical cable connector having a retaining spring
A cable connector is provided for connecting a cable to an electrical box. The cable connector has a body with an axial passage for receiving the cable where the body has a first end and a second end. The first end of the body is connected to the electrical box by a coupling member. Two spaced apart spring arms extend from the second end of the body and are angled inwardly to engage the cable and couple the cable to the connector. In one embodiment, the spring arms extend from a top portion of the body inwardly toward the axial center of the body. The first end of the connector includes a coupling tab for coupling to the electrical box and attaching the connector to the electrical box. In one embodiment, the coupling tab is formed with the front end of the body. In a second embodiment, the coupling tab is formed with the forward end of the coupling spring. |
| US07824212B2 |
Apparatus for attaching an electrical device to a housing
The apparatus simplifies release of the locking connections. The second housing section of the electrical device is designed rotationally asymmetrically in such a way that when rotated about the longitudinal axis, the electrical device at one particular side wall of the second housing section causes the at least one locking connection to open. |
| US07824205B2 |
Plug arrangement for an electric or optical cable
A plug arrangement for an electric or optical cable includes a connector body connected with the cable and including a first socket or plug. An insulating housing is provided configured to receive the connector body. A locking tab is articulated at a front edge of the connector body and configured to block release of the connector body from a counter body having a plug-in opening and including a second plug or a socket complementary to the connector body. A length of the locking tab is less than or equal to a depth of the plug-in opening. A resilient actuation element is provided including a pressure body extending parallel to a plug-in direction of the plug arrangement. The actuation element is integrally disposed in an articulated manner via a film hinge on the housing so as to be deformable with the housing and actuate the locking tab. The actuation element is integrated in a wall of the housing via at least one surface element disposed on the housing. |
| US07824203B2 |
Coupler with a slidable actuator for electrical, fluid and/or optical transmission
An apparatus to connect a connector half (13) at an end of a first cable (15) to a second cable (6) is described as having a male member (32) coupled to the first cable (15) and a female member (31) coupled to the second cable (6). An actuation mechanism includes a tapered surface (33U; 33L) where at least a part (16) of one of the first and second cables is connected to the tapered surface (33U; 33L) by a trapping means (33L; 16L). Preferably, the apparatus is arranged such that movement of the tapered surface (14; 33U; 33L) along a longitudinal axis in a first direction forces the said part (16) to move radially outwardly to form the connection and movement of the tapered surface (33U; 33L) in the opposite direction along the longitudinal axis forces the said part (16) to move radially inwardly to break the connection. Preferably, the trapping means (33L; 16L) is a key (16L) provided on the said part (16) and a slot (33L) formed in the mandrel (14) in which the key (16L) is trapped. A guide means (36) is also provided to constrain the said part (16) to move only in the radial direction. |
| US07824200B2 |
Data transfer hinge
A data transfer hinge is disclosed. Embodiments of the present invention provide a door hinge that facilitates transmission of data from LAN wiring in a building through a door frame to a door mounted device. Power and ground connections can also pass through the hinge. Channels run in each leaf from an edge coincident with the knuckles of the leaf to a passageway in the face of the leaf. Twisted pairs of data wires having a specified number of twists per unit length run through the passageway and the channels in the leaves. Each wire of a twisted pair is of a gauge and has insulation of a specified thickness and permittivity so as to cooperate with the channel to maintain an even distribution of capacitance and appropriate impedance for connection within a local area network. |
| US07824199B2 |
Connector
A connector is matable with a mating connector which has an engaged portion. The connector comprises a support portion and a lock member pivotally supported by the support portion. The lock member comprises a body portion, a lock portion, a spring portion and an operated portion. The body portion comprises a first predetermined portion which has a plate-like shape and is pivotally supported by the support portion. The lock portion is movable between a lock position and a release position in response to a pivotal movement of the body portion. The lock portion comprises an engaging portion engagable with the engaged portion. The engagement of the engaging portion with the engaged portion is locked when the lock portion is positioned at the lock position, while the engagement is released when the lock portion is positioned at the release position. The spring portion urges the lock portion to move toward the lock position. The spring portion extends from the body portion and has a second predetermined portion, which is parallel to the first predetermined portion but is different in position from the first predetermined portion in a direction perpendicular to the first and the second predetermined portions. The operated portion is formed and arranged to force the lock portion to move to the release position when the operated portion is operated. |
| US07824197B1 |
Modular connector system
A connector assembly includes a contact module, signal contacts, and a ground contact. The contact module includes a dielectric body with mating and mounting edges and corresponding opposite back edges. The signal contacts are held within the contact module. The signal contacts include mating and mounting ends that protrude from the mating and mounting edges of the contact module, respectively. The signal contacts are arranged in a differential pair to convey differential signals. The ground contact is coupled to the contact module and includes mating and mounting ends that protrude from the mating and mounting edges of the contact module, respectively. The ground contact runs alongside the back edges of the contact module from the mounting edge to the mating edge. |
| US07824194B2 |
Case with connector and manufacturing method thereof
A case with a connector integrally formed with a resin connector, and can be manufactured with a small number of processes is provided. The connector case includes a housing, a resin connector, and a ground terminal extending along an outer periphery of the connector. A terminal-side fixing portion extending backward from the ground terminal is crimped to or pressed over a housing-side fixing portion. When molds are closed after the housing and the ground terminal are placed in the molds for injection molding of the resin connector, a pressing portion formed on the mold presses the terminal-side fixing portion against the housing-side fixing portion to crimp or press the terminal-side fixing portion to or over the housing-side fixing portion. As a result, in the process for the injection molding of the connector, the ground terminal is fixed to the housing at the same time. The connector case with the ground terminal fixed to the housing can be manufactured in a small number of processes. |
| US07824189B1 |
Junction box for photovoltaic modules
A junction box is provided for electrically connecting a photovoltaic (PV) module to a power distribution system having a mating connector. The junction box includes a housing having a mounting side configured to be mounted on the PV module. The housing includes a mating interface and an opening extending into the housing through the mounting side. The housing is configured to mate with the mating connector of the power distribution system at the mating interface. An electrical contact is held by the housing. The electrical contact includes an integrally formed, one-piece body. The body of the electrical contact includes a base, a mating end extending from the base, and a PV module end extending from the base. The base of the body of the electrical contact is held within the opening of the housing such that the mating end extends along the mating interface for engagement with the mating connector. The PV module end of the body extends outwardly from the opening on the mounting side of the housing for engagement with foil of the PV module. |
| US07824187B1 |
High density connector
An electrical connector system comprises a first PCB assembly (100) comprising a first PCB (10) and a first electrical connector (20) mounted on said first PCB (10) and a second PCB assembly (300) comprising a second PCB (30) perpendicular to the first PCB (10) and a second electrical connector (40) mounted on said second PCB (30). The first electrical connector (20) is formed with a port and the second electrical connector (40) is also formed with a port matable into the port of the first electrical connector (20), so that the first PCB assembly (100) is mountable to the second PCB assembly (300) along a first direction (120) parallel to the first PCB (10) and the second PCB (30). |
| US07824186B2 |
USB connector and USB device
A USB connector for connecting with a USB female comprises a rotating shaft assembly which is capable of rotating, metal legs, a connecting line, and a substrate, wherein one end of the metal legs connects with one end of the connecting line, the metal legs are formed on a surface of the substrate, the connecting line is fixed to the surface of the substrate, and said rotating shaft assembly includes a rotating shaft and a rotating shaft sleeve, the rotating shaft sleeve is fixed on the surface of the substrate, and the rotating shaft is disposed in the rotating shaft sleeve and is capable of rotating relative to the rotating shaft sleeve. According to the USB connector and the USB device, the metal legs are formed on the surface of the substrate to ensure the connecting strength of the metal legs and reduce the thickness of the USB device. |
| US07824181B2 |
Custom-fit implant surgery guide and associated milling cutter, method for their production, and their use
The invention relates to a custom-fit implantable surgical guide (1) and an associated milling tool (4), which is positioned in straddling on the alveolar ridge (7) of a maxillary or mandible arch (2) and comprises at least one drilling barrel (11) for axially guiding said milling tool (4), wherein said barrel (11) is laterally open and at least one part of the internal surface thereof (17) and at least one part of the external surface of the milling tool (4) interact and axially maintain the entire milling tool (4) with respect to the barrel (11). Said invention makes it possible to carry out high precision osteotomies for lateral insertion dental implants. |
| US07824170B2 |
Rotor for a rotary tablet press
A rotor for a rotary tablet press, which has an upper and a lower punch guide for upper and lower punches that interact with holes in a die plate that is arranged between the upper and lower punch guide, where the punches are axially movable in guide holes of the punch guides and have heads that interact with compression rollers of the tablet press, wherein the press punches are guided axially in the guide holes secure against rotation, and the punch heads have on opposite sides flat areas that are facing the adjacent punch heads. |
| US07824168B2 |
Method, apparatus, and system for changing a mold in a die casting machine
A mold clamping apparatus for a die casting machine is provided. The apparatus can include a base, a fixed die plate standing fixedly on an end of an injection side of the base and defining a cavity therein, and a moving die plate arranged so as to proceed and retract on the base facing the fixed die plate and defining a cavity therein. A first versatile main mold can be disposed in the cavity of the fixed die plate and adapted to receive an insert die. Further, a second versatile main mold can be disposed in the cavity of the moving die plate and adapted to receive an insert die. |
| US07824166B2 |
Installation for blow-molding hollow bodies
The present invention relates to a blow-molding installation for manufacturing thermoplastic hollow bodies by blow-molding or stretch-blow-molding containers (37) in a molding cavity of a mold, this blow-molding installation comprising a double-acting nozzle actuator (1) with two stages in series, equipped with two pistons (5, 6), these being an upper piston and a lower piston respectively, the nozzle (15, 16) being fixed removably, and pneumatic control means being designed to make said pistons (5, 6) slide according to a first operating mode used when the nozzle (15) is of the type that makes sealed contact with the mouth of the neck of the container, and a second operating mode used when the nozzle (16) is of the bell type with sealed contact against the surface of the mold in which the container (37) is placed. |
| US07824159B2 |
Compressor, titanium-made rotor blade, jet engine and titanium-made rotor blade producing method
What disclosed is to form an abrasive coating having abrasiveness at a blade pressure side of a deposition layer using a second electrode composed of a second molded body molded from a mixed powder including a powder of a metal and a powder of a ceramic or the second electrode processed with a heat treatment, generating pulsing electric discharges between the blade pressure side of the deposition layer and the second electrode in an electrically insulating liquid or gas, and welding a material of the second electrode or a reacting substance of the material of the second electrode on the blade pressure side of the deposition layer by means of energy of the electric discharges. |
| US07824158B2 |
Bimaterial turbine blade damper
A turbine blade damper includes an outer part for damping vibration of the blade airfoil and a supporting inner part. The two parts are formed of different materials for the different performance required thereof in the blade. |
| US07824154B2 |
Motor having heat-dissipating structure for circuit component and fan unit including the motor
An impeller includes an impeller cup and a plurality of blades. The impeller cup is hollow and generally cylindrical and has a lid. A housing is formed to enclose the impeller from the outside thereof. The housing has a wall defining a passage of an airflow generated by rotation of the impeller. At axial ends of the passage are formed an air inlet and an air outlet, respectively. The wall is provided with an air-inlet side portion which has an inner diameter increasing toward the air inlet. An axially upper end of a radially outer edge of each blade axially projects toward the air inlet beyond the lid of the impeller cup, and is located to be covered by the air-inlet side portion when seen from the outside in the radial direction. An axially upper end of a radially inner edge of each blade is located on a base portion side of the lid of the impeller cup. An axially upper edge of each blade is at an angle with respect to the axial direction so as to get close to the base portion in a direction from the radially outer edge of each blade to a radially inner edge. |
| US07824153B2 |
Stator vane of turbo molecular pump
A stator vane for a turbo molecular pump has stator vane halves each having inner and outer rim portions and radially arranged stator blades connected integrally between the inner and outer rim portions. The inner rim portion of each stator vane half has a pair of inner rim ends and the outer rim portion of each stator vane half has a pair of outer rim ends. The stator vane halves are disposed in abutment with one another along an abutment line to form an annular body with the inner rim ends of one of the stator vane halves being disposed in confronting relation with the respective inner rim ends of the other of the stator vane halves and with the outer rim ends of the one of the stator vane halves being disposed in confronting relation with the respective outer rim ends of the other of the stator vane halves. At least each of the inner rim ends or each of the outer rim ends of one of the two stator blade halves being formed shorter in a circumferential direction of the annular body with respect to the abutment line to form a gap between the confronting inner rim ends or the confronting outer rim ends. |
| US07824152B2 |
Multivane segment mounting arrangement for a gas turbine
A mounting arrangement (10) for a multivane segment (12) of ceramic matrix composite (CMC) composition positioned between outer and inner metallic rings (14, 16). Selected ones of the vanes (18a) of the multivane segment surround internal struts (24) joining the outer and inner rings. Spring members (26, 28) accommodate differential thermal growth between the multivane segment and the outer and inner rings, and a compliant material (30) seals against gas leakage around the segments. |
| US07824150B1 |
Multiple piece turbine airfoil
A turbine airfoil, such as a rotor blade or a stator vane, for a gas turbine engine, the airfoil formed as a shell and spar construction with a plurality of dog bone struts each mounted within openings formed within the shell and spar to allow for relative motion between the spar and shell in the airfoil chordwise direction while also forming a seal between adjacent cooling channels. The struts provide the seal as well as prevent bulging of the shell from the spar due to the cooling air pressure. |
| US07824148B2 |
Centrifugal compressor performance by optimizing diffuser surge control and flow control device settings
A method is provided for controlling operation of a compressor having an inlet and an outlet, a variable geometry diffuser communicated with the outlet, and inlet guide vanes communicated with the inlet, wherein the method includes the steps of: determining a loading parameter indicative of onset of surge; and independently controlling the inlet guide vanes and the variable geometry diffuser based upon the loading parameter so as to allow increase in efficiency and stable operation of the compressor. |
| US07824146B2 |
Automated systems and methods for adapting semiconductor fabrication tools to process wafers of different diameters
Automated systems and methods for adapting semiconductor fabrication tools to process wafers of different diameters are described. In one embodiment, a method comprises providing a semiconductor fabrication tool, placing an adapter ring on a plurality of ring holders via a robotic arm, the plurality of ring holders being operable to support the adapter ring at a vertical distance from a stage heater and the stage heater being movable in a vertical direction, placing a first semiconductor wafer on the stage heater via the robotic arm, the first semiconductor wafer having a first diameter, and moving the stage heater upward to receive the adapter ring from the plurality of ring holders and to cover a portion of the stage heater during processing of the first semiconductor wafer. |
| US07824142B2 |
Fastening element
A fastening element has a core zone (14) formed of a relatively hard carbon steel, a skin zone (17) located outwardly of the core zone (14) and formed of a first low-carbon austenitic steel alloyed with a first alloy metal, and an intermediate zone (15a, 15b) provided between the core zone (14) and the skin zone (17) and formed of a second low-carbon steel having a smaller hardness than the steel the core zone (14) is formed of. |
| US07824141B2 |
Blind rivet
A blind rivet assembly is provided. In another aspect of the present invention, a blind rivet has ends that are received within countersinks in one or more workpieces and a mandrel head is completely pulled through the rivet without being severed from a mandrel stem. A further aspect of the present invention includes a mandrel with one or more ribs located on an outwardly tapering shoulder. |
| US07824140B2 |
Aluminum vehicle carrier railcar
A bi-level aluminum vehicle carrier railcar (10) includes an integrated aluminum roofing structure (30), aluminum side panels (18, 20), and aluminum decking structure (36, 50) attached to a steel underframe. The decking structure (36, 50) is supported on side stakes (18) of the side panels (18, 20) with the decking structure (36, 50) including overlapping extruded aluminum decking plates with (38, 52) anti-skid features. The anti-skid features include a media blasted finish to a portion of the surface of the decking and extruded ribs (64) in a portion of the decking. The roofing structure (30) includes overlapping, arched corrugated aluminum panels (30), wherein the roof panels (30) remain uncoated. |
| US07824136B2 |
Drill driver with chuck-mounted drill accessories
A power tool with a tool portion and at least one attachment. The tool portion has a tool body and a drill chuck. The drill chuck includes a rotatable spindle, a plurality of jaws that are coupled to the rotatable spindle and a cover that is disposed about the jaws and which is not coupled for rotation with the rotatable spindle. The attachment is coupled the cover of the drill chuck. |
| US07824132B1 |
Automatically adjustable caisson clamp
A clamp system for operatively connecting a vibratory device to a plurality of caissons defining at least first and second diameters comprises a structural member, first and second clamps comprising first and second lock systems, respectively, and a clamp displacement system. The first and second clamps are supported by the structural member. The first and second lock systems fix the first and second clamps relative to the structural member. The clamp displacement system comprises at least one clamp displacement motor supported by the structural member and a mechanical link assembly connected between the at least one clamp displacement motor and the first and second clamps. Operation of the at least one clamp displacement motor allows the first and second clamps to be remotely displaced relative to the structural member such that the first and second clamps are spaced along the structural member as appropriate for either of the first and second diameters. Operation of the first and second locks systems fixes the first and second clamps relative to the structural member. |
| US07824130B2 |
Apparatus and method for joining a pipe conduit to a drilling device, expanding device or pull-in device
The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for joining a pipe conduit to a drilling device, expanding device or pull-in device, in which a pulling-force generator arranged in the drilling device, expanding device or pull-in device exerts a compressive force on a pipe conduit, to be pulled in, via a pulling means and an adapter and thereby holds the individual short pipes of the pipe conduit together and reduces the mechanical stress to which the short pipes are subjected. |
| US07824128B2 |
Gravity-fed basin for discharging industrial water into a receiving body of water
The invention relates to a gravity-fed basin for discharging industrial water into a receiving body of water. The gravity-fed basin comprises a gravity cylinder having an inlet opening and an outlet opening, and comprises an overflow sill formed by the edge of the inlet opening of the gravity cylinder. The invention is characterized in that the outlet opening of the gravity cylinder is located underneath the liquid level of the receiving body of water. |
| US07824127B1 |
Road repair tractor and method of using the same
A road repair tractor adapted for smoothing asphalt that has been laid into a work-trench, dug in a roadway. The tractor includes a body supporting an engine and defining a cockpit. Also, laterally spaced first and second support and motive force assemblies are operatively driven by the engine and support the body. A smoothing device is supported by the body and has a width that is adjustable from a most narrow width of between 10 cm and 30 cm to a widest width of between 1 meter and 2.5 meters. The smoothing device also includes a smoothing blade assembly, having a bottom edge, deployed between a pair of asphalt side-spill guards. Finally, a power actuating system includes controls located in the cockpit that permit a user seated in the cockpit to change the adjustable width of the smoothing device and to raise and lower the smoothing device relative to the body. |
| US07824126B2 |
Method and system for stopping a vehicle
Apparatus and associated methods for safely capturing a moving vehicle are disclosed. The method includes biasing a portion of a loop of cable against the rear portion of one or more tires of a target vehicle, such that the cable is carried over the tire and engages the rear axle, or another portion, of the target vehicle. The loop of cable can be connected to a stationary or mobile structure that can then provide a force to the cable to safely slow down and stop the target vehicle. |
| US07824121B2 |
Packaging and applicator device
A packaging and applicator device may include a receptacle for containing a composition to be applied and an applicator including an applicator element that is configured to be inserted into the receptacle for taking the composition. The receptacle may include a body and a movable system that is movable inside the body. The movable system may include a wiper member that includes only one opening through which the applicator element passes while the applicator element is being inserted into the receptacle, the movable system being configured so as to move in a generally unidirectional manner toward a bottom of the receptacle under an effect of a force exerted by the applicator while the applicator is being inserted into the receptacle. |
| US07824111B2 |
Optical module
An optical module has a substrate having a substrate surface provided with terminal pads and landing pads, and an optical element package having terminals and mounted on the substrate surface with a gap formed therebetween. The gap between the optical element package and the substrate surface is determined by the landing pads when the optical element package is mounted on the substrate surface. The terminal pads and the landing pads are exposed in a state where the optical element package is mounted on the substrate surface, and the terminal pads are electrically connected to corresponding terminals by solder. |
| US07824110B2 |
Data transmission cable with FAKRA housing
The invention relates to a data transmission cable (10; 20), in particular for motor vehicles, at at least one of whose ends a plastics housing (14; 24) is arranged, said housing having mechanical dimensions in its interface region (30; 32) which conform to the FAKRA standardisation scheme. The data transmission cable (10; 20) has an optical waveguide, wherein a holding member (40) is provided in the plastics housing (14; 24), said holding member being configured for holding an optical imaging element (42) and for connecting the optical imaging element (42) to the optical waveguide. |
| US07824107B2 |
Hub unit
A hub unit includes a double-row outer ring having a first inner peripheral raceway and a second inner peripheral raceway, a hub having a wheel-mounting flange provided with a reference surface for mounting the wheel formed on a vehicle outer end-side thereof, a first outer peripheral raceway opposed to the first inner peripheral raceway of the outer ring, a shaft body and an inner ring element having a second outer peripheral raceway opposed to the second inner peripheral raceway of the outer ring, rolling members interposed between the double-row inner peripheral raceway of the outer ring and the double-row outer peripheral raceway of the hub and cages. A rust-preventive layer is provided at least on the wheel-mounting reference surface of the flange. |
| US07824105B2 |
Bearing and bearing apparatus
In an outer ring, a plurality of lubrication oil flow paths which penetrates from an outer circumference surface of the outer ring to an inner circumference surface (in particular, raceway groove) are provided. Opening positions of the each lubrication oil flow paths are made different in a width direction being orthogonal to a rolling direction of a ball. At least one of the lubrication oil flow paths is used as a lubrication oil supply path, and a lubrication oil discharge path is selected from the other lubrication oil flow paths to adjust a range of lubrication oil amount, so that an amount of lubrication oil in the raceway groove is controlled. |
| US07824103B2 |
Scatter-poor dosimeter support device and method of operation
An apparatus and method for an X-ray dosimeter support, comprises of a material-poor support-layer, held by a frame elevated by at least one foot, comprising optimization for low back-scatter, high measurement-repeatability and ease of assembly and disassembly. |
| US07824100B2 |
Temperature measurement device that estimates and compensates for incident radiation
A temperature measurement device includes a first thermocouple mounted on a tubular body that is shielded from the effects of radiation by a radiation shield, and a second, unshielded thermocouple. A difference in the measured temperatures from the first and second thermocouples is compared with calculated temperatures using an iterative process to determine a corrected temperature of the gas stream that estimates and compensates for incident radiation. |
| US07824098B2 |
Composite mechanical transducers and approaches therefor
Mechanical transducers such as pressure sensors, resonators or other frequency-reference devices are implemented under conditions characterized by different temperatures. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a combination of materials is implemented for mechanical transducer applications to mitigate temperature-related changes at or near a selected turnover temperature. In one application, a material property mismatch is used to facilitate single-anchor transducer applications, such as for resonators. Another application is directed to a Silicon-Silicon dioxide combination of materials. |
| US07824097B2 |
Micro-mechanical part made of insulating material and method of manufacturing the same
A micro-mechanical part made of insulating material, such as a silicon balance spring (1) for a timepiece movement, tends to adhere to a neighboring part when it is in movement, such as the balance cock (9). This drawback is removed by carrying out, over all or part of the surface, a thin deposition of a layer of conductive material, such as a metal, which is preferably non-oxidizing and non-magnetic, such as gold, platinum, rhodium or silicon. |
| US07824096B2 |
Auxiliary water tank and pump assembly for a concrete mixing vehicle
A self-purging auxiliary fluid supply system for supplying washout or makeup water or other fluids under pressure to a truck-mounted concrete mixing/dispensing drum is disclosed. The system includes a truck-mounted fluid reservoir for containing a quantity of fluid connected to supply fluid to an air-operated diaphragm pump connected to supply auxiliary fluid from the fluid reservoir under pressure to a discharge assembly. The pump further provides an integral purge system for displacing fluid in the fluid supply system after use. |
| US07824095B2 |
Package for fibres and a method for the application thereof
A package for reinforcing fibers to be used in production of fiber concrete or similar materials. The package has a continuous, elongated design with a circular, elliptical, square, rectangular or polygonal cross section. The fibers are longitudinally or transversally or randomly oriented and are filled into the package, wherein the fibers are uniformly arranged so that each length unit of the package has a defined amount of fibers. The continuous package is arranged into a transport box to be delivered to a concrete plant. The continuous package is fed to a conveyer belt, an aggregate belt, a skip, a weigh hopper, a truckmixer, or a premixer, wherein the package is opened and the fibers are dosed into the concrete. |
| US07824091B2 |
Backlight arrangement
A backlight arrangement (100) comprising at least a light source (101) and a waveguide plate (102) comprising a front surface (104) and an opposing back surface (103) and at least one surface (107) for receiving light from said light source (101), said surface for receiving light connecting said front and back surfaces is provided. At least one of said front surface (104) and said back surface (103) is a facetted surface comprising a plurality of planar parallel portions (105) and a plurality of facets (106) connecting said planar parallel portions. The facets (106) are formed such that the thickness of said waveguide plate (102) decreases stepwise with the distance from said surface (107) for receiving light, and such that at least part of the light received into the waveguide plate (102) via said surface (107) for receiving light is extracted from said waveguide plate (102) through said facets (106). |
| US07824087B2 |
Headlamp adjuster
A headlamp adjuster includes an output shaft driven by a co-rotatable gear. Threads on the shaft engage splines in a thin wall boss, the splines having limited circumferential engagement with the screw. The thin wall boss deflects outwardly in response to forces that build in the engagement of the shaft and splines, to release driving engagement between the splines and the shaft. |
| US07824080B2 |
Housing for a recessed light fixture
The housing for a light fixture includes a plaster frame with an opening. The can light, having opened ends along the top and bottom, is positioned through the opening. A trim assembly and lamp assembly are connected to the bottom side of the can. An outer housing, having dimensions suitable for placing the housing between joists having sixteen inch centers, is connect to the plaster frame and about the top portion of the can. The outer housing includes a doubler panel positioned within the inner walls of the outer housing and having a geometry and size to match with and fit snugly into the upper portion of the outer housing. The open can allows for convection to draw the heat away from the lamp assembly and into the outer housing. The doubler panel evenly distributes the heat along the exterior surfaces of the housing. |
| US07824077B2 |
Lamp structure
A lamp structure has a slim light emitting source including at least one LED packaged on a multilayered printed circuit board type aluminum base. A funnel-shaped reflector is concaved toward a center thereof and defined with at least one hole for partially accommodating the LED. An inner surface of the reflector is coated to form a light reflecting surface. A flat lens includes a surface being treated with sand blast. A lamp housing has a receiving chamber for accommodation of the slim light emitting source, the reflector, the flat lens, and a driver. The lamp housing is formed with a plurality of heat dissipation fins. The driver is inserted in the other end of the receiving chamber of the lamp housing and has positive and negative leads connected to the slim light emitting source for enabling it to produce light. |
| US07824075B2 |
Method and apparatus for cooling a lightbulb
A device has a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs), heat conducting structure that includes a heat pipe and that carries heat from the region of the LEDs to a further location spaced therefrom, and heat dissipating structure that accepts heat from the heat conducting structure at the further location and that discharges the heat externally of the device. In a different embodiment, a device has a radiation generator, a thermal spreader that receives heat emitted by the radiation generator, heat conducting structure that carries heat from the thermal spreader to a location spaced therefrom, and heat dissipating structure that accepts heat at the location from the heat conducting structure and that discharges the heat externally of the device. |
| US07824073B2 |
Light source module
A light source module includes light source units and links interconnecting the light source units. Each light source unit includes a substrate defining openings with a connector arranged in each opening. Each connector includes a first terminal and a second terminal. A light source is mounted on the substrate. The light source has a first electrode and a second electrode. The two electrodes are electrically connected to the terminals of the connectors. Each link is received in two openings of two neighboring light source units, and interconnects the two neighboring light source units electrically or mechanically. |
| US07824072B2 |
Backlight structure including clipping connectors
A backlight structure comprises a frame, a circuit board, and a connector. The frame has an opening. The circuit board is located below the frame and has a through hole, wherein the through hole aligns with the opening. The connector passes through the opening and the through hole, protrudes from a surface of the frame, and is electrically connected to the circuit board. |
| US07824071B2 |
LED lamp including mounting plates with inclined portions
An LED lamp includes a connecting box with a retaining assembly attached to its underside and a plurality of LED modules mounted on the retaining assembly. The retaining assembly is a plurality of spaced mounting plates with two lateral portions extending laterally beyond other, lower mounting plates. The LED modules are mounted on undersides of the lateral portions of the mounting plates. |
| US07824070B2 |
LED lighting fixture
A light-emitting diode (LED) lighting fixture is provided as a potential solid state lighting (SSL) replacement fixture for a conventional HID lamp fixture. The LED lighting fixture includes a main housing having a bottom surface supporting an array of LEDs, a top surface and sides, and at least one driver provided in a side housing attached to a side of the main housing to drive the LED array. The thickness of the side housing is equal to or greater than the thickness of the main housing. A plurality of heat spreading fins is arranged on the top surface of the main housing. |
| US07824069B2 |
Replaceable light source for light source module and back light module
The present invention provides a light source module for using in a backlight module which includes a frame, a light source and a lid. The frame has two opposite side walls, and each of the side walls includes an inner side surface, a top surface and a cave. The cave has a first opening and a second opening connected with each other on the inner surface and the top surface respectively. Each of the inner surfaces is facing the other side wall, and the top surface intersects the inner surface with an angle. A light source has two opposite ends, and each of ends includes a positioning block. The positioning block engages with the cave through the second opening, and the light source extends along a first direction perpendicular to the inner surface, through the first opening and towards the opposite side wall of the frame. The lid covers the second opening and restricts the positioning block from moving relatively to the cave from the second opening. |
| US07824068B2 |
Lighting fixtures and systems with high energy efficiency and visual quality
Lighting fixtures, systems, and methods of using the lighting fixtures that can achieve radically increased energy efficiency and visual effectiveness, are disclosed. The invention also offers the potential for decorative effects, supplementary background lighting, and other lighting effects. Various embodiments use light sources capable of individual focus, replacement, and control of operation. Fixtures allow mounting of the light emitting components to achieve a large effective aperture/diameter of the fixture in relation to the distance from the illuminated area, producing improved illumination. The light emitting components may be installed on parts of the fixture that may be oriented individually, thereby allowing infinite and/or incremental adjustment of the overall light emission pattern to achieve desirable illumination effects. Desirable lighting effects are further achievable by selection of the lighting type (LED, incandescent, fluorescent, etc), combinations thereof, and by selection of the fixture aperture/diameter, axis, and intensity. Shielding of the light sources to avoid glare to bystanders may be included. |
| US07824067B2 |
Emergency light fixture having an efficient reflector assembly
A reflector includes a first concave surface, a second concave surface and a third concave surface. The first concave surface has a first axis and a first opening to receive a first light source. The first concave surface is configured to reflect first light rays of the first light source from the first concave surface across the first axis and not to reflect second light rays of the first light source from the first concave surface. The second concave surface has a second axis and a second opening to receive a second light source. The second concave surface is configured to reflect first light rays of the second light source from the second concave surface across the second axis and not to reflect second light rays of the second light source from the second concave surface. The third concave surface translates along a substantially straight line to intersect the first concave surface and the second concave surface such that the first light rays of the first and second light sources contribute to an interior lighted portion of a lighted pathway that is defined by a combination of the first and second light rays of the first and second light sources. |
| US07824064B2 |
Lighting apparatus
A lighting apparatus includes at least one rigid elongated cylindrical structure having a longitudinal axis, and a plurality of rigid plate-like structures fixed to the cylindrical structure such that each of the plate-like structures is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. Also, at least one straight fluorescent tube is mounted to at least either the cylindrical structure or the plate-like structures. |
| US07824062B2 |
Illuminating device with optical element
An illuminative device, offers an optical device that is regulated by one hand and a LED circuit board that is sealed in waterproof and quick cooling structure. The illuminator, comprises a main body included a tube container for at least a battery and a narrow tube in the front end, a switch device set in rear end of the main body, which includes a battery cover, a screw thread portion for screwing to the main body, a switch board that sets a trigger on one end and a spring pole on the other end for a connection to the battery, and a elastic switch button that sets on the switch board, an emitting device included a LED circuit board and a tube base as a radiator, and a optical device included a sleeve with an inside circular stop flange at the rear end and an inside screw thread at the front end, a lens that holds at the front end of the sleeve, and a fastening ring with an outside screw thread for fixing the lens into the sleeve.In according assembly, the illuminative device can switch on/off the power by the switch device at the rear end, and regulates the optical device by one hand to project from a narrow to a wide light spot. |
| US07824059B1 |
Low-glare integrally-recessed ceiling light fixtures
A line of recessed low-glare lighting fixtures, known as HITC (hole-in-the-ceiling), provide an authentic architectural built-in appearance. A mounting unit is cast in plaster material with a vertical duct extending upwardly from a light-exit opening in a horizontal face flange that becomes plastered in place in the ceiling. The duct supports a light source and associated components above, producing a light beam of designated beam width, typically +/−45 degrees. From any room viewpoint outside the light beam, the only component of the fixture that is visible is the mounting unit, of which all visible regions, both internal and external, are made to have finish, appearance and texture that match and blend in harmoniously with the surface of the surrounding ceiling. |
| US07824057B2 |
Showcase
An object is to provide a showcase provided with an illumination device capable of simplifying maintenance operability and effectively illuminating the inside of a display chamber, and the showcase in which the display chamber constituted in a main body is illuminated by the illumination device, the illumination device is constituted of an LED illumination member including LED elements, and a pair of holding members which are attached to a reflective plate on a canopy in the main body to hold the LED illumination member, whereby the irradiation angle of light from the LED illumination member is changeable. |
| US07824056B2 |
Refrigerated merchandiser with LED lighting
A light assembly for a refrigerated merchandiser that includes a case defining a product display area and that has at least one mullion. The light assembly includes a housing that is attachable to the mullion, a specular member that is coupled to the housing within a first receiving portion, and a LED light source that is coupled to the housing within a second receiving portion substantially opposite the specular member. The LED light source includes a first light portion and a second light portion that are directed along at least one illumination path. The first light portion is directed along the illumination path in a first direction directly toward the product display area, and the second light portion is directed along the illumination path toward the specular member. The second light portion is reflected by the specular member in a second direction at least partially opposite the first direction. |
| US07824052B1 |
Foot controlled light operation
A hands-free dental or surgical light system (100) is disclosed which allows the dentist or surgeon to dim and turn a light (12) on and off by simply pressing pedals on a foot operated assembly (106). First and second receivers (102, 104) are mounted in a power pack (28) usually worn about the waist. First and second foot operated transmitters (112, 114) are turned on and off or activated with the foot of the operator. The first transmitter (112) and receiver (102) operate to toggle the light (12) between the dim and brightened states while the second transmitter (114) and receiver (104) operate to toggle the light on and off. |
| US07824051B2 |
Color changing light object and user interface for same
Illuminated, decorative light objects are disclosed that provide at least one aesthetic lighting display or light show, and to a user interface for the same. A disclosed decorative light object includes a translucent housing. The housing has a bottom opening leading into a cavity. The object also includes a base assembly that covers the bottom opening of the housing. The base assembly includes a user interface. The user interface includes light show circuitry, memory for storing a plurality of light shows, switches or buttons for recalling the light shows from the memory and at least one light group comprising red, green and blue lights. The switches of the user interface are supported in the bottom opening. The light show circuitry, memory and lights are supported within the cavity. Preferably, a translucent light pipe with a roughened lambertian outer surface covers and hides the circuitry and the lights. As the light shines through the light pipe it is diffused thereby creating a warm glowing appearance. |
| US07824049B2 |
Illumination device and display device incorporating the same
An illumination device has a plurality of sealing structures each including a light-emitting diode, sealed by a high refractive index transparent material member which is further sealed by a low refractive index transparent material member. To increase a divergence angle of light radiation, the portion of the high refractive index transparent material member which covers an upper surface of the light-emitting diode is structured so as to satisfy a relation H>(L/2)/tan {sin−1(n1/n2)}, where H represents a thickness of the high refractive index transparent material member measured at the central portion of the upper surface of the light-emitting diode, L represents the length of one side of the upper surface of the light-emitting diode, n1 represents the refractive index of the high refractive index transparent material member and n2 represents the refractive index of the low refractive index transparent material member. |
| US07824046B2 |
Deployable emergency lighting system
An emergency lighting system comprising a housing further comprising a flat cover, wherein the flat cover automatically opens during an emergency condition; a removable light source located inside the housing further comprising a rechargeable battery and a wide angle LED light bulb, wherein the removable light source remains off under a normal condition and the light source automatically turns on in response to an emergency condition. The emergency lighting system may further comprise a fixed light source for continuous illumination during an emergency condition. Furthermore, the emergency lighting system may further comprise an electrical outlet for use during normal conditions. |
| US07824040B2 |
Projector and light source assembly employed in same
A light source assembly employed in a projector includes a light source, a power device, a light energy storage device, and a selection switch. The light source is configured for providing light beams for the projector. The selection switch is electrically connected to the light source, the light energy storage device and the power device and is configured for selecting one of the light energy storage device and the power device to provide power for the light source. The light energy storage device can absorb heat from the light source and convert the heat into electricity. Therefore, energy is saved and heat produced by the light source is reduced via the light energy storage device compared to the conventional light source assembly. |
| US07824038B2 |
Method for controlling dual lamp module
A method for controlling a dual lamp module applied to a projection apparatus is provided. The dual lamp module includes a first lamp and a second lamp. The method for controlling a dual lamp module includes providing a first operating power to the first lamp, and then determining whether the first lamp is turned on or not. If the first lamp fails to be turned on, stopping providing the first operating power to the first lamp, and providing a second operating power to the second lamp. The second operating power is greater than the first operating power. |
| US07824025B2 |
Ink cartridge and ink-jet recording apparatus
An ink cartridge for being mounted on an ink-jet recording apparatus includes an ink storage chamber for storing ink for ink-jet recording. A resin material forming the ink storage chamber contains a crystal-nucleating agent, and the ink has conductivity ranging from about 3 mS/cm to about 10 mS/cm. |
| US07824024B2 |
Liquid discharge device
A liquid discharge device may be provided with a discharge head comprising a nozzle for discharging liquid, a first member communicating with the discharge head, and a second member capable of being connected to the first member. A liquid path from a liquid supply source to the discharge head via the second member and the first member is formed when the second member is in a connected state with the first member. One of the first member and the second member may comprise an insertion hole. In s case where the other of the first member and the second member is inserted into the insertion hole by moving the first member and/or the second member in a predetermined direction, the second member may be connected with the first member. The liquid discharge device may be provided with a first sealing member that seals between the first member and the second member by being compressed in the predetermined direction when the second member is in the connected state with the first member, and a second sealing member that seals between the first member and the second member by being compressed in a direction which is perpendicular to the predetermined direction when the second member is in the connected state with the first member. |
| US07824023B2 |
Ink furnishing unit in an ink jet recorder
It is desirable that the entire ink to be furnished to the nozzle head be deaerated efficiently, the entire ink including a portion of ink recovered from the purge section.Accordingly, an ink furnishing unit in an ink jet recorder is provided, which comprises a back pressure tank 15 connected to a nozzle head 2 via an ink supply passage, a main tank 9 connected to the back pressure tank via a main supply passage 16 provided with a main ink pump 18 therein, a recovery tank 7 connected to the main tank via a return passage provided with an ink pump 22 therein, and a purge cap 5 connected to the recovery tank via a recovery passage 8 provided with a purge pump 6 therein, the purge cap being opposed to the nozzle head when purging, wherein a deaerator 17 is disposed in the main supply passage connecting the main tank and the back pressure tank and the back pressure tank is connected to an upstream of the purge pump in the recovery passage via a three way directional control valve 30. |
| US07824020B2 |
Liquid feed tube for liquid jetting device and liquid jetting device
A liquid feed tube for feeding a liquid from a liquid tank disposed on a liquid jetting device body side to a jetting head mounted on a reciprocating carriage, including: a long elastic member and a film member connected in an airtight state to the elastic member along a longitudinal direction of the elastic member; and a space part formed by the elastic member and the film member and used as a liquid feed passage, wherein the elastic member is made of a specific resin composition. Thus, the bending rigidity of the liquid feed tube can be lowered, and the resistance to moisture permeability and the gas barrier property thereof can be realized at low cost. |
| US07824019B2 |
Continuous printing apparatus having improved deflector mechanism
A printing system includes a liquid drop ejector, a fluid flow device, and a fluid flow source. The liquid drop ejector is operable to eject liquid drops having a plurality of volumes along a first path. The fluid flow device includes a first section comprising a plurality of sub-channels created by a partition and a second section comprising a plurality of sub-channels created by a partition. Each partition has a height as viewed from a wall of the fluid flow device. The height of the partition of the second section is less than the height of the partition of the first section. The fluid flow source is operable to produce a fluid flow through the fluid flow device. The fluid flow interacts with the liquid drops to cause liquids drops having one of the plurality of volumes to begin moving along a second path. |
| US07824015B2 |
Ink jet writing head
An ink jet writing head includes a pressurized ink chamber provide with at least one ink nozzle that is closed by a mobile valve body. A piezoelectric valve actuating device that is electrically connected to a control device drives the valve body with reciprocating motions. The valve body is held by a closing spring in the closing position thereof and is connected to a connecting rod in a driving manner. At least one curved spring strip engages with the end of the connecting rod, located at a distance from the valve, the spring strip being supported on the valve-side end thereof, opposite the ink chamber. The connecting rod is subjected to the tractional prestress of a tension spring. At least one piezoelctric element is applied to the spring strip, the piezoelectric element being controlled by the control device in such a way as to perform tractile movements. |
| US07824013B2 |
Integrated circuit support for low profile wire bond
A microprocessor device that has a support structure with a chip mounting area and a conductor mounting area. An inkjet printhead IC is supported on the chip mounting area. The inkjet printhead IC has a back surface in contact with the chip mounting area and an active surface opposing the back surface. The active surface has electrical contact pads and an array of ink ejection nozzles. The active surface has electrical contact pads for its circuitry and functional elements. A plurality of electrical conductors are, at least partially, supported on the conductor mounting area and a series of wire bonds extending from the electrical contact pads to the plurality of electrical conductors supported on the conductor mounting area wherein, the chip mounting area is raised relative to the conductor mounting area. By raising the chip mounting area relative to the rest of the PCB, or at least the conductors connected to the PCB end of the wire bonds, the top of the arc formed by the layer is much closer to the active surface of the die. This, in turn, allows the bead of encapsulant to have a lower profile relative to the active surface. With a lower encapsulant bead, the active surface can be brought into closer proximity with another surface without making contact. For example, the nozzle array on a printhead IC can be 300 microns to 400 microns from the paper path. |
| US07824011B2 |
Cradle unit having pivoted connections for printhead cartridge
A cradle unit is provided for a printhead cartridge. The cradle unit has a first printed circuit having print control circuitry of the cradle unit, and a second printed circuit board having connections for connecting the printhead cartridge with a power supply which is remote from the second printhead circuit board and the print control circuitry of the first printed circuit board. The first and second printed circuit boards have complementary connectors which cooperate to provide the connection of the printhead cartridge to the print control circuitry. The complementary connectors being arranged so that the first printed circuit board is able to pivot with respect to the second printed circuit board. |
| US07824009B2 |
Liquid ejection head
A liquid ejection head capable of achieving satisfactory printing without nozzle misfiring in an area close to an end of a nozzle row and droplet misdirection is provided. The ejection orifices, except for dummy orifices, are provided with protrusions. Four operative ejection orifices located close to each of the ends of each ejection orifice row are defined as end-located ejection orifices. Each of the protrusions provided in the end-located ejection orifices has a shorter length than that of the protrusion provided in the ejection orifice located in the central portion of the nozzle row. |
| US07824007B2 |
Liquid ejection device
A liquid ejection device includes: a conveyance mechanism which conveys a recording medium in one direction; a plurality of liquid ejection heads each having an ejection face which has a plurality of ejection openings for ejecting liquid and faces the conveyance mechanism, the liquid ejection heads being arranged along the one direction; a plurality of wipers which respectively wipe the ejection faces; a holder which holds the wipers; a support which supports the holder; and a movement mechanism which moves the holder in a direction perpendicular to the one direction. The holder is displaceable in the one direction relative to the support. The holder has an intruder which intrudes into a gap between two liquid ejection heads adjacent to each other. |
| US07824005B2 |
Liquid ejection device
A liquid ejection device includes: a liquid ejection head which includes an ejection surface and an ejection port formed at the ejection surface, ejects a droplet of liquid from the ejection port, and allows the liquid to land on an object; an elastic absorbing member which comes into contact with the ejection surface of the liquid ejection head, and absorbs the liquid adhering to the ejection surface; and moving means for moving the absorbing member with respect to the ejection surface while the absorbing member is in contact with the ejection surface, in which the absorbing member has a surface layer which is impregnated with a solution containing a surfactant. |
| US07824002B2 |
Printer cradle with air compressor
An inkjet printer cradle that has a body configured to correctly position a removable inkjet cartridge within an inkjet printer, the removable inkjet cartridge having a printhead and an air inlet. The cradle has an air compressor for supplying compressed air to the air inlet of the removable inkjet cartridge such that an outlet from the air compressor couples with the air inlet upon engagement with the removable inkjet cartridge into the body. The cradle also provides a print media transport assembly for transporting print media past the printhead when the removable inkjet cartridge is positioned by the body. |
| US07823998B2 |
Liquid ejection apparatus and liquid ejection method
Even when ejection characteristics of ink droplets are dispersed between unit heads and when arrangement accuracies of unit heads are dispersed, stripe unevenness is alleviated by correction corresponding to each unit head. In a liquid ejection apparatus having a line head (10) arranged by juxtaposing a plurality of (unit) heads (11) of liquid ejection parts so as to connect the head (11) to the adjacent head (11), the liquid ejection apparatus includes ejection direction changing means for enabling the ejection direction of liquid droplets ejected from a nozzle of each liquid ejection part to change in a plurality of directions in the arranging direction of liquid ejection parts and reference direction setting means for individually setting one reference principal direction for each head (11) among a plurality of ejection directions of liquid droplets by the ejection direction changing means. In the (N−1)th and the (N+1)th head 11, the third ejection direction from the left is established as the principal direction while in the Nth head 11, the second ejection direction from the right is established as the principal direction. |
| US07823995B2 |
Slide assembly with transmitting mechanism
A slide assembly includes an outer slide (10), an intermediate slide (30) telescopically attached to the outer slide, an inner slide (90) telescopically attached to the intermediate slide, and a transmitting mechanism (31) detachably attached to the intermediate slide. The outer slide has a blocking portion (11). A fulcrum (365) is formed on the intermediate slide. The transmitting mechanism includes a driving member (35) and a post member (38). The driving member includes a driving portion (357), a lifting end (351), and a resilient member (37). The post member is connected to the lifting end of the driving member and traversed through the intermediate slide. A head portion (381) is formed on the post member and configured for engaging with the blocking portion. The resilient member is attached to the post member for urging the post member to return to an original position. |
| US07823994B2 |
Server rack
A server rack includes a base and a receiving bracket secured to the base. The base includes a pair of parallel guiding rails. A limiting member is formed on each guiding rail and extends along a first direction. A horizontal guiding slot is defined in the limiting member along an extension direction of each guiding rail. The receiving bracket is supported on and slidable long the guiding rails in the first direction, including a pair of opposite sidewalls parallel to the guiding rails. A horizontal sliding portion is formed on each sidewall of the receiving bracket corresponding to the guiding slot of the limiting member, and engaged with the guiding slot in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction when the receiving bracket is entirely retracted into the base, to prevent the receiving bracket shaking relative to the base during shipment. |
| US07823993B2 |
Piezo actuated slide latching mechanism
A latching mechanism is particularly suited for use in latching a slide mechanism, such as used to slidably mount a drawer. The latching mechanism includes a latch assembly comprising a latch lever mounted for movement between a first, second and third positions, a latch tab for selective engagement with a second end of the latch lever, and a piezo electric controller. The controller has a plunger configured to selectively control the movement of the latch lever between the first and second positions, the plunger movable between an extended position corresponding to a first, locked position of the latch lever and a retracted position corresponding to the second, unlocked position of the latch lever, the controller when unpowered preventing the plunger from moving from the extended to the retracted position and the controller when powered permitting the plunger to move from the extended to the retracted position. |
| US07823990B2 |
Sprocketed idler assembly
A sprocketed idler for a machine comprises a plurality of teeth radially disposed about an idler having a substantially circular cross section. Each of the plurality of teeth includes at least one tooth flank having a substantially uniform slope, wherein a distance between adjacent peaks of the plurality of teeth is between 30% and 90% of the distance between central axes of adjacent pin members of a track link that is engageable by the idler. |
| US07823986B2 |
Device for supplying pressure to an actuation unit of a motor vehicle braking system and method for controlling said device
A device for supplying pressure to an actuation unit of a vehicle brake system, in particular to a vehicle brake system of the ‘brake-by-wire’ type, comprising a pneumatic motor-and-pump assembly with a pump and a motor driving the pump, wherein the motor-and-pump assembly is controlled by an electronic control unit depending on a pressure level or pressure difference in a pneumatic brake booster of the actuation unit, with the pressure level in a chamber or a difference in pressure between two chambers of the brake booster being detected by means of a sensor. In order to maintain the availability of the service brake function as high as possible and to obtain a maximum possible redundancy, the control unit, used to control the motor-and-pump assembly comprises a logic module and a power module, which are arranged separately of each other. |
| US07823984B2 |
Master brake cylinder arrangement for a hydraulic motor vehicle brake system and motor vehicle brake system
The invention relates to a master brake cylinder arrangement for a hydraulic motor vehicle brake system having a housing, in which two adjacent cylinder bores are provided, two piston arrangements, in which a first piston arrangement is received in a first cylinder bore of the cylinder bores such that it is displaceable along a first longitudinal bore axis and in which a second piston arrangement is received in a second cylinder bore of the cylinder bores such that it is displaceable along a second longitudinal bore axis, a force input piston which can be coupled, or is coupled, to a brake pedal and which is displaceably guided along an actuating axis in a cutout of the housing, the first piston arrangement and the second piston arrangement being displaceable according to a movement of the force input piston, in which the first piston arrangement delimits a first pressure chamber with the housing, said pressure chamber being fluidically connected to a hydraulic brake system, and in which the second piston arrangement delimits a second pressure chamber with the housing, said pressure chamber being fluidically connected to the hydraulic brake system. It is provided that, arranged between the first piston arrangement and the second piston arrangement and the force input piston, there is a transmission element on which a coupling projection is mounted, which is connected, or can be connected, in force-transmitting manner to the force input piston for common movement. |
| US07823977B2 |
Vehicle seat arrangement
A vehicle seat arrangement includes a rail and a seat body slidably mounted on the rail having a seat component and a backrest pivotally connected to the seat component. The backrest pivots between a generally upright position and a forward tilted entry position. The seat body moves between a sitting position and an entry position. A blocking member obstructs the seat body from moving rearward of the sitting position. A locking mechanism moves between a locked position that restrains the seat back in the forward tilted entry position and a release position that releases the seat back to return to the generally upright position. The backrest acts as a lever such that a force applied to the backrest in a direction toward the sitting position is transferred through the backrest to the locking mechanism moving the locking mechanism from the locked position to the released position. |
| US07823976B2 |
Chair
A chair includes a backrest and a seat surface. The backrest is adjustable relative to the seat surface, and the backrest is adjustable in its inclination independently of the position of the seat surface. The adjustment of the inclination of the backrest occurs in a stepless manner and without an operating mechanism. |
| US07823975B2 |
Support with a backrest adjuster device for a motor vehicle seat
A support with a lumbar adjuster device for a motor vehicle seat includes a front side which, in the installed position, faces a seat user's back and a lumbar adjuster device which is arranged on the front side of the support and is intended for setting the position of the lumbar support perpendicular to the plane of extent of the backrest frame. The lumbar adjuster device has at least one adjuster element to be brought into operative connection with the lumbar support, and at least one slide which is movable with respect to the adjuster element. The slide can be moved, firstly, along a tensioning direction along which it is pretensioned, and, secondly, along a drawing direction along which a drawing force can be transmitted to the slide via a drawing means coupled to the slide. |
| US07823971B2 |
Active head restraint systems for vehicle seats
Multiple vehicle seats are disclosed with active head restraint systems that receive an input force from an occupant during an impact by a torso support, which consequently actuates a linkage that translates a head restraint upward and forward to the head of the occupant. In one embodiment, the torso support has a translatable connection with the seatback frame and another translatable connection with the linkage. In another embodiment, a torso support is pivotally connected to a pair of links which are each pivotally connected to the frame. In yet another embodiment, the seatback frame includes a structural wire, which provides pivotal connections for two of the links of the linkage. |
| US07823968B2 |
L and R folding chair with hood
One embodiment of the folding chair with a hood combination includes a detachable hood, which is located on the rear of the seat assembly. By squeezing the safety clip will release the hood rods. Then raising inserted rod by hand in extended position until the rod base lock in place. Release the rod arms to lock in the notch of the rear support poles. Allowing the hinge where the rod arm and the rod base are connected to fold. Remove hood from pouch located on the rear of the seat assembly. Then place front end of the hood arrow pockets inside the arrow tips of rod assembly. Further attach the back end of detachable hood with fasteners inside the pouch located on rear seat assembly. |
| US07823967B2 |
Heater system for an aircraft seat
A heater system for an aircraft seat includes a first heater pad secured to the bottom seat cushion and a second heater pad secured to the back seat cushion, with both pads being under an upholstery cover. The first and second heater pads each has a body of an open cell foam material that is self flame extinguishing, and an electric resistance wire embedded in a winding pattern within the body. A control module applies a variable electric current to the electric resistance wire in each of the first and second heater pads. Preferably only the second heater pad for the back seat cushion can be activated or both the first and second heater pads can be activated. A pushbutton switch module allows the seat occupant step the control module through a sequence of different heating levels. |
| US07823964B2 |
Bottom structure of vehicle body
A second cross member, which extends in the lateral direction of a vehicle, is provided between one of floor side members and one of tunnel under reinforcements below a front floor panel. The bottom wall of the second cross member is arch-shaped, and a space is provided under the bottom wall. Due to the arch-shaped bottom wall, the second cross member deforms upward upon side collision of the vehicle, whereby the components arranged in the space are not damaged. |
| US07823962B2 |
Bunk arrangement with partition device
A bunk arrangement including a partition device is providing which is especially suitable for use as a sleeping or storing compartment in a vehicle, especially a truck or a bus. In one alternative, the bunk arrangement includes a partition device with a partition wall with a plurality of wall elements, which are provided for folding together and defolding the wall, for retracting and extending it, respectively, and holding and guiding means for holding the partition wall and for guiding the same between a retracted and an extended state. |
| US07823960B2 |
Cubby hole device
Described is a cubby hole device for vehicles which includes a cubby hole, a first holder , a second holder , a lock and a carrier. The carrier is connected, on the one hand, to an outer frame, on the other hand, to one of the two holders. The cubby hole is connected to the other of the two holders. The first holder and the second holder are mounted rotatably against each other. The lock locks the first holder and the second holder against each other. The cubby hole is displaced against the outer frame by high pressure produced in particular by impact of a vehicle occupant on the cubby hole as a result of which the carrier is deformed plastically by the high pressure and/or the first holder is deformed plastically and/or the first holder is rotated against the second holder. This displacement of the cubby hole by only the constructional elements which are related to the cubby hole. |
| US07823957B2 |
Clamp mechanism for a cover assembly
A protective cover assembly for covering a space defined by at least one wall. The protective cover assembly includes a plurality of rails coupled to one another to form a frame for securing a material over the space. At least one support bow spans the space to support the material. Clamp mechanisms are coupled to the ends of the support bow for securing the protective cover assembly over the space. The clamp mechanisms include a latch member for engaging the wall and a handle for biasing the latch member against the wall. The clamp further includes a link for interconnecting the support bow to the frame. A collar is coupled to the link for guiding the handle and the latch member between an operational position and a stowed position along the link. |
| US07823956B2 |
Rear bag cover and method of attachment by brackets
The invention is an apparatus and method for attaching a cover to a golf cart by brackets and the brackets themselves. The tension supplied by the brackets may be the only mechanism by which the cover mounts to the golf cart. Brackets are preferably configured for attachment to the roof of the golf cart. The apparatus may include brackets for mounting the cover to the roof, a stationary main frame member, a movable frame member, and a cover. Brackets receive the stationary frame member. The movable frame member is operatively secured to the stationary main frame member, and configured to pivotably rotate over a portion of the rear compartment of the golf cart. The cover is configured for attachment to the movable frame member so that when the movable frame member rotates over a portion of the rear compartment of the golf cart, the cover covers a portion of the rear compartment of the golf cart. |
| US07823955B2 |
Sunshade device for motor-vehicles, with shape memory actuator
A sunshade device comprises a sunshade in the form of a roller blind forming part of a roller-blind device, comprising a supporting structure, a shaft for rolling of the sunshade blind, mounted so that it can rotate on the aforesaid supporting structure, and a shape-memory actuator device for causing displacement of the blind from the rolled-up condition to the distended condition. |
| US07823953B2 |
Cover for windshields, windshield wipers, and air intake manifolds
An improved cover made of opaque, reflective, snow-and-ice-repellent material that shields windshields, windshield wipers, and air intake manifolds of vehicles from the accumulation of snow, ice, and frost; and it also prevents the sun's rays from penetrating the interior of vehicles through windshields. |
| US07823949B2 |
Latch system for sliding panel in vehicle
A vehicle trim component is disclosed. The vehicle trim component includes a base with a track. A panel movable between a first position and a second position and having at least one guide member at its lateral edge that engages the track as the panel is moved between the first position and the second position. A latch system including a catch and a biasing member. The guide member engages the catch when the panel is in the first position. |
| US07823943B2 |
Multiple container carrier
Improvements in integral carriers for carrying multiple containers by their necks are disclosed, the improvements comprising annular neck-engaging structures having circumferential ribs oriented on an inward bias forming an angle relative to horizontal from about 45° to about 65° that permits nesting of the carriers, and a centrally disposed longitudinal handle with an attachment configuration that promotes a balanced distribution of weight for ease in carrying and handling. |
| US07823940B2 |
Device for gripping a flexible container
A device for gripping a flexible container, such as a bag filled with fluid, comprising a chamber that is open on one side with a peripheral wall that encloses the open side, a container support that extends in the peripheral direction inside the peripheral wall, as well as an orifice for connecting a vacuum source to the chamber, wherein the chamber can be placed with the open side against the container, such that a vacuum can be generated between the chamber and the container for bringing the container in to contact around the container support transversely to the peripheral direction. The orifice is outside the container support and extends in the peripheral direction. |
| US07823934B2 |
Fixing apparatus of data storage device
An exemplary fixing apparatus is provided for holding a data storage device defining a pair of holes in a sidewall thereof. The fixing apparatus includes a bracket, a sliding member, a rotating member, a pair of latch members, and a resilient member. The bracket includes a side panel defining a pair through holes therein. The sliding member is slidably attached to the side panel. The rotating member is rotatably attached to the sliding member. The resilient member is disposed between the sliding member and the rotating member. The latch members are pivotably attached to the rotating member and movably extend through the through hole of the bracket to engage in the holes of the data storage device. |
| US07823925B2 |
Head and neck restraint system and device
A head and neck restraint device controls the motion of the head and forces exerted upon the neck of a seated occupant in a decelerating vehicle. A body defines a collar, right and left legs, and right and left wings. The collar is tethered to the helmet. Each leg has belt interaction surfaces that provide a friction action on the shoulder straps. Left and right extensions or wings residing under the shoulder strap rearward of the legs provide a restriction of rotation of the body and thus a binding action on the shoulder straps. A cantilever action is induced during forward impact by the tethers pulling on the collar of the body and the binding action on the shoulder straps, thus reducing the forward motion of the body. The present restraint device does not attach to the structure of the vehicle, allows travel thereof with respect to the seated occupant, yet controls the motion of the occupant's head in order to substantially reduce neck loads on the occupant. Moreover, the present restraint device is not in contact with the occupant during normal operation and thus does not induce discomfort or fatigue. Under general forward impact conditions, the occupant's head motion is controlled with respect to the torso, yet the device will restrictively move with the driver's head and torso along shoulder straps of a seat harness of the vehicle. |
| US07823918B2 |
Inflators and method for manufacturing inflators
A closure assembly for an inflator comprises a housing and an outlet plate disposed within the housing. The outlet plate has an outlet opening configured to receive a burst disk. The outlet plate is joined to the housing by a deformation resistance weld. The deformation resistance weld is formed by contacting the outlet plate with a first electrode, contacting an exterior portion of the housing with a second electrode, and applying a voltage through the first and second electrodes to adhere a portion of the housing to a portion of the outlet plate. |
| US07823916B2 |
Driver-side supplemental inflatable restraint system with secondary inflatable restraint
A driver-side supplemental inflatable restraint system is provided. The restraint system includes a steering wheel assembly configured to attach inside of a vehicle passenger compartment, proximate to the driver's seat. The steering wheel assembly includes an annular wheel rim attached to a wheel hub. The wheel rim and hub each define a cavity with an opening. A primary inflatable cushion is operable to transition through the hub opening from a non-expanded state, stowed inside the hub cavity, to an expanded state, inflated outside the hub cavity. A secondary inflatable cushion is operable to transition through the rim opening from a non-expanded state, stowed inside the rim cavity, to an expanded state, inflated outside the rim cavity. At least one inflator is in fluid communication with the primary and secondary cushions, and operable to selectively dispense inflation fluid thereto, and thereby transition the cushions from respective non-expanded states to expanded states. |
| US07823915B2 |
Occupant restraining device
In an occupant restraining device having a bag whose opposite ends are fixed to a seat pan, an inflated state of a gas chamber of the bag is specified. Both ends of a bag 12 in a left-right direction thereof are provided with stationary sections 12a and 12a that are fixed to a seat pan 8. The stationary sections 12a and 12a have therebetween a gas chamber 15 that is inflated as a result of gas entering from an inflator 13. Regarding the bag 12, a value of L2/L1, which is the ratio between a maximum width L2 of the gas chamber 15 in the left-right direction and a distance L1 between bolt through-holes 12b and 12b in the respective stationary sections 12a and 12a, is within a range of 0.6 to 0.9. Moreover, a value of L3/L2, which is the ratio between a maximum width L3 of the gas chamber 15 in a front-back direction and L2, is within a range of 0.4 to 0.85. Furthermore, a value of L1/L3, which is the ratio between L1 and L3, is less than or equal to 2.1. |
| US07823914B2 |
Airbag mounting assembly and method of manufacture
An airbag assembly, airbag mounting assembly, and method of assembling an airbag mounting assembly are disclosed. The airbag assembly comprises an airbag and an airbag mounting assembly. In one embodiment, the airbag mounting assembly comprises a mounting bracket, a connecting member, and a wrapping member. |
| US07823911B2 |
Knee protecting air bag apparatus
A knee protecting air bag apparatus M1 is mounted to a column cover 16 for covering a column cover 16 for covering a steering column. In operating the apparatus M1, a contained air bag 45 is supplied with an expanding gas G and is projected from the column cover 16 to be able to protect the knee of a driver while being expanded to develop. The column cover 16 includes a door portion 34 opened by being pressed by the air bag to be able to form a projecting opening 22 of the air bag 45 at two left ad right side faces 18b, 18c from a side of a lower face 18a. Inside of the air bag 45 is arranged with a gas flow restricting member 64 such that the expanding gas G is made to flow to a left door portion 36 and a right door portion 37 of the door portion 34 by being directed in outer directions of both left and right sides. |
| US07823909B2 |
High strength airbag attachment for use with flanged inflators
An airbag module includes an inflator and an airbag housed within a housing. The airbag has a cushion inflator hub portion that includes one or more tab extensions and an opening. The tab extensions define at least a portion of the periphery of the opening. A retainer ring is also added to the airbag module. The retainer ring has an aperture through which the inflator may be passed. The retainer ring includes one or more relief cuts positioned to receive the tab extensions. Specifically, the tab extensions are bent to pass through the relief cuts. |
| US07823904B2 |
Hitch bar assembly
A hitch assembly is provided having a hitch shank configured to be received within an opening of a hitch receiver of a tow vehicle and a wedge member disposed about the hitch shank. The wedge member has first and second surfaces on opposing sides of the wedge member, angled relative to one another. An engagement device is coupled to the wedge member to press the wedge member to an engaged position that causes the hitch shank to bias away from the receiver tube to minimize play therebetween. |
| US07823903B2 |
Portable draft bar assembly
A portable draft bar assembly including an end bracket configured to be mounted to a plurality of bucket attachment types of various machinery, and a main bar having a first end configured to be selectively coupled to the end bracket and a second end configured to receive and retain one of a plurality of hitch assembly types. An anchor bracket is configured to be selectively coupled to the main bar at one of a plurality of positions, and an end clamp is slideably coupled to the main bar between second end and the anchor bracket and includes an angled channel. A binder assembly is coupled between the anchor bracket and end clamp, wherein the anchor bracket is selectively coupled to a selected one of the plurality of positions so that the angled channel at least partially engages a leading edge of a bucket to which the end bracket is mounted, and wherein the binder assembly is configured to draw the end clamp and anchor bracket together to wedge and secure the angled channel against the leading edge of the bucket. |
| US07823902B2 |
Trailer towing system
An accessory towing apparatus that connects a towing vehicle to a gooseneck-type trailer. The accessory towing apparatus includes a chassis framework assembly mounted on an axle having two ground engaging wheels. The chassis assembly includes three linkage arms, which are attached to and extend from the framework. The ends of the three linkage arms are designed to engage and couple with three brackets attached to the main frame of the towing vehicle. When the respective coupling mechanism of the three linkage arms are each engaged, they are substantially parallel to one another and pivot about a substantially common axis. An automatic alignment and attachment system may also be included to greatly simplify the attachment process of the gooseneck-type trailer to the towing vehicle. |
| US07823896B2 |
Articulated step system for automotive vehicle
An articulated step system for an automotive vehicle includes a step housing attached to the vehicle frame by means of at least one standoff bracket and a tension strut extending generally downwardly from a first end attached to a vehicle body to a second end attached to the step housing. The articulated step has a stowed position generally underlying the body, and a deployed position extending generally outwardly from the body. Movement of the step may be either translational or rotational with respect to the step housing. In one embodiment, the step extends for the full length of the cab of the vehicle, and partially under a load carrying body at the rear of the vehicle. |
| US07823891B2 |
Active vehicle suspension system
An active suspension system for a vehicle includes an active suspension element that is substantially rigidly attached to a frame of the vehicle such that a motion of an armature of the active suspension element is mechanically decoupled from a lateral motion of a wheel of the vehicle. A control rod is attached between the active suspension element and the wheel of the vehicle. |
| US07823889B2 |
Seal part
A seal part having a base material, a porous coating layer formed by flame spraying a hard material on a seal surface of the base material, and a lubricating film containing one or more types of materials selected from silver, gold, and tin and a gold-cobalt alloy on the porous coating layer. The seal part of the present invention has superior durability and sealability and further a long life and high reliability even when used in a high temperature (for example 400° C. or more, in particular 400 to 600° C.) and high pressure (for example 2 MPa or more) environment. |
| US07823888B2 |
Gasket
A gasket having a cross sectional shape longer than it is wide and is prevented from falling over and buckling. The gasket is installed in an installation groove formed in either of two opposite surfaces and having a cross sectional shape that is longer in the depth direction of the groove than it is wide. The gasket has a meandering section meandering in the width direction of the installation groove and also has a rib provided projecting from the inner periphery and/or the outer periphery of the meandering section. |
| US07823887B2 |
Sealing between components of a rotary machine
In a casing of a rotary machine, cast components are sealingly mounted together by means of seals accommodated in (semi-) enclosed cavities. A ring seal includes an annular base and an annular skirt extending axially from the base. To ameliorate manufacturing tolerances, the seal defines circumferentially spaced, intermittent cavities to allow seal material to be deformed into the cavities as required. Land areas between cavities have cross-sectional surfaces increasing progressively from a free surface of small area to cause compressive force required for deformation to increase exponentially with an exponent larger than 1. The cavities may be peripherally spaced, being open at a radially outer surface of the seal. The seal may be of elastic material which may be incompressible. The skirt may taper away from the base. The base may have a projecting sealing lip. The skirt may have, at a free end, a slanted, peripheral lip. |
| US07823885B2 |
Dual seal assembly
A dual seal assembly, in particular for sealing a gas compressor, includes a first mechanical seal assembly including a pair of co-operating seal rings, one of which is provided for common rotation with a rotating component and the other of which is provided rotationally fixed at a stationary component. A second mechanical seal assembly includes a pair of co-operating seal rings, one of which is provided for common rotation with a rotating component and the other of which is provided rotationally fixed at a stationary component. One of the seal rings is axially movable and axially biased with a biasing force against the respectively other seal ring to bias facing sliding surfaces of the seal ringss in a mutual sealing engagement. A secondary sealing assembly is provided for sealing the axially movable seal ring with respect to at least one circumferential guiding surface of a guiding component. |
| US07823879B2 |
Apparatus for deskewing sheet media
An apparatus for deskewing a media sheet includes a sheet feed system for transporting the media sheet along a media feed path in a media feed direction. A split alignment gate is positioned to intersect the media feed path. The split alignment gate subjects the media sheet to a deskewing force, wherein an amount of the deskewing force is determined based on a width of the media sheet in a direction transverse to the media feed direction. |
| US07823872B2 |
Medium delivery device, medium processing apparatus and check delivery device with dual pressing members
A medium delivery device comprising a medium insertion section into which a sheet-shaped medium to be delivered is inserted in a stacked state, first and second medium guide surfaces that are opposed to each other to guide the sheet-shaped medium to the medium delivery port, a feed roller that is disposed at a side of the first medium guide surface and delivers the sheet-shaped medium inserted into the medium insertion section, to the medium delivery port, a first pressing member that presses the sheet-shaped medium inserted into the medium insertion section against the feed roller, a second pressing member that presses the sheet-shaped medium inserted into the medium insertion section against the first medium guide surface at a position deviating from the feed roller, and a driving mechanism that drives the first pressing member in directions in which the first pressing member moves close to and away from the feed roller. |
| US07823871B2 |
Sheet feeding apparatus, housing incorporating the same and image forming apparatus
A sheet feeding apparatus including a sheet tray for storing a plurality of sheets of paper, the sheet tray capable of being pulled out in a direction perpendicular to a sheet feed direction, a pair of side regulating members for regulating both lateral surfaces of the sheets, the regulating members being provided over the sheet tray and perpendicular to the sheet feed direction, a vacuum belt to suck a sheet of paper from above and feed the sheets, and a moving mechanism for moving the vacuum belt or one of the regulating members that is provided on a back side in the direction of pulling out the sheet tray in the vertical directions, in such a way that, when the sheet tray is pulled out, the uppermost end of the regulating member provided on the back side is lower than the lowermost surface of the vacuum belt. |
| US07823869B2 |
Sheet feeder, image forming apparatus having the same, and method for sheet feeding
A sheet feeder includes a sheet feed tray on which a first sheet bundle is stacked at a first position where sheet feeding to a conveyance path can be performed, and a conveyance tray on which a second sheet bundle is stacked at a second position adjacent to the sheet feed tray, and which conveys the second sheet bundle to the sheet feed tray and stacks the second sheet bundle on the sheet feed tray after the first sheet bundle is fed, presses the stacked second sheet bundle to a side plate provided in a direction perpendicular to a conveyance direction of the conveyance tray, and aligns an end of the second sheet bundle. |
| US07823866B1 |
Distributed load edge clamp
An arrangement for clamping a flat plate to a flat surface includes juxtaposing the plate to the flat surface. An axially-movable wedging element defining a surface fitted with wedges is fixed against motion in other than a direction of elongation, and is forced to move in the direction of elongation. The wedges are forced against a first spring beam to impart forces thereto. The forces are coupled from the first spring beam to a second spring beam by intermediary supports. The second spring beam bears against a surface of the flat plate to force the plate against the flat surface. |
| US07823861B2 |
Small vehicle jack apparatus
A small vehicle jack, having the ability to lift vehicles having a variety of wheel bases, and axle configurations. A support frame provides stability for a vertical bar, which supports a winch means. The winch means raises a lifting frame using a strap means, and the lifting frame which follows the vertical bar using an improved sleeve means, in which rollers are used on either side of the vertical bar. The jack may have adjustable and detachable wheel support means, in which the wheels of the vehicle are used as the contact points to raise the vehicle. The jack may also be used without wheel support means, but instead use hook means to attach to an axle. |
| US07823857B2 |
Collapsible easel
A collapsible easel for holding items to be displayed, the easel having a top assembly and a base assembly. The base assembly includes two front legs and a rear leg, each leg pivotally mounted to the top assembly with cushion members forcing part of the top assembly to provide a slight restriction against pivoted movement of the two front legs. A V-shaped spring assembly is pivotally mounted on the rear leg, and is removably attached to each front leg. Insertion of portions of the spring assembly into apertures in the front legs, allows the easel to stand in a tripod configuration. Removal of portions of the V-shaped spring assembly from the apertures in the front legs allows the legs to be folded together. In another embodiment, a collapsible brace assembly connects the rear leg to the front legs. The collapsible brace assembly comprises a pair of lateral struts extending between and engaging each of the front legs and a bracket connecting the lateral struts. The bracket of the brace assembly further engages a rear extension assembly which extends to and is pivotally connected to the rear leg. The dimensions of the lateral struts and the rear extension assembly are determined by a first open tripod position and a second closed position of the easel such that the easel may be folded flat for easy transportation and storage. |
| US07823848B2 |
Shelf base carrier comprising distancing elements
The invention relates to a shelf base carrier which can be suspended or inserted into a vertical wall rail, comprising a lower holding section equipped with a bearing surface for the shelf base which extends from a wall in a horizontal manner on said upper edge, and a clamping element for clamping the shelf base to the rear end which is oriented towards the wall, and which extends above and away from the wall. According to the invention, a lower distancing element can be fixed in a separating manner to the holding section and an upper distancing element can be fixed in a separating manner to the clamping element. The lower and/or the upper distancing elements can be fixed in a first and a second position. In a first position, a first, smaller distance and in the second position, a second larger distance are provided between the bearing surface and/or the lower edge of the clamping element and the contact surface of the respective distancing element is determined by the held shelf base. By combining the first and second positions of the upper and the lower distancing element, the shelf bases can be fixed at various thicknesses, for example, 8 mm, 10 mm and 14 mm. |
| US07823845B2 |
Corner climber
A novel device for climbing inside corners, outside corners, and a variety of surfaces. The technology presented herein relies on high friction materials, suction devices, adhesive materials, pneumatic devices, etc. Specifically, embodiments of the present invention are designed to clamp onto inside or outside corners such that the devices weight, and an optional load, can be supported. Further embodiments allow the device to climb up, down, and across corners. Moreover, embodiments that can scale flat, rough, or jagged surfaces are also disclosed. |
| US07823837B2 |
Two part spacecraft servicing vehicle system with adaptors, tools, and attachment mechanisms
An in-space spacecraft servicing system (10) includes a servicing spacecraft (22) and a propellant module (24). The servicing spacecraft includes a client servicing system (136), as well as navigation avionics (108) for independent flight operation and a servicing propellant tank (170). The propellant module moves the servicing module from an upper stage drop off location and releases it in proximity to a client spacecraft (16) for a servicing mission. It has a propellant tank (172) with capacity for multiple missions and is used to refill the servicing spacecraft's propellant tanks between missions. Either or both the servicing spacecraft and the propellant module may have navigation avionics. The servicing spacecraft also has a universal docking adaptor (70) for different client spacecraft, and can convert a client spacecraft from non-cooperative to cooperative. |
| US07823835B2 |
Door pod assembly
A door pod assembly includes a housing that defines a cavity for emergency equipment, a pod door, and a latch retaining the pod door in a closed position relative to the housing. The assembly is configured such that the latches, upon activation free the release door thereby exposing the emergency equipment and allowing it to be deployed. The door pod assembly maybe coupled to an interior surface of a baggage compartment door and is configured so that the baggage compartment may continue to be used for its originally intended purpose. |
| US07823834B2 |
Door configured to close an opening inside an aircraft
This door includes a device that permits air to flow through the door in one direction but prevents this flow of air in the opposite direction.On the attached illustration, the door includes at least a window (74), that less air pass through as well as an elastic membrane (76) covering window (74).Elastic membrane (76) includes on the one hand an area that is airtight facing window (74) and capable of fully covering it and on the other hand, an area that is pervious to air near the impervious area. |
| US07823833B2 |
Window installation method and apparatus
An exemplary window frame assembly includes a window frame and spring clips. The window frame includes a window frame body, and flanges extend from the window frame body. The spring clips are removably attachable to the flanges. Each flange may define at least one first locking member and each spring clip may define at least one second locking member configured to engage the first locking member. For example, the at least one first locking member may include saw tooth grooves and the at least one second locking member may include a pair of angled tabs. As another example, the at least one first locking member may include a pair of angled tabs and the at least one second locking member may include saw tooth grooves. Each spring clip may further define a release mechanism, such as a tab, that is configured to disengage the spring clip and the flange. |
| US07823832B2 |
Injection-molded window panel and related methods
A window panel adapted for installation relative to a structure. The panel includes a single piece of generally transparent injection-molded material configured to span one or more openings in the structure. The panel has panel attachment inserts for attaching the panel relative to the structure. The inserts are embedded in the material alongside at least one edge of the panel. The panel has a curvature that essentially continues a curvature of the structure surrounding the opening(s) when the panel is installed relative to the structure. This panel can be single-pane and can provide an essentially continuous window along an aircraft fuselage. |
| US07823826B1 |
VSTOL aircraft
An aircraft having a gas turbine engine with vectorable cold and hot nozzles. The aircraft is provided with a ducting in the wing which extends from an inlet facing downwards to an outlet in the upper surface of the wing directed rearwardly. The cold vectorable nozzles of the engine are designed so that they can be swung from a vertical downward position to provide vertical lift to a horizontal position directed rearwardly to produce forward thrust, to a position where they are directed upwardly and discharged into the ducting 24. In this way, the air discharged through the outlet of the ducting 24 enhances the aerodynamic lift produced by the wing at slower speeds by inducing the air flow over the wing. In addition, the forward component of the thrust produced in the ducting provides a forward thrust on the aircraft, whilst additional forward thrust is produced by swiveling the hot nozzles. |
| US07823821B2 |
Distributor plate
A distributor plate (10) is shown for use in an impelling rotor of a vertical shaft impactor (14). Typically the impelling rotor is a chamber (12) arranged to rotate about a vertical axis A-A. Feed materials for breakage are gravity-fed into the rotating chamber (12). These materials strike the rotating distributor plate (10) which is located at the base of the rotor chamber (12). The plate has a substantially planar single-piece upper surface (24) onto which the feed materials are received. This substantially flat surface (24) facilitates rapid and easy expulsion of feed materials there across and out of the rotor chamber (12). The plate shown is a circular disc made of metal carbide. Use of a single-piece upper surface of the distributor plate (10) also will not result in the development of preferential wear sites at corners, edges, join lines etc, as can happen with the known distributor plates. |
| US07823817B1 |
Desktop electric stirrer
A tabletop electric stirrer includes a rotating body and an electric rotating drive. This stirrer can perform stirring efficiently, can easily crush and dissolve a water soluble capsule not only in hot water but also in cold water, and can crush a plurality of capsules in a short period of time. |
| US07823816B2 |
Shredder with light emitting diode (LED) sensors
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 light-emitting diode (LED) acts as a sensor by emitting and detecting radiation when operated in a forward-biased and reverse-biased direction. The LED(s) may be used to detect the presence of the at least one article in the throat or an amount of shredded particles in a bin. The LED(s) communicate with a controller to operate the shredder mechanism. The controller may also calibrate an intensity of the radiation to or within a predetermined amount above a minimum level in order to reduce wear and run-on conditions. |
| US07823813B2 |
Lower feed stop bar
A control mechanism for the feed of a brush chipper is disclosed. A lower feed stop bar, located under a feed table, pivots on a pivot axis located below and toward the brush chipper from the control bar of the lower feed stop bar. The center of gravity of the lower feed stop bar, then, tends to pivot the lower feed stop bar away from the feed disengage position. Hence, nuisance trips due to vibration, impact of brush on the table, etc., are reduced. |
| US07823812B2 |
Recycling method of used tyres and installation for the actuation of the same method
A recycling method of used tyres is disclosed, which comprises grinding of tyres to obtain tyre pieces with approximate maximum dimensions of 100×80 mm, granulating of ground tyre pieces to obtain filaments of harmonic steel and granules containing textile fibres with 1-16 mm granulometry, removal of steel filaments using the attraction of a magnetic field, and refining of granules containing textile fibre, in such a way to separate textile fibre from rubber granules with 1-3 mm granulometry for introduction on the market to mould rubber-based materials. |
| US07823803B2 |
Integrated breakaway cylinder and method for constructing a boom assembly
An integrated breakaway cylinder for controlling a boom of a self-propelled sprayer and method for constructing a boom assembly is disclosed in the present application. The integrated breakaway cylinder is constructed from a first stage cylinder and a second stage cylinder. The first stage cylinder is configured in a rod and barrel arrangement. The second stage cylinder is also configured in a rod and barrel arrangement, with the barrel of the first stage cylinder serving as the rod of the second stage cylinder. The first stage cylinder operates to extend and retract a boom. The second stage cylinder operates to absorb shock from inertia or the boom impacting an object. The design of various embodiments of the present invention couples the operation of maneuvering a boom with shock absorption into a single integrated cylinder. |
| US07823794B2 |
Stripline magnetic writing of dynamic magnetic data bits in surrounding regions of static magnetic data bits
A magnetic device that includes a magnetic stripe for recording a combination of dynamic and static magnetic data. The magnetic stripe includes at least two regions of material with substantially different coercivities. One region contains static information and the other can be re-written with dynamic information. |
| US07823792B2 |
Contact smart cards having a document core, contactless smart cards including multi-layered structure, PET-based identification document, and methods of making same
The present invention relates to identification documents and smart cards. In one implementation, we provide a contactless smart identification document comprising a first contact layer, a second contact layer, and a carrier layer. The carrier layer is sandwiched in between the first and second contact layers, and the carrier layer includes least a transceiver and electronic circuitry. At least a portion of the first and second contact layers migrate into the carrier layer. This migration helps to secure at least a portion of the transceiver or electronic circuitry to the first and second contact layers. |
| US07823791B2 |
Secure core material for documents
Particles conveying a code are incorporated into polymer matrix to form a core document substrate. These particles may be colored to create a distinctive look of the document that makes it unique for a particular document issuer and enables visual authentication. Addition of a covert attribute to the particle, such as a UV pigment or hidden layer of material, allows a covert, forensic characteristic and it also allows a mathematical description to be calculated describing the random distribution of a specific area on a document and then captured on it (e.g., in the bar code or magnetic stripe or digital watermark on an ID document). |
| US07823790B1 |
Integrated memory card holder with backcase and rotating door
An apparatus for holding a SIM (subscriber identification module) card for an electronic device. The electronic device is implemented using integrated circuits on a PCB (printed circuit board) contained within a device housing. A SIM connector mounted on the PCB may electrically connect a SIM card to the PCB. The SIM card is releasably held in position by a SIM card door. The SIM card door may engage the SIM card with the SIM connector when in a closed position. The SIM card door in open position may slidably accept the SIM card. The SIM card door is releasably engageable with the housing and is rotatably attached to the housing in order to swing to the closed position from the open position. Holding the SIM card with the SIM card door provides for a smaller SIM connector and thus a minimum amount of PCB area for mounting the SIM connector. |
| US07823785B2 |
Planar light source device and liquid crystal display device
Provided is a planar light source device (300) having a planar light source with uniform luminance distribution by using a laser light source for outputting a beam-like luminous flux. The planar light source device (300) applies a laser beam from the side surface of a light guide plate (310) through a scanning mirror (330) and periodically scans the entire light guide plate. At that time, a light output (P(t)) of the laser light source (320) is modulated in synchronization with the scanning cycle so that the output is proportional to the temporal differentiation dS/dt of a scanning area (S(t)) from a search start within a scanning period. Thus, changes of the scanning speed and scanning length with time are eliminated and planar lighting with uniform luminance can be performed. |
| US07823784B2 |
Barcode creation apparatus, barcode creation method and program
The barcode creation apparatus which creates a barcode read in by a prescribed terminal device, comprises: a function specification device which specifies a function which allows the terminal device to startup when the barcode is read in, from a plurality of functions that the terminal device has; a color specification device which specifies a color of the barcode, the color representing the function specified by the function specification device; and a barcode creation device which creates the barcode in the specified color. |
| US07823777B2 |
Metal-containing transaction card and method of making same
A method of making a transaction card comprising cutting a first sheet of metal to create a card body, cutting a second sheet of metal to create a back panel, applying an adhesive to said back panel and bonding said back panel to said card body. |
| US07823770B2 |
Method and system for maintaining confidentiality of personal information during E-commerce transactions
A method for maintaining confidentiality of personal information during E-commerce transactions. The method includes: (1) compiling a profile of personal information within a depository for at least the buying party to an E-commerce transaction; (2) providing the buying party with a unique identifier linked to his profile for use during subsequent E-commerce transactions; and (3) in response to the buying party providing the identifier to a merchant, completing the E-commerce transaction at the depository without providing any of the buyer's personal information to the merchant. |
| US07823768B2 |
System and method of code generation and authentication
Systems and methods of code generation and authentication are disclosed here. One embodiment includes receiving a request for a batch of codes, each code being unique for a separate unit item, generating a batch of codes, each code being unique for a separate unit item, wherein a subsection of the code comprises a check value, and encrypting the code. In response to receiving a request to authenticate a code, decrypting the code to access a subsection of the code comprising a check value, comparing the check value to a value to authenticate the code. In one embodiment, the encrypting further comprises encrypting the code with a key, and including a key identifier as a subsection of the encrypted code; and decrypting the code further comprises using the key identifier included in the encrypted code to access the key to decrypt the code. Further more, in one embodiment, the batch of codes are provided to be marked on a plurality of products as at least one of a numeric representation, an alphanumeric representation, or a graphic symbol. |
| US07823767B2 |
Computerized system and method for determining whether a location on a patient's body is available for an attachment
A system method for determining whether a location on a patient's body is available for an attachment is provided. A patient identifier is received and the patient's electronic medical record is accessed. An interactive graphical representation of at least a portion of a human body is displayed. A selection of a location of the patient's body from the interactive graphical human body representation is received and it is determined whether the location is available for an attachment. |
| US07823763B2 |
Friction welding method and products made using the same
A method including providing a first portion including one of an annular portion or a hub portion; rotating a second portion including the other of the hub portion or the annular portion; and pressing the second portion against the first portion such that friction between the hub portion and the annular portion causes a weld joint to be created; and wherein the annular portion may or may not include a frictional damping means, which may include an insert. |
| US07823755B2 |
Refrigerator and duct cap assembly therefor
A refrigerator is provided which includes a duct cap disposed so as to open and close an ice duct formed in the refrigerator, an opening and closing device connected so as to open and close the duct cap, and a damper connected to one of the duct cap and the opening and closing device such that a closing operation of the duct cap is delayed. The opening and closing device allows the duct cap to be manually opened and closed, and the damper is interlocked with the opening and closing device so as to delay a closing operation of the duct cap. With this structure, cost may be reduced and noise and/or vibration minimized, compared with mechanisms with the closing operation of the duct cap delayed using electric driving parts, such as solenoids. |
| US07823753B2 |
Double barrel caulking gun caddy
A caulking gun barrel system fits into caulking guns designed for pre-filled cartridges. The caddy system utilizes soft-sided recharge packs of fill material ordinarily designed for more expensive caulking machines with built-in barrels. The caddy system includes at least one tubular barrel having a removable cap for providing access to the barrel interior for insertion of a recharge pack. A shuttle disposed within the tube articulates between ends of the tube and interfaces between the soft-sided refill pack and the caulking gun piston. Built into the removable cap is an elongate, coaxial nozzle for distributing the fill material. In a preferred embodiment, two such barrels are coupled together by a spine adapted to hold them in linear alignment. After inserting into each barrel a recharge pack opened at one end, a user inserts one of the barrels into a caulking gun and employs its plunger and piston to force fill material out the nozzle. When that recharge pack is spent, the user reverses the barrels to use the other recharge pack in like manner. The system holds the barrels oriented in opposite directions to minimize interference by the spare barrel with use of the caulking gun. The backbone also may include means on its side for holding a smoothing tool commonly employed by users to smooth a bead of the fill material after it has been distributed from the nozzle. |
| US07823745B2 |
Tube, cap and rack for automatic handling of samples
A tube comprising a container having a closed bottom end, an open top end, and a part that is adapted for flexible cooperation with a compartment of a rack for accommodation of the tube in such a way that unintentional removal of the tube from the respective compartment is substantially prevented, a cap for sealing a tube, and a rack for accommodating a plurality of tubes. The tube, cap, and rack facilitate automatic handling of samples. |
| US07823744B2 |
Storage container for water-endangering liquids
A storage container for water-endangering liquids comprises a leakage detection and restraint system. The storage container provides a container that allows for a short-notice alarm system and that minimizes the collection volume, that is to ensure that the water-endangering liquid spreads as little as possible, as well as to reduce construction and maintenance costs. The storage container is characterized by the following features: a gutter (4) surrounding the tank (13) that is directly contiguous with the outer wall (2) of the storage container and that collects leaked liquid, at least one gutter outlet (14), at least one liquid collection container (6), and at least one detection system (12) for the water-endangering liquids. The gutter outlet (14) is adapted to guide the liquid collected in the gutter (4) to the liquid collection container (6) that is provided with the detection system (12). |
| US07823743B2 |
Food container and method of manufacture
A food container is provided having a receptacle with an open mouth. A lid is provided. The lid includes an end cap, an eating utensil and a cover. The eating utensil is positioned between the cover and a wall portion of the end cap. The cover is removably secured to the end cap and upon removal provides access to the eating utensil. Upon removal of the end cap from the container bottom, the contents are exposed and the eating utensil may be used to consume the contents of the container. |
| US07823742B2 |
Seal
A seal for a pill dispenser having a body including a plurality of recesses formed in a surface of the body, each recess having an open mouth bounded by a surrounding portion of the body surface, the seal comprising a cover film defining a plurality of apertures to provide access to the open mouths of the recesses, each aperture being cut in the cover film so as to be smaller than the open mouth of the corresponding recess and being closed by a liner cut from a liner film, the liner being larger than the aperture and being adhered to the cover film around the entire periphery of the aperture, the seal in use being adhered to the body surface of the pill dispenser so that the liners are located between the cover film and the open mouths of the corresponding recesses and each liner is removable. |
| US07823741B2 |
Container with locking system
A container includes a receptacle having walls, a floor, and an open side. The container includes first and second doors. At least one first latch unit is operatively associated with the first door and is movable between a latched position and an unlatched position. At least one second latch unit is operatively associated with the second door and is movable between a latched position and an unlatched position. A locking system for moving the first and second latch units between the latched and the unlatched positions includes a locking member movable between a first position in which the locking member moves the first latch unit of the first door from the latched to the unlatched position and a second position in which the locking member moves the second latch unit of the second door from the latched to the unlatched position. |
| US07823740B2 |
Device for sealing foodstuff containers and foodstuff container provided with such a device
The invention relates to a device for sealing foodstuff containers, in particular drink containers, comprising: a sealing element adapted to engage on a wall of a foodstuff container around a wall opening arranged in the wall, and an operating element adapted to co-act with the sealing element for displacing the sealing element between an opened position leaving the wall opening clear and a closed position sealing the wall opening. The invention also relates to a foodstuff container provided with such a device. |
| US07823738B2 |
Detachable bamboo material-based storage container
A detachable bamboo material-based storage container includes two side panels each having a substantially rectangular open frame made of bamboo and multiple bamboo slats transversely mounted in the rectangular open frame, a bottom panel detachably coupled between the two side panels by means of a tenon-and-mortise joint, a -shaped bamboo frame bar inserted through one side panel and forced into engagement with the other side panel and used as a handle of the storage container, multiple bamboo rod members detachably connected between the two side panels by means of a plug joint, and pins bilaterally vertically inserted through respective vertical through holes on the bamboo rod members and the -shaped bamboo frame bar and fitted into respective pinholes on the bottom panel. |
| US07823737B2 |
Plastic container with substantially flat panels
The plastic container has a heel portion having an enclosed base; a body portion transitioning into the heel portion; a bell portion transitioning into the body portion; and a finish attached to the bell portion and defining an opening. The body portion is formed into a generally tubular structure by a plurality generally flat panels. Each of the panels is connected to an adjacent panel with a chamfered post, and the body portion includes at least one vertically oriented rib at each of the chamfered posts. |
| US07823736B1 |
Plastic closure having mounting ring for containers
A plastic closure for receipt on a container includes a plastic ring having an internal recess adapted to be received by snap fit over an external crown or bead on the container neck finish such that the ring is retained against axial movement on the container neck finish. A plastic lid is coupled by a hinge to the ring, with the ring, the lid and the hinge being of one-piece integrally molded plastic construction. The lid has a skirt that is adapted releasably to be snapped to the ring in a closed position of the lid over the ring. The lid skirt may have an external bead that is adapted to be received by snap-fit within an internal channel on the ring in the closed position of the lid over the ring, and a conical internal surface on the ring may be provided to guide the bead on the lid into the channel on the ring. |
| US07823735B2 |
Handle rack
A handle rack includes a frame having first and second side edges and front and rear crossbars. A plurality of bar extend between portions of the frame. A handle cross-member is disposed rearwardly of the front crossbar and has a first end secured to the first side edge of the frame and a second end secured to the second side edge of the frame. At least one strengthening bar is provided which has a first portion coupled to the front crossbar and a second portion coupled to the handle cross-member. |
| US07823730B2 |
Substrate storage container
A substrate storage container which includes: a front-opening box type container body for storing a multiple number of substrates in alignment therein; a door for opening and closing the open front of the container body in a sealing manner; and inner-pressure adjustment devices attached to the mounting ports in the container body and the door for adjusting the pressure inside the container body closed with the door. The inner-pressure adjustment device is configured of an elastic attachment cylinder, a filter support structure fitted into, and protected by, the attachment cylinder and a multiple number of filters held inside the filter support structure. Since the inner-pressure adjustment device can be set by mounting an attachment cylinder of a simple structure by use of elastic deformation to the attachment hole, which is provided for the container body and/or the door, there is no need of forming screw holes which need time and effort. |
| US07823729B2 |
Inflatable packaging bag
An inflatable packaging bag formed of a plurality of independent air bags joined to one another by way of heat-sealing, having an air inlet through which compressed air is supplied to inflate the independent air bags. Each independent air bag is formed of a top four thin-sheet flexible layers including a top layer, a bottom layer, a top air-valve layer, and a bottom air-valve layer, having heat sealed seams that seal the layers, constituting an enclosed air chamber such that when some of the independent air bags are punctured, the other independent air bags work normally to continue to protect storage items put inside the inflatable packaging bag and surrounded by the independent air bags. |
| US07823728B2 |
Storage container with support structure for multiple levels of nesting
A storage container includes a base and a plurality of walls extending upwardly from the base. At least one of the walls includes a plurality of projections on its exterior at different heights. The interior of the wall includes a plurality of channels into which the projections of a like container would be slidably received when the empty containers are nested. A plurality of supports are pivotably connected to the container and can be selectably pivoted to block selected ones of the plurality of channels such that the projections are supported on the supports and do not enter the channels, thereby supporting the upper container at a selected height. |
| US07823723B2 |
Nutritive substance delivery container
The invention comprises a novel apparatus for delivering a nutritive substance comprising a container body having a base at one end thereof, an upper portion adapted for removable receipt of a closure, the upper portion defining an opening therein, and a chamber defined by the container body, the chamber being in fluid communication with the upper portion opening. A laminate seal having at least two layers is bonded across the upper portion opening and is adapted to provide an airtight seal across the opening. A nutritive substance is bonded to at least one layer of the laminate seal. The container additionally comprises a closure removably coupled to the upper portion. The closure comprises a cutting portion which is adapted to pierce the laminate seal, thereby releasing the nutritive substance into the container contents. |
| US07823709B2 |
Bellows for hydraulic, hydropneumatic, or pneumatic piston-cylinder units
A bellows for hydraulic, hydropneumatic, or pneumatic piston-cylinder units, especially for vibration dampers or MacPherson strut units for motor vehicles, is located between the end of a piston rod and a cylinder, and covers the part of the piston rod which projects out from the cylinder to provide protection against dirt and/or damage. An interior space of the bellows undergoes a change in volume as a result of the relative movement of the piston and cylinder. The end area of the piston rod distal from the cylinder includes at least one flow connection leading to the interior of the bellows. The flow connection allows an incoming and/or outgoing flow of air. The end area of the piston rod, i.e., the end which passes through a mounting bearing connecting the piston-cylinder unit to the body of the vehicle, is provided with a flow connection connecting the interior space of the bellows to the atmosphere. |
| US07823708B2 |
Magnetorheological damping device for reduction or elimination of vibration in steering systems
A damping device for use with a rotatably-mounted steering shaft. The damping device comprises a magnetorheological material that can be embedded in an open-network carrier and is directly or indirectly in contact with the steering shaft, a coil arranged in effective proximity to the magnetorheological material, and a body indirectly in contact with the steering shaft through the magnetorheological material, which does not rotate with the steering shaft. A voltage can be applied the coil to activate the magnetorheological material, increasing a viscosity of the magnetorheological material to inhibit relative rotation of the steering shaft and the body. |
| US07823707B2 |
Guide device for an elevator, elevator with such a guide device, and method for operating such an elevator
A guide device for an elevator car has a guide shoe that is displaceable by a linear guide that is arranged on the elevator car. Should the elevator car in an extreme situation travel beyond the uppermost floor, the guide shoe is arrested by a projecting console, and the elevator car travels past the console. The linear guide permits the guide shoe to execute a movement relative to the elevator car. Thus, the elevator car, or parts thereof, utilizes the hoistway headroom that is provided for the drive unit or other hoistway equipment. The counterweight can be provided with the displaceable guide shoe for utilizing the hoistway pit in a similar manner. |
| US07823706B2 |
Condition monitoring system
The present invention relates to an elevator condition monitoring system, which comprises at least a control unit (104) and a sensor arrangement (250) connected to the control unit, while the elevator comprises an elevator car (100), an elevator drive machine (109) and a control system (110) including the required safety circuit and actuators. The control unit of the condition monitoring system and the sensor arrangement connected to the control unit have been fitted in conjunction with the elevator car. The sensor arrangement comprises at least a sensor which measures the current of the safety circuit and is galvanically separated from the elevator safety circuit and connected to the safety circuit without interrupting the safety circuit wiring. |
| US07823703B2 |
Image monitoring apparatus for elevator
In an image monitoring apparatus for an elevator, an image recording unit records an image in a car photographed by a camera, and monitors based on the image in the car whether or not there is a violent behavior of a passenger in the car. The image recording unit makes a recording density of the image in the car higher than usual when the violent behavior of the passenger in the car is detected. The operation control unit homes the car on a predetermined floor when the violent behavior of the passenger in the car is detected by the image recording unit. |
| US07823701B2 |
Light monitoring device for an elevator system
The present invention relates to a monitoring device for a elevator system, including an optical sensor unit, which receives light emitted by a external light source existing in the vicinity of the elevator system and which transforms the light into contrast information and an evaluation unit, which evaluates the contrast information in order to monitor the elevator system. The present invention relates further to a method for monitoring a elevator system, including the steps of receiving light emitted by a external light source existing in the vicinity of the elevator system, transforming the light into contrast information, evaluation of the contrast information in order to monitor the elevator system, recognizing a situation of the elevator system and triggering of a reaction adapted to the situation. |
| US07823698B2 |
Three stage mast
The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for raising and lowering a three-stage forklift mast assembly having a reduced overall lowered height. A first linkage system on the outer and middle masts creates a 2:1 movement ratio of the middle mast with respect to movement of a piston arm in the first linkage system. A second linkage system on the middle and inner masts creates a 2:1 movement ratio of the inner mast with respect to the movement of the middle mast and an overall 4:1 movement ratio with respect to the movement of the piston arm in the first linkage system. A third linkage system on the inner mast creates a 2:1 movement ratio of a set of forks on the inner mast with respect to the movement of a piston arm in the third linkage system, allowing free lift of the forks. |
| US07823696B2 |
Gear unit and lubricating oil splash preventing method
A gear unit is basically provided with a gear and a unit case. The gear is arranged and configured to transfer rotation inputted from an external source to at least one driven member. The unit case defines an interior space for enclosing the gear and containing a lubricant to lubricate the gear. The unit case includes an output shaft opening and a lubricant passage. The output shaft opening is configured for connecting the driven member to the gear. The lubricant passage has an inlet provided adjacent the output shaft opening and a lubricant discharge outlet provided in a bottom portion of the unit case to convey lubricant between the output shaft opening and the lubricant discharge outlet. |
| US07823695B2 |
Closing system for plastic shaped parts
The present invention relates to a seal system for plastic moldings and to the use of the seal system in the engine fluid sector. |
| US07823693B2 |
Vehicle interior panel assembly
The invention relates to an acoustic panel assembly. There is a need for a simple and inexpensive acoustic panel assembly. An acoustic panel assembly includes a rigid panel with an opening. The panel has an edge rib surrounding the opening, and a wall spaced apart from and surrounding the edge rib. The panel assembly also includes a frame member and a sound control sheet. The frame member has an outer border and a plurality of cross-pieces extending between different parts of the border. A compression rib projects forwardly from an inner edge of the border. The sound control sheet is mounted in and fills the opening. The sheet has an outer edge portion held between the rib of the rigid panel, the wall of the rigid panel, the border of the frame and the compression rib of the frame. The compression rib projects into a rear side of the sheet. The sheet forms a shoulder. The shoulder and the edge rib form a coach joint. The frame cross-pieces engaging a rear surface of the sheet. A plurality of retention points project from a rear surface of the edge rib. Each retention point projects into a fabric covered front surface of the sheet. |
| US07823691B2 |
Apparatus for retaining a component that transfers solid-borne sound
An apparatus for retaining a component that transfers solid-borne sound includes a solid-borne sound damper having at least one spacer made of brake lining material arranged in association with the component. |
| US07823687B2 |
Electric power steering system with belt drive and contactless belt tension
The invention relates to an electric power steering for a motor vehicle that may include a gear rack (11) that is positioned axially displaceable inside a steering housing (I) and is driven by an electric servomotor (16), arranged inside a motor housing (7), with the aid of a belt (14) that runs inside a surrounding housing part (6) and a gear (12) for assisting the steering, wherein the belt (14) is configured ferromagnetically and at least one magnet (20) is arranged inside the housing part (6), beside the belt (14) and at a distance to the belt (14). |
| US07823684B2 |
Power unit for motorcycle
A power unit for a motorcycle includes an internal combustion engine having a crankcase rotatably supporting a crankshaft with an axis located on a split face between an upper case half body and a lower case half body and a continuously variable transmission having a belt. Two types of respective different oils for an internal combustion engine and for a continuously variable transmission are used while the rigidity of the crankcase is enhanced. A crankcase is provided with a partition wall that separates between a crank chamber housing a crankshaft and a continuously variable transmission chamber housing a continuously variable transmission. An axial line of the crankshaft and respective axial lines of the drive pulley and the driven pulley are each located at a corresponding one of apexes of an imaginary triangle on a view projected on a plane perpendicular to the axial line of the crankshaft. |
| US07823683B2 |
Vehicular collision detection apparatus
A collision detection apparatus for a vehicle includes a bumper reinforcement, a chamber forming member, a pressure sensor, collision object determining unit, and a collision position sensor. The bumper reinforcement is mounted on the vehicle and extends in a transverse direction of the vehicle. The chamber forming member is provided at a side of the bumper reinforcement and defines a chamber space that is deformable when the object collides with the vehicle. The pressure sensor detects pressure in the chamber space. The collision object determining unit determines a category of the object by comparing the pressure detected by the pressure sensor with a predetermined determination threshold value. The collision position sensor detects a transverse position, at which the object collides. The determining unit changes the determination threshold value based on the collision position detected by the collision position sensor. |
| US07823680B2 |
Console box for heavy equipment having safety bar with function sound device
A console box for heavy equipment having a safety bar with a function sound device is provided, which generates a function sound when an operator rotates a safety bar to be in a horizontal/vertical direction, so that the operator can accurately recognize the rotation state of the safety bar. The heavy equipment console box includes a console box mounted on a left/right side of an operator's seat, and having an operation lever, installed thereon, for controlling an operation of a working device; a cover formed on an outer side surface of the console box mounted on a doorway side of a cab, and having first and second locking grooves formed on an outer side surface thereof; a safety bar, movably fixed to the outer side surface of the cover, for controlling an electric signal being applied to the operation lever when the safety bar is rotated to be in a horizontal/vertical direction; and a function sound generation part, mounted on an inner side surface of a main body of the safety bar, for being detachably engaged with first and second locking grooves to generate a function sound when the safety bar is rotated to be in the horizontal/vertical direction. |
| US07823679B2 |
Seatbelt apparatus
A method of controlling a motorized retractor includes a spool onto which a webbing belt for restraining an occupant is wound, a motor operated according to a predetermined signal, and a clutch mechanism enabling transmission of power from the motor to the spool. When cancelling power transmission of the clutch mechanism by the operation of the motor, the rotating speed or the driving time period of the motor is varied according to the load on the clutch mechanism. |
| US07823674B2 |
Motorized vehicle configured to accommodate handicapped individuals
A motorized vehicle, such as a trike motorcycle, includes a frame having a front end connected to at least one front wheel and having a rear end, first and second spaced swing arm assemblies mounted at the rear end, first and second rear wheel assemblies supported by the first and second swing arm assemblies and defining a space therebetween, and at least one support extending from the frame into the space. The arrangement allows a modular structure such as a wheelchair to be connected to the at least one support. |
| US07823673B2 |
Variable wheel positioning vehicle
A variable wheel positioning vehicle has a wheel position changing mechanism and a wheel position control device to change a wheel position of a wheel with respect to a center of gravity of a vehicle body. The wheel position changing mechanism is arranged to move a suspension device along a movement path with respect to the vehicle body and to hold the suspension device at any position along the movement path. The wheel position control device issues a movement command to the wheel position changing mechanism that changes a wheel positioning distance between a center rotation axis of one of the wheels and the center of gravity of the vehicle body as measured in a direction parallel to an acceleration direction of the center of gravity of the vehicle body based on a traveling condition the vehicle. |
| US07823672B2 |
Structure of hybrid vehicle
A structure of a hybrid vehicle includes a battery pack arranged on a floor panel and an exhaust pipe extending from an engine, passing below the floor panel, to an exhaust port. The battery pack has a secondary battery constituted by a plurality of battery cells stacked in a vehicle traveling direction for supplying electric power to a motor, and an intake chamber provided adjacent to the secondary battery in a substantially horizontal direction perpendicular to the direction along which the plurality of battery cells are stacked for supplying cooling air between each of the plurality of battery cells. The exhaust pipe is provided so that it passes immediately below the battery pack and passes a position displaced from a position immediately below the intake chamber. With such a configuration, a structure of a hybrid vehicle that suppresses reduction in the efficiency of cooling a secondary battery without placing a great limit on routing of an exhaust pipe is provided. |
| US07823669B2 |
Hybrid vehicle
An electric motor radiator (34), a feeding mechanism (30), and a cooling oil circulation path (32) constitute a cooling mechanism that cools the electric motor (6) via an electric motor cooling oil that is a cooling medium. The electric motor radiator (34) forms a circulation path between the electric motor (6), and cooling of the electric motor (6) is performed via the electric motor cooling oil. A PCU radiator (44), a feeding mechanism (40) and a cooling water circulation path (42) constitute a cooling mechanism that cools a PCU (8) via a PCU cooling water that is a cooling medium. The PCU radiator (44) forms a circulation path between the PCU (8), and cooling of the PCU (8) is performed via the PCU cooling water. Further, the feeding mechanism (30, 40) operate by power received from a power storage portion (16). |
| US07823668B2 |
Control device for a hybrid electric vehicle
A hybrid electric vehicle is arranged such that a driving force of an electric motor can be transmitted to driving wheels and that a rotary shaft of the electric motor can be coupled with an output shaft of an engine. The vehicle comprises a starter motor provided separately from the electric motor, an electric power source provided separately from a battery that supplies power to the electric motor, to supply power to the starter motor, and a braking force maintaining device configured to be activated by power from the power source to maintain a braking force on the vehicle. When a request for starting the engine is made, if a specified abnormal condition which makes the starting of the engine by the electric motor impracticable is detected, an ECU causes the engine to be started by the starter motor when the braking force maintaining device is not active. |
| US07823665B2 |
Milling of cemented tubulars
A method and apparatus for milling an item in a wellbore. The method and apparatus including providing a milling tool having one or more blades which are geometrically configured to resist deflection by distributing cutting forces in multiple directions. |
| US07823662B2 |
Hydrocarbon recovery drill string apparatus, subterranean hydrocarbon recovery drilling methods, and subterranean hydrocarbon recovery methods
Disclosed are hydrocarbon recovery drill string apparatus, subterranean hydrocarbon recovery drilling methods, and subterranean hydrocarbon recovery methods. In one embodiment, a hydrocarbon recovery drill string apparatus includes an elongated assembly within which a rotatable drill rod is received. The assembly comprises a longitudinal axis, a drill rod entrance end, and a drill rod exit end. The assembly comprises a tailcuttings diverter pipe proximate the drill rod exit end, with the tailcuttings diverter pipe defining an initial fluid flow path of the tailcuttings from the longitudinal axis which is acute from the longitudinal axis. Other apparatus and method aspects are contemplated. |
| US07823659B2 |
Apparatus and methods for drilling and lining a wellbore
A method of drilling and lining a wellbore includes operably coupling a support member to a drilling device, an expansion cone configured to expand a tubular member, an actuator configured to pull the expansion cone through the tubular member, a releasable locking device configured to limit displacement of the tubular member relative to the actuator during actuation. The drilling device is disposed below the expansion cone and the expansion cone is disposed at a lower end of the tubular member. The method further includes locking the locking device. After locking the locking device, a wellbore is drilled to have a diameter greater than an outside diameter of the tubular member. After the drilling, the actuator is actuated to pull the expansion cone towards the locking device to expand at least a portion of the tubular member into contact with the drilled wellbore. The method further includes releasing the locking device and removing the drilling device through the expanded tubular member. |
| US07823657B2 |
Drilling assembly, drilling reamer arm assembly, and methods of drilling
This invention includes drilling assemblies, drilling reamer arm assemblies, and methods of drilling. In one implementation, a drilling assembly includes a cutting head apparatus configured to cut into earthen material as the cutting head apparatus is rotated. A drive shaft extends aft of and is configured to rotate the cutting head apparatus. A plurality of reamer arm assemblies projects radially outward of the drive shaft and are mounted for rotation therewith aft of the cutting head apparatus. Individual of the reamer arm assemblies include a radial inner portion extending radially outward of the drive shaft. A radial outer portion connects with and extends radially outward of the radial inner portion. The radial outer portion includes a cutter. At least one breakaway retainer fastens the radial inner and outer portions together and restrains the radial outer portion from moving relative to the radial inner portion towards the cutting head apparatus and the drive shaft. Other aspects are contemplated. |
| US07823654B2 |
Electric post driver
An impact driver for driving elongate objects into a body has, a chassis, a ram supported by the chassis in a manner allowing rectilinear movement of the ram relative to the chassis between two limits, and a linear induction motor. The linear induction motor has a stator mounted to the chassis and positioned to operatively interact with a linear induction motor reaction member being of a conductive metal material. The reaction member is carried by the ram in a manner to allow the ram to oscillate between the two limits by the stator of the linear induction motor. A first limit being a retracted position and a second limit being an impact position to which the ram is accelerated from the retracted condition by the stator and at which the ram imparts an impact force on the elongate object in the elongate direction thereof. |
| US07823652B2 |
Portable tool with a hand-gripped controller and method of using a portable powered tool
A portable powered tool having an elongate housing with a central axis, a working component on the elongate housing, a drive for the working component on the elongate housing and having different states, and a control with a grip that is configured to be grasped by a user by extending a user's one hand at least partially around the grip and thereby the central axis of the elongate housing to thereby situate the user's one hand in an operating position. The user's one hand, grasping the grip in the operating position, is usable to: a) support and reposition the portable powered tool; and b) move the grip around the central axis of the elongate housing to change the state of the drive. |
| US07823651B2 |
Trip mechanism for a ground working tool
A system and method for operating a ground working tool having attached thereto an implement includes a trip mechanism. The trip mechanism includes a generally horizontally oriented hydraulic cylinder configured to be biased into an extended position to engage the implement in a work position engaged to work the ground. Specifically, a link rod connects the hydraulic cylinder to a carrier to which the implement is attached. The link rod can be adjusted in length and has a generally small diameter, such that, upon extending into hydraulic cylinder when the implement impacts an obstruction, the link rod does not contact the hydraulic cylinder. |
| US07823645B2 |
Downhole inflow control device with shut-off feature
A system and method for controlling inflow of fluid into a production string. In aspects, the invention provides a downhole sand screen and inflow control device with a gas or water shut-off feature that can be operated mechanically or hydraulically from the surface of the well. The device also preferably includes a bypass feature that allows the inflow control device to be closed or bypassed via shifting of a sleeve. In embodiments, the flow control device can be adaptive to changes in wellbore conditions such as chemical make-up, fluid density and temperature. Exemplary adaptive inflow control devices include devices configured to control flow in response to changes in gas/oil ratio, water/oil ratio, fluid density and/or the operating temperature of the inflow control device. In other aspects of the present invention, inflow control devices are utilized to control the flow of commingled fluids drained via two or more wellbores. |
| US07823643B2 |
Insulation shroud with internal support structure
The present invention is directed to an insulation shroud with internal support structure. In one illustrative embodiment, the insulation shroud includes a body adapted to be positioned around a subsea component, the body including an insulating material having an internal support structure positioned therein and a door. |
| US07823640B2 |
Wellhead flowline protection and testing system with ESP speed controller and emergency isolation valve
An ESP variable speed drive controller functions in conjunction with a safety logic solver, dedicated pressure sensors and a surface emergency isolation valve, or safety shut-off valve (SSV), to perform a full functional test of the complete wellhead flowline system. The method includes the step of using a plurality of pressure transmitters to monitor the flowline pressure during normal operations and during a full stroke test of the safety shutoff valve and adjusting the speed of the downhole ESP during the test to maintain the pipeline pressure within predetermined safe pressure limits. This wellhead flowline protection system and method utilizes the downhole ESP speed controller and an SSV to ensure that dangerous pressure levels are not reached and provides for full functional safety testing of the wellhead system. The ESP motor speed controller is used to permit functional testing and remove the pressure source from protected downstream flowline piping. |
| US07823635B2 |
Downhole oil and water separator and method
A downhole oil and water separator for an oil well includes a water-selective membrane disposed in a production flowpath of the well. The water-selective membrane is operable to selectively pass water from the production flowpath to a disposal zone to increase the concentration of oil in the production flowpath at the surface. |
| US07823627B2 |
Device for generating acoustic and/or vibration energy for heat exchanger tubes
A device is coupled to a heat exchanger for mitigating fouling by applying a mechanical force to a fixed heat exchanger to excite a vibration in the heat exchange surface and produce shear waves in the fluid adjacent the heat exchange surface while the heat exchanger is in operation. An electromagnetic driven impulse device induces vibration onto heat exchanger tubes and/or an acoustic wave through the liquid service fluid to reduce fouling. The device can be mounted directly onto the outer part or piping and produces acoustical/vibrational modes onto the tube or near the surface of tubes. |
| US07823622B2 |
Ejection and stamping device
An ejection and stamping device is arranged at one side of an upper die of a vertical die casting machine and include a base on which first and second pistons are arranged. The first piston is coupled to a stamping board, while the second piston is coupled to an ejection board. When a casting of a die casting process is not completely solidified, the first piston drives the stamping board to carry out a localized stamping operation of a portion of the casting and then the second piston is operated to drive the ejection board for ejecting out the casting. In this way, local density and strength of the casting are enhanced and the product quality of the casting is notably improved. |
| US07823617B2 |
Spring powered sliding drywall taping tool with auto cutter
A drywall tape or trim dispensing tool of the type similar to those sold under the name BAZOOKA with an elongated handle and a tape or trim dispensing head. The head can contain a blade coupled to a power mechanism such as a spring, hydraulic or electric energy source where the blade can be placed into a cocked position by a cocking mechanism and then triggered by a pull on a remote trigger located on the handle. After the device is cocked, the user can dispense tape or trim to a desired length and then cut it exactly by a simple trigger pull. |
| US07823616B2 |
Pneumatic radial tire with belt reinforcing layer cord having specified heat shrinkage stress
This invention relates to a pneumatic radial tire being excellent in steering stabilities during low-speed running and high-speed running, and more particularly to a pneumatic radial tire comprising at least one belt reinforcing layer 6A, 6B disposed on a belt 5 outward in a radial direction of the tire, characterized in that a reinforcing element constituting the belt reinforcing layer 6A, 6B is a polyketone fiber cord satisfying conditions of the following equations (I) and (II): σ≧−0.01×E+1.2 (I) σ≧−0.02 (II) [wherein σ is a thermal shrinkage stress (cN/dtex) at 177° C.; and E is an elastic modulus (cN/dtex) at 25° C. under a load of 49 N]. |
| US07823615B2 |
Pneumatic tire
A tire (2) includes a belt (12) provided on a carcass (10) and a band (14) for covering the belt (12). The band (14) includes a full band (36) and a pair of edge bands (38) provided in the vicinity of a shoulder and positioned on an outside in a radial direction of the full band (36). The full band (36) has a first band cord (40) wound spirally in a substantially circumferential direction. The edge band (38) has a second band cord (44) wound spirally in the substantially circumferential direction. A modulus of the second band cord (44) is higher than that of the first band cord (40). In the tire (2), it is preferable that an outer end (50) of the full band (36) should be provided on an outside of an outer end (48) of the belt (12) in an axial direction. An outer end (52) of the edge band (38) is identical to the outer end (48) of the belt (12) or is provided on an inside thereof. |
| US07823613B2 |
Pneumatic tire
A pneumatic having a porous member mounted on an inner surface facing a cavity of the tire. The porous member has ends located on front and back sides thereof in the rotation direction of the tire. At least the back end has corners located on opposite sides thereof in the widthwise direction of the porous member, the corners being chamfered. |
| US07823608B2 |
Shaft rod and heald shaft
The shaft rod (2) according to the invention has, at one of its narrow sides, at least one recess (21) which is later provided in the shaft rod and in which a reinforcing element (24) is glued. The material externally of the shaft rod forms securing zones (32, 33) which serve for the attachment of additional elements. The recesses are preferably applied in such a manner that hollow spaces free from Eloxal coating are exposed which may be utilized as recesses into which reinforcing elements are glued. |
| US07823603B2 |
Mixing valve
A mixer valve includes a rotational assembly for selecting a temperature of the water up to a maximum temperature. The rotational assembly includes a selectable “comfort” temperature indicator, that can be set independently of the maximum temperature, and does not affect the maximum temperature. The valve also includes check valves for preventing cross flow between the hot and cold pipes. A check valve insert is provided which includes a shutoff for the water flow when removing the check valve for service. The shutoff and removal of the check valve can be effected with a single tool. |
| US07823602B2 |
Hydraulic system having at least one hydraulic valve for actuating a component
A hydraulic system having at least one hydraulic valve for actuating a component, wherein a control pressure acting on the hydraulic valve can be activated through a supply pressure of a pilot circuit having at least one actuator. At least one pressure reduction apparatus is connected in series with the actuator. |
| US07823600B2 |
Waterproof system for attaching an anchor member to a portion of a tent and related method
A system for providing an anchor member on a fabric portion of a tent, such as a tent body or a tent fly, includes an anchor member and an anchor patch sewn to at least a portion of the anchor member with threads. The anchor patch is laminated to the fabric portion of the tent without the threads extending through the fabric portion of the tent. A tent including such a system is also disclosed, as well as the method of providing the anchor member on the fabric portion of the tent. |
| US07823598B2 |
Portable apparatus for charging and cleaning hearing aid device
A single portable apparatus for cleaning and charging hearing aids combines the functions of charging and cleaning hearing aid devices into a single unit. |
| US07823597B2 |
Substrate processing apparatus and substrate processing method
DIW is supplied toward a surface of a substrate to form a lower layer liquid film, which is then frozen to form a lower layer frozen film. Further, DIW cooled down to a temperature at which the lower layer frozen film will not melt is supplied toward a surface of the lower layer frozen film to form an upper layer liquid film, which is then frozen to form an upper layer frozen film in a layered structure. DIW which is at room temperature is thereafter supplied, thereby melting the entirety of the lower layer frozen film and the upper layer frozen film to remove these films together with particles off from the surface of the substrate. |
| US07823594B2 |
Flexible seamless hair clamp
This invention provides a flexible seamless hair clamp. More specifically, the flexible seamless hair clamp has a contiguous body portion. The contiguous body portion has a first leg member having a unitary first distal end and opposite thereto a first lever region, and a second leg member having a unitary second distal end and opposite thereto a second lever region. A curved bridging portion is disposed between and formed integrally with the first and second leg members proximate to the first and second lever regions. The bridging portion connects the first and second leg members in a manner such that each is oppositely juxtaposed with respect to each other and arranged to bias the distal ends into proximate contact with one another. Collectively, the first leg member, curved bridging portion and second leg member define a continuous concave surface within the contiguous body. |
| US07823593B2 |
Packaging and applicator device for a cosmetic or another care product
An applicator includes a base portion carrying an applicator element, and a handle portion rotably mounted on the base portion to turn about a fixed axis of rotation. The handle portion may have a longitudinal axis. The axis of rotation and the longitudinal axis of the handle portion may not be mutually perpendicular. |
| US07823589B2 |
Ball joint for a mask apparatus for use in a breathing assistance system
A mask apparatus for use in a breathing assistance system may include a ball joint at least partially defined by a housing, a ball member, and a mounting system. The housing may be configured to support a cushion configured to provide a seal against a patient's face. The housing may include a first side defining a first housing opening, and a second side configured to face the cushion and defining a second housing opening. The ball member may be positioned in the first housing opening and may define a ball member opening configured for communicating gas though the first housing opening. The mounting system may be configured to secure the ball member in the first housing opening such that the housing, the ball member, and the mounting system define a ball joint allowing the ball member to rotate about multiple axes relative to the housing and the mounting system. |
| US07823587B2 |
Process and system for monitoring the valves of an anesthetic dispenser
A system and process for monitoring the valves of an anesthetic dispenser with a safety valve (2) and with a dispensing valve (3) for dispensing the anesthetic in the form of a vapor. The valves are connected in series. A system has a downstream dispensing gap (5) and a fixed bypass resistance (9). The dispensing valve (3) is first opened for an equalization time. The safety valve (2) and the dispensing valve (3) are closed and the differential pressure between the saturated vapor branch (4) and the mixed gas branch (8) is measured by means of a differential pressure sensor (6, 7). The safety valve (2) or the dispensing valve (3) is opened and the differential pressure between the saturated vapor branch (4) and the mixed gas branch (8) is measured by means of the differential pressure sensor (6, 7). The opened safety valve (2) or the opened dispensing valve (3) is closed and the difference between the differential pressures measured are determined and compared with a preset limit value, so that the valve (2, 3) that is not opened is considered to be tight when the difference is below this limit value. |
| US07823585B2 |
Snorkel clip
A snorkel clip made up of two substantially rigid elements, which are designed to wrap at least half way around a snorkel tube, overmolded with a substantially flexible element to create a simple, aesthetically pleasing device. The snorkel clip also includes a hinge region created as part of the substantially flexible element. This hinge region allows the snorkel clip to flex or bend so that one of the rigid elements may be disengaged and pulled away from the riser tube of the snorkel, so that a mask strap may be attached to and removed from the snorkel, while the other rigid element remains attached to the riser tube in a generally secure manner. The substantially flexible portion may also include several cut out sections to provide visual and tactile access to portions of the substantially rigid elements for utility and aesthetic design. |
| US07823582B2 |
Method and apparatus for solar collector with integral stagnation temperature control
This invention relates to a method and apparatus for a solar collector having intergral control of the maximum temperature that it can reach, thereby avoiding excessive stagnation temperatures in the collector. In one embodiment, a solar collector comprises a top portion comprising glazing, a bottom portion; an absorber disposed between said top portion and said bottom portion for absorbing solar energy received through said glazing, said absorber in a spaced relationship above said bottom portion such that a channel is defined between a lower surface of said absorber and an upper surface of said bottom portion; an inlet and an outlet associated with and at substantially opposite ends of said channel between said absorber and said bottom portion, for ventilating said channel; and a damper for opening said outlet at a temperature equal to or above a first selected temperature and for closing said outlet at a temperature equal to or below a second selected temperature; wherein said first and second selected temperatures are below a stagnation temperature of the solar collector. |
| US07823573B2 |
Grip for a paintball marker having a replaceable insert
A paintball marker of the kind used for propelling a paintball towards a target during the game of paintball. The paintball marker includes a handle to be grasped by the hand of a user during play. A comfortable grip is detachably connected to the handle and a replaceable insert is removably received within an insert opening through the grip. The replaceable insert has a particular color, indicia, and/or three-dimensional design to provide an ornamentally and visually distinctive grip to identify the user or represent his team. The insert can be quickly and easily separated from the grip to be replaced by a different insert having a different color, indicia, or design according to the needs of the user. Accordingly, the ornamentality of the grip of the paintball marker may be quickly and easily changed without having to replace the entire grip. |
| US07823572B2 |
Crossbow having elongated draw length
A novel embodiment of a crossbow (10) includes an elongated draw length and a rifle-type stock (134) with a tubular barrel (106) designed to shoot standard three-fletch arrows (120) with a three-blade hunting tip. When the main string (105) of the crossbow (10) is fully drawn and cocked, the string compression levers (110) that are pivoted so that the pulleys (113) on levers (110) engage the string (105) and deflect the string (105) toward the barrel (106) until the string compression levers 110 rest against the side of the barrel (106). The crossbow (10) has a draw length significantly longer than the draw length of a conventional crossbow of the same overall size, thereby providing a larger power stroke with less draw weight. In the other embodiments, the crossbow (20, 30) may include a barrel (106) with rectangular cross section for shooting shot filled sabots for bird hunting, small game hunting or trap shooting or a barrel (106) with a circular cross section for shooting paint-ball filled sabots for paint ball games. |
| US07823567B2 |
Fuel pump for internal combustion engine
A combination dynamic balancer and fuel pump for an internal combustion engine includes a common housing having at least one balancer shaft and a fuel pump, with the fuel pump having the pumping element mounted directly within a working chamber formed within the housing for the balancer shaft and fuel pump. A pumping element may include a reciprocating or a rotary pumping element. |
| US07823564B2 |
Coupling arrangement and connection assembly
A coupling arrangement (12) with a housing (6) has a first locking part (18), a locking element (14) and a ring (16), which is arranged intermediate the locking element (14) and the housing (6). The locking element (14) is cylindrical having a center axis (X) and has a second locking part (28) and at least one locking contour (30) having a first end (32) designed to take in a respective pin (34) of a connecting element (36) to disable rotational movement of the connecting element (36) via positive locking. The ring (16), the first locking part (18) and the second locking part (28) are designed and arranged such as to form a positive locking at least in one direction of the center axis (X) between the housing (6) and the locking element (14) via the ring (16). |
| US07823563B2 |
Cylinder-by-cylinder balancing of combustion timing in HCCI engines
Various systems and methods are described for controlling fuel injection to a plurality of cylinders. One example method comprises during combustion timing imbalances among a plurality of cylinders carrying out homogeneous charge compression ignition combustion, adjusting a fuel injection amount in a first cylinder to adjust a combustion timing of the first cylinder in a first direction, and correspondingly adjusting a fuel injection amount in a second cylinder in a second direction to maintain average engine torque and reduce the imbalance. |
| US07823558B2 |
Tumble system for the intake manifold of an internal-combustion engine provided with an actuator made with shape-memory material
A tumble system for the intake manifold of an internal-combustion engine is provided with a number of cylinders. The tumble system is provided with at least one throttle valve for varying the section of passage of air through an intake pipe, which connects a cylinder with the intake manifold. The throttle valve has a throttle butterfly mounted so as to rotate under the thrust of an actuator device equipped with at least one actuator element, which is made of a shape-memory material that generates a torque by modifying its own geometry following upon application of an external stress of a physical nature. |
| US07823557B2 |
Compression ignition engine having fuel injection devices and processes for promoting cleaner burning lifted flame combustion
A mixing and combustion process for a compression ignition engine (10) creates an in-cylinder compressed gas charge of air and recirculated exhaust that has a temperature high enough to initiate and sustain combustion of diesel fuel that is subsequently injected. A fuel injector (26) injects diesel fuel directly into the charge using an injection pressure that is sufficiently great to cause fuel to be injected through each of multiple orifices arranged in a geometric pattern in a nozzle (42) of the fuel injector at an initial velocity that is great enough to cause the injected fuel in moving through the compressed gas charge to creates fuel/charge mixtures throughout a substantial portion of the respective combustion chamber before the kinematics of combustion can become effective to combust more than at most a relatively small amount of the injected fuel. |
| US07823555B2 |
Low profile valve lifter assembly
The low profile valve lifter assembly has flats inside the bore of the outer housing and walls are formed and extended down from the plate of the guide such that the walls align with the flats of the bore to prevent rotation of the lifter with the guide. A groove and protuberance are provided in the flats and on the side wall of the guide in order to properly orient the lifter with the guide. The flats can be connected to form a pocket and the walls of the guide can be connected to form a sleeve that mates with the pocket. |
| US07823550B2 |
Engine equipped with adjustable valve timing mechanism
An engine equipped with an adjustable valve timing mechanism includes: an inlet valve opening term varying mechanism, which is included in the adjustable valve timing mechanism, varying an opening term of an inlet valve; and an inlet valve opening term controller controlling the inlet valve opening term varying mechanism according to a running state of the engine, the inlet valve opening term varying mechanism setting the opening term of the inlet valve to an first inlet term while the engine runs at relatively high load and relatively high speed, the inlet valve opening term varying mechanism also setting the opening term of the inlet valve to a second inlet term, termination timing of the inlet valve opening of which is retarded compared to the termination timing of the inlet valve opening in the first inlet term, while the engine runs at relatively low load and relatively low speed. |
| US07823542B2 |
Pet toy
Disclosed is a pet toy made of stretchable fabric. The toy includes a loop, a body portion attached to the loop and a bottom with a plurality of cords, called nubbies. The pet toy is made from a variety of fabrics, wherein different sections of the toy are braided, while other sections of the toy are formed into knots and patterned into twirls. The braids and patterns are formed into different patterns and lengths to be used as recreational tools for dogs, cats and even birds, additionally, the braided sections provide an improved gripping surface. Use of the pet tool may also improve gums and teeth of puppies. |
| US07823541B2 |
Cat toy
A cat toy for resting on a flat surface is disclosed. The cat toy includes a circular shaped housing that contains a motor connected to a power source. A resilient mouse wand is secured at one end thereof with a motor shaft through a gearing arrangement, thrust bearing arrangement, or the like. The mouse wand includes a ball and a tail section at a distal end. A flexible cover partially covers the mouse wand such that the cat can see the ball moving under the cover and the tail section protruding from the edge of the cover. A control circuit is electronically connected between the motor and the power source that causes the motor to change directions and operate at different speeds and erraticity. |
| US07823536B2 |
Automatic waxing apparatus and method
An automatic waxing apparatus and a method thereof are provided. The automatic waxing apparatus includes a movable door-shaped module, at least a waxing module and a controlling module. The movable door-shaped module includes a door-shaped structure capable of moving with respect to the vehicle. The waxing module disposed on the door-shaped structure includes a wax-supplying unit and a wax-polishing unit. The controlling module is coupled to the door-shaped structure, the wax-supplying unit and the wax-polishing unit. The controlling module, according to the information of the vehicle, determines a moving path of the door-shaped structure, a waxing path of the wax-supplying unit, and a polishing path of the wax-polishing unit with respect to the vehicle. |
| US07823533B2 |
Stent fixture and method for reducing coating defects
A stent fixture for supporting a stent during formation of a coating is provided. |
| US07823531B2 |
Control apparatus
A control apparatus is disclosed for controlling nip pressure in a nip of a metering size press. The apparatus includes a metering size press roll and a backing roll which cooperates with the size press roll for defining therebetween the nip. A support post is provided for rotatably supporting the backing roll. A linear bearing is disposed beneath the support post for mounting the support post. Also, a moving device is connected to the support post for moving the support post and the backing roll supported by the support post such that the supported backing roll and the support post mounted on the linear bearing is moved for controlling the nip pressure in the nip between the rolls. |
| US07823529B2 |
Ceramic foam-filled sandwich panels and method
To produce a ceramic foam-filled structural sandwich panel, a coating of a pre-ceramic slurry is applied on a preform. The preform includes a foam template sandwiched between a plurality of panels. In addition, the coating is cured to the preform, the preform is modified, and the coating is converted to a ceramic. |
| US07823525B2 |
Floating platform method and apparatus
A floating platform is provided. The floating platform includes a top surface (14), a plurality of buoyancy members (12) interconnected to the top surface and extending downwardly into a body of water, a bottom plate (16) and a plurality of interstitial volumes (24) that are sealed at a bottom end by the bottom plate to prevent the flow of water into the interstitial volume. |
| US07823522B2 |
Fabric having a removable guide
The use of guide line to form a grid in the cross stitch fabric corresponding to the grid in a cross stitch pattern to facilitate the cross stitching process, after which the guide line can be easily removed. |
| US07823521B1 |
Gauge wheel apparatus
A gauge wheel assembly for a farming implement is disclosed which comprises a hub portion positioned substantially centrally with respect to the assembly, a rim portion forming a circumference of the assembly and forming a circumferential ground contacting surface; and an intermediate portion positioned between and connecting the hub portion and the rim portion. The intermediate portion comprises a hub side section positioned about the hub portion, a rim side section positioned inwardly of the rim portion, and a plurality of spoke sections extending from the hub side section to the rim side section and connecting the hub side section to the rim side section. The rim side section encircling the plurality of spoke sections. The hub side section of the intermediate portion defines an aperture with the hub portion being positioned in the hub side section. The intermediate portion is separable from the rim portion and the hub portion. |
| US07823519B2 |
Dressing table skirt
A dressing table skirt has a tabletop portion that is sized to fit over a dressing table and a drape portion covering the sides and legs of the dressing table. The drape portion is attached to the perimeter of the tabletop portion. The tabletop portion of the skirt may have one or more anti-skid pieces that come in contact with the dressing table. A continuous slit is provided in the tabletop portion and drape portion of the dressing table skirt. The slit includes a keyhole shape on the tabletop portion that is bulbous and forms into a narrow channel. One or more fasteners may hold the slit or expanded slit together. The drape portion may also have one or more fasteners found at the bottom edge positioned to couple the drape portion to the dressing table. |
| US07823513B2 |
Rail road car truck
A rail road freight car truck has a truck bolster and a pair of side frames, the truck bolster being mounted transversely relative to the side frames. The mounting interface between the ends of the axles and the sideframe pedestals allows lateral rocking motion of the sideframes in the manner of a swing motion truck. The lateral swinging motion is combined with a longitudinal self steering capability. The self steering capability may be obtained by use of a longitudinally oriented rocker that may tend to permit resistance to self steering that is proportional to the weight carried across the interface. The trucks may have auxiliary centering elements mounted in the pedestal seats, and those auxiliary centering elements may be made of resilient elastomeric material. The truck may also have friction dampers that have a disinclination to stick-slip behavior. The friction dampers may be provided with brake linings, or similar features, on the face engaging the sideframe columns, on the slope face, or both. |
| US07823512B2 |
Monorail bogie having improved roll behavior
A monorail bogie for supporting a monorail car travelling over a monorail track. The monorail bogie comprises a load-bearing wheel having an axis of rotation that is parallel to the running surface. The monorail bogie further comprises an inboard pair of guide wheels and an outboard pair of guide wheels. Each guide wheel of the inboard pair of guide wheels has an axis of rotation and each guide wheel of the outboard pair of guide wheels has an axis of rotation. The axes of rotation of the inboard pair of guide wheels and the axes of rotation of the outboard pair of guide wheels are offset in opposite directions in relation to the axis of rotation of the load bearing wheels. The monorail bogie further comprises at least one stabilizing wheel positioned co-axially with each one of the inboard pair of guide wheels. |
| US07823511B2 |
Installation for conveying individuals
An installation conveys individuals by way of a transporting device along a track located above the ground and borne by supports. The installation further has a base station, an apparatus for conveying the transporting device from the base station to a top station, and a running rail for the transporting device which starts from the top station and runs predominantly downward. The running rail extends along curves and loops from the top station to the base station. Provided in the region of the base station, in which the boarding location for the passengers is located, is a conveying tower configured with an upward-conveying apparatus for the transporting device. Located in a region of the top station is a transfer location at which the transporting device occupied by passengers is transferred from the upward-conveying apparatus to the running rail, along which they descend to the base station. |
| US07823509B2 |
Flechette cartridge
A flechette cartridge is provided, containing a plurality of flechettes, capable of firing the flechettes in a concentrated and accurate spread pattern upon firing. In particular, both low and high velocity flechette cartridges are provided, which accurately disperse flechettes in a concentrated spread pattern. The flechette cartridge minimizes the parasitic launch mass to maximize flechette payload, flechette velocity and kinetic energy, and to maximize target effects. The flechette cartridge provides a robust means for reliably stripping the flechette payload cup. |
| US07823504B2 |
Cutting frame for use in a curd vat
A cutting frame for use in a curd vat, which cutting frame comprises substantially parallel frame girders, between which is situated a lattice formed from longitudinal knives and transverse knives, of which the transverse knives are mounted on the frame girders by welding and have aligned openings, in which the longitudinal knives are received, wherein the longitudinal knives are strip-shaped knives having a length dimension and a width dimension and having at least one sharp cutting edge extending in the length dimension, which cutting edge is formed by at least one obliquely ground cutting face, wherein the width of the longitudinal knives is smaller than the corresponding dimension of the openings of the transverse knives, and wherein means are provided for substantially preventing displacement of the longitudinal knives in the length dimension, wherein at least a number of openings of at least a number of transverse knives is provided with supporting elements which substantially lock the longitudinal knives both in lateral direction and in the width dimension of the longitudinal knives, while the supporting elements leave the sharp cutting edge clear. |
| US07823502B2 |
Wireless rotisserie
A rotisserie cooking device for use in an oven includes a food holding member. At least one motor is operatively linked with the food holding member. At least one thermopile is associated with the motor. The at least one thermopile provides energy for driving the at least one motor for rotating the food holding member. |
| US07823498B2 |
Vehicle protective structure
A protective structure for a vehicle having an opening on an upper surface is provided. One embodiment of the invention has at least a partial enclosure around an area defined laterally by the vehicle opening with an overhead and side protective capability. An embodiment of the invention has an overhead cover that is formed to substantially enclose a top area of the enclosure and having multiple panels that may be locked into place or opened by an occupant for exit through a top area of the enclosure. The multiple panels in this embodiment extend upwardly and inwardly from a section of the enclosure's side walls. Ballistic windows are provided on the protective structure such that an occupant can view laterally and vertically through the enclosure and overhead cover. A shield or protective plate can be mounted on one side of the enclosure. |
| US07823497B2 |
Countermass and countermass weapon
A countermass for use in a weapon to balance the forces arising when a launch able unit is launched from a launcher tube of the weapon. The countermass includes a first container enclosing a liquid. A countermass weapon includes a launcher tube open or openable in both ends. The launcher tube houses a launch able unit, a countermass including a first container enclosing a liquid, a pressure chamber, and a propellant charge that upon firing and combustion of the charge in cooperation with the pressure chamber and the countermass accelerates the launch able unit forwards in the tube at the same time as the countermass accelerates backwards in the tube. The first container is made of a non-rigid material. A second container is provided to cover or almost cover the first container. The second container is designed with damping characteristics. |
| US07823496B2 |
Rope containing high-performance polyethylene fibres
The invention relates to a rope containing a plurality of strands comprising a mixture of high-performance polyethylene fibres and polytetrafluoroethylene fibres in a mass ratio of 70:30 to 98:2. The rope shows markedly improved service life performance in cyclic bend-over-sheave applications. The invention also relates to the use of said rope as a load-bearing member in bend-over-sheave applications. |
| US07823494B2 |
Sheet hole punching apparatus and sheet hole punching method
A sheet hole-punching device includes a punch member having a leading end with a hole-punching blade, a base frame for movably supporting the punch member in a hole-punching direction, a drive motor for driving the punch member, and a transmission device for transmitting rotational force of the drive motor to the punch member so as to rotate the punch member. The transmission device is disposed between the drive motor and the punch member. A cam device is disposed between the base frame and punch member, and converts a rotational movement of the punch member into a hole-punching direction movement so as to move the punch member in the hole-punching direction while rotating the punch member. |
| US07823493B2 |
Cutting table and method for cutting profiled sections
A cutting table arrangement for profiled sections to be joined at a predetermined angular position at miter cuts. The cutting table arrangement has a cutting table, an angle-adjustable cutting device arranged on the cutting table, a first holding device arranged on the cutting table for holding a first straight profiled section in alignment with the first cutting device, and at least one second holding device for a second profiled section that is to be secured in a predetermined position and at a predetermined angle relative to the first profiled section on the cutting table. A first marking aid is provided at the first holding device for providing an aligned lateral extension toward the second profiled section. A second marking aid is provided for indicating the cutting line correlated to the first cutting device. |
| US07823492B2 |
Dual ratio drive for rotary shear
A dual ratio drive for a rotary sheer comprises a parallel pair of first shafts carrying freely rotatable first gears. A pair of second shafts are rotatable about axes parallel to the axes of the first shafts. Each second shaft carries a shear blade, and a second gear in meshed relationship with one of the first gears. A drive shaft is connectable to one of the second shafts by a first gear set having a high speed ratio, and is connectable to one of the first shafts by a second gear set having a low speed ratio. A clutch alternately engages one or the other of the first and second gear sets to drive the second shafts and their respective shear blades at the different speeds. |
| US07823490B2 |
Cutting sequence for net trimming a composite layup at an oblique angle
To generate a bevel in an uncured composite layup, an edge of part cut through the composite layup is performed at about 90° relative to the composite layup and a bevel cut is performed on the edge of part. |
| US07823486B2 |
Cordless motor assisted torque wrench
A cordless motor assisted torque wrench. In an example embodiment, the torque wrench includes an elongated housing adapted to enclose an elongated battery pack, a drive head pivotably connected to a first end of the elongated housing at a pivot connection, an electronic torque setting device operable to receive a desired torque setting from a user, a torque sensing device for sensing a level of torque applied by the wrench to a workpiece, a motor disposed within the head, and a torque limiter configured to limit the torque applied by the wrench to a workpiece based on the desired torque setting and the level of torque sensed by the torque sensing device. The elongated housing preferably includes a first segment and a second segment slidably coupled to form a telescopic elongated housing that is configurable into at least two lengths. |
| US07823484B1 |
Reversible ratchet wrench whose operation directions are changed easily and quickly
A reversible ratchet wrench includes a drive shank having a support base, a shell pivotally mounted on the support base, a ratchet wheel mounted in the shell and having a plurality of ratchet teeth, a pawl member having a first side provided with a driven face that is driven by the support base to move the pawl member relative to the ratchet wheel and a second side provided with a toothed engaging face meshing with the ratchet teeth. Thus, the user only needs to hold the support base to shake and drive the shell to pivot relative to the support base by the weight of the shell and the ratchet wheel so as to change the operation direction of the ratchet wheel, so that the user can change the operation direction of the ratchet wheel easily and quickly. |
| US07823483B2 |
Working depth adjusting devices for rotary tools
A working depth adjusting device includes an adjusting member, an intermediate member and an operation member. The adjusting member is supported on the front portion of the tool body and movable along the axis of the spindle, so that the position of the adjusting member can be adjusted relative to the tool bit with respect to a working depth direction. The intermediate member is rotatably supported on the adjusting member. The adjusting member moves in the working depth direction as the inmate member rotates. The operation member is operable to rotate relative to the intermediate member between a lock position and an unlock position. The intermediate member has a first engaging member. When the operation member is rotated to the lock position, the first engaging member engages the tool body, and the engagement of the first engaging member is maintained by the operation member, so that the working depth adjusting device can be prevented from being removed from the tool body. When the operation member is rotated to the unlock position, the first engaging member is disengaged from the tool body, so that the working depth adjusting device can be removed from the tool body. |
| US07823482B2 |
Recliner regulating device
Described herein is a recliner regulating device comprising a locking cam, an unlocking cam with a thickness less than the locking cam, a ratchet gear, a coulisse and a return spring connected with a central shaft. The locking cam is connected with the unlocking cam. Sliders are connected with the unlocking cam and sliding grooves. A jacket is connected with the ratchet gear and the coulisse. The return spring is connected with the coulisse. The thickness of the locking cam and the unlocking cam may be respectively designed in terms of the stress applied thereon. Since the locking cam and the unlocking cam are separately produced, structure of the die is simplified and service life of the die is improved significantly. The locking cam and the unlocking cam may be manufactured by punch, which leads to a greater production efficiency. |
| US07823475B2 |
Sealed worm gear type finger joint unit
A sealed worm gear type finger joint unit for a robot hand has a circular opening in a gear box case of the unit, and the opening is closed by a rubber bush. When the rubber bush is removed, a shaft end face of a worm shaft section is exposed from the circular opening, and this makes a tool engagement section formed on the shaft end face is accessible from the outside. A tool for turning the worm shaft section is fitted in the tool engagement section, and the worm shaft section can be easily turned by the tool. Turning the worm shaft section turns a worm, turning a worm wheel meshing with the worm, and this turns the joint shaft. As a result, a swing arm connected to shaft end sections of the joint shaft can be moved to a predetermined position. In the finger joint unit, the joint shaft can be easily manually turned. |
| US07823473B2 |
Electro-hydraulic control system for a motor-vehicle dual-clutch transmission
The electro-hydraulic control system comprises a gear shift control device and a hydraulic control circuit. The gear shift control device includes four shift forks, operatively associated each to a respective engagement sleeve of the transmission to cause this latter to move between first and second engagement positions, and an operating unit comprising four double-acting hydraulic actuators arranged to control each the displacement of a respective shift fork. The hydraulic control circuit comprises a supply unit, a distributor valve adapted to select every time one of the four hydraulic actuators and two solenoid valves adapted to control the hydraulic actuator selected by the distributor valve. The distributor valve has four operating positions, each of which corresponds to the selection of a respective hydraulic actuator. The two solenoid valves are arranged to be connected each to a respective pressure chamber of the hydraulic actuator selected by the distributor valve. |
| US07823469B2 |
Sample dispensing apparatus
A sample dispensing apparatus dispenses a sample from a container accommodating a sample such as blood or urea sampled for checking. This sample dispensing apparatus can prevent internal contamination of the apparatus due to dripping of the sample and abnormal sucking operations caused by drainage, condensation and fixing of the sample. The sample dispensing apparatus according to the present invention comprises a dispensing device for dispensing a sucked sample, a dispensing head provided in the dispensing device, and a disposable nozzle chip dismountably set on the dispensing head. In this apparatus, dispensing of a sample to child sample containers is performed exchanging the child sample containers with new ones. When the state, in which dispensing to the child container cannot be carried out, is continued for a prespecified period of time, the nozzle chip is automatically released from the dispensing head. |
| US07823465B2 |
Bolt fastening method and apparatus
A bolt is fastened up to a predetermined snug torque Ts and then the bolt is further fastened by a specified angle θt from a bolt angle corresponding to the snug torque Ts. Herein, in order to obtain excess and deficiency of the fastening angle up to the snug torque Ts, an angle-variation difference between the fastening angle θsb of the bolt at the point where the fastening torque of the bolt has reached the snug torque Ts and a standard angle θsa of the snug torque Ts is calculated. And, addition of this angle-variation difference to a base angle is set as the new specified angle θt to correct the excess and deficiency. Accordingly, variation in a fastening shaft force can be restrained even if the snug torque is set at a relatively high torque in the bolt fastening method using the torque+angle method. |
| US07823464B2 |
Joystick sensor apparatus
A joystick apparatus employs a hermetically sealed load cell having strain gauges placed on flexible beams formed on the load cell. All of the strain gauges are on the same surface of the load cell and therefore wiring is performed on a single side of the load cell. The strain gauges are enclosed in hermetically sealed cavity. The sensing diaphragm consists of a concentric thick inner and outer section joined by thinner diametrically opposed beam elements. The thin beam elements are compliant members which can deflect. Each beam includes strain gauges or sensor elements and the load cell is coupled to a joystick which when moved causes the beams to deflect to cause the sensor elements to produce an electrical output proportional to the force and direction of the joystick. The sensor can yield an output proportional to any angle over the 360° movement of the joystick to provide outputs proportional to the X and Y positions of said joystick. Thus, the joystick arrangement can resolve any angle or force into X and Y components for full directional control. |
| US07823463B1 |
Ultrasonic flow sensor using two streamlined probes
A time-of-flight ultrasonic flow meter uses transducers placed on streamlined heads of probes that are spaced out along a pipe. The placement of the transducers and probes is selected so that an acoustic signal can propagate between the transducers on the two probes along a path that involves at least one reflection from an internal surface of the pipe. |
| US07823461B2 |
Magnetically inductive cross-flow sensor and method for the production thereof
A flow sensor includes: A measuring tube for the conveying of an electrically conductive fluid; a magnetic circuit arrangement arranged on the measuring tube for producing and guiding a magnetic field, which induces an electric field in the flowing fluid; and measuring electrodes for the tapping of a voltage of the electric field. The measuring tube includes a carrier tube and liner, especially a tubular liner, of insulating material, accommodated in a lumen of the carrier tube. A support skeleton may serve for stabilization is embedded in the liner. The carrier tube additionally has at least a first groove formed in a wall of the carrier tube and open towards the lumen of the carrier tube, whereby, on the one hand, the tendency of the liner and/or of the possibly present support skeleton towards crack formation upon temperature changes, especially in the case of cooling, can be considerably reduced, and, on the other hand, a rotation or displacement of the support skeleton in the carrier tube, especially in the case of possible material shrinkage, can be effectively prevented. |
| US07823458B2 |
System for dynamically controlling the torque output of a pneumatic tool
Pneumatic tightening tools can be used for high speed assembly of critical bolts to precise loads by dynamically controlling the output power of the pneumatic tool during a tightening cycle using an electronically controlled air pressure regulator to reduce the tightening rate, or the load increase per impact for impact or impulse tools, to enable the tool to be stopped precisely at a specified stopping load or torque. For prevailing torque fasteners, the output power of the pneumatic tool is dynamically controlled to minimize the speed of rotation during rundown, to minimize the heating effects associated with such torque fasteners, and to then increase the power from the tool, as required, to provide the torque to reach the specified stopping load or torque. The maximum air pressure supplied to the pneumatic tool can be limited, depending on the expected torque required to tighten the fastener to the specified load or torque. |
| US07823456B2 |
Pressure sensor
A pressure sensor is provided with a carrier (2), which in an inner region includes a membrane (4) on which at least one first measurement element (R1−) for detecting a pressure impingement of the membrane (4) is arranged. Additionally, at least one second measurement element (R3−) for detecting a pressure impingement of the membrane (4) is arranged on the membrane. The first measurement element (R1−) and the second measurement element (R3−) are arranged distanced differently far from the edge of the membrane. The output signals of the first and the second measurement element (R1−, R3−) are evaluated together in a manner such that the two measurement elements (R1−, R3−) detect a differential pressure acting on the membrane (4), and thereby compensate the influence of the system pressure acting on both sides of the membrane (4). |
| US07823455B2 |
Low pass filter semiconductor structures for use in transducers for measuring low dynamic pressures in the presence of high static pressures
A semiconductor filter is provided to operate in conjunction with a differential pressure transducer. The filter receives a high and very low frequency static pressure attendant with a high frequency low dynamic pressure at one end, the filter operates to filter said high frequency dynamic pressure to provide only the static pressure at the other filter end. A differential transducer receives both dynamic and static pressure at one input port and receives said filtered static pressure at the other port where said transducer provides an output solely indicative of dynamic pressure. The filter in one embodiment has a series of etched channels directed from an input end to an output end. The channels are etched pores of extremely small diameter and operate to attenuate or filter the dynamic pressure. In another embodiment, a spiral tubular groove is found between a silicon wafer and a glass cover wafer, an input port of the groove receives both the static and dynamic pressure with an output port of the groove providing only static pressure. The groove filters attenuate dynamic pressure to enable the differential transducer to provide an output only indicative of dynamic pressure by cancellation of the static pressure. |
| US07823451B2 |
Pulse echo/through transmission ultrasonic testing
Ultrasonic testing on a part includes scanning the part while performing pulse echo and through transmission ultrasonic testing on the part; converting pulse echo data into time of flight (TOF) and amplitude channels, and converting through transmission data into a data representation that identifies porosity. The testing further includes analyzing the pulse echo TOF to identify locations of any anomalies in the part, and using loss of back (LOB) at each of the identified locations to discriminate low porosity from other anomalies. |
| US07823450B2 |
Angular velocity sensor and method of setting temperature characteristics of angular velocity sensor
In a method of setting temperature characteristics of an angular velocity sensor, temperature characteristics of a detuning frequency are acquired. The detuning frequency is a frequency difference between an oscillation frequency of an oscillation circuit including a piezoelectric vibrator and a frequency of a voltage of the piezoelectric vibrator caused by the Coriolis force. The sensitivity to the detuning frequency is acquired. The temperature characteristics of a detection phase are acquired. The detection phase is a phase difference between a Coriolis signal phase that corresponds to a phase angle of a voltage signal and an oscillation signal phase of the oscillation circuit. The sensitivity to the detection phase is acquired. The amount of phase shift of the detection phase is determined so that the change in sensitivity caused by the change in the detuning frequency with temperature is controlled using the change in sensitivity caused by the change in the detection phase with temperature. |
| US07823448B2 |
Actuatory and gravity gradiometer
A gravity gradiometer is disclosed which has a sensor in the form of bars (41 and 42) which are supported on a mounting (5) which has a first mount section (10) and a second mount section (20). A first flexure web (33) pivotally couples the first and second mount sections about a first axis. The second mount has a first part (25), a second part (26) and a third part (27). The parts (25 and 26) are connected by a second flexure web (37) and the parts (26 and 27) are connected by a third flexure web (35). The bars (41 and 42) are located in housings (45 and 47) and form a monolithic structure with the housings (45 and 47) respectively. The housings (45 and 47) are connected to opposite sides of the second mount section 20. The bars (41 and 42) are connected to their respective housings by flexure webs (59). Transducers (71) are located in proximity to the bars for detecting movement of the bars to in turn enable the gravitational gradient tensor to be measured. An actuator is provided for moving the mount to stabilize the mount. The actuator comprises a hollow disc housing (310) which defines a chamber (312). A coil plate (313) is located in the chamber (312) and supports windings (W1 and W2). A tube (330) supports a hollow rod (328) to minimize flux leakage from the windings (W1 and W2). Lead wires for the windings pass through the rod (328) to the windings (W1 and W2) mounted on the support plate (313). |
| US07823441B2 |
Vehicle brake pressure monitoring system an method
The present invention relates to a vehicle brake system, which has a brake reservoir, and utilizes a tire management system that is in communication with the brake reservoir and a vehicle operator. As a result of this configuration, the tire management system communicates brake reservoir pressure signals to the vehicle operator, so that the operator is made aware of any low pressure conditions, in the trailer, before trying to move the trailer. |
| US07823440B2 |
Systems and methods for characterizing thickness and topography of microelectronic workpiece layers
Metrology systems, tools, and methods that characterize one or more layers of a microelectronic workpiece are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a system for characterizing thickness and topography of a workpiece layer includes a layer thickness instrument configured to measure a thickness of a first workpiece layer at individual sampling sites, a surface topography instrument configured to measure a relative surface height of the first layer at the individual sampling sites, and a processing unit communicatively coupled to receive thickness and topography measurements and operable to output layer data that includes individual thickness measurements combined with individual topography measurements at workpiece coordinates corresponding to the individual sampling sites. In another embodiment, the system further includes an output device communicatively coupled with the processing unit and operable to graphically display a stratigraphic cross-section corresponding to the output layer data. |
| US07823433B2 |
Ratchet crimping tool
A ratchet crimping tool is disclosed. The ratchet crimping tool comprises a tool head cover board structure, a tool handle structure, a transmission device, and a tool handle. The transmission device further comprises an anti-backup mechanism, an advancement mechanism and a gear structure. The ratchet crimping tool uses a coaxial tool head, a confirming-indicating device and an adjustable jaw structure. The coaxial tool head comprises a movable tool handle and a fixed tool handle. A gear of the movable tool head is engaged with the gear structure of the transmission device, and the adjustable jaw structure is connected with the movable tool handle. The confirming-indicating device is connected with the movable tool handle and the fixed tool handle respectively. The coaxial tool head is connected with a tool head cover board structure by link pins, and the gear structure of the transmission device is connected with the movable tool handle by connecting pins via upper and lower cover boards. The fixed tool handle is connected with an anti-backup mechanism of the transmission device by connecting pins via the upper and lower cover boards. Between the advancement mechanism of the transmission device and the movable tool handle, a connection is established by advancement of the connecting pins. |
| US07823432B2 |
Method of forming spring washer blind-holes into a piston for an automobile transmission
The problem to be solved by the present invention is to clear up an eccentric load onto a pin and a problem of deformation and cavity due to flowing material during extrusion when spring washer blind-holes in a piston for an automobile transmission are formed by extrusion with a pin. After an annular region along the peripheral edge portion on the back of an end plate of a secondary workpiece is flattened, the secondary workpiece is set on a lower die. Further, while the lower die is pressed with upper dies and cushion pressure is applied on the lower die, pins, for piercing the spring washer blind-holes are made to perform an extrusion operation onto the end plate of the secondary workpiece from the backside of the end plate. The extruded material is made to flow into recess holes of the upper die, and thus spring washer blind-holes are formed. Then, projections which have flowed and protrude on the front side are removed by turning with a lathe. |
| US07823430B2 |
Open press thermal gap for QPF forming tools
A quick plastic forming (QPF) tool is provided in which a thermal gap is created that reduces or eliminates some of the conductive heat loss paths when the QPF tool is in an open position during part removal or sheet loading. By reducing conductive heat loss, a more precise temperature control for the QPF tool from manufacturing cycle to manufacturing cycle may be realized. The QPF tool may also have a thermal gap when the tool is placed in a semi-open position during idle times. The QPF tool may also include components for creating the thermal gap when the QPF tool is moved to the open position and control the lateral movement of the part forming section of the QPF tool as the part is moved between the open position and the closed position. |
| US07823424B2 |
Bicycle lock
A bicycle lock in the form of a cable lock includes an elongated lock body and a cable having first and second ends. The first end is fixed to one end of the elongated lock body and another end of the lock body has an insertion opening for an insertion pin that is attached to the second end of the cable and provided with two lateral, diametrically opposed recesses that are oriented parallel to a longitudinal direction of the lock body. Two locking bolts are insertable into the recesses in a translatory manner in the longitudinal direction of the lock body for securing the insertion pin in the lock body. The locking bolts form a part of a locking device. A driver, which lies with inner ends in an effective area of the drive, is rotatable by means of a closing cylinder. By actuation of the closing cylinder, the locking device is drivable in the longitudinal direction of the lock body. The locking device has a first section extending in the longitudinal direction of the lock body and a second, bracket section oriented perpendicular to the lock body longitudinal direction on its outer end. The locking bolts, which are preferably cylindrical, are insertable into the first and second sections on opposite sides of the bracket section. |
| US07823422B2 |
Front-loading machine for treating laundry
A front-loading machine for treating laundry includes a loading opening, a hinged door, a locking mechanism and an operating device. The loading opening is disposed on a front wall of the machine. The hinged door is receivable by a receiving area on the front wall so as to close the loading opening. The locking mechanism is configured to hold the door in a closed position. The operating device is configured to activate and deactivate the locking mechanism. The operating device includes a sensor configured to detect a contact or a contact-free incursion into a detection zone thereof. The sensor is disposed on at least one of the door and the receiving area on the front wall. |
| US07823419B2 |
Optical fiber drawing furnace with gas flow tubes
A furnace for drawing an optical fiber includes a body having an upper and lower openings for supplying a preform and discharging a drawn optical fiber, a heating unit installed in the body for receiving and melting the preform, an atmosphere blocking tube installed to the lower opening for discharging the drawn optical fiber and blocking the optical fiber from the atmosphere, an upper introduction port formed at an upper portion of the body for introducing an inert gas toward the preform and partially discharged outside through a gap between the preform and the upper opening, a central and lower introduction ports formed at central and lower portions for introducing an inert gas into the body, a first flow guiding means for guiding the inert gas introduced through the central introduction port upward and then flowed down along a surface of the preform, and a second flow guiding means for guiding the inert gas introduced through the lower introduction port upward and then discharged outside through the atmosphere blocking tube along a surface of the drawn optical fiber. |
| US07823416B2 |
Glass composition and method for producing glass article
The glass composition of the present invention is an inorganic glass composition in which the volume ratio of helium with a mass number of 3 to helium with a mass number of 4, namely 3He/4He in the glass (0° C., 1 atm) is smaller than the volume ratio 3He/4He in the atmosphere. The method of producing a glass article of the present invention includes the steps of: melting a glass raw material by heating; homogenizing molten glass; forming the molten glass into a desired shape; and cooling the shaped glass to room temperature, in which helium with a certain mass ratio is dissolved in the glass material so that the glass article of the present invention is obtained. |
| US07823412B2 |
Hermetic vessel equipped with inserted-type discharge pipe, and oil separator, gas-liquid separator, and air conditioning system using the same
A hermetic vessel capable of preventing noise caused by fluid flow, and an oil separator, a gas-liquid separator, and an air conditioning system using the same. The hermetic vessel having a vessel body includes an inlet through which a fluid flows into the vessel body, and a discharge pipe which is inserted into the vessel body to discharge the fluid. The discharge pipe includes a first discharge pipe which guides a flow of the fluid in a first direction and causes a wave of a higher frequency than an audible frequency, and a second discharge pipe which is connected to the first discharge pipe to guide a flow of the fluid from the first discharge pipe in a second direction which is different from the first direction. |
| US07823405B2 |
Rotating bernoulli heat pump
Heat engines move heat from a source to a sink. In a subset of heat engines, called heat pumps, the temperature of the source is below that of the sink. A subset of heat pumps, called working-fluid heat pumps, accomplishes the heat-pumping function by varying the temperature of a working fluid over a range that includes the temperatures of both the source and the sink. A subset of working fluid heat pumps, called Bernoulli heat pumps, accomplish this temperature variation of the working fluid by means of Bernoulli conversion of random molecular motion into directed motion (flow). This invention is a Bernoulli heat pump in which Bernoulli conversion is accomplished using a rotating disk, similar to those used in computers for data storage. Most working fluid heat pumps used for cooling and heating accomplish the temperature variation by compression of the working fluid. In contrast to compression, Bernoulli conversion consumes no energy. |
| US07823398B2 |
Compressor/expander of the rotating vane type
Improvements to a rotating-vane integral compressor/expander are outlined to significantly improve efficiency. A method to simply achieve variable-flow operation is also described. |
| US07823396B2 |
Cooling apparatus
A process for introducing a solution into an evaporative cooling apparatus (14), said process comprising a) positioning a selectively permeable membrane (16) between a first solution (18) and a second solution (20) having a higher solute concentration than the first solution (18), such that the solvent from the first solution (18) flows across the selectively permeable membrane (16) to dilute the second solution (20), b) introducing the second solution into an evaporative cooling apparatus (14) in which solvent is removed from the second solution (20) by evaporation, and c) recycling the second solution (20) from step b) to step a) to draw solvent from the first solution (18). |
| US07823394B2 |
Thermal insulation technique for ultra low temperature cryogenic processor
Systems and methods are disclosed to insulate a vessel includes placing a plurality of shells on all sides of the vessel without providing a direct energy pathway from outer walls of the vessel to the inner walls of the vessel; placing the shells under a vacuum; cryogenically cooling the shells to a cryogenic temperature; and while under vacuum, allowing the shell temperature to rise from the cryogenic temperature to ambient temperature. |
| US07823392B2 |
Turbomachine combustion chamber arrangement having a collar deflector
An arrangement for a turbomachine combustion chamber is disclosed. The arrangement includes a chamber end wall pierced by at least one substantially circular opening, a deflector mounted from the downstream side of the chamber end wall in the opening by an annulus, an injector system associated with the opening and including an annular bowl that is flared downstream, passing through the opening, and a pinch ring that cooperates with the annulus to allow the injector system to shift off-center relative to the chamber end wall. The deflector includes an annular collar extending radially inwards. The bowl of the injector system includes at its downstream end an outwardly-open annular groove radially in alignment with the collar of the deflector in such a manner as to enable it to retract into said groove when the injector system shifts off-center relative to the chamber end wall. |
| US07823390B2 |
Mixer for cooling and sealing air system of turbomachinery
A system is provided for directing air from plural compressor ports to provide cooling and/or sealing air to an associated turbine site. A first flow from a pressure stage of the compressor has a first pressure and temperature. A second flow from another pressure stage of the compressor has a second pressure and temperature. The first and second pressures/temperatures are different. An ejector has two inlets for receiving the first and second flows, and output for combining the first and second flows into a third flow. The pressure and temperature of the third flow are different from the first and second pressures and temperatures. A bypass line is connected between the first flow and the third flow, and provides a bypass flow. A mixer combines the bypass flow and the third flow into a fourth flow. The fourth flow has a pressure and temperature intermediate the pressure and temperature of the bypass flow and the third flow. The mixer comprises inner and outer sections. The inner section is generally cylindrical in cross section and has a plurality of holes therein. The angle between the direction of the bypass flow and the direction of the third flow, when the bypass flow meets the third flow in the mixer, is less than about 90 degrees. |
| US07823385B2 |
Turbocharger with wastegate
This invention relates to an actuator assembly for a turbocharger pressure control valve assembly and a method of assembling a pressure control assembly of a turbocharger. The assembly comprises an actuator coupled to an actuator rod which in use is coupled to the valve assembly to control the position thereof. The actuator rod comprises an elongate member at least a portion of which is flexible. The actuator rod may be a resilient member which may be substantially straight when stressed. In use the actuator rod may extend in a substantially straight line between the actuator and the valve assembly. |
| US07823384B2 |
Electrically actuated brake booster
An electrically actuated brake booster capable of obtaining a desired boost ratio for a given input pressure when an electric actuator is activated as a boost source, so as to ensure a desired operability of a brake pedal. The electrically actuated brake booster comprises: an input piston 22 to which an input thrust is applied through an input rod 9 that moves in coordination with operation of a brake pedal 8; and a booster piston 21 to which a booster thrust is applied by an electric actuator 40 that uses an electric motor 41 as a drive source, such that the input piston 22 and the booster piston 21 are disposed to be movable relative to each other but are normally maintained in a neutral position of relative displacement by means of springs 34. While an amount of relative displacement between the pistons 21 and 22 is determined by the potentiometer 45, the electric motor 41 is controlled to adjust the amount of relative displacement to a predetermined value. At the same time, a reaction force acting on the input piston 22 resulting from a hydraulic brake pressure is offset by urging forces of the springs 34 to thereby obtain a desired level of boost ratio. |
| US07823382B2 |
Active material actuator with modulated movement
An active material actuator assembly is provided having first and second active material components operatively connected to a movable member. Movement of the movable member is modulated, which may be due to activation of the first and second active material components being at least partially temporally distinct or the active material components differing in at least one characteristic affecting movement. |
| US07823379B2 |
Energy recovery and reuse methods for a hydraulic system
A method provides several modes for recovering hydraulic energy produced by an overrunning load acting on cylinders connected in parallel to a machine component. In one mode, fluid from first chambers in both cylinders is routed into the accumulator, while other fluid is directed into second chambers of those cylinders. In a different mode, fluid is routed from the first chamber of only one cylinder into the accumulator, and fluid from the first chamber of the other cylinder goes into the second chambers of both cylinders. Yet another mode comprises routing fluid from the first chambers of both cylinders into the second chambers of both cylinders. In still another mode, fluid from the first chambers of both cylinders goes into the return conduit while the second chambers of both cylinders receive fluid from a supply conduit. Several modes of reusing the recovered energy are described. |
| US07823376B2 |
Thrust augmentation in plug nozzles and expansion-deflection nozzles
Thrust augmentation in a rocket nozzle is achieved by incorporating injectors for the introduction of unburnt fuel and oxidizer into a nozzle to combust in the nozzle and thereby supplement the primary thrust that is supplied by fuel and oxidizer that are combusted prior to entry into the nozzle. These secondary injectors are incorporated into the design of expansion-deflection nozzles and plug nozzles. In expansion-deflection nozzles, the injectors are either in the flow deflector itself or in the wall of the divergent section of the nozzle. In plug nozzles, the injectors are either in a shell of the nozzle surrounding the forward end of the centerbody or in the centerbody itself. |
| US07823374B2 |
Heat transfer system and method for turbine engine using heat pipes
A heat transfer system is provided for a turbine engine of the type including an annular inlet cowling. The heat transfer system includes at least one heat pipe disposed in contact with an interior of the casing. The heat pipe is thermally coupled to a heat source, such that heat from the heat source can be transferred through the heat pipe and into the inlet cowling. |
| US07823372B1 |
Skewed roller conveyor for double windrow attachment
A mower-conditioner is equipped with a double windrow attachment comprising a longitudinal conveyor which receives crop delivered rearwardly by a rotary conditioner. A side conveyor is located rearward of the longitudinal conveyor and is mounted for movement between a lowered operating position, wherein it is positioned for receiving crop conveyed rearwardly by the longitudinal conveyor, and a raised inoperative position wherein it permits the rearwardly conveyed crop to freely fall to the ground. The longitudinal conveyor is a roller conveyor with the rollers axes in a first embodiment comprising three sets of right- and left-hand rollers with the rollers of each set being skewed relative to a line extending perpendicular to a forward direction of the mower conditioner such that the axes of each set of rollers diverge rearwardly. In a second embodiment the rollers of each set are skewed such that their axes diverge forwardly. In a third embodiment, three rollers which extend the full width of the longitudinally conveyor are provided and are skewed so that crop is conveyed toward the left side of the mower-conditioner. |
| US07823362B2 |
Splice plate for stringers and orbital joining device
A splice plate for stringers designed to connect two adjacent stringers at least three independent pieces, a connection rod being designed to be fixed by two opposite extremities to two adjacent stringers, and at least two connecting plates, each connecting plate being designed to be fixedly joined to a first extremity of one of the two stringers, and by a second extremity of a cross bar disposed between the two stringers. The disclosed embodiment also relate to a device for orbital fixation including at least one stringer splice plate splice bar. |
| US07823350B2 |
Structual stud
Embodiments of a structural stud and panel for use in building a tilt-wall building are disclosed. Devices and methods for forming structural studs and panels are also disclosed. |
| US07823348B1 |
Device and method for the support of both steel and precast concrete wall posts for installation
A system and method which positions and orients a wall post or column during positioning and supports the post after it has been positioned. The system embodying the principles of the present invention is set and contacts surfaces of the post. The system includes two monolithic one-piece anchor blocks located on a level surface to have top faces thereof located co-level with each other and tie and cross rods each of which has a surface that is vertically oriented when in use and which abuttingly engages a corresponding surface of the post when in use. At least one tie rod is connected to the anchor block top faces and the cross rod is attached to the tie rod. The tie rod is located at a desired position relative to a reference plane and the cross rod is located at a desired location relative to a reference location. The post is located between the two anchor blocks and in abutting contact with the vertically oriented surfaces of the rods. A second tie rod can be mounted on the anchor blocks prior to the connection of the first cross rod to the tie rods. The system automatically locates the post in a desired location and automatically levels the column or post so no additional adjustments are required. The system weight, including the weight of the anchor blocks, prevents shifting or movement of the post during set up. |
| US07823347B1 |
Structural member and structural systems using structural member
A structural member includes a tubular main body with attached, radially oriented longitudinal flanges. The structural member and accessory components are used to construct a variety of versatile, strong, lightweight, easily assembled, easily disassembled, and easily transportable devices and structures. |
| US07823344B2 |
Apparatus and method for releasing tension members for use in anchor method
A tension member for use in an anchor method, in which both ends of the tension member are held by anchors, is released by cutting all or some of the wires in the tension member and then hitting at least one of the cut wires to release the tension member. The anchor includes an anchor head having a wedge-receiving space, a wedge unit seated in the wedge-receiving space, and three wedges assembled together to form a hole at the center of the wedge unit, through which the tension member is inserted. A support plate is inserted into a groove formed at an upper portion of the first hole and an O-shaped ring is provided around the wedges so that the wedges are expanded around the support plate. A spring is positioned on the wedge unit for constantly biasing the wedge unit against the wedge-receiving space. |
| US07823329B2 |
Housing for receiving a cable drum
A housing for receiving a cable drum of an adjustment device for a motor vehicle includes a bearing point for rotatably mounting a cable drum, at least one wall encompassing the cable drum along the peripheral surface thereof when the cable drum is mounted in the housing, and a securing element arranged in a region of the wall of the housing and serving to secure a tractive device extending along the peripheral surface of a cable drum. The securing element is elastically configured and may be moved by deformation in the radial direction in relation to the bearing point. |
| US07823328B2 |
Aeroponic plant growing system
An aeroponic plant growing system includes a water reservoir and growing chambers for growing plants in an aeroponic environment. A pump, a water distribution manifold, and water lines are used to provide water and nutrients from the water reservoir to sprayers in the growing chambers where the water and nutrients are sprayed on the roots of plants growing therein. The water distribution manifold and water lines preferably are provided as closed loop systems, such that water is provided to all sprayers despite a blockage in the manifold or a water line. Non-absorbed water and nutrients are returned to the water reservoir from the growing chambers on water return lines via a filter that includes multiple types of filter media, including filter media that support the colonization of organisms that support plant growth. |
| US07823318B2 |
Rifle recoil absorption system
The present invention is directed towards a rifle recoil absorption system comprising a harness attached to a rifle support and shooting surface for absorbing recoil force generated when a high powered rifle is fired. |
| US07823312B2 |
Magazine well extension
A magazine well extension for a firearm having a magazine well in a lower receiver, the magazine well extension including a substantially hollow body including a magazine well extension portion, for covering and extending beyond an opening of the magazine well of the firearm, the magazine well extension portion being adapted and configured to guide a magazine into the magazine well of the firearm and coupling elements for coupling the body about the lower receiver of the firearm. The inner surface of the body is contoured to conform to the outer surface of the lower receiver, and the body is shaped as a grip, for use as a fore grip on the firearm. |
| US07823311B2 |
Edge retaining graphic support arrangement
A supportive edge retaining graphic display arrangement for supportively holding a display banner in a readily exchangeable manner. The arrangement comprises an elongated, generally “U”-shaped, extruded first or inner housing having an upper elongated flange, and an arrangement of opposed, spaced apart, aligned display panel engaging ribs on side walls thereof extending oppositely from a flange supporting bridge member, an outer elongated extruded outer housing having an inner channel for sliding receipt of the elongated flange of the inner housing, and a display panel having an elongated fastener member attached to an upper end thereof, wherein the elongated fastener member has a plurality of aligned engagable elements extending outwardly therefrom, the aligned engagable elements being in spaced alignment with the ribs on the inner housing for sliding longitudinal engagement therewith. |
| US07823310B2 |
Business form with wristband carriers
A wristband is assembled from a flexible preferably vinyl carrier and a preferably laminated ID label, the carrier having a panel portion and a strap portion with a snap closure located in a toe extension at the end of the carrier adjacent the panel. The strap has a series of holes, one of which is captured within the snap closure to attach the wristband to the wearer's limb. The laminated ID label has a pair of opposing slots, one of which slips over the strap to abut the panel and the other of which is captured by the snap closure to attach the label to the carrier. The panel portion has a relieved edge formed along its opposing sides which increases the comfort of the wristband as it is worn. |
| US07823309B2 |
Portable presentation and display boards
Display device including a unitary, rigid sheet defining a left center panel, a right center panel pivotally connected to the left center panels, a left side panel pivotally connected to the left center panel and a right side panel pivotally connected to the right center panel. Vertically extending separation lines are formed on a rear planar layer without penetrating or cutting a front planar layer so that the panels are able to pivot about vertical axes. Fold lines may be formed opposite the separation lines on the front planar layer to facilitate folding the sheet whereby the fold lines define the vertical axes about which the panels pivot. Folding of the sheet provides a compact configuration which enables the display device to be easily carried. |
| US07823303B2 |
Fluid shovel apparatus and method
A fluid shovel apparatus that pushes and lifts loose material such as snow, leaves, sand, dirt, grass clippings, mulch, or the like. The present invention includes at least one fluid exhaust port extending through a blade. Pressurized fluid is ejected through the at least one fluid exhaust port extending through the blade and ejects towards loose material. The loose material floats on a cushion of pressurized fluid that forms between the blade and the loose material. The loose material is pushed away from the blade and is lifted in an upward direction. Additionally, the fluid shovel apparatus may further include a soft pad and an ice scraper blade to assist in removing material from a surface of a motor vehicle. Additionally, the fluid shovel apparatus may be used to deliver a fire suppressant pressurized fluid upon a material that is burning. Additionally, the fluid shovel apparatus may be used to clear snow from railroad train tracks ahead of a railroad train car. |
| US07823302B2 |
Novelty footwear item with storage chest and method of using same
A novelty footwear item includes a footbed and a heel-shaped storage unit which has a liftable lid. The footbed and the storage unit are mounted within a wedge-shaped cupsole so that a rear portion of the footbed overlays and conceals the storage unit and pivots up and away from the cupsole in unison with the lid when it is lifted to provide a user access to the heel-shaped storage unit. |
| US07823301B2 |
Sports shoes, in particular for playing golf
A sports shoe or a pair of asymmetric shoes, in particular for playing golf, including a sole fitted with a rotation mechanism to rotate independently of the sole. The rotation mechanism includes a first rotary disc substantially located in the shoe section intended to receive the big toe of a foot. |
| US07823294B2 |
Flat compass for marking large arcsand circles
An improvement in a compass that marks large radius arcs is disclosed. The compass is for marking on flat surfaces like the ground and walls where higher degree of accuracy for the radius or circle is desired. More particularly, the present flat compass allows a person to create a virtually unlimited radius arc using a center point and a rigid arm with a marking tip. The flat compass uses a rigid flat ruler with an embeddable anchor, such as a nail, on one end and a marking tip on the other that keeps the rigid arm essentially parallel with the marking surface as the surface is being marked. The marking tip is movable along the length of the rigid flat ruler. Multiple rulers can be connected to increase the size of the arc that will be drawn. |
| US07823287B2 |
Method for making a syringe pump having a piston brake
The syringe pump comprises a receiving position for a syringe. The piston plate of the syringe is moved by a drive head which is fastened to a drive rod. For locking the piston rod prior to fixing the piston plate in the drive head, a braking element is provided on a syringe holding head. The syringe holding head further serves for determining the respective syringe size. After placing the syringe holding head against a syringe cylinder, the brake element is actuated to temporarily engage the piston rod and fix it relatively to the syringe cylinder. |
| US07823285B2 |
Method of selectively assembling multiple catalytic elements within a catalytic converter housing
A method is provided for assembling a plurality of catalytic substrates and support materials within a catalytic converter housing using a uniform compression. Outer profiles of a plurality of catalytic substrates are determined. Weight factors of a plurality of the support materials are determined. A lookup table containing a list of associated outer profiles of catalytic substrates and weight factors of support materials are provided. A first catalytic substrate and a first support material are joined as a first pre-assembly based on a matching outer profile and weight factor from the lookup table. A second catalytic substrate and a second support material are joined as a second pre-assembly based on a matching outer profile and weight factor from the lookup table. The first and second pre-assemblies are inserted into the catalytic converter housing. The first catalytic element and the second catalytic element are secured within the catalytic converter housing. |
| US07823280B2 |
Method for manufacturing connector of electronic clutch for compressor
The present invention relates to a connector of an electromagnetic clutch for a compressor and a manufacturing method thereof. The method includes the steps of arranging a leading end of a lead wire 62 or 72 of at least one discharge device 60 or remaining magnetic field removing device 70, which configures a surge absorbing circuit, to a terminal 50 installed in a connector 30 configuring a field coil assembly and having a coupling slot 56 formed in one side thereof; plastically deforming at least one slot bridge 57 to fix the lead wire 62 or 72 to the coupling slot 56; and making the connector 30 in a state where the terminal 50 is fixed to an assembly of at least the discharge device 60 or remaining magnetic field removing device 70 by injection molding. |
| US07823278B2 |
Method for fabricating electrical contact buttons
An interposer having one or more hollow electrical contact buttons disposed in a carrier. The interposer is formed by disposing sacrificial posts in vias of the carrier. The electrical contact buttons are formed on the sacrificial posts by a metallizing process in desired pattern using a mask. The sacrificial posts are made of a material that thermally decomposes upon application of heat without altering the carrier or the electrical contact buttons. |
| US07823276B2 |
Parts mounting method
The present invention provides a printed circuit board that can suppress the positional displacement of parts mounted thereon. The printed circuit board includes resist formed on the surface of the printed circuit board, lands for receiving respective parts to be mounted, the lands being arranged off openings free from the resist, and lands for alignment, respectively alignment marks being formed on the land for alignment by means of solder. |
| US07823274B2 |
Method of making multilayered circuitized substrate assembly
A method of making a multilayered circuitized substrate assembly which includes bonding at least two circuitized substrates each including at least one layer of high temperature dielectric material, one of these layers in turn including at least one thru-hole therein having therein a quantity of a a low temperature conductive paste, the paste including an organic binder component and at least one metallic component. The flakes of the metallic component are sintered during the bonding to form a conductive path through the dielectric of one of the substrates. |
| US07823272B2 |
Systems for producing assemblies
This invention relates to methods and systems for attaching components to strips of material to form assemblies, e.g., a system for fastening pre-sharpened razor blades to individual support strips on a continuous band of material, such as a metal, to form discrete blade assemblies. |
| US07823271B2 |
Connector compression tool
A connector compression tool is provided wherein the tool includes a handle, pivotally moveable from a second position to a first position, a body, configured to compress together when the handle is moved to the first position, and a jaw, operably associated with the body, wherein the jaw includes at least two centering openings having different widths to accommodate differently configured connectors having different diameters and different lengths. |
| US07823269B2 |
Method for manufacturing an auxiliary antenna
A method is disclosed of forming on a moving surface an auxiliary antenna for an RFID tag. The method includes the steps of providing a webstock of polymeric material including a conductive film, conveying the webstock with the moving surface, and applying the conductive film to the moving surface in a shape corresponding to the auxiliary antenna. The moving surface may include cardboard in a roll manufacturing process. Depending on the thickness of the auxiliary antenna the step of applying the conductive film may include cold or hot stamping. Apparatus for forming an auxiliary antenna for an RFID tag is also disclosed. |
| US07823267B2 |
Devices, systems, and methods for prosthesis delivery and implantation, including the use of a fastener tool
Devices, systems, and methods for implanting radially expandable prostheses in the body lumens rely on tacking or anchoring the prostheses with separately introduced fasteners. The prostheses may be self-expanding or balloon expandable, and may include a single lumen or more than one lumen. After initial placement, a fastener applier system is introduced within the expanded prostheses to deploy a plurality of fasteners to at least one prosthesis end. The fasteners are usually helical fasteners which are releasably restrained on the fastener driver, and are delivered by rotation of the fastener driver. The fasteners may be applied singly, typically in circumferentially spaced-apart patterns about the interior of at least one end of the prosthesis. A lumen extension or lumens may be coupled to the prosthesis to extend the reach of the prosthesis within the implantation site. Fasteners may also be applied to the lumen extensions. |
| US07823265B2 |
Flowline torque arm assembly
An assembly for moving a pair of flowline members relative to each other has a pair of flowline collars that are adapted to connect to an end portion of one of the pair of flowline members. The assembly has an arm member with an end portion rotationally mounted to one of the flowline collars and a connecting member pivotally mounted to the other flowline collar. The connecting member is pivotally mounted to the arm member a distance away from the end portion of the arm member that is connected to the flowline collar, so that rotational movement of the arm member moves the flowline members relative to each other. The assembly can also have an incremental distance adjustor assembly which maintains an incremental change in the distance between the pair of flowline collars during a rotational movement of the arm member. |
| US07823262B2 |
Method of replacing a nut plate fastener assembly
A repair/replacement nut plate assembly, which is fully preassembled, is provided which can be inserted into an oversized or reworked/reconditioned aperture of a workpiece after an original nut plate has been removed from the original aperture of the workpiece. The repair/replacement nut plate assembly includes a nut, a holding bracket, a stem, a nut retainer, and a sleeve member. The sleeve member is configured to be secured to a nut plate assembly, of the same type originally used to provide the original nut plate in the original aperture of the workpiece to compensate for material lost from the workpiece during the removal of the original nut plate. The sleeve member allows for the original nut plate assembly to be utilized, with only the securement of the sleeve member to the holding bracket prior to setting. |
| US07823260B2 |
Method for manufacturing metal-insulator-metal capacitor
A method of manufacturing a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor that includes at least one of the following steps: Sequentially forming a bottom metal film, an insulating film, and a top metal film over a wafer. Forming a first pattern for etching the top metal film and the insulating film. Etching the top metal film and the insulating film, using the formed first pattern, and then stripping the first pattern. Conducting a heat treatment and a cooling split for the wafer. Forming a metal pattern for etching the bottom metal film. Etching the bottom metal film, using the formed metal pattern, and then stripping the metal pattern. |
| US07823259B2 |
Fast looping-up and releasing rope loop assembly
A fast looping-up and releasing rope loop assembly includes two one-way locking devices, at least one band, and a buckle. The one-way locking device includes a body constituted by a base and a cover. The one-way locking device allows the pull rope to extend therethrough and to move with respect thereto along a single direction. By inserting the pull rope through a rope entry opening of the base of the one-way locking device and further extending the rope around a rotary disk and a rotary wheel arranged inside the locking device and extending out of the locking device, the one-way locking device that locks the movement of the rope in an opposite direction is completed. When the rope is jammed due to excessive tightening, a presser of the buckle is depressed to release the one-way locking device from the jamming condition so that efficient loop-up and release can be realized. |
| US07823255B2 |
Hinge assembly for electronic device
An exemplary hinge assembly includes a frame, a first rotating module, and a second rotating module. The first rotating module includes a first pivotal shaft non-rotatably connected to the frame. The second rotating module includes a second pivotal shaft substantially perpendicular to the first pivotal shaft, a plurality of resilient washers, a supporting member, a rotating member engaging with the supporting member, and a limiting member. A first end of the second pivotal shaft is fixed on the frame. The resilient washers, the rotating member, the supporting member, and the limiting member are orderly sleeved on a second end, opposite to that of the first end, of the second pivotal shaft. A position of the limiting member relative to the second pivotal shaft is adjustable. The second pivotal shaft is capable of driving the rotating member to rotate. |
| US07823251B2 |
Surface treating appliance
A surface-treating appliance in the form of a vacuum cleaner has a main body, a surface-treating head and a support assembly. The support assembly is moveable between a supporting position, in which it supports the main body, and a stored position, in which it lies substantially against the main body. The provision of a support assembly that lies substantially against the main body of the appliance when not needed improves the maneuverability and range of motion achievable by the appliance in use. The support assembly may be brought out of its supporting position by a user-depressible pedal, which makes the appliance user-friendly. |
| US07823250B2 |
Bare floor cleaner
The invention relates to a bare floor cleaner capable of wet pickup through a first nozzle opening with the aid of a squeegee, wet scrubbing with an agitator, and dry pickup through a second nozzle opening. The bare floor cleaner comprises a dual-path nozzle assembly having a wet suction path in communication with the first nozzle opening and a dry suction path in communication with the second nozzle opening. A diverter valve selectively controls fluid communication between a suction source and one of the first and second nozzle openings for conversion between wet and dry modes. The bare floor cleaner further comprises a single actuator that controls the positions of the agitator and of the diverter valve. As a result, the cleaning mode of the bare floor cleaner can be controlled with a single switch that is preferably located on the handle assembly for convenient access by a user. |
| US07823248B2 |
Multi-function vacuum collector
A vacuum collector includes an upright support supported on a base, a housing disposed on top of the upright support, a fan device attached to the housing, a dust collecting receptacle attached to the housing for collecting the dirt, a tubular member has one end coupled to the housing for guiding the dirt into the housing and has a manifold, and the other end coupled to a mouth, two valve devices are coupled to the mouth and the manifold for controlling the dirt to selectively flow into the housing from the mouth or from the manifold, or from the ground, the plants or work places where the machine tools are located, or the other places where are full of dirt or dust or ash. |
| US07823242B2 |
Remote controlled apparatus for cleaning of outer window surfaces of high rise buildings and building facades
The invention disclosed relates to the remote cleaning of outer surfaces of windows or facades of high rise buildings without the need for workers located outside the building wall. In fact, the cleaning operation effectively duplicates the conventional manual cleaning operation, such that a minimum of cleaning liquid is used, and no means is required for removal of excess cleaning liquid. The apparatus comprises a rectangular master frame and a parallelogram sub-frame contained therein, suspended from the top of the building to a position opposite a window to be cleaned. A novel cleaning tool, including mechanical scrubbing means e.g. a brush and mechanical scraping means e.g. squeegee and a washing liquid spray means, is carried on an insertion tool attached to the parallelogram sub-frame, and brought to bear against the window outer surface to be cleaned, as required. The brush and squeegee are rotatable and moveable in any desired planar motion in the plane of the window surface, which is not possible with any known remotely operated window cleaning apparatus. The entire cleaning operation is effected and monitored by an operator in a safe remote location, for example, by means of closed circuit television. |
| US07823241B2 |
System for cleaning a wafer
A system for cleaning a wafer. At least one first chuck roller is connected to a first roller base and includes a first annular groove. A second roller base opposes the first roller base. At least one second chuck roller is connected to the second roller base and includes a second annular groove. A sensing chuck roller is connected to the second roller base and includes a third annular groove corresponding to the first and second annular grooves. A cleaning member covers the third annular groove. A circumferential edge of the wafer is positioned in the first and second annular grooves and abuts the cleaning member. The first and second chuck rollers rotate the wafer, enabling the circumferential edge thereof to rub against the cleaning member. |
| US07823234B2 |
Multi-walled gelastic material
The present invention is directed to a gelastic cushion. The gelastic cushion is made from a conventional gelastic composition. The gelastic cushion has a structure having a first wall that defines an opening area and buckles when a force is applied to the first wall. When the first wall buckles a predetermined amount, a second wall, interconnected to the first wall, also buckles. The second wall decreases the chance that the first wall bottoms out. Bottoming out increases the pressure on the patient (a.k.a., the force) overlying the gelastic cushion. That increased pressure is undesirable. |
| US07823233B2 |
Multi-walled gelastic material
The present invention is directed to a gelastic cushion. The gelastic cushion is made from a conventional gelastic composition. The gelastic cushion has a structure having a first wall that defines an opening area and buckles when a force is applied to the first wall. When the first wall buckles a predetermined amount, a second wall, interconnected to the first wall, also buckles. The second wall decreases the chance that the first wall bottoms out. Bottoming out increases the pressure on the patient (a.k.a., the force) overlying the gelastic cushion. That increased pressure is undesirable. |
| US07823232B2 |
Device for preventing decubitus
Device for preventing decubitus, consisting of a number of adjacent members (1) which are attached to a base and which members (1) are covered with a layer (2) of elastic material which defines a reclining surface for a patient. Each member comprises at least one elastic panel whose two opposite ends are connected to one another via a pulling element (6, 13) in order to pull the two ends towards one another, while bending the said panel, so that the vertical height of the member increases. The device also comprises a control device (3) for activating the pulling element for one or more of the said members as desired. The pulling element preferably consists of a wire, rod or strip of memory metal, which can assume its original contracted position by means of heating. |
| US07823228B2 |
Auxiliary toilet stool seat
An auxiliary toilet stool seat adapted to be mounted on a seat of a western-style toilet stool, the auxiliary toilet stool seat having a main body portion which is formed from a hard resin into an annular shape having an angled cross section made open at a bottom and having a flat top portion, a first leg portion which is brought into abutment with a top surface of the auxiliary toilet stool seat, a second leg portion which is slidably movable in such a manner as to follow an inner perimeter of the seat, and a third leg portion which is formed into an L-shape and is brought into abutment with a rear surface of the seat on a horizontal surface of the L-shape, the first, second and third legs being provided on a rear surface of the main body portion of the main body portion. |
| US07823224B2 |
Correlated magnetic mask and method for using the correlated magnetic mask
A mask is described herein that uses correlated magnets which enable a person to easily secure and remove the mask to and from their head. Some examples of such a mask include a scuba mask, a welding mask, a fencing mask, a goalie mask, a paint mask, a paintball mask, a catcher's mask, a ski mask, a goalie mask, an oxygen mask, a surgical mask, a face shield, a filter mask, a theatrical mask, a costume mask, a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) mask. |
| US07823220B2 |
Multi-configuration item of clothing
An item of clothing is convertible between different configurations. A vest may be removably fixed onto a jacket by devices different from those which are used to fix together the front portions of the jacket. |