| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US07851081B2 |
Equal distribution-typed bus bar, and middle or large-sized battery pack employed with the same
Disclosed herein are a bus bar for connecting two or more devices to an external circuit, wherein the bus bar is capable of equalizing internal resistances between a connection point of the external circuit and connection points of the respective devices, and a middle- or large-sized battery pack including the same. The bus bar according to the present invention reduces the difference of internal resistances due to a circuit to allow a battery module having optimized performance and a middle- or large-sized battery pack including the same to be manufactured. |
| US07851080B2 |
Battery cooling plate design with discrete channels
One exemplary embodiment including a battery cooling plate has discrete channels. In one exemplary embodiment each of the channels has a width ranging from about 1 mm to about 5 mm. In another exemplary embodiment the battery cooling plate includes a first cooling channel having a flow path generally in a U shape, and a plurality of other channels each having a generally U-shaped flow path, and wherein the other flow channels are in a nested position with respect to the first flow channel. In another exemplary embodiment the battery cooling plate a battery cooling plate includes a serpentine shaped cooling flow path formed therein, the cooling flow path including a first cooling segment and an adjacent upstream second cooling segment, wherein the second cooling segment includes at least a first cooling channel and a second cooling channel and at least a first land interposed between the first cooling channel and second cooling channel, and wherein the second cooling segment has at least one more land and one more channel than the first cooling segment. |
| US07851076B2 |
Method of fabricating silicon substrate for magnetic recording media, and magnetic recording medium
In this invention, etching is not performed in the step of planarizing a polycrystalline Si wafer, but only mechanical grinding is performed for planarization. This is because, since the etching rate is crystal-face dependent, etching of the polycrystalline Si wafer unavoidably results in formation of steps due to different crystal face orientations of individual crystal grains exposed on a surface of the wafer, thus hindering precision surface planarization. Subsequently, the Si wafer surface is coated with an oxide film to form an Si wafer with oxide film prior to the final polishing stage and then a surface of the oxide film is planarized, to give a planar substrate (i.e., Si substrate with oxide film) having no step on the surface thereof. |
| US07851074B2 |
Organic electroluminescent display device and chemical compounds for liquid crystals
The new organic electroluminescent display device has a carrier-transporting layer and/or an organic luminous layer composed of a nematic liquid crystal or a liquid crystal dispersing a carrier-transporting low-molecule therein. When the organic luminous layer is to be bestowed with faculty as a liquid crystal, it is made of a nematic liquid crystal. Both the carrier-transporting layer and the organic luminous layer may be bestowed with faculty as a liquid crystal. Since the liquid crystal is incorporated in the carrier-transporting layer and/or the organic luminous layer, the display device can be driven as a liquid crystal display device in a dark place by charging with a voltage lower than a light emission initiating potential. Of course, it is driven as an electroluminescent display device when it is charged with a voltage higher than the light emission initiating potential. Use of an electroluminescent liquid crystal as a organic luminous layer enables omission of a carrier-transporting layer. |
| US07851072B2 |
Stable and efficient electroluminescent materials
An organic light emitting device is provided. The device has an anode, a cathode, and an emissive layer disposed between the anode and the cathode. The emissive layer may include a molecule of Formula I wherein an alkyl substituent at position R′5 results in high efficiency and operational stability in the organic light emitting device. Additionally or alternatively, the emissive layer may include a metal-ligand complex in which the ligand is an aryl or alkyl substituted phenylpyridine ligand. |
| US07851069B2 |
Heat shield with integral attachment flanges
An aluminum layered heat shield assembly (30) includes a pair of spaced metallic facing sheets (32) fabricated from an aluminum composition. In the interstitial space between the facing sheets (32), a perforated steel core (34) is formed in the general shape of a zigzag baffle with segments that adjoin and maintain a generally consistent spacing. The perforated steel core (34) is fabricated with non-perforated flanges (42) which project outwardly from between the aluminum facing sheets (32) to establish extensions for attachment to a supporting structure. |
| US07851068B2 |
Optical compensation film and display element using the same
In an optical compensation film, when a direction that gives the maximum in-plane refractive index is X axis, an in-plane direction perpendicular to X axis is Y axis, a film thickness direction is Z axis, refractive indexes at the wavelength of 590 nm in each axis direction are nX, nY, and nZ respectively, and the film thickness is d, an in-plane retardation value defined as R=(nX−nY)·d and a thickness direction retardation value defined as Rth=|(nX+nY)/2−nZ|·d, both of which are measured under conditions at 23 degrees centigrade and a relative humidity of 50%, satisfy the inequalities of Rth/R≧5 and R≦9.5 (nm). |
| US07851063B2 |
Polymer particles and conductive particles having enhanced conducting properties, and anisotropic conductive packaging materials containing the same
Disclosed herein are anisotropic conductive particles contained in anisotropic conductive adhesive films, which can be used in circuit board mounting applications. The conductive particles can exhibit superior electrical reliability. Further disclosed are polymer particles having good compressive deformability and recoverability from deformation without being ruptured when an adhesive film containing conductive particles including the polymer particles as a component is interposed and compressed between connection substrates, thereby achieving a sufficient contact area between the particles and the connection substrates. Because the polymer particles have a spherical shape, a uniform particle diameter, and a narrow particle diameter distribution, the particles can exhibit enhanced conducting properties. |
| US07851059B2 |
Nano and meso shell-core control of physical properties and performance of electrically insulating composites
A high thermal conductivity resin that is made up of a host resin matrix (42) and high thermal conductivity fillers (30) that are mixed within the host resin to form a resin mixture. The fillers comprise at least 3-5% by weight of the resin mixture, and the fillers are from an average of 1-100 nm in at least one dimension, and where the particles are smaller than an average of 1000 nm in the particles' longest dimension. The host resin matrix forms an ordered resin shell (40) around the high thermal conductivity fillers (30), whereby resin molecules are aligned perpendicular to the surface of the high thermal conductivity fillers. An overlap of the ordered resin shells (44) is formed between the high thermal conductivity fillers such that continuous pathways for ordered resin shells are created through the resin mixture. |
| US07851055B2 |
High-thermal-conductivity graphite-particles-dispersed-composite and its production method
A graphite-particles-dispersed composite produced by compacting graphite particles coated with a high-thermal-conductivity metal such as silver, copper and aluminum, the graphite particles having an average particle size of 20-500 μm, the volume ratio of the graphite particles to the metal being 60/40-95/5, and the composite having thermal conductivity of 150 W/mK or more in at least one direction. |
| US07851054B2 |
Multilayer optical films having one or more reflection bands
Multilayer optical films having one or more reflection bands are provided. The films include alternating polymeric layers configured to selectively reflect and transmit visible light at a design angle of incidence, where the selective reflection includes first and second visible reflection bands. At least one of the first and second visible reflection bands is a first-order reflection. |
| US07851053B2 |
Copper clad laminate
To reduce warping of a copper clad laminate coated with copper foils of different thicknesses on both sides, and thereby to improve production efficiency of the printed-wiring boards, there is provided a copper clad laminate coated with copper foils of different thicknesses on both sides, wherein a first copper foil on one side of the laminate is not recrystallizable by hot pressing for production of said laminate and a second foil on the other side is recrystallizable by the hot pressing and thicker than the first foil. |
| US07851050B2 |
Laminated film
An object of the invention is to provide a laminated film which hardly gives transmission loss based on reflection or scattering, is excellent in heat resistance and humidity resistance, and has an arbitrarily-controlled refractive index distribution. Accordingly, the invention is a laminated film comprising 5 or more laminated resin layers; the thickness of each of the resin layers being from 1 to 100 nm; and the film having a layer structure wherein the thicknesses of resin layers having the same composition A, out of the resin layers, increase or decrease from the side of a surface of the laminated film toward the side of the other surface opposite thereto. |
| US07851047B2 |
Composite sheet and process and apparatus for producing the same
A composite sheet comprising an upper layer 2 and a lower layer 3 both made of a substantially inextensible sheet which are partially bonded to each other at a large number of joints 4. The upper layer 2 forms a large number of outward hollow projections 5 in the area other than the joints 4. The projections 5 and the joints 4 are arranged such that the projections and the joints alternate in one direction to make lines and that the projections in each of the lines are out of alignment with the projections in the adjacent lines. |
| US07851046B2 |
Cylindrical internal surface with thermally spray coating
Before a thermally sprayed coating is deposited onto a cylindrical internal surface of a cylinder bore 3a rough surface 13 is formed to increase the adhesion of the thermally sprayed coating. After forming the rough surface is completed, an internal diameter measurement surface that is smoother than the rough surface is formed on an axial end section of the internal cylindrical surface. The internal diameter of the cylinder bore is measured at the internal diameter measurement surface with an internal diameter measuring instrument. An appropriate thickness for the thermally sprayed coating is determined based on the measurement result. |
| US07851045B2 |
Transparent textured substrate and methods for obtaining same
The invention concerns a transparent substrate whereof part at least of the outer surface has the form of a web comprising protuberances, 80% of them at least, having heights ranging between 40 and 250 nm, mean diameters between 1 and 500 nm, 80% at least of the distances between two neighbouring protuberances ranging between 1 and 500 nm. The invention further provides two methods for making said substrates and its use in a transport vehicle glazing, for a building, or for an indoor or outdoor decorative element, for urban environment or for household appliance, in a lenticular screen or microprism substrate, in an engraved glass substrate for lamp or display, and in a chemical or biochemical microreactor. |
| US07851044B2 |
Image display device and image sheet
An image display device is provided that can be reduced in size and weight by using an EL and can display a clear image whose color does not change by any of reflected light or transmitted light. The image display device includes an opaque first image layer on a surface of which a first image is formed, the first image layer being made of a sheet-like material and being provided with a plurality of holes, a second image layer that is placed on a back surface of the first image layer and is made of a transparent sheet on which a second image is formed, the second image being visible through the plural holes, and a lighting system for illuminating the second image from a back, the lighting system being placed on a back surface of the second image layer. |
| US07851042B2 |
Plane structure composed of a cohesive assembly of contiguous cellular cells
Plane structure composed of a cohesive assembly of contiguous cellular cells having any cross section and essentially parallel walls from one cell to another, characterized in that the walls of the cells comprise at least two portions based on different polymeric compositions, the junction between said portions being substantially parallel to the plane of the structure. |
| US07851036B2 |
Gas-filled cushioning device
A shoe is fabricated from an upper structure and a sole structure wherein the sole structure contains a gas-filled cushioning device composed of a multi-layer film formed into a gas-filled membrane having an interior compartment enclosing at least one capture gas. The multi-layer film comprises an outer layer of an elastomeric thermoplastic material such as a polyurethane, an inner layer of an elastomeric thermoplastic material such as a polyurethane and a barrier layer interposed therebetween which is derived from a combination of at least one ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer and up to about 50 wt. % of an aliphatic thermoplastic urethane. |
| US07851028B2 |
Method of combing an elongated molecule
Elongated molecules are stretched across a substrate by controlled fluid flow. |
| US07851027B2 |
Method of depositing a wear resistant seal coating and seal system
It is disclosed a method of depositing a seal coating and a seal system comprising at least two layers on the surface of an article. The upper or surface layer has a higher chromium activity than a bottom layer, to reduce a diffusion of cobalt and the formation of cobalt oxide is reduced. The coating of invention may be heat-treated to reduce or optimize the formation of cobalt oxide to sustain the wear property. |
| US07851025B2 |
Silicate treatment of sealed anodized aluminum
The present invention describes a method for the post-treatment of fully sealed anodized aluminum parts, especially for the automotive industry, characterized in that an aqueous silicate solution is applied to fully sealed anodized aluminum layers, where said fully sealed anodized aluminum layer has a film thickness of at least 5 μm and a film weight of at least 13 g/m2, respectively. Said solution preferably contains an alkali metal (M) silicate with not more than 2.0 wt.-% of SiO2, in which the ratio of SiO2:M2O is preferably not more than 2. This treatment increases the alkaline stability according to the standardized corrosion tests in the automotive industry without any further treatment or organic coating applied to said treated aluminum surface. |
| US07851024B2 |
Porous membrane and method for manufacturing the same
A method for manufacturing a porous membrane including a three-dimensional network structure and a spherical structure is provided. The method includes forming a porous membrane having a spherical structure, applying a resin solution onto at least one surface of the porous membrane having the spherical structure, followed by immersing the membrane in a solidification liquid, thereby forming the three-dimensional network structure on at least one surface of a porous membrane having the spherical structure. |
| US07851023B2 |
Use of a silicone formulation for the durable functionalisation of textiles for sports clothing
An essential aim of the invention is a treatment which permits: (i) coating a textile material and/or threads, fibers and/or filaments making up the textile material, the silicone formulation cross-linking around the threads, fibers and/or filaments making up the textile material and forming a cross-linked silicone coating around the same and ii) durably imparting water-repellency and impermeability to said textile material without substantially affecting the intrinsic respirability of the textile material. Said aim is achieved by means of the present invention using at least one cross-linkable silicone formulation as a base for the textile coating material, particularly, of a textile material which may be used for the production of sports clothing. |
| US07851021B2 |
Treated wet process hardboard
A method of delivering and retaining zinc borate within a wet process hardboard is disclosed wherein process parameters are controlled and the borate is included in the overlay slush process of wet board processing. |
| US07851018B2 |
Method of manufacturing optical information recording medium
The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing an optical information recording medium, which forms a light-transmitting layer made of a radiation curing resin on a substrate having a signal recording layer, a liquid foundation is formed by coating the radiation curing resin in a first coating step. Next, a radiation curing resin is further coated on the foundation in a second coating step. After this, a curing step is performed. By separating the dropping and spreading of the radiation curing resin into two steps, not only the manufacturing time can be reduced, but also the volume of the used radiation curing resin can be reduced. |
| US07851016B2 |
Article having nano-scaled structures and a process for making such article
A process for producing an article having modified optical, chemical, and/or physical properties is disclosed. The process includes (a) fluidizing a starting material; (b) forcing the fluidized starting material toward the article; and (c) passing the fluidized starting material through a high energy zone. The passing step can occur before the forcing step; after the forcing step but before the fluidizing material comes in contact with the surface of the article; and/or after the forcing step and after the fluidized material comes in contact with the surface of the article. The properties of the article are modified because the article has nano-scaled structures distributed on the surface of the article and/or at least partially embedded in the article. |
| US07851014B2 |
Tilted recording media with L10 magnetic layer
Magnetic recording media having a magnetic layer with an easy magnetization axis lying about 35° out of plane of the magnetic layer is disclosed. This media has a reduced total magnetic layer thickness and higher signal, while improving the media signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). |
| US07851010B2 |
Process of making a product containing at least partially denatured milk protein
The present invention relates to a dietary composition produced by a process involving extruding a protein containing product and water through an extruder (e.g., at about 50-about 450 rpm and at a temperature of about 40° to about 120° C., wherein the residence time of the protein containing product (e.g., whey protein isolate) in the extruder is about 15-about 90 seconds) to produce the dietary composition, wherein the dietary composition contains partially denatured protein containing product or totally denatured protein containing product or mixtures thereof. The present invention also concerns a food product containing at least one food ingredient and a dietary fiber composition. The food product is produced by a process involving extruding the dietary composition and at least one food ingredient and water to produce the food product; the dietary composition produced by a process involving extruding a protein containing product and water through an extruder to produce the dietary composition, wherein the dietary composition contains partially denatured protein containing product or totally denatured protein containing product or mixtures thereof. |
| US07851008B2 |
High fat to protein ratio egg yolk product and methods for making and utilizing same
The present invention relates to a high fat to protein ratio egg yolk product and a method of preparing same. More particularly, the invention pertains to a dried high fat to protein ratio egg yolk product which substantially maintains the functional characteristics of whole egg yolk, is convenient to use, and has a long shelf life. The present invention also relates to a method of utilizing such a high fat to protein ratio product in making egg containing bakery products, mayonnaise and other food products. A process for preparing a dried high fat to protein ratio egg yolk which comprises: (a) separating an egg yolk from a whole egg; (b) concentrating the fat to protein ratio of the egg yolk so that the ratio is greater than 2.0:1, and (c) drying the concentrated egg yolk. |
| US07851006B2 |
Taste potentiator compositions and beverages containing same
The present invention relates to oral compositions and beverage products, which include taste potentiators to enhance the perception of active substances contained therein. More specifically, some embodiments provide potentiator compositions, which include at least one active substance, such as a sweetener, and at least one potentiator, such as a sweetness potentiator, which enhances the sweetness of the composition upon consumption. |
| US07851004B2 |
Taste-improving composition and application of the same
The present invention provides a method for improving the taste of sweeteners, and a method for improving the taste of edible products containing sweeteners. The present invention can be worked by using sclareolide and 2-acetylpyrrole in combination with a sweetener. By using the method of the present invention, an astringent taste, bitter taste or aftertastes such as lingering taste originating especially in high-intensity sweeteners can be reduced, so that edible products with an improved taste can be provided. |
| US07851000B2 |
Taste potentiator compositions and edible confectionery and chewing gum products containing same
The present invention relates to compositions and edible orally delivered products, such as confectioneries and chewing gum, which include taste potentiators to enhance the perception of active substances contained therein. More specifically, some embodiments provide potentiator compositions, which include at least one active substance and at least one taste potentiator. The active substance and/or taste potentiator may be encapsulated in some embodiments to modify the release rate of the composition upon consumption. |
| US07850999B2 |
Topical composition and method for the treatment and prophylaxis of dermal irritations
A composition and method for the prevention and therapeutic treatment of skin conditions and disorders are disclosed. The composition and method of the invention are particularly directed to the treatment and prevention of dermal irritations. These irritations include, for example, psoriasis, eczema, ichthyosis, pruritus, dryness and dermatitis, which may cause skin to crack, chap or chafe. The composition and method are particularly useful in treating and preventing diaper dermatitis. A therapeutic composition according to the invention includes an agent, which is an enzyme constituent, promoting the synthesis of collagen and the reproduction of cells, particularly skin cells. Such therapeutic agents include, for example, zinc oxide. This agent is generally nonprescription and capable of effectively preventing and treating diaper dermatitis through local or topical application. Therapeutic compositions according to the invention also include both natural and synthetic components, which aid in application, use and treatment. |
| US07850998B2 |
Method of treating viral conditions
An antiviral composition and a method of treating viral conditions comprising colloidal silver, silver nitrate, or both, and an antiviral natural herb or a natural herb from the Rutaceae family, such as Ruta graveolens, Myrtaceae family, such as Melaleuca alternifolia, Cupressaceae family, such as Thuja occidentalis, and the Moraceae family, such as unripe fig, or any combination thereof. |
| US07850994B1 |
Xerogel films for the controlled release of pharmaceutically active molecules
Xerogel films on substrates are provided containing pharmaceutically active compounds. Articles incorporating such films are robust, release active compounds at predictable rates and may provide such release for relatively long periods of time. Orthopedic and trauma uses are indicated along with generalized use in contact with body fluids or as biological implants. Methods for fabrication of such films and devices are provided. |
| US07850992B2 |
Cucurbituril-containing gel and method of preparing the same
Provided are a gel including a compound represented by Formula 1 below and a method of preparing the same: wherein n, X, A1, and A2 are as defined in the specification. |
| US07850991B2 |
Calcium formate for use as a dietary supplement
A calcium formate composition for oral administration to an individual for the purpose of supplementary dietary calcium is disclosed. |
| US07850985B2 |
Tissue augmentation devices and methods
Tissue augmentation devices, as well as methods of manufacturing and using the same, are disclosed. In certain embodiments, a tissue augmentation device comprises an elongate tissue penetrating member and an amount of remodelable material, wherein at least a portion of the elongate member is cannulated, and at least a portion of the amount of material is received within at least a portion of the cannulated portion of the elongate member. The elongate tissue penetrating member may provide at least one deformation that is configured to constrict portions of the amount of remodelable material received within the elongate member. In alternate embodiments, a flexible covering over an implantable biomaterial provides protection and allows an easier delivery of the biomaterial to a tissue tract. |
| US07850982B2 |
Biomaterial drug delivery and surface modification compositions
Compositions are provided which include a polymer made at least in part from a polyoxyalkylene copolymer, such as a poloxamer. The polymer may be combined with a second component to form a blend or emulsion. The resulting composition may be utilized to form medical devices, drug delivery devices, or coatings for other medical devices. |
| US07850974B2 |
Bioinformatic method for identifying surface-anchored proteins from gram-positive bacteria and proteins obtained thereby
A bioinformatic method for identifying and isolating proteins and peptides with MSCRAMM®-like characteristics from Gram positive bacteria, such as Enterococcus, Staphylococcus, Streptococcus and Bacillus bacteria, and proteins and peptides obtained thereby are provided which can be utilized in methods to prevent and treat infections caused by Gram-positive bacteria. The method involves identifying from sequence information those proteins with a putative C-terminal LPXTG (SEQ ID NO:1) cell wall sorting signal and other structural similarities to MSCRAMM® proteins having the LPXTG-anchored cell wall proteins. The MSCRAMM® proteins and immunogenic regions therein that are identified and isolated using the present invention may be useful in the diagnosis, treatment or prevention of Gram positive bacterial infections. |
| US07850973B2 |
Peptide conjugate compositions and methods for the prevention and treatment of alzheimer's disease
The invention provides compositions and methods for the treatment of diseases associated with amyloid deposits of Aβ in the brain of a patient, such as Alzheimer's disease. Such methods entail administering an immunogenic fragment of Aβ, lacking a T-cell epitope, capable of inducing a beneficial immune response in the form of antibodies to Aβ. In another aspect, the immunogenic fragment of Aβ is capable of elevating plasma Aβ levels. The immunogenic fragments comprise linear or multivalent peptides of Aβ. Pharmaceutical compositions comprise the immunogenic fragment chemically linked to a carrier molecule which may be administered with an adjuvant. |
| US07850969B2 |
Leukocyte inactivation module
The present invention provides a module for reducing the activity of leukocytes which comprises a carrier and a ligand that is linked to the carrier and is suitable for interacting with a leukocyte receptor. Furthermore, the present invention provides a process for reducing the activity of leukocytes using said module. The advantage of the present invention is that after binding the activated leukocytes in the leukocyte inactivation module (LIM), the damaging effect of the cells is inhibited within minutes. |
| US07850961B2 |
Methods for targeting solid tumor stem cells in a solid tumor using a notch4 receptor antagonist
A small percentage of cells within an established solid tumor have the properties of stem cells. These solid tumor stem cells give rise both to more tumor stem cells and to the majority of cells in the tumor that have lost the capacity for extensive proliferation and the ability to give rise to new tumors. Thus, solid tumor heterogeneity reflects the presence of tumor cell progeny arising from a solid tumor stem cell. We have developed a xenograft model in which we have been able to establish tumors from primary tumors via injection of tumors in the mammary gland of severely immunodeficient mice. These xenograft assay have allowed us to do biological and molecular assays to characterize clonogenic solid tumor stem cells. We have also developed evidence that strongly implicates the Notch pathway, especially Notch 4, as playing a central pathway in carcinogenesis. |
| US07850958B2 |
Recombinant double stranded RNA nucleocapsid and use of the same
A recombinant double stranded RNA (dsRNA) nucleocapsid useful for the expression of dsRNA expression cassettes encoding passenger genes, such as, but not restricted to, vaccine antigens, bioactive proteins, immunoregulatory proteins, antisense RNAs, and catalytic RNAs, replicates in bacterial hosts and includes a P8 protein shell and three dsRNA segments where one of the segments includes a cap independent translation enhancer (CITE) operationally linked to a passenger gene. |
| US07850953B2 |
Composition for the permanent shaping of human hair
The present invention concerns a composition for the permanent shaping of human hair used both for the permanent waving of human hair with an excellent waving effect as well as for the straightening of curled hair comprising at least one ubichinone of the formula where n is a number between 1 and 10 at a concentration of 0.0001 to 1% by weight calculated to total composition. |
| US07850951B2 |
Synthetic muscle-based multi-powered active contact lens
A novel active contact lens system configured to allow the wearer to alter the corrective features of the contact lens by means of a biasing force. The biasing force can, for example, be different eye drop solutions having different pH levels. |
| US07850948B2 |
Radiohalogenated benzamide derivatives and their use in tumor diagnosis and tumor therapy
This invention relates to new radiohalogenated benzamide derivatives and their use in tumor diagnosis and tumor therapy. The radiohalogenated benzamide derivatives according to the invention exhibit novel and especially advantageous properties, in particular with respect to tumor concentration and retardation, liver concentration and blood accumulation. The radiation-therapy doses to be achieved in the tumor, compared to healthy body tissue, are advantageous for the compounds according to the invention. |
| US07850946B2 |
Macrocyclic cyanine and indocyanine bioconjugates provide improved biomedical applications
The sensitivity and specificity of the optical modality can be enhanced by the use of highly absorbing compounds as contrast agents. Novel macrocyclic cyanine and indocyanine bioconjugates that absorb and emit light in the near infrared region of electromagnetic spectrum are disclosed. These compounds are especially useful for endoscopic, localized photoacoustic, and sonofluorescence imaging, detection and therapy of tumors and other abnormalities. |
| US07850942B2 |
Porous carbons
A method of making mesoporous carbon beads comprises steps of providing a nucleophilic component such as phenolic compound or phenol condensation prepolymer, dissolving the nucleophilic component in a pore former, together with at least one electrophilic cross-linking agent such as formaldehyde, paraformaldehyde, furfural and hexamethylene tetramine, dispersing the resulting solution into a mineral oil to form beads, condensing both the component and the agent in the presence of the pore former to form beads of porous resin, removing the beads from the mineral oil and carbonizing the beads to form mesoporous carbon beads. |
| US07850941B2 |
Nanostructure arrays and methods for forming same
A method for forming an array of elongated nanostructures, includes in one embodiment, providing a substrate, providing a template having a plurality of pores on the substrate, and removing portions of the substrate under the plurality of pores of the template to form a plurality of cavities. A catalyst is provided in the plurality of cavities in the substrate, and the pores of the template are widened to expose the substrate around the catalyst so that the catalyst is spaced from the sides of the plurality of pores of the template. A plurality of elongated nanostructures is grown from the catalyst spaced from the sides of the pores of the template. |
| US07850939B2 |
Method for producing prussic acid
Process for preparing hydrocyanic acid, which comprises catalytic dehydration of gaseous formamide to give a product mixture comprising hydrocyanic acid, water, formamide, ammonia, CO and high boilers, separation of the product mixture by condensation of a condensate comprising water, formamide, high boilers and possibly ammonia and hydrocyanic acid from the product mixture obtained and partial or total recirculation of the condensate into a heat exchanger located downstream of the reactor. |
| US07850937B2 |
Catalytic system for removing carbon monoxide, and processor and fuel cell system using the same
A catalytic system for CO removal includes a gold (Au) catalyst and a co-catalyst in contact with an aqueous phase, and a fuel cell system using the same. The catalytic system is relatively very simple compared to a common CO removal system, and can highly efficiently remove CO at low temperature without side reaction. In addition, water contacted in the catalytic system can act as a buffer for the rise and fall of temperature, and thus, can cope with an accidental temperature change. Further, the catalytic system shows a low operation temperature, and thus, can be operated over a broad operation range considering the activity and/or selectivity of the gold catalyst, etc. |
| US07850936B2 |
Dry sulfur dioxide (SO2) scrubbing
A system for removing sulfur dioxide (SO2) from SO2 laden flue gas resulting from the burning of fossil fuel, includes an absorber and first and second separators. The absorber captures SO2 from a flow of the SO2 laden flue gas with a sorbent. The first separator separates a first portion of the sorbent with captured SO2 both from a second portion of the sorbent with captured SO2 and from the flue gas. The second separator separates the second portion of sorbent from the flue gas. |
| US07850934B2 |
Particle separator and method for removing particles from an exhaust gas stream of an internal combustion engine
A particle separator and method for removing particles from an exhaust gas stream of an internal combustion engine. Differing flow regions having different flow conditions are formed in the particle separator. The differing flow regions are configured such that essentially particles having different, defined sizes and/or masses are adapted to be separated out of the exhaust gas stream in the differing flow regions. The exhaust gas stream is adapted to flow through at least portions of the particle separator. |
| US07850929B2 |
Contact structures
An internal static mixing system such as a disperser of mesh wire or expanded metal co-knit with a multi filament material selected from inert polymers, catalytic polymers, catalytic metals or mixtures in combination with a vertical reactor having a reaction zone and the disperser disposed in said reaction zone, particularly for carrying out paraffin alkylation using acid catalyst is disclosed. The wire mesh provides the structural integrity of the system as well as the open space required in reactors for the movement of vapors and liquids though the system. The disperser may be in sheets, bundles or bales or positioned within a frame. |
| US07850928B2 |
Fixed-bed shell-and-tube reactor and its usage
The present invention provides: a fixed-bed shell-and-tube reactor, which can stably produce an aimed product for a long period when a solid particulate material such as a catalyst is packed and used for each substance; and its usage. The fixed-bed shell-and-tube reactor comprises a plurality of reaction tubes that are packed with a solid particulate material and arranged in parallel, wherein the solid particulate material is weighed so as to be uniform volume, and is packed in each reaction tube in a packing time of not shorter than 30 seconds per liter. |
| US07850923B2 |
Container for maintaining stabilized control solution and container for single-use control solution including prior use indicator
Aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to devices and methods for the containment and presentation of a control solution to a medical device. Such devices and methods can be directed to containers (e.g., containment and presentation devices) that include structures such as nested containment wells for maintaining a stabilized control solution. Embodiments can include an indicator, such as one to indicate status of a seal for a container and/or for a liquid inside such a container. |
| US07850915B2 |
Apparatus for detecting and recognizing analytes based on their crystallization patterns
The invention contemplates apparatuses for recognition of proteins and other biological molecules by imaging morphology, size and distribution of crystalline and amorphous dry residues in droplets (further referred to as “crystallization patterns”) containing predetermined amount of certain crystal-forming organic compounds (reporters) to which protein to be analyzed is added. Changes in the crystallization patterns of a number of amino-acids can be used as a “signature” of a protein added. Also, changes in the crystallization patterns, as well as the character of such changes, can be used as recognition elements in analysis of protein molecules. |
| US07850914B2 |
Specimen-transport module for a multi-instrument clinical workcell
A specimen-transport module adapted for use with each of a plurality of specimen-processing instruments of a multi-instrument clinical workcell. Such module is adapted to transport individual racks of specimen-containers relative to a specimen-aspiration probe of an associated instrument in a workcell, as well as to transfer selected racks of specimen-containers to an adjacent and identical specimen-transport module associated with another clinical instrument of the workcell. Since the same transport system is used to both present specimens for aspiration and to transfer specimens between instruments, there is no need for two independent conveyances as is characteristic of the prior art. Preferably, the specimen-transport module includes a magnetic X/Y transport system that operates beneath a rack-supporting surface to advance racks in mutually perpendicular directions across a supporting surface via magnetic forces. |
| US07850912B2 |
Method and apparatus for automated pre-treatment and processing of biological samples
A method and apparatus for continuous workflow processing of biological samples. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a probe for dispensing one or more reagents from one or more reagent containers onto one or more biological sample carriers. The method and apparatus includes processing each biological sample according to a respective sequence of protocol steps which may be ordered by a scheduler protocol. The method and apparatus also includes network capability for connectivity with additional equipment for receiving or transmitting pertinent data via the network. |
| US07850911B2 |
System for evaluating the pH and buffering capacity of moisture containing cleansing articles
A system comprising a moisture containing cleansing article and a visual pH indicator changing color at a pH above 4.0. The system can comprise a buffer, having preferably a pKa above 5.5. The system can comprise a set of instructions for evaluating moisture containing cleansing articles. The pH buffer of the system can have a pKa value equal to or greater than the pH of the color change of the visual pH indicator. The pH of color change of the visual pH indicator can be equal to or greater than the pH of the lotion. The system can be used to evaluate the pH of moisture containing cleansing article lotions and to quantify the ability to neutralize alkalinity such as the alkalinity provided by residues of feces and urine over time on the skin of a baby. |
| US07850909B2 |
Analytical tool
An analyzing tool (Y) has a liquid-introducing opening (61), one or more flow passages (51) through which a sample liquid introduced from the liquid-introducing opening (61) is moved, and a separation film (8) for filtrating the sample liquid supplied to the liquid-introducing opening (61) and then introducing the liquid filtrated to the one or more flow passages (51). The analyzing tool (Y) is structured such that a liquid sample is filtrated by being advanced in the thickness direction of the separation film (8). The flow passage (51) is structured such that the sample liquid is moved by, for example, a capillary phenomenon. |
| US07850903B2 |
Tapping channel for a metallurgical furnace
The invention relates to a tapping channel (1) for a metallurgical furnace, particularly for an electro-reducing furnace, comprised of at least one tapping brick (10, 11, 12) and of a cooling device in the vicinity of the tapping channel (1). The cooling device is provided in the form of a sleeve (14), which indirectly cools a tapping brick (2) and which at least partially surrounds the furnace wall (3) in the vicinity thereof. |
| US07850900B2 |
Method of producing ceramic foams
A process for foaming ceramic foams, in which the ceramic foams are produced from a precursor or a mixture of precursors which contain at least one ceramic-forming element and liberates at least one volatile reaction product during an inorganic gelation process. In one embodiment, foaming is based on a precursor containing crystals of the AICI3(Pri2O) complex. The decomposition of the initial precursor produces polymerizing species dissolved in liquid isopropyl chloride. The solvent and growing AIOxCIy(OPri)z species are mixed homogeneously so that the boiling point of the solution is raised above the boiling point of the pure isopropyl chloride. Polymerization takes place in the liquid until a critical polymer size is attained, whereupon a phase separation into polymer rich and solvent rich regions occurs. Since the expelled solvent is suddenly above its boiling point, bubbles start forming instantly. Foam stabilization takes place as a result of gelation in the polymer rich regions which comprise the cell walls in the foam. The net result of the process is a gelled ultra light foam. |
| US07850894B2 |
Tissue holding devices and methods for making the same
Various methods are provided for forming tissue holding devices having predetermined shapes suitable for use in surgical applications, and devices formed in accordance with such methods are also provided. These methods include press forming methods, and press forming methods in combination with profile punching. Tissue holding devices formed in accordance with such methods include various configurations for a core and a plurality of tissue holding elements extending outwardly from the core. |
| US07850887B2 |
Thermocompression molding of plastic optical elements
Method of forming a plastic element include dispensing a quantity of a liquid precursor material into a first die mold, positioning a carrier tape on the first die mold above the dispensed liquid precursor material, bringing a second die mold into contact with the carrier tape and the first die mold, and applying pressure to the first die mold and the second die mold. The liquid precursor material may include a liquid silicone. |
| US07850883B2 |
Apparatus and method for injection moulding with ventilation means
An apparatus for injection molding products from a mass including at least natural mono or polymers, provided with at least one mold cavity (2) and a deaeration channel (10) at least partly surrounding the mold cavity (2), wherein, between the deaeration channel and the mold cavity an overflow (8) space is provided which, on the one side, is in communication with the deaeration channel and, on the other side, with the mold cavity (2). |
| US07850882B2 |
Process for making integrated layered urethane products
Polyurethane shapes containing a core layer of a water soluble polymer such as polyethylene oxide (PEO) are produced by casting onto a surface an aqueous mixture containing a pre-polymer of a hydrophilic polyurethane as a first layer of uncured polyurethane, covering the uncured first layer with release paper and compressing the layer, uncovering the uncured first layer and distributing PEO on the uncured surface, applying a second layer of uncured polyurethane on top of the PEO while the polyurethane is still uncured, then covering the resulting mass with release paper and compressing it to form an integrated, layered shaped article containing a core region enriched in PEO that when wetted releases PEO over an extended period. The second layer is applied by adhering about one-half of the first uncured foam layer to the release paper as the first uncured layer is uncovered and then recombining the adhered material on top of the PEO and further compressing the resulting mass to produce an integrated, layered shaped article. The second layer can be applied, alternatively, by independently casting a second layer of uncured polyurethane foam after distributing the PEO and then compressing and curing. The PEO containing shapes are useful in making improved comfort strips for wet shaving razors. Shape products of the process where the core region contains other specified working ingredients are useful in applications including bandages and wound dressings, cosmetic sponges, cleaning and polishing sponges, dry cleaning and anti-static sheets, and in household, industrial and environmental clean up and waste recovery. |
| US07850879B2 |
Method for coating an ophthalmic lens within an injection molding machine
A method for in-mold coating of an injection molded thermoplastic lens that resides in an injection molding machine oriented to a horizontal parting line. An optical lens is initially formed by injecting molten thermoplastic resin into an edge-gated lens-forming cavity held closed under a primary clamp force. The mold is opened at a time when the lens is rigid enough to retain its shape. An unpressurized full metered charge of coating is applied onto the center of the lens. The coating is co-molded by ramping up the clamp force from zero to a secondary clamp force less than the primary clamp force to compress the coating into a uniformly thick, fringe-free layer. |
| US07850877B2 |
Vehicle interior material coating composition and vehicle interior material
A coating composition comprising 100 pbw as solids of a synthetic resin emulsion and 1-300 pbw of a non-halogen flame retardant in which phosphorus and nitrogen-containing non-halogen flame retardant particles are surface coated with a functional group-containing organosilicon resin is applicable to vehicle interior materials such as car seats, floor mats and ceiling members. |
| US07850873B2 |
Polymer electrolyte and fuel cell employing the same
A polymer electrolyte that may be used in a fuel cell includes sulfonated polyether ketone ketone and a cross-linking agent. |
| US07850872B2 |
Compound for molecular electronic device
Disclosed are a compound which works as electronic materials such as a molecular memory, a molecular switch, a molecular rectifier, a molecular wire, and so on, and a molecular electronic device including the same. The compound for molecular electronic device has the structure of following Formula 1, (MnRM)n |
| US07850871B2 |
Resistivity stable electrically conductive films formed from polythiophenes
A resistivity stable aqueous dispersion and a method for making an aqueous dispersion. The dispersion including polythienothiophene and at least one colloid-forming polymeric acid having a pH of from about 3 to about 10. The method includes preparing an aqueous dispersion containing polythienothiophene and adjusting the pH of the dispersion to a sufficiently high pH to provide resistivity stability. Devices utilizing layers formed of pH adjusted polythienothiophene are also disclosed. |
| US07850868B2 |
Lyotropic liquid crystalline mixture, coating liquid, and optical anisotropic film
The lyotropic liquid crystalline mixture of the present invention comprises at least a first azo compound and a second azo compound in relation of constitutional isomers wherein the first azo compound and the second azo compound are the constitutional isomers different in a binding site of at least an azo group. The first azo compound is preferably an azo compound wherein the azo group is bonded to an ortho-position of a hydroxyl group of an aminonaphthol skeleton. The second azo compound is preferably an azo compound wherein the azo group is bonded to an ortho-position of an amino group of an aminonaphthol skeleton.The lyotropic liquid crystalline mixture of the present invention may be utilized as a forming material of an optical anisotropic film, for example. |
| US07850867B2 |
Compositions for liquid crystal display
This invention relates to compositions and an assembly process for the manufacture of liquid crystal displays. The assembly process is especially advantageous because it can be easily scalable to roll-to-roll continuous manufacturing of liquid crystal displays. The invention is directed to a photoalignable top-sealing composition for top-sealing a liquid crystal display cell. |
| US07850864B2 |
Plasma treating apparatus and plasma treating method
There are proposed a plasma treating apparatus and a plasma treating method using the same capable of improving the durability of site, member and parts in a chamber used for plasma etching in a corrosive gas atmosphere, which are exposed to the plasma atmosphere, and improving the resistance to plasma erosion of a coating formed on the surface of the member or the like in the corrosive gas atmosphere and preventing the occurrence of particles of a corrosion product even under a high plasma power. As a means therefore, in a plasma treating apparatus wherein a surface of a body to be treated in a chamber is subjected to a plasma treatment with an etching gas, at least surfaces of sites of the chamber itself exposing to the plasma atmosphere, or surfaces of a member or parts accommodated in the chamber are covered with a composite layer including a porous layer made from a metal oxide and a secondary recrystallized layer of the metal oxide formed on the porous layer. |
| US07850863B2 |
Process for fabricating amorphous hydrogenated silicon carbide films provided with through-pores and films thus obtained
A process for fabricating a hydrogenated amorphous silicon carbide film having through-pores includes the formation on a substrate of a film consisting of an amorphous hydrogenated silicon carbide matrix in which silicon oxide nanowires are dispersed therethrough, and then the selective destruction by a chemical agent of the silicon oxide nanowires present in the film formed at step a). Applications include microelectronics and micro-technology, in all fabrication processes that involve the degradation of a sacrificial material by diffusion of a chemical agent through a film permeable to this agent for the production of air gaps, in particular the fabrication of air-gap interconnects for integrated circuits. |
| US07850856B2 |
Method and device for monitoring the supply of substitution fluid during an extracorporeal blood treatment
The invention relates to a method for monitoring the supply of substitution liquid during an extracorporeal blood treatment and to an extracorporeal blood treatment unit equipped with a device for monitoring the supply of substitution liquid. The monitoring of the supply of substitution liquid is based on the measurement of pressure waves, which are generated by the substitution liquid pump, in the extracorporeal blood circulation system. A disturbance in the supply of substitution liquid is inferred when the amplitude of the pressure waves exceeds a predetermined limit value. The amplitude of the pressure waves is preferably monitored in the venous blood line. |
| US07850855B2 |
Methods of utilizing recycled rubber
The present invention relates to methods of using recycled rubber including recycled rubber from tires to absorb hydrocarbons. The method is particularly applicable to absorbing waste or contaminating hydrocarbons from solid surfaces or particles where hydrocarbons may have been spilt or otherwise have contaminated the surfaces. The methods may also be used for removing spilt hydrocarbons from a liquid such as crude oil spills at sea. |
| US07850853B2 |
Floating porous hollow fiber membrane bundle
The invention discloses a kind of porous membrane filtration component for treating water, specifically it discloses a kind of suspending porous hollow fiber membrane bundle for treating highly turbid waste water. The component includes some porous hollow fiber membrane yarns and casting heads arranged at both ends of respective yarns, wherein the connections between the said casting heads and membrane filtration module are flexible connections, at least one end of the flexible connection the cast header is connected with a hollow tube or cord, and the membrane bundle hangs on the said membrane filtration module, suspending freely. The invention provides a suspending porous hollow membrane bundle that can effectively remove contaminants adhered to the surface of the membrane yarns, makes its membrane yarns difficult to rupture, has a longer service life, and produces water with steady quality. It solves the technical problems in the present hollow fiber filtration component which includes membrane yarns that are entangled with each other and easily ruptured, thus leading to a lower quality of the product water. |
| US07850849B2 |
Anaerobic reactor for the removal of long chain fatty acids from fat containing wastewater
The invention presented is an apparatus specifically designed for the high rate anaerobic treatment of (waste)waters with relatively high concentrations of lipidic compounds, referred to as the Inverted Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (IASB) reactor. Contrary to conventional anaerobic reactors, it avoids the need of sludge with good settling properties and exploits the problem of sludge flotation due to long chain fatty acid (LCFA) or biogas adsorption onto the sludge and/or biogas encapsulation by the sludge. Furthermore, it provides an increased specific sludge surface area for better LCFA degradation. It is fed from the top and is equipped with a separation step at the bottom. Reactor contents are thoroughly mixed by the novel combined action of a gas lift loop and a liquid recycle over the reactor. The reactor can be operated in continuous and sequential mode. Although it is specifically designed for lipid degradation, its application is not limited to this. |
| US07850847B2 |
Filtration system manifolds
A filtration system includes two end manifolds formed from blocks which are adapted to receive two or more reverse osmosis filtration tubes and to provide separate flow channels for the feed and filtered flows through the tubes. The end manifolds are machined from a block of nylon or similar resilient material and have cylindrical grooves formed to receive the outer and inner tubes of the filtration tubes and annular grooves formed within these cylindrical grooves to restrain O rings which seal the outer and inner tubes have channels formed between the cylindrical grooves which receive the outer and inner tubes of the filtration tubes which channels provide separate flow paths for the feed and filtered flows. |
| US07850846B2 |
Fuel filter
The invention relates to a structurally simple and hence economical fuel filter, in particular a diesel filter, having at least one fuel inlet, at least one fuel outlet, water separator means, at least one sump, a water outlet associated with the sump, and control means for the water outlet, in which the water to be drained out is cleaned by means for separating out contaminants, so that this water can be given off to the environment. |
| US07850842B2 |
Zr02-base catalyst carrier and method for the production thereof
The invention relates to a process for preparing a catalyst support, in which zirconium dioxide powder is mixed with a binder, if desired a pore former, if desired an acid, water and, if desired, further additives to give a kneadable composition and the composition is homogenized, shaped to produce shaped bodies, dried and calcined, wherein the binder is a monomeric, oligomeric or polymeric organosilicon compound. Suitable binders are monomeric, oligomeric or polymeric silanes, alkoxysilanes, aryloxysilanes, acryloxysilanes, oximinosilanes, halosilanes, aminoxysilanes, aminosilanes, amidosilanes, silazanes or silicones. The invention also provides the catalyst support which has been prepared in this way, a catalyst comprising the support and its use as dehydrogenation catalyst. |
| US07850841B2 |
Process for producing a branched hydrocarbon base oil from a feedstock containing aldehyde and/or ketone
The invention relates to a process for producing high-quality hydrocarbon base oil particularly of biological origin. The process of the invention comprises aldol condensation, hydrodeoxygenation, and isomerization steps. Aldehydes and/or ketones, preferably of biological origin are used as the feedstock. |
| US07850839B2 |
Biosensor, measuring instrument for biosensor, and method of quantifying substrate
A method of measuring a quantity of a substrate contained in sample liquid is provided. This method can reduce measurement errors caused by a biosensor. The biosensor includes at least a pair of electrodes on an insulating board and is inserted into a measuring device which includes a supporting section for supporting detachably the biosensor, plural connecting terminals to be coupled to the respective electrodes, and a driving power supply which applies a voltage to the respective electrodes via the connecting terminals. One of the electrodes of the biosensor is connected to the first and second connecting terminals of the measuring device only when the biosensor is inserted into the measuring device in a given direction, and has a structure such that the electrode becomes conductive between the first and second connecting terminals due to a voltage application by the driving power supply. |
| US07850835B2 |
Solution phase electrophoresis device, components, and methods
A device for fluid phase electrophoresis, particularly solution phase isoelectric focusing, components thereof, and methods for use are presented. |
| US07850834B2 |
Electrophoresis method using capillary plate
In an electrophoresis method, a capillary plate having a capillary channel is maintained in a predetermined temperature to be processed, and a sample is filled into the capillary channel. A solution is prepared to have a temperature substantially the same as the predetermined temperature of the capillary plate, and the solution is injected into the capillary channel maintained in the predetermined temperature. Voltage is applied between two ends of the capillary channel to perform electrophoresis of the sample. |
| US07850832B2 |
Porous non-asbestos separator and method of making same
The present invention relates to an inert, non-asbestos separator and method of making same, the separator comprising an inorganic/polymer fibrid and agglomeration composite material containing from about 5 weight percent to about 70 weight percent of organic halocarbon polymer fibers together with from about 30 wt percent to about 95 weight percent of a finely divided non-organic particulate, which non-organic particulate is firmly bound in said composite fibrids and agglomerates; a natural gum thickening agent in an amount to provide a viscosity of about 6270 to about 590 cP at 0.22 sec−1; and an inert inorganic particulate powder whereby the inert inorganic particulate remains unbound from the inorganic/polymer fibrid and agglomeration composite, the inorganic particulate powder having a mean particle size of not greater than 1.0 μm and being present in an amount to provide a ratio of polymer fiber composite to unbound inorganic particulate in a range from about 1 to 25. |
| US07850828B2 |
Enhanced virtual anode
The apparatus and method involve using a gas manifold for introducing gas into a deposition chamber. Certain embodiments involve using a binary manifold for uniform distribution of the gas with good response time. During sputtering operations, provision of an anode using the gas manifold enables such anode to be entirely protected from sputtered dielectric material during the deposition process. As such, conduction paths are initially established and maintained between electrons within the chamber and the anode. This results in improved maintenance of stable plasma and consistent coating in the deposition chamber. The conduction paths are enhanced in comparison to conventional systems due to increased collisions between the electrons and gas flowing out of the manifold outlets. Also, ionization of the gas flowing from the manifold outlets is enhanced, resulting in enhanced deposition output from the system. A magnet can also be located within the manifold so as to further increase collisions between the electrons and gas flowing out of the manifold outputs. |
| US07850827B2 |
Double-layer shutter control method of multi-sputtering system
A double-layer shutter control method of a multi-sputtering system provided with three targets in a single chamber and a double-layer rotating shutter mechanism having shutter plates which independently rotate and have holes formed therein, comprising selecting a target by a combination of holes of a first shutter plate and a second shutter plate and uses the selected target for a pre-sputtering step and a main sputtering step with continuous discharge so as to deposit a film on a substrate, whereby it is possible to prevent cross-contamination between targets due to target substances etc. deposited on the shutter plates. |
| US07850821B2 |
Household thin paper
A household thin paper, that offers flexibility and further difficulty in tearing, comprising a polyester-based compound represented by General Formula (1): wherein R1 is HO— or HO(R2O)a-, R2 is an alkylene group having 2 or 3 carbon atoms, only a single type of R2O or two types of R2O can be attached randomly or as a block, “a” is 1 to 200, all “a”s may be same or different in an identical molecule, b is 2 to 100, and R3 is a hydrogen atom or the like. |
| US07850818B2 |
Method of manufacturing semiconductor device and cleaning apparatus
The disclosure concerns a manufacturing method of a semiconductor device includes dry-etching a semiconductor substrate or a structure formed on the semiconductor substrate; supplying a solution onto the semiconductor substrate; measuring a specific resistance or a conductivity of the supplied solution; and supplying a removal solution for removing the etching residual material onto the semiconductor substrate for a predetermined period of time based on the specific resistance or the conductivity of the solution, when an etching residual material adhering to the semiconductor substrate or the structure is removed. |
| US07850816B2 |
Assembly of sealed components
A method of assembling components together in sealed relationship and an assembly of two components for forming a fluid-tight seal together are provided. The method includes applying to at least one mating surface a layer of polysulphide sealant and allowing it to cure before bringing together the mating surfaces under a moderate pre-determined pressure for a pre-determined length of time whereby to bring about a sealed joint between the two mating surfaces. |
| US07850808B2 |
Pneumatic tire and producing method of pneumatic tire
In a pneumatic tire whose tire cross section height is less than 110 mm and which has an inner liner layer disposed inside of a carcass layer, the inner liner layer has a wide rubber ribbon region formed by spirally winding a wide rubber ribbon along a tire circumferential direction, a wide rubber ribbon of an innermost peripheral side forms a tire inner peripheral surface of a region extending at least from the vicinity of an end of a belt layer to a tire cross section maximum width position. |
| US07850804B2 |
Member for smoothing flexible belt seams and method for using
An improved member for use in welding seamed flexible belts to produce smoother seams having reduced seam thickness. The improved member has a unique configuration, that includes a ridge defined at an end of the member and further includes a V-shape groove or cut defined in the ridge, which helps facilitate welding of the seam overlap region. |
| US07850803B2 |
Method for connecting electronic components, method for forming bump and conductive connection film and fabrication apparatus for electronic component mounted body, bump and conductive correction film
A liquid resin in which conductive particles are dispersed is supplied to between a circuit substrate and a semiconductor chip disposed so as to face each other and an ultrasonic wave having an amplitude in a perpendicular direction to a surface of the circuit substrate to generate a standing wave in a resin. Then, the conductive particles dispersed in the resin are captured at nodes of the standing wave to form connection bodies of aggregation of the conductive particles between connection terminals of the semiconductor chip and terminals of the circuit substrate. Thus, the semiconductor chip is mounted on the circuit substrate via the connection bodies. The terminals are arrayed so as to be spaced apart from one another by half a wavelength of the standing wave and each of the nodes of the standing wave are generated at a position between the terminals in the resin. |
| US07850795B2 |
Build-up wear-resistant copper alloy and valve seat
While securing the building-up ability and crack resistance, to provide a build-up wear-resistant copper alloy and valve seat. The build-up wear-resistant copper alloy and valve seat are characterized by having a composition of nickel: 5.0-24.5%, iron: 3.0-20.0%, silicon: 0.5-5.0%, boron: 0.05-0.5%, chromium: 0.3-5.0%, one member or two members or more selected from the group consisting of molybdenum, tungsten and vanadium: 3.0-20.0%, by weight %, and the balance being copper and inevitable impurities. |
| US07850794B2 |
Spring steel with improved hardenability and pitting resistance
The present invention provides a spring steel that has superior hardenability, undergoes less pitting in a corrosive environment, and can achieve higher stress and toughness. More specifically, the present invention provides a high-strength and high-toughness spring steel with improved hardenability and pitting resistance, containing, in mass percent, 0.40 to 0.70% carbon, 0.05 to 0.50% silicon, 0.60 to 1.00% manganese, 1.00 to 2.00% chromium, 0.010 to 0.050% niobium, 0.005 to 0.050% aluminum, 0.0045 to 0.0100% nitrogen, 0.005 to 0.050% titanium, 0.0005 to 0.0060% boron, no more than 0.015% phosphorus and no more than 0.010% sulfur, the remainder being composed of iron and unavoidable impurities, the steel having a tensile strength of at least 1700 MPa in 400° C. tempering after quenching and a Charpy impact value of at least 40 J/cm2 for a 2 mm U-notched test piece of JIS 2202 and the parameter Fce being at least 1.70. |
| US07850793B2 |
Hot milled wire rod excelling in wire drawability and enabling avoiding heat treatment before wire drawing
A hot-rolled wire rod:the wire rod being a hot-rolled wire rod 5.0 mm or more in diameter, containing in mass C: 0.6 to 1.0%, Si: 0.1 to 1.5%, Mn: 0.3 to 1.0%, P: 0.02% or less, and S: 0.02% or less; not less than 90% of the wire rod in area percentage being composed of a pearlite structure; and the mechanical properties of the wire rod 4 m in length satisfying the following expressions (1) to (4), (1) TS*−30≦Average value of tensile strength (TSAV in MPa)≦TS*+30, where, TS*=400×{[C]+([Mn]+[Si])/5}+670 and the elements in square brackets [ ] in the equality mean the contents of relevant elements in percentage, (2) Standard deviation of tensile strength (TSσ)≦30 MPa, (3) Average value of reduction of area (RAAV)>35%, (4) Standard deviation of reduction of area (RAσ)≦4%. A hot-rolled wire rod according to the present invention is incomparably excellent in wire drawability and brakes less frequently than a conventional wire rod even when it is processed as hot-rolled with heat treatment such as patenting treatment omitted. |
| US07850791B2 |
Protective layer for an aluminum-containing alloy for high-temperature use
Alloys containing aluminium are characterised by an outstanding oxidation resistance at high temperatures, that is based on, inter alia, the formation of a thick and slow-growing aluminium oxide layer on material surfaces. If the formation of the aluminium oxide layer reduces the aluminium content of the alloy so far that a critical aluminium concentration is not reached, no other protective aluminium oxide layer can be formed. This leads disadvantageously to a very rapid breakaway oxidation, and the destruction of the component. This effect is stronger at temperatures above 800° C. due to the fact that, often at this point, metastable Al2O3 modifications, especially θ- or γ-Al2O3, are formed instead of α-Al2O3 that is generally formed at high temperatures. The above-mentioned oxide modifications are disadvantageously characterised by significantly higher growth rates. The invention relates to methods whereby aluminium-containing alloys advantageously form an oxidic covering layer predominantly consisting of α-Al2O3, at a temperature higher than 800° C., especially in the initial stage of oxidation, and thus have a significantly improved long-term behaviour. |
| US07850789B2 |
Pasty composition for aluminum brazing, aluminum-containing member coated with the same, and method for brazing aluminum-containing members with the same
Provided are a pasty composition for aluminum brazing which has excellent coating properties, is capable of attaining favorable dimensional accuracy of products obtained after brazing, causes less erosion, and allows favorable external appearances of brazed portions (fillets); an aluminum-containing member coated with the pasty composition for aluminum brazing; and a method, using the pasty composition for aluminum brazing, for brazing the aluminum-containing members. The pasty composition for aluminum brazing contains an aluminum-containing powder. In a case where on a cumulative grading curve of the aluminum-containing powder, a particle diameter D μm which corresponds to a Q volume % is indicated as D(Q) μm, D(50) μm is greater than or equal to 20 μm and less than or equal to 150 μm; and D(90) μm/D(10) μm is less than or equal to 5. A mass percentage of particles, in the aluminum-containing powder, which pass through a screen mesh having an opening of 45 μm is less than or equal to 50%. A flowability of the aluminum-containing powder is less than or equal to 80 seconds/50 g. |
| US07850783B2 |
Method and apparatus for cleaning hearing aids
A method and apparatus for cleaning a hearing aid provides a housing having a motor drive and speed control. A rotary chamber is mounted to the housing and driven by the motor drive. A drive shaft can be provided connecting the motor drive and the rotary chamber. The rotary chamber has a wall with at least one receptacle for holding a hearing aid. The rotary chamber can have two openings, one for a hearing aid and a second opening for another hearing aid or a counterweight. The rotary chamber can be counterweighted to compensate for the weight of a single hearing aid or any other arrangements of multiple hearing aids. Each receptacle is configured to hold a hearing aid. The motor drive is powered sufficiently to rotate the hearing aid at the speed of between about 2800 and 3200 rpm in order to generate a G-force on the hearing aid of about 270 G's. Preferably, the motor drive rotates at a rotational speed sufficient to remove earwax, rotation lasting for a period of time of between about 5 and 45 (preferably 18-22) seconds. |
| US07850777B2 |
Method of preparing semiconductor nanocrystal compositions
A semiconductor nanocrystal composition comprising a Group V to VI semiconductor material and a method of making same. The method includes synthesizing a semiconductor nanocrystal core, where the synthesizing includes dissolving a Group V to VI anion gas in a first solvent to produce a Group V to VI anion precursor, preparing a cation precursor, and reacting the Group V to VI anion precursor with the cation precursor in the presence of a second solvent. The reacting may occur in a high pressure vessel. |
| US07850775B2 |
Multi-colored lustrous pearlescent pigments
A pearlescent pigment comprising a substrate and a first layer, wherein the first layer comprises iron oxide, wherein the iron has from about 1% to about 30% Fe(II) and from about 70% to about 99% Fe(III). A process for making these pearlescent pigment, comprise reducing a metal oxide substrate with a hydrogen source in the presence of a noble metal catalyst in a liquid medium. The pigments may be used in a variety of applications including cosmetics, plastics, automotive or architectural coatings. |
| US07850773B2 |
Ink set, ink jet recording method, recorded matter, and ink jet recording apparatus
An ink set includes an oil-based ink composition containing a metallic pigment; and at least one oil-based ink composition selected from the group consisting of a chromatic color ink composition containing a chromatic color oil dye, a black ink composition containing a black oil dye, and a colorless and transparent ink composition that does not contain a colorant. |
| US07850770B2 |
Compositions for the currentless deposition of ternary materials for use in the semiconductor industry
The present invention relates to the use of ternary nickel-containing metal alloys of the NiMR type (where M=Mo, W, Re or Cr, and R=B or P) deposited by an electroless process in semiconductor technology. In particular, the present invention relates to the use of these deposited ternary nickel-containing metal alloys as barrier material or as selective encapsulation material for preventing the diffusion and electromigration of copper in semiconductor components. |
| US07850769B2 |
Air filtering apparatus having foreign material removing mechanism
An air filtering apparatus including a housing having an air suction port and air blow-out port, an electrolytic bath for generating electrolytic water, a gas-liquid contact member disposed in the housing, an electrolytic water supply unit for supplying the electrolytic water to the gas-liquid contact member so that the electrolytic water infiltrates into the gas-liquid contact member, an air blowing fan for bringing indoor air sucked from the air suction port into contact with the electrolytic water infiltrating in the gas-liquid contact member and blowing out the indoor air from the air blow-out port, a water receiving portion for receiving the electrolytic water passed through the gas-liquid contact member, and a foreign material removing mechanism for removing foreign materials contained in the electrolytic water. The foreign material may be a filter member disposed in front of the gas-liquid contact member, or a dam member disposed in the water receiving portion. |
| US07850768B2 |
Air filtering apparatus having scale removal detecting mechanism
An air filtering apparatus for electrolyzing water in an electrolytic bath by applying a voltage between electrodes in the electrolytic bath, supplying the generated electrolytic water to a gas-liquid contact member and blowing air to the gas-liquid contact member to filter the air, including a scale removing unit for inverting the polarities of the electrodes to remove scale deposited on the electrodes, and a judging unit for judging on the basis of a current value flowing between the electrodes whether the scale is removed from the surface of the electrode. |
| US07850765B2 |
Disposable absorber with adapter and lip seal
An adapter is provided for adapting an absorber container (4) to a breathing system. A seal (405) is employed that has sealing surfaces (55, 56, 57), which extend in a jacket area (34) of a valve crater (15), which limits an outer gas channel. The seal (405) is provided between the absorber container (4) and the adapter. |
| US07850758B2 |
Safened insecticide matter
A particle is provided with simultaneous delivery of a fertilizer and an active agent that when adhered to foliage causes a chemical burn thereto. A hydrophobic coating is provided intermediate between the fertilizer core and the active agent to inhibit moisture absorption by the particle that renders the particle tacky and therefore adherent to target foliage. The active agent granule is adhered to the hydrophobic coating or at least partially embedded therein based on the nature of the formation process. The particle is also provided that includes a second fertilizer layer exterior to the hydrophobic coating with the second fertilizer layer is substantially devoid of water soluble nitrogen compounds. Active agent granules are then adhered to the second fertilizer layer. The resultant particles reduce chemical burning associated with combined fertilizer and active agent usage, especially under dispersant conditions of high temperature and high humidity. |
| US07850757B2 |
Honeycomb filter and method for manufacturing the same
A honeycomb filter includes a pillar-shaped honeycomb structure integrally formed, first and second lamination members, a metal casing containing the honeycomb structure and the lamination member, and first and second end members connected to first and second end portions of the casing, respectively to secure the honeycomb structure and the lamination member. The honeycomb structure includes a wall portion defining through holes which extend substantially along a longitudinal direction of the honeycomb structure, each of the through holes being sealed at either one end portion. Each of the lamination members has aligned through holes extending substantially along the longitudinal direction. The honeycomb structure and lamination members include inorganic fibers oriented substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The lamination members are provided at first and second end faces of the honeycomb structure, respectively to align the aligned through holes with the through holes of the honeycomb structure. |
| US07850756B1 |
Anti-movement lock with break-away housing mount
A housing, which may be a filter housing, has break-away lock structure preventing movement in response to normal release force, and breaking-away from a housing section upon excessive release force, such that the housing may be re-assembled using the same housing sections, without having to use a new housing section to replace an old housing section otherwise having a non-re-mountable broken-off lock member. |
| US07850755B2 |
Filter with improved fatigue performance and torque transfer
A fluid filter includes a base plate, a canister, and filtering media contained in the canister for filtering fluid from an inlet port to an outlet port. Notches are formed into an outer periphery of the base plate. An annular bead of the canister side wall is partially formed into the notches to provide a torque locking mechanism between the base plate and the canister. The terminating lip portion of the canister is wrapped around the outer face of the base plate and formed into an annular trough to directly secure the base plate to the canister. The annular trough includes a diverging outer wall that provides a narrow contact interface between the terminating lip portion and the retention corner of the base plate to thereby reduce moment loads induced therebetween as a result of high fluid pressures in the filter. |
| US07850754B2 |
Device for separating a gas-liquid mixture, in particular during ventilation of a crankcase of an internal combustion engine
A device for separating a gas-liquid mixture, wherein a liquid part is in the form of small particles by separating and coagulating the liquid particles in a separation surface including, at least one region of an inner wall surface of a cyclone, the separation surface comprised of the at least one region; at least one fibre lining material that is formed as one of a knitted fibre and a non-woven fibre with a fibre thickness between about 5 and 500 μm and a porosity between about 60% and about 90% applied to the inner wall; and a plurality of narrow flow chicanes formed by the at least one lining, wherein at least a portion of the inner wall surface of the cyclone passed by the gas-liquid mixture rotating around a cylinder axis comprises the plurality of narrow flow chicanes. |
| US07850752B2 |
Semiconductor manufacturing system and method of manufacturing semiconductor device
A semiconductor manufacturing system, having a filter that is disposed in a clean room and removes an organic solvent containing siloxane from a gas supplied from the outside of said clean room; a first semiconductor manufacturing apparatus that is disposed in said clean room and uses light in an atmosphere containing the gas having passed through said filter; a second semiconductor manufacturing apparatus that is disposed in said clean room and has an exhaust gas outlet for discharging a gas containing an organic solvent containing siloxane; and a removing device that is disposed at said exhaust gas outlet of said second semiconductor manufacturing apparatus, filters out the organic solvent containing siloxane from the exhaust gas output from said exhaust gas outlet, and discharges the filtered gas into an exhaust gas duct for discharging the exhaust gas to the outside of said clean room. |
| US07850751B2 |
Access cover for piping or vessel
Disclosed is a two or three phase separator including a centrifugal separator, a demister (if a three phase separator), and a filter contained within a housing. The filter uses an outside-in flow principle. The filter includes an inner layer or a center core that defines a hollow interior. An outer layer is positioned adjacent and surrounding the inner layer. The outer layer includes a re-enforcement layer, a first particle filter layer, a coalescer layer, and a second particle filter layer. An access cover of the separator includes a cover plug, an actuator cam, a plurality of idler cam plates, and a plurality of mechanisms. The access cover cooperates with an opening and an annular groove in the housing to close off and seal the separator. |
| US07850748B2 |
Burner for fuel reformer of fuel cell system
A fuel reformer burner for a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) system includes a first tube through which a fuel for a fuel reformer is supplied and a second tube through which anode-off gas (AOG) is supplied from a fuel cell stack. The second tube is not connected to the first tube, and an inlet line through which an air is supplied is connected to the first tube. |
| US07850747B2 |
System for blending and storing petroleum based fuel and vegetable oil
An apparatus for blending and storing petroleum based fuel and vegetable based fuel is provided. The apparatus includes a blended fuel storage tank; a petroleum fuel storage tank connectable to the blended fuel storage tank; a vegetable based fuel storage tank connectable to the blended fuel storage tank; and a ganged fuel controller adapted to synchronize fuel flow ratios from the petroleum fuel storage tank and the vegetable based fuel tank to the blended fuel storage tank. In an alternate embodiment the fuel may be delivered already mixed for storage and continued blending in a mixed fuel storage tank adapted to maintaining the blended fuel mixture. |
| US07850744B2 |
Heterocyclic compounds containing nitrogen as a fuel additive in order to reduce abrasion
The present invention relates to the use of at least one heterocyclic compound of the formula (I) in which R is H or C1-C3-alkyl as a frictional wear-reducing additive in fuel compositions; to corresponding additized fuel compositions and their preparation; and to additive concentrates which comprise such compounds. |
| US07850743B2 |
Jelly-roll type electrode assembly and secondary battery including the same
An electrode assembly including a first electrode strip having a first electrode collector coated with at least a first electrode active material, an exposed portion of the first electrode collector attached with a first electrode tab; a second electrode strip having a second electrode collector coated with at least a second electrode active material and is rolled together with the first electrode strip, an exposed portion of the second electrode collector is attached with a second electrode tab; and at least one inter-electrode strip separator is positioned between the first and second electrode strips, wherein at least one sheet of protective separator, which is extended from the inter-electrode strip separator, is further positioned on a side of the first electrode strip attached with the first electrode tab. |
| US07850738B2 |
Bimetal acetabular component construct for hip joint prosthesis
This invention provides a prosthetic acetabular component that comprises two constructs, one being a metal base construct that engages the bone and the other being a polyethylene bearing construct that attaches to the metal base construct and articulates with a femoral stem prosthetic component. The metal base construct is composed of two different metals, one of which engages the bone surface and the other of which engages the polyethylene bearing construct. Each of these metals is selected so that its characteristics are well suited to its particular function. The first metal is selected so as to provide a superior bone-engaging face, while the second metal is selected so as to provide a superior polyethylene-engaging face. By combining the different material characteristics of two different metals in the metal bone construct, it is possible to simultaneously form a superior bone-engaging face and a superior polyethylene-engaging face. |
| US07850731B2 |
Articulating spinal implant
A spinal implant and method of implanting a spinal implant that has a spacer and a plate configured to be fastened to a plurality of vertebral bodies. The plate is coupled to the spacer, with the spacer and the plate being angularly adjustable with respect to each other. |
| US07850728B2 |
Expandable medical device for delivery of beneficial agent
An expandable medical device having a plurality of elongated struts, the plurality of elongated struts being joined together to form a substantially cylindrical device which is expandable from a cylinder having a first diameter to a cylinder having a second diameter, and the plurality of struts each having a strut width in a circumferential direction. At least one of the plurality of struts includes at least one opening extending at least partially though a thickness of the strut. A beneficial agent may be loaded into the opening within the strut. The expandable medical device may further include a plurality of ductile hinges formed between the elongated struts, the ductile hinges allowing the cylindrical device to be expanded or compressed from the first diameter to the second diameter by deformation of the ductile hinges. |
| US07850726B2 |
Endoprosthesis having struts linked by foot extensions
The present invention relates to an endoprosthesis having a plurality of web rings coupled by connectors, which include two or more essentially parallel struts and a foot extension protruding from one of the struts. An endoprosthesis constructed according to the principles of the present invention provides an elevated degree of scaffolding to a body lumen while retaining an acceptable degree of flexibility. |
| US07850724B2 |
Self-expanding stent delivery system
A stent delivery system delivers a self-expanding stent to a predetermined location in a body lumen. The delivery system has a catheter body, a retractable outer sheath and a proximal retraction handle connected to a proximal end of the catheter body. The catheter body carries the stent near a distal end of the catheter body for transporting the stent for deployment. The sheath surrounds and contains the stent in a delivery configuration where the stent has a reduced radius along its entire axial length. The sheath has an outer tube a separate inner tube. The outer tube has a distal end portion surrounding the stent along its entire length and a proximal end portion connected to the retraction handle. The inner tube is disposed concentrically within the outer tube and has a distal end portion surrounding the stent only along a part of its entire length. |
| US07850716B2 |
Adjustable interconnection device
Mechanisms for connecting an elongated member for orthopedic support or therapy to bone or other tissue are disclosed. Embodiments may include a receiver member with a channel for accommodating an elongated member such as a spinal rod and a channel for accommodating a bone-engaging member, a bone-engaging member that is insertable into the channel in the receiver member, and a lock member for locking the receiver member, bone-engaging member, and elongated member together. The channels may be variously oriented with respect to each other. Methods for using such embodiments are also disclosed. |
| US07850714B2 |
Segmented tissue-to-tissue anchoring device and method of using the same
The invention describes an apparatus and method of use for anchoring two or more body tissue layers to one another. The apparatus includes a plurality of individual anchor segments that are placeable within a body cavity. The segments may assume a first relaxed state wherein the segments are movable relative to each other and alignable along an initial longitudinal axis for initial placement of the apparatus through the body tissue layers. Once placed within the body cavity, the anchor segments are manipulated into a second rigid state with an actuator wherein the segments assume a rigid configuration at a transverse angle relative to the initial longitudinal axis. |
| US07850712B2 |
Self-shielding suture anchor
A self-shielding suture anchor is provided and includes a body having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end including a penetrating tip. The suture anchor also includes a shielding element movable relative to the distal end between a shielding position, wherein the shielding element is distal to the penetrating tip, and a retracted position, wherein the shielding element is proximal to the penetrating tip. The suture anchor also includes a spring element operatively connected to the shielding element to bias the shielding element to the shielding position. |
| US07850711B1 |
Method and apparatus for securing soft tissue to bone
A system and method to assist in securing a soft tissue replacement in a bone tunnel includes an expandable member having an opening and an expandable portion. A delivery structure includes a connection portion selectively coupled to the opening of the expandable member. The delivery structure is adapted to inject a flowable medium into the expandable member thereby expanding the expandable portion and urging the soft tissue replacement into a bone surface defining the bone tunnel. |
| US07850708B2 |
Embolic protection device having a reticulated body with staggered struts
An embolic protection device for capturing emboli during treatment of a stenotic lesion in a body vessel is disclosed. The device comprises a basket and a filter attached to the basket. The basket has a deployed state and an undeployed state. The basket includes a reticulated body having an outer diameter. The reticulated body includes a plurality of struts connected together in a singly staggered configuration distally along a longitudinal axis to a distal end. The plurality of struts of the reticulated body is configured to fold along the longitudinal axis. The basket has a proximal stem proximally extending from the body. The filter portion has a lip attached to the distal end defining an opening of the filter portion when the basket is in the deployed state for capturing emboli. The filter portion extends from the lip to a filter end. |
| US07850703B2 |
System for performing anastomosis
An anastomosis system for connecting a graft vessel to a target vessel includes spaced-apart arms, and an anvil connected to those arms, where that anvil has a blunt distal end. The anvil is insertable into the target vessel. One or more connectors, such as staples, may be deployed from each arm to connect the graft vessel to the target vessel. |
| US07850702B2 |
Clamp for correcting the external ear and method of using the clamp
A clamp in form of a mainly U-shaped or V-shaped device serves for non-invasively affecting a cartilage fold on for example the exterior ear by a stretching and compressive force. The clamp is shaped as a V, in which the angle α between the legs of the V prior to use is equal to or smaller than 90°, and the angle β between the legs of the V, in use mounted on a cartilage fold, is smaller than the angle α. The clamp is made of a material that can be given a permanent deformation and which therefore is able to maintain a constant pressure on local, opposite areas of the cartilage fold. |
| US07850701B2 |
Articulating suturing device and method
Devices, systems, and methods for suturing of body lumens allow the suturing of vascular puncture sites located at the distal end of a percutaneous tissue tract. An elongated articulated foot near a distal end of a shaft is inserted through the penetration and actuated so that the foot extends along the lumenal axis. The foot carries suturing attachment cuffs, and needles are advanced from the shaft through the vessel wall outside of the penetration and into engagement with the needle cuffs after the foot has been drawn proximally up against the endothelial surface of the blood vessel. The cross-section of the shaft within the tissue tract can be minimized by laterally deflecting the needles as they leave the shaft, while tapered depressions within the foot can guide the advancing needles into engagement with the cuffs. The cuffs lockingly engage the needles and can be withdrawn proximally along the needle paths and through the tissue tract so as to form a loop of suture across the puncture. The articulating foot may be realigned with the shaft and withdrawn proximally through the tissue tract without dilating the tissue tract. |
| US07850699B2 |
Device for extraction of pins at fixation means for fixation of bone fragments at bone fractures
A device for extraction of pins of fixation means for fixation of bone fragments at bone fractures is adapted to pull a pin (7) of the fixation means in a backwards direction relative to a sleeve (6) of the fixation means in order to withdraw a front part (11) of the pin (7) from bone material of one of the bone fragments (3, 4) and into the sleeve (6). The extraction device (1) includes members (12, 13, and 14) which are provided to draw or pull the pin (7) backwards relative to the sleeve (6) without thereby subjecting the pin (7) to torsional forces in relation thereto. |
| US07850697B2 |
Method and apparatus for replacing a spinal disc
An apparatus for replacing a spinal disc which has a rail extending from the outer surface to connect the apparatus to the first vertebra. The rail extends a first distance from the outer surface adjacent a first end. The rail extends a second distance from the outer surface adjacent a second end. The second distance is greater than the first distance. In another aspect of the apparatus, the first rail extends generally transverse to the first and second ends. The second rail extends generally transverse to the first rail. |
| US07850696B2 |
Device for facilitating reduction and repair of fractures of the small bones
An apparatus for reducing a fracture in a bone and attaching a plate to the bone includes a first sub-assembly configured to reduce the fracture, and a second sub-assembly integrated with said first sub-assembly in a single surgical instrument. The second sub-assembly is configured to hold the plate against the bone concurrently with reduction of the fracture by the first sub-assembly. |
| US07850693B2 |
Orthopaedic reamer assembly
An orthopaedic reamer assembly includes a reamer with a generally hemispherical shell having a concave side and at least one attachment feature associated with the concave side. A driver is attachable to the reamer. The driver includes a shaft with a reamer end. The reamer end removably attaches to at least one attachment feature. |
| US07850692B2 |
Minimally invasive surgical reamer and connection
An acetabular reamer has a cutting structure rotatable about a longitudinal axis with a domed shell portion. The shell has an outer surface presenting multiple cutting sites and an inner surface for accumulation of debris. The shell has a static insertion profile area that is defined by a pair of first curved portions generated about a first radius with a center that lies on the axis and a pair of second curved portions generated about a center spaced apart from the axis. The cutting structure has a circular dynamic profile area generated upon rotation of the reamer by a handle. Both the static insertion area and dynamic profile area lie transferase to the axis, the former being smaller than the latter. Several distinctive alignment structures are described, alone and in combination with reamers having a conventional hemispherical shell, as well as in combination with present reamers that are less invasive. |
| US07850690B2 |
Device for the treatment of femoral fractures
A femoral fracture treatment device including: an intramedullary pin (1) with a central longitudinal axis (2) and a passage (5) of non-circular cross-section (6) through a proximal portion (4) of the pin oblique to the longitudinal axis (2), a sliding sleeve (10) configured to pass through the non-circular passage (5), a longitudinal bone fixing element (20) having a head portion (22) with fixing means (23) for engaging the femoral head and a shaft (24) that may be coaxially introduced into the sliding sleeve (10). Both an external jacket surface (14) of the sliding sleeve (10) and an internal jacket surface (15) of the sliding sleeve (10) have non-circular cross-sections at least in a partial section. The shaft (24) is rotatably mounted in the longitudinal bore (13) of the sliding sleeve (10), and locking means are provided at the free end (27) of the shaft (24), such that rotation of the longitudinal bone fixing element (20) relative to the sliding sleeve (10) can be optionally locked or released. |
| US07850687B2 |
Instrument for cutting living tissue
An instrument for cutting a living tissue is provided to increase heat resistance to heat generated in an operation of cutting the living tissue and to ensure by stanch the blood of the tissue to be cut. The instrument for cutting a living tissue 41 includes a body part 422 having a distal end and a proximal end and on which a groove is formed through, a tissue holding part 423 made of an electrically insulating material, a slit groove 427 formed in the part where at least a part of the tissue holding part is arranged, a first electrode 425 arranged at the proximal end side of the slit groove, and a second electrode 424 arranged at the other side opposite to the side where the first electrode of the tissue holding part is arranged. |
| US07850686B2 |
Protective needle knife
Various methods and devices are provided for penetrating tissue. In one embodiment, a tissue-penetrating device is provided and includes a flexible elongate shaft and a flexible elongate wire extending through the elongate shaft and having a needle tip at a distal end thereof for penetrating tissue. The needle tip can be conductive and the elongate wire can be adapted to couple to an energy source for delivering energy to the needle tip to facilitate penetration of the needle tip through tissue. The device can also include a protective sheath disposed over at least a portion of the elongate shaft and movable relative to the elongate shaft between a distal position and a proximal position. The protective sheath is configured to either protect the needle tip or electrically isolate the needle tip after the needle tip is penetrated through tissue, thereby preventing unintentional penetration of adjacent tissue. |
| US07850680B2 |
Flexible infusion line for ocular surgery
An infusion source provides for a fluid supply and an irrigation line interconnecting the fluid supply with an irrigation lumen of an ocular handpiece. An accumulator is disposed in fluid communication with irrigation line and the irrigation lumen includes an expandable wall for enabling accumulation of fluid within the tubular member during occlusion of the aspiration lumen, and enhanced flow of the fluid of the irrigation lumen upon clearing of the occlusion. |
| US07850677B2 |
Universal valve for Foley type urinary catheter
A universal valve for the Foley type urinary catheter has structure which permits its use as a patient controlled drainage valve, as an interface from which to take sterile samples, and as a connection to a day or night collection bag all without removal of the universal valve from the Foley type urinary catheter. The universal valve may be open or closed by the use of a squeeze mechanism for patient control, or by movement of the threaded connection between the universal valve and a collection bag so that the universal valve is continuously open for drainage into the urine collection bag. |
| US07850673B1 |
Waist belt for absorbent garments
A garment (1) includes an absorbent part (2) and a waist belt (3) which is attached directly or indirectly to the garment (1). The belt (3) includes two belt-portions (7,8) which extend essentially in mutually opposite directions from the absorbent part (2) and which are intended to be fastened together around the wearer of the garment (1). The handling properties and comfort properties of the garment have been greatly improved by using a belt (3) whose stiffness varies in the cross-direction thereof. |
| US07850668B2 |
Ostomy appliance
A collecting bag for an ostomy appliance, said collecting bag having a front wall and a rear wall, the rear wall having an opening through which waste material may enter the collecting bag, and wherein a manipulation pocket is defined in the front and/or the rear wall of the collecting bag, said manipulation pocket extending into the collecting bag and comprising transfer means adapted to sealed transfer of mechanical movement from the surroundings to the interior of the collecting bag. The sealed transfer of movement can be used to open a passage inside the collecting bag such that flatus gasses may pass through a deodorizing filter, which prior to opening of the passage is protected such that it is not contaminated. |
| US07850660B2 |
Implantable medical device with simultaneous attachment mechanism and method
An attachment mechanism for a surgically implantable medical device includes one or more fasteners which may be simultaneously moved from an undeployed position to a deployed position by operation of an integral actuator. The attachment mechanism may be configured to be deactuated, and the fasteners simultaneously moved from a deployed position to an undeployed position, allowing removal or repositioning of the medical device. An applier includes a locator for detachably holding the implantable medical device, locating it at the desired position, and actuating the attachment mechanism. The applier is configured to undeploy the attachment mechanism the implantable medical device can be detached from the body tissue. |
| US07850656B2 |
Devices and methods for delivering medical agents
Described are novel methods for delivering a medical agent to a plurality of locations within a patient tissue volume such as the interior space of a spinal disc, and also for removing material therefrom during medical agent delivery to enhance the delivery. Also described are medical delivery devices such as needle assemblies configured to facilitate the regional delivery of medical agents to patient tissue. |
| US07850655B2 |
Valve assembly
A valve assembly for the sealed reception of an elongated object is provided. The assembly includes a valve body defining at least one opening configured and dimensioned to permit entry of an elongated object and defining a central longitudinal axis, and an elongated seal member having a resilient sealing structure and defining an aperture in general alignment with the opening of the valve body whereby the aperture is configured and dimensioned such that upon insertion of the object into the aperture, the resilient sealing structure resiliently engages the outer surface of the object in a tight manner. The sealing structure includes a plurality of elongated bristle members attached to the seal member. The bristle member are positioned to engage the elongated object upon at least partial insertion of the elongated object into the valve body. Each bristle member is adapted to be displaced relative to the longitudinal axis to facilitate expansion of the aperture of the seal member upon entry of the elongated object therein. |
| US07850654B2 |
Device and method for positioning a closure device
A vascular closure device including a sheath with one or more orifices therein to detect blood flow, indicating that the sheath has entered an artery and the relative position of the sheath within the artery. Thus, the sheath can be moved and positioned relative to the artery without having to completely extract the sheath from the artery after initial penetration. |
| US07850653B2 |
Access port including rotatable seals
A surgical access device includes a housing; an access member extending distally from the housing and being dimensioned for positioning within tissue, and defining a longitudinal axis; and a seal assembly disposed within the housing. The seal assembly includes first and second seal components respectively having first and second seal members. Each of the first and second seal members defines a passage for passage of a surgical object in substantial sealed relation therewith. The first and second seal components are capable of relative rotation about the longitudinal axis between a first position, in which passages of the first and second seal members are in substantial alignment, and a second position where the passages of the first and second seal members are offset to inhibit the communication of fluid through the seal assembly. |
| US07850651B2 |
Bone marrow aspiration needle
An aspiration assembly including an outer cannulated needle having a tip, a threaded collar, and an inner aspiration needle. The threaded collar is mounted to an end of the outer cannulated needle opposite to the tip. The inner aspiration needle has a tip at a first end and a threaded portion proximate to a second end. The inner aspiration needle is inserted within the outer cannulated needle such that the tip of the inner aspiration needle extends beyond the tip of the outer cannulated needle and the threaded portion of the inner aspiration needle threadably engages the threaded collar. The distance that the tip of the inner aspiration needle extends from the tip of the outer cannulated needle increases when the inner aspiration needle is rotated in a first direction relative to the outer cannulated needle. |
| US07850650B2 |
Needle safety shield with reset
A safety shield is capable of being moved on a needle assembly to cover a sharp tip of the needle assembly. The shield can be locked in place over the sharp tip by a locking mechanism. The safety shield has a locking mechanism for locking the shield in place covering the sharp needle tip. The safety shield also has an unlocking mechanism that can move to release the locking mechanism and allow the shield to be moved to uncover the sharp tip. A reset member may include projecting portions that can be received through the shield to actuate the unlocking mechanism for releasing the locking mechanism. |
| US07850648B2 |
Needle protecting device comprising a lock
A needle unit for an injection device comprising an injection needle and a needle holder, the needle unit coupled to the injection device and comprising: a needle protector comprising a guide which guides the needle protector such that it can move axially, at least one spring element applying a spring force to the needle protector thus holding the protector in a first position, and a lock which, after an injection, locks the needle protector in the first position against moving further axially, wherein the lock is deformable by force and assumes its original shape after said force is removed, and wherein the needle protector affects the lock transversely with respect to the axial movement direction during an axial movement of the protector which accompanies an injection and deflects the lock into a locking position when the needle protector is moved to the first position. |
| US07850646B2 |
Safety syringe with re-usable main parts, method for disposal of a needle into a container and container for disposable parts
A syringe has a barrel to receive a cartridge. The barrel has a front end portion to which a needle is connected for engagement with the cartridge. At its rear end, the barrel has a plunger mechanism. A sleeve is slidably mounted on the barrel and can be pushed forwards to sheath the needle. The needle is mounted on the barrel via a push-fit mounting device. The needle can be removed for disposal in a container by inserting the syringe into a tube on top of the container so that the protective needle sleeve is pushed back and the needle and mounting device pass through a collar of gripping fingers at an inner end of the tube. The fingers catch behind the mounting device so that this is pulled off to drop into the container with the needle when the syringe is withdrawn from the tube. |
| US07850644B2 |
Flexible polymer needle catheter
A catheter device having an elongated tubular member with a proximal end and a distal end, and a needle disposed near the distal end. In one embodiment, the needle has a rigid, penetrating tip coupled to a flexible portion by an overlapping joint. The flexible portion enables the needle to bend to a penetrating angle relative to the distal end of the elongated tubular member and penetrate a body tissue without kinking. |
| US07850640B2 |
Device, method, and computer program product for dispensing media as part of a medical procedure
A device, method, and computer program product for controlling a dispensing device adapted to be capable of dispensing contrast media as part of a medical imaging procedure The device comprises a controller device, user interface, injector portion, and a storage device such that a user of the device may initialize multiple dispensing functions in the injector portion and user interface via a user input The method and computer program product for controlling a dispensing device comprises receiving a user input from a user interface and directing the dispensing device to perform multiple dispensing functions, including actuating the injector portion and updating the user interface, in response to a user input. |
| US07850639B2 |
Implantation device for subcutaneous implantation of an object under the skin
A device for inserting implantable objects beneath the skin of a patient includes a handle for grasping the device and a base connected to the handle. The base comprises a post, a cannula, and a flexible actuator positioned in an angled track. The cannula is positioned coaxially around and is longitudinally slidable over the post from an extended position, where an implantable object is retained in the cannula, to a retracted position, where the implantable object is released from the cannula. A flexible actuator positioned on an angled track in the base is slidably engaged with a boss on the cannula and is used to move the cannula from an extended position to a retracted position to release the implantable object from the cannula; the actuator flexes between a locked and an unlocked position. The angled track provides for control of the release of the implantable object. |
| US07850637B2 |
Shunt device and method for treating glaucoma
Shunt devices and a method for continuously decompressing elevated intraocular pressure in eyes affected by glaucoma by diverting excess aqueous humor from the anterior chamber of the eye into Schlemm's canal where post-operative patency can be maintained with an indwelling shunt device which surgically connects the canal with the anterior chamber. The shunt devices provide uni- or bi-directional flow of aqueous humor into Schlemm's canal. |
| US07850630B1 |
Flexible head support with replaceable chinrest
Apparatus for supporting a person's head in a selected position includes a flexible shaft that will maintain its shape when reconfigured for enabling a person's head to be supported in a selected position and a first coupler attached to one end of the shaft for coupling a replaceable chinrest to the one end of the shaft in a releasable restraining engagement. The first coupler includes a protuberance that is shaped for fitting within a cavity of the replaceable chinrest. The first coupler is rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the shaft. A second coupler is attached to the other end of the shaft for coupling a replaceable support base to the other end of the shaft in a releasable restraining engagement. The second coupler includes a protuberance having a shape that is functionally equivalent to the shape of the protuberance of the first coupler. |
| US07850628B2 |
Flexing multiple function interactive massage and reflexology unit
Disclosed is a massaging and reflexology system for an article of footwear comprising a core body generally configured in the shape of a shoe insole, a plurality of cups disposed on a top surface of the shoe insole, and a respective bump or pressure nub disposed within each of the cups. The cups may be disposed on a bottom surface of the core body. The shoe insole may define toe, intermediate, heel and arch portions, or any combination thereof. Each cup may define a substantially concave surface projecting outwardly from the top surface with the cup perimeters being generally circular. The pressure nubs may be centrally disposed on the concave surface of each one of the cups on the top surface. The core body, the cups, the cup spacers and the pressure nubs may be formed as a unitary structure of resilient, elastomeric material such as silicone gel. |
| US07850625B2 |
Method and apparatus for monitoring labor parameter
A method for early detection of a pregnancy complication, including touching a position sensor to a point on a fetal presenting part of a fetus in a mother, and capturing a position of the position sensor, touching the position sensor to a set of points on the mother and capturing the position of the position sensor at each point, and detecting a pregnancy complication sign based upon a predefined criterion for said pregnancy complication. Methods and apparatus are provided for identifying the BPD pattern in an ultrasound image, for determining characteristics of body parts outside of a pelvic region, for BPD reconstruction and for an adapter for a position sensor are also described among other embodiments. |
| US07850624B2 |
Muscle thickness sensor
A muscle thickness sensor for measuring muscle thickness over a bone structure having a resilient frame placed over the muscle of interest and compressible material within the frame to sense muscle contractions. The compressible material is strain sensitive and generates a detectable signal when compressed due to muscle flexure. The sensor is able to differentiate between muscle contraction and muscle relaxation and is generally immune to signal noise caused by movement of bone structure and adjacent muscle groups. |
| US07850619B2 |
Apparatus and method for breathing pattern determination using a non-contact microphone
A method is provided for analyzing respiration of a subject. Using a non-contact microphone, a raw signal indicative of air-flow sounds of the respiration is generated. The raw signal is analyzed to determine a first set of one or more parameters of the respiration. An algorithm is applied to the first set of parameters to derive a second set of one or more estimated parameters of the respiration that are not generally directly measurable in the raw signal. Other embodiments are also described. |
| US07850618B2 |
Method and apparatus for determining conditions of biological tissues
The present invention relates to a method of determining characteristics of biological tissues in humans and animals. In particular, it relates to determining the characteristics of tissues such as the lungs and airways by introducing a sound to the tissue, and recording the sound. The invention further includes an apparatus capable of such measurement. In a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of determining characteristics of biological tissue in situ, including: introducing a sound to the tissue at first position; detecting the sound at another position spaced from the first position after it has traveled through the tissue; calculating the velocity and attenuation of sound that has traveled through the tissue from the first position to another position; and correlating the velocity and attenuation of the detected sound to characteristics of the biological tissue. |
| US07850617B2 |
Patient monitoring apparatus and method for determining volume responsiveness of a monitored patient
From the global end-diastolic volume GEDV and the global ejection fraction GEF the patient monitor (4) determines a corrected global end-diastolic volume cGEDV according to cGEDV=GEDV/ƒ(GEF) which is used as a novel parameter for volume responsiveness of the patient (3). In the above formula, f(GEF) is a correction function depending on global ejection fraction GEF. Further, from the right ventricular end-diastolic volume RVEDV and the right ventricular ejection fraction RVEF the patient monitor (4) determines a corrected right ventricular end-diastolic volume cRVEDV according to cRVEDV=RVEDV1f(RVEF) which is used as another novel parameter for volume responsiveness of the patient (3). In the above formula, f(RVEF) is a correction function depending on right ventricular ejection fraction RVEF. |
| US07850615B2 |
System and method of determining cardiac pressure
A pressure sensor is deployed in the right atrium and is in contact with the tissue of the fossa ovalis. The fossa ovalis acts as a membrane and the pressure sensor determines the relative and/or absolute pressure within the left atrium while remaining within the right atrium. A variety of embodiment are provided to deploy and anchor the sensor into the proper position. |
| US07850614B2 |
Doppler guiding catheter using sensed blood turbulence levels
A guiding catheter includes a Doppler sensor disposed at a distal end of a flexible shaft. The Doppler sensor can sense a blood flow turbulence level within a chamber of the heart or a blood vessel of the heart. Detecting changes in a blood flow turbulence level is used to assist guiding of the distal end of the flexible shaft. The Doppler sensor may include a piezoelectric sensor or an optical sensor. The sensor readings may be processed to show turbulence through a time domain or frequency domain presentation of velocity. The sensor readings can be used to modulate an audible waveform to indicate turbulence. The guiding catheter may further include steering apparatus enabling deflection of the distal tip. |
| US07850613B2 |
Apparatus and method for three dimensional ultrasound breast imaging
An apparatus for ultrasonic mammography includes: an array of ultrasonic transducers and signal processing means for converting the output of the transducer array into three dimensional renderings of anatomical features; and, an applicator device having a first side conformable to the contour of the transducer array and a second side configured to accept the breast, the applicator device further containing a quantity of fluid sufficient to surround and stabilize the breast during examination without substantially altering the breast from its natural shape. |
| US07850609B2 |
Ultrasound diagnostic apparatus
An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus comprises an ultrasound probe having a plurality of piezoelectric transducers to transmit ultrasound waves to a subject and to receive echoes from the subject, a driving unit which generates a plurality of driving signals corresponding to the plurality of piezoelectric transducers to generate the ultrasound waves therefrom, a Doppler signal detecting unit which detects Doppler signals based on the echoes, a spectrum data generating unit which generates spectrum data based on the detected Doppler signals, and a display unit which displays the spectrum data. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus further comprises a controller which controls the driving unit to switch, in synchronization with a biomedical signal of the subject, a high-power mode in which amplitude of the driving signal is relatively high and a low-power mode in which amplitude of the driving signal is relatively low. |
| US07850607B2 |
Method for retracting tissue during surgery
A surgical retractor includes a “swivel” having a string extending from one end and a string extending from the midpoint between the two ends. The swivel is delivered by pushing it out of a tube which is inserted through a small incision between the ribs of the patient. After the swivel is deployed, the tube is removed and the string which is attached to the center of the swivel is pulled to lift the pericardium. When the procedure is complete, the swivel is removed from the patient by pulling the string attached to the end of the swivel. According to one embodiment, the swivel is a cylinder with a blunt conical end. According to another embodiment, the swivel has a sharp end which is covered by a spring loaded collar. |
| US07850605B2 |
Inserting shape detecting probe
An inserting shape detecting probe has a long and slender core wire, a plurality of shape detecting devices, signal lines, and an outer sheath. The plurality of shape detecting devices extended from the signal lines are fixed to the core wire at a predetermined interval. The core wire is inserted in the outer sheath. The inserting shape detecting probe has a thermal radiating member which is arranged along the outer circumference of at least one of the shape detecting devices. |
| US07850602B2 |
System and method for removing a protective cover from a medical instrument
According to one embodiment of the invention, a system for removing a cover from a medical instrument includes a flexible cover configured to cover at least a portion of a medical instrument, an insertion element coupled proximate a first end of the flexible cover, a pair of substantially parallel perforations formed in the insertion element, a pair of substantially parallel score lines formed in the cover and aligned with the pair of substantially parallel perforations. A portion of the insertion element between the pair of substantially parallel perforations is removable from the insertion element and a portion of the flexible cover between the pair of substantially parallel score lines is removable from the flexible cover when a force is applied to the portion of the insertion element between the pair of substantially parallel perforations. |
| US07850600B1 |
Laparoscopic instrument and trocar system and related surgical method
Laparoscopic instruments and cannulas are provided for performing laparoscopic procedures entirely through the umbilicus. Generally S-shaped laparoscopic instruments placed through the C-shaped trocar sleeves or through the cannula and instrument holder unit provide markedly improved degrees of instruments' freedom during trans-umbilical laparoscopic procedures. |
| US07850595B2 |
Transferring and holding device for high-risk neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) patients
A transferring and holding device and method for holding infants having lifelines, such as IV tubes, monitor wire leads, and ventilator tubes, connected thereto. In one embodiment, the device includes a support surface adapted to hold an infant; a boundary attached to and bolstering the support surface; and at least one securing mechanism adapted to secure the lifelines and to impede the lifelines from being disconnected from the infant. The support surface preferably has openings to enable skin-to-skin contact between the infant and a person holding the infant, and at least a portion of the support surface can be a nonabsorbent, open-weave webbed material. The boundary may include a foam member, and/or a flexible plastic or metal member to provide structural support. |
| US07850593B2 |
Fluid pump
A pumping system 10, FIG. 1, provides a physiological pulsatile flow and includes controller 121, a pump drive head 50 coupled to a motor 12 and a fluid housing 52 having at least one port 60. The port 60 includes a ball valve retainer region 69, a valve seat 73, and an occluder ball 71 disposed in the ball valve retainer region 69. During operation, the motor 12 forces the fluid in and out the fluid housing 52 and causes the occluder ball 71 to move from a first position whereby the fluid cannot pass through the port 60, to a second position whereby the fluid moves annular to and generally around the occluder ball 71. This movement creates a slight flow reversal that “breaks up” any blood clots that may form. The pumping system may be used as part of a cardiopulmonary bypass system, a ventricular assist device (VAD) and/or a heart pump. |
| US07850591B2 |
Magnetic therapeutic wand, apparatus and method
Methods and apparatus to magnetize particles and objects either on the surface of the skin or inside the body are disclosed. Methods and apparatus for measuring the magnet field strength emanated by an object are also disclosed. The object may be in a body, such as a surgically implanted device. The object may also be cream externally applied to skin, the cream containing particles that can be magnetized. The object may also be a pill that can be swallowed. |
| US07850589B2 |
Dunnage conversion machine with wide paddles
A dunnage conversion machine for converting stock material into a dunnage product includes a forming assembly and a pulling assembly. The pulling assembly includes at least two grippers movable together through a transfer region in opposition to one another and cooperative to grip therebetween the dunnage strip for advancing the dunnage strip through the transfer region, and at least one of the grippers including an aperture operative to gather and laterally capture therein the dunnage strip as the grippers move through the transfer region. Also disclosed is a severing assembly including a movable blade and a reciprocating actuator connected to the blade by a motion transmitting assembly that moves the blade through a full severing cycle upon a stroke of the actuator in either direction. Also disclosed is a void fill dunnage product including a three dimensional crumpled strip of dunnage round in cross-section and including at least one ply of sheet material having, in cross-section, a crumpled multi-lobed undulating body, with the lobes thereof extending longitudinally and being dispersed in an irregular pattern. |
| US07850588B2 |
Folder with common chopper
A folder includes a first signature conveyor conveying first signatures along a first signature path; a second signature conveyor conveying second signatures along a second signature path; and a chopper located between the first and second signature paths imparting a fold on both the first and second signatures. A chopper and method are also provided. |
| US07850587B2 |
Bend adjustable roller
A roller has an outer tubular member, a central shaft, a connecting member that connect the outer tubular member and the central shaft at a central area of an axis of the roller, connecting the outer tubular member and the central shaft, a bend adjustable mechanism disposed between the outer tubular member and the central shaft at both ends of the roller, a first bearing structure that engages the outer tubular member and the bend adjustable mechanism; a second bearing structure that engages the bend adjustable mechanism and the central shaft; and a rotation preventing mechanism that prevents rotation of the bend adjustable mechanism. The bend adjustable mechanism has a plurality of spacer structures that individually adjust a distance between the first bearing structure and the second bearing structure in a radial direction of the roller. |
| US07850583B2 |
Tension line exercise apparatus and method of exercising using a tension line exercise apparatus
An exercise apparatus including an elbow attachment device configured for attachment to an elbow of a user is provided. A tensioning device is configured for connection to the elbow attachment device and configured for connection to a torso of the user. The present invention also provides a method for exercising. |
| US07850580B2 |
Resistance exercise apparatus
A resistance exercise apparatus comprises a frame, a guide mounted on the frame, a resistance support movable relative to the guide along a path; and a resistance assembly for applying a resistance during an exercise. The resistance assembly includes a first resister having a first resistance, and a second resister having a second resistance. The first resistance and the second resistance are selectively and independently applied by the first resister and the second resister during an exercise. The first resister and the second resister are each arranged substantially symmetrically relative to the path. |
| US07850579B2 |
Bilateral arm trainer and method of use
A device and method for bilateral upper extremity training for patients with a paretic upper extremity, the device facilitating cortical remodeling, sustained relearning, and improvement in functional outcomes in paretic and possibly non-paretic upper extremities. In one variation, the device includes a base, an adjustable chest plate for placing the user at a set distance from the device and isolating arm movement, an incline plate attached and inclinable relative to the base, two width plates adjustably attached to the incline plate, and two swivel plates adjustably attached to the width plates. In one variation, the swivel plates are swivalable relative to a fixed point in a plane parallel to the plane of the width plates. In another variation, the swivel plates are pivotably attached to the width plates. Other features of the device include a counter for counting user activity, and audible and visual cueing devices for facilitating sustained learning. |
| US07850578B2 |
Exercise device
An exercise device and corresponding methods involving a frame; a track being mechanically coupled to the frame; and a plurality of platforms for accommodating an exerciser's feet, each platform of the plurality of platforms including at least one moving member for facilitating both a divergent movement and a convergent movement, the at least one moving member moving on the track. The device includes a tensioning structure for providing adjustable resistance. |
| US07850573B2 |
Shift control method of automatic transmission
A shift control method of an automatic transmission according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may control a shift from an N speed achieved by engagement of first and second frictional elements to an N-3 speed achieved by engagement of third and fourth frictional elements, wherein release of the second frictional element is completed after release of the first frictional element begins, and engagement of the fourth frictional element begins after engagement of the third frictional element begins, wherein the engagement of the third frictional element is completed after the release of the second frictional element is completed. |
| US07850572B2 |
Hydraulic over/undershoot protection for transmission clutch control
A vehicle automatic speed change power transmission control includes a control arrangement with overshoot/undershoot protection logic. The control is used with an electro-hydraulic pressure control module featuring a linear solenoid, and which supplies a hydraulically-actuated clutch configured to effect gear changes. The overshoot/undershoot protection logic is configured to detect when a commanded increase/decrease clutch pressure satisfies a clutch pressure threshold and to then activate the protection logic. Once the protection logic is activated, large command pressures increases/decreases are implemented in a series of stages having variable gains. The first stage has an aggressive gain and achieves 50-80% of the commanded clutch pressure. The second stage has a reduced gain and achieves 90% of the commanded clutch pressure. The third stage has a still further reduced gain and achieves about 100% of the commanded clutch pressure. |
| US07850568B2 |
Power train of automatic transmission
A power train of an automatic transmission with eight forward speeds and two reverse speeds includes: a speed reduction unit including a first variable input member connected to an input shaft via a first clutch, first and second variably stopped members connected to a transmission case, and a reduced speed output member; an output unit including a reduced speed input member connected to the reduced speed output member, second and third variable input members connected to the input shaft via second and third clutches, respectively, a third variably stopped member connected to the transmission case, and a shifted speed output member connected to an output gear. A first brake variably stops the third variable stopped member; a second brake variably stops the first variable stopped member; and a third brake variably stops the second variable stopped member. |
| US07850567B2 |
Differential carrier with an inner plate package
A differential drive with a rotatably arranged differential carrier (11) in which a multi-plate coupling (23) is arranged so as to be effective between the differential carrier (11) and a sideshaft gear (29), wherein the differential carrier (11) includes a dish-shaped carrier part (12) in which there are received sideshaft gears (28, 29) and differential gears (26, 27). The differential carrier includes a dish-shaped cover (14) which receives the plates of the multi-plate coupling (23). |
| US07850564B2 |
Bicycle sprocket
A bicycle sprocket is provided that has a synthetic resin fastening part, to facilitate weight saving and prevent the reduction of fastening power (strength) due to deterioration or deformation of the synthetic resin. The sprocket includes a sprocket ring part and a synthetic resin fastening part. The sprocket ring part includes an inner periphery and an outer periphery with a plurality of sprocket teeth arranged on the outer periphery. The sprocket ring part extends around a central rotation axis. The 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 fastening part includes at least one through hole with a metallic tubular member mounted therein and configured to be fixedly coupled to a rotational drive unit of a bicycle. The tubular member has a first fastener contact surface configured to receive a fastening force. |
| US07850562B2 |
Low friction, direct drive conveyor belt
A thermoplastic endless belt (100) has a smooth outer surface substantially free of discontinuities and an inner surface with a plurality of teeth (106) at a given belt pitch. The teeth are adapted to engage a pulley (102) with circumferentially spaced sheaves (104) at a pulley pitch greater than the belt pitch. The belt is slightly stretchable so that the pulley can drive the endless belt when engaging the teeth within a range of load on the belt. Means (132, 136, 138) are provided to minimize friction between the belt and the drive pulley. Also, a position limiter (200) ensures that the driven tooth stays engaged optimally with the drive sheave. |
| US07850557B2 |
Torque fluctuation damper pulley
A torque fluctuation damper pulley 10 is provided with a torque fluctuation damping elastic member 15 between a hub 11 attached to a rotational shaft and a pulley member 13. The torque fluctuation damping elastic member 15 includes a pair of rubber members 15A and 15B which sandwich a support portion 24 of the pulley member 13 under equal elastic forces from the front and rear in the axial direction of the pulley member 13 to joint the hub with the pulley member 13 elastically. Thus, the pulley member 13 always has equal forces being applied thereto from the front and rear in the axial direction, so that it becomes possible to make unnecessary any thrust bearing which would otherwise be required for positioning the pulley member 13 in the axial direction. |
| US07850554B2 |
Apparatus for deterring modification of sports equipment
The present invention relates to an apparatus for playing ball sports including softball. More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus for deterring the modification of ball bats. The bat comprises a barrel, a sweet spot, a transition area, a handle, and an end knob. Within the barrel are found supports used to reinforce the structural integrity of the bat to deter users from crushing the bat, causing the bat to fall outside the legal classification of bats allowed by the Amateur Softball Association of America (ASA). The supports are made out of a lightweight durable composition. The supports are held in place by a retaining member. Multiple supports and retaining members may be used. |
| US07850552B2 |
Trajectory detection and feedback system
A disclosed device provides a trajectory detection and feedback system. The system is capable of detecting one or more moving volleyballs in free flight, analyzing a trajectory of each volleyball and providing feedback information to a human that has launched the volleyball into flight, and/or one or more observers in the area. The feedback information may include one or more trajectory parameters that the human may use to evaluate their skill at sending the volleyball along a desired trajectory. In a particular embodiment, a non-intrusive machine vision system that remotely detects trajectories of moving volleyballs may be used to evaluate trajectory parameters for a volleyball hit towards a virtual target area by a player. |
| US07850548B2 |
Multi-piece solid golf ball
The invention provides a multi-piece solid golf ball comprising a core, an envelope layer encasing the core, an intermediate layer encasing the envelope layer, and a cover which encases the intermediate layer and has formed on a surface thereof a plurality of dimples. The core is formed primarily of a rubber material, has a diameter of at least 31 mm, and has a hardness which gradually increases from a center to a surface thereof, the hardness difference in JIS-C hardness units between the core center and the core surface being at least 15 and, letting (I) be the average value for cross-sectional hardnesses at a position 15 mm from the core center and at the core center and letting (II) be the cross-sectional hardness at a position 7.5 mm from the core center, the hardness difference (I)-(II) therebetween in JIS-C units being not more than ±2. |
| US07850543B2 |
Metal wood club with improved hitting face
A hitting face of a golf club head having improved flexural stiffness properties. In one embodiment, the hitting face is made from multiple materials. The main portion of the hitting face is a plate-like face made from a first material having a first density. A dense insert made from a second material having a second density that is greater than the first density is attached directly or indirectly to the plate-like face at or near the geometric center thereof. The dense insert increases the flexural stiffness of in a central zone of the hitting face so that a golf club head that has a larger zone of substantially uniform high initial ball speed. In another embodiment, the hitting face includes an insert that includes main plate and at least one wing extending therefrom. The insert is welded to the golf club head so that the main plate does not deflect separately from the remainder of the hitting face. The geometry of the insert controls the stiffness in the axial directions. |
| US07850541B2 |
Composite metal wood club
A metal wood golf club head adapted for attachment to a shaft, comprising of a body portion and a crown portion, each portion constructed of a different density material. Combining a high-density material in the body portion, with a low-density material in the crown portion, creates an ultra-low center of gravity relative to the geometric face center, resulting in higher launch angles and spin rate ratios. The material for the crown portion is preferably a composite. A vibration dampening gasket is disposed between the ledge and lip sections of the body and crown respectively. |
| US07850538B1 |
Golf club having two angularly divergent impact faces
A dual purpose putting and chipping golf club has a golf club head with a golf ball impact face vertically split into a pair of angularly divergent impact surfaces; a vertical putting surface and an obtusely angled chipping surface which face in the same horizontal direction. |
| US07850537B2 |
Vibration-based training device and method
Embodiments of a portable vibration device are disclosed, along with their use in enhancing performance for athletic and other processes requiring precise body control. A small portable housing is removably attachable to an athletic implement such as the shaft of a golf club. A battery-operated vibration mechanism within the housing operates at a frequency suitable for enhancing muscle performance through stimulation. A frequency control circuit operable by the user enables adjustment of the frequency for various circumstances. A removable pad attaches to the vibration mechanism and defines features adapted to match a particular intended implement, and a removable cam attached via an axle to a motor can be replaced by a cam adapted for use with that same type of implement. |
| US07850534B2 |
Inflatable game table
An inflatable game table (10) constructed of flexible, air impervious panels (22) for forming an inflatable enclosure having an upper playing surface for use as a pool table or the like and being capable of resisting inclement, outdoor weather. The game table (10) is inflatable to a condition for use, and can be deflated for compact storage and transport. |
| US07850532B2 |
Axial impact shaft system
A stub shaft of a main rotor shaft of a generator has its flange or shoulder removed from its outer portion so in the event of a bending failure of the stub shaft the resulting axial load of the stub shaft is not transmitted to the main rotor shaft. Instead of a retention plug adjacent the distal end of the inside portion of the stub shaft, a knock out plug is lightly press-fit into the main rotor shaft. In the event of a failure, the outside portion of the stub shaft enters the main rotor shaft without applying an axial load onto the main rotor shaft, moves axially and displaces the knock-out plug without exiting the main rotor shaft. |
| US07850531B2 |
Axial coupling of a constant velocity joint to a hub bearing unit of a motor vehicle wheel
A constant velocity joint has an outer bell telescopically coupled for rotation with a rotatable hub of a hub bearing unit so as to provide torque transmission thereto. The joint bell is releasably axially coupled to a rotatable member of the hub bearing unit by an annular connector. The connector includes a radially inwardly extending annular flange axially clamped against a rigid annular part fixed to or integral with the hub, and a radially outer portion extending axially around a cylindrical surface of the joint bell. This outer portion has a resiliently radially expansible section with one or more radially inwardly extending protrusions providing a snap connection with a relief or recess formed on the cylindrical outer surface of the joint. |
| US07850530B2 |
Outer joint part of a constant velocity universal joint for a wheel hub-joint-unit
An outer joint part of a constant velocity universal joint for a wheel hub-constant velocity fixed joint unit wherein a wheel hub (60, 90) with a through-aperture (59, 89) carrying inner shaft teeth (44, 74) is clamped relative to the outer joint part (46, 76) of a constant velocity universal joint (42, 72), to which outer joint part (46, 76) there is formed on a journal (53, 83) with outer shaft teeth (54, 84), wherein the inner shaft teeth (44, 74) of the through-aperture (59, 89) and the outer shaft teeth (54, 84) of the journal (53, 83) engage one another and wherein a double-row wheel bearing (43, 73) is slid on to the wheel hub (60, 90) which wheel bearing comprises an inner bearing race (64, 94) which directly supports an end face (52, 82) of the outer joint part (46, 76), wherein the ratio of the journal diameter at the journal base (DZ) and the journal length (LZ) is greater than 0.95. |
| US07850529B2 |
Trunnion support and bearing particularly for universal joint
A combination of an annular spacer, and a thrust washer in the opening of the spacer. The spacer and the thrust washer being connected by sacrificial tabs dimensioned to be stronger toward one of the spacer and thrust washer so that upon breaking of the sacrificial tabs, the tab remnants will stay with the one of the spacer and the washer to which it was more strongly attached. A trunnion on a spider of a universal joint and the trunnion is to be connected to a yoke arm. The trunnion being received in a trunnion cup. The spacer and the thrust washer combination being toward the bottom of the cup. An array of needle bearings around the periphery of the trunnion inside the cup. An annular seal in the cup sealing around the installed trunnion. |
| US07850520B2 |
Gaming machine with multiple reel matrix
A bonus feature for a gaming machine in which additional graphic features are caused to be displayed as overlays of the graphic imagery of a base game; said graphic imagery of said base game comprising symbols arranged in a first matrix of symbol containing elements, wherein columns of said first matrix are visible portions of a rotatable set of inner reels; said additional graphic features comprising symbols in selected elements of a second matrix of elements, wherein columns of said second matrix of elements are visible portions of a rotatable set of outer reels; and wherein predetermined arrangements of said additional graphic features trigger at least one bonus feature game. |
| US07850501B2 |
Light-emitting device and method for manufacturing light-emitting device
Techniques are provided for manufacturing a light-emitting device having high internal quantum efficiency, consuming less power, having high luminance, and having high reliability. The techniques include forming a conductive light-transmitting oxide layer comprising a conductive light-transmitting oxide material and silicon oxide, forming a barrier layer in which density of the silicon oxide is higher than that in the conductive light-transmitting oxide layer over the conductive light-transmitting oxide layer, forming an anode having the conductive light-transmitting oxide layer and the barrier layer, heating the anode under a vacuum atmosphere, forming an electroluminescent layer over the heated anode, and forming a cathode over the electroluminescent layer. According to the techniques, the barrier layer is formed between the electroluminescent layer and the conductive light-transmitting oxide layer. |
| US07850500B2 |
Method of fabricating organic light emitting display
A method of fabricating an organic light emitting display is provided, in which, a first electrode is formed above a substrate having first and second regions, respectively, an emission layer is formed in the first and second regions, a second electrode is formed on the emission layer in the first and second regions, and a reflecting layer pattern is selectively formed on the second electrode in the second region. |
| US07850499B2 |
Method of manufacturing organic electroluminescence display apparatus
Provided is a method of manufacturing an organic electroluminescence display apparatus including an organic electroluminescence device formed on a substrate, the organic electroluminescence device including a first electrode and a second electrode, at least one of which is transparent, and an organic emission layer formed between the first electrode and the second electrode, the organic emission layer being for emitting light by application of a current. Aging is performed until a rate of change in current efficiency of the organic electroluminescence device per unit time at a predetermined luminance or the amount of change per unit time in the rate of change in current efficiency of the organic electroluminescence device per unit time falls within a predetermined range. |
| US07850498B2 |
Skidproof sports mat
A sports mat includes a foam sheet, a patterned laminate and a skid proof layer. The foam sheet is made of polyethylene foam. The patterned laminate includes a first plastic film, a second plastic film and a pattern. The first plastic film is laminated on top of the foam sheet. The second plastic film is laminated on top of the first plastic film. The pattern is placed in between the first plastic film and the second plastic film and visible from outside of the sports mat. The skid proof layer is coated over the top surface of the second plastic film. Additionally, the skid proof layer together with the pattern laminate and the second foam layer defines a plurality of indentations and protrusions spread over a top surface of the skid proof layer so as to strengthen connection therebetween. |
| US07850497B2 |
Method and system for providing and using a power paddle
A paddle and a method for using the paddle are described. The method and system include providing a first resistance surface and at least a second resistance surface. The first resistance surface includes at least one aperture therein. The second resistance surface(s) are coupled with the first resistance surface in a plurality of configurations. The plurality of configurations has a plurality of resistances. |
| US07850491B2 |
Cylindrical plug connector
A connector to be connected to a mating connector includes a housing having a receptacle recess portion for receiving the mating connector. The housing includes a regulating protrusion formed on an inner surface thereof. The connector further includes a terminal retained in the housing. The terminal includes a held portion held in the housing, a bent portion bending from the held portion, and an elastic contact portion extending from the bent portion. The elastic contact portion contacts with an outer conductive member of the mating connector and elastically deforming when the plug is inserted into the receptacle recess portion. The held portion and the bent portion have a cut portion for accommodating the regulating protrusion, so that the regulating protrusion is situated at a position for regulating the elastic contact portion. |
| US07850488B2 |
High-speed transmission connector with ground terminals between pair of transmission terminals on a common flat surface and a plurality of ground plates on another common flat surface
The present invention is to provide each of pairs of transmission contact terminals in contact units are arranged between each of two adjacent ground contact terminals. A pair of shielding pieces of each of contact plate is formed to separate fixed terminal portions of the pair of transmission contact terminals of one of the contact unit from those of the adjacent one of the contact unit. |
| US07850486B2 |
Electrical connector provided with retaining member
An electrical connector electrically mounted on a circuit board for connecting with a complementary connector, which comprises an insulative housing, a plurality of contacts received in the housing and a retaining member fixed in the insulative housing for fastening the connector onto the circuit board. The insulative housing includes a base portion, an inserting portion extending forwardly from the base portion and a bottom wall extending forwardly from the bottom of the base portion. Said retaining member comprises two first retaining patches fixed in two opposite sides of the insulative housing. On the front end of the bottom, there defined a plurality of receiving slot, said retaining member further comprises several second retaining patches correspondingly received in said receiving slots. The connector is stably fastened onto the circuit board through the second retaining patch, therefore, can avoid the connector dropping from the circuit board when the inserting force is too large or the inserting direction is slat. |
| US07850482B2 |
Coaxial connector with integrated mating force sensor and method of use thereof
A mating force sensing coaxial cable connector is provided, the connector comprising: a connector body; a sensing circuit positioned on a face of an insulator component, the insulator component located within the connector body; a capacitive space in immediate proximity with the face of the insulator component upon which the sensing circuit is positioned; and a flexible member forming at least one boundary surface of the capacitive space, said flexible member being movable due to mating forces. Such movement or bending of the flexible member causes a change in the capacitive space and the sensing circuit uses this change to determine if the connector as mated is properly tightened. |
| US07850478B2 |
Power supply and retention bar for a power supply
A power supply has an outer shell and a retention bar. The outer shell has a rear panel and a cover. The rear panel has a socket and two guide slots. The cover has two pivot slots and two pivot mounts. Each pivot slot is formed through the cover adjacent to a corresponding guide slot. The pivot mounts are formed from and protrudes inwardly from the cover and have pivot holes formed therethrough. The retention bar is mounted in the pivot holes of the pivot mounts and has a clip and two protrusions. Therefore, when the power supply is mounted in a casing of a machine, the retention bar simultaneously fastens the power supply to the casing and a plug to the power supply. |
| US07850473B1 |
Electrical connector
An electrical connector including a housing provided with an opening through which a flat circuit device is inserted into the housing, a plurality of conductive contacts arranged on the housing, a conductive shell mounted on the housing for covering partially the same and provided with a holding member for engaging with the flat circuit device inserted in the housing to hold the same, and a releasing member formed in the housing with a first end portion thereof operative to be in contact with the holding member and a second end portion thereof operative to project from the inside to the outside of the conductive shell, wherein the releasing member is moved so that the first end portion thereof causes the holding member to be released from engagement with the flat circuit device inserted in the housing when the second end portion thereof is pushed toward the inside of the conductive shell under a condition wherein the holding member is put in the engagement with the flat circuit device inserted in the housing. |
| US07850471B2 |
Shorting terminal, connector and shorting method
A shorting terminal (40) includes a contact pieces (41) to be respectively brought into contact with a pair of laterally adjacent female terminal fittings (20) out of a plurality of female terminal fittings (20) arranged in vertical and lateral directions in an auxiliary connector (11), thereby shorting the pair of female terminal fittings (20), wherein releasing ribs (35) thrust themselves between the contact pieces (41) and the female terminal fittings (20) held in contact to release the pair of female terminal fittings (20). The both contact pieces (41) are arranged between the pair of laterally adjacent female terminal fittings (20). |
| US07850464B2 |
Keyboard connecting mechanism capable of assembling a keyboard conveniently
A keyboard connecting mechanism includes a frame, a cable, and a socket. The frame is connected to a keyboard. At least one first positioning structure is disposed on the frame. The cable is disposed on a side of the frame. The cable includes a plurality of pins, and at least one hole is formed on the cable. The socket includes a base. At least one second positioning structure is formed on a first side of the base for connecting with the first positioning structure so as to fix the frame and the cable. The socket further includes a plurality of fragments disposed on the first side of the base for applying elastic force to the plurality of pins of the cable. The socket further includes at least one elastic structure disposed on a lateral side of the base for fixing the frame elastically. |
| US07850459B1 |
Apparatus for mechanically attaching two structures and optionally making electrical connections between electronic devices
A base unit is mechanically connected to the structure of a first electronic device. The base unit is round and includes conductive threads around the inside surface of an outer ring. The base unit may also include a center threaded post with conductive threads. The first electronic device is electrically connected to the base unit. A replaceable unit is sized such that it may screw into the base unit, the replaceable unit including matching threads which engage with the threads of the base unit. The threads of the replaceable unit are also electrically conductive, and are electrically connected to a second electronic device which is encapsulated within the replaceable unit. When the two pieces are screwed together the two electronic devices are thereby electrically connected. The first electronic device may be a solar panel. Another version of the invention does not include electrical connections. |
| US07850452B2 |
Pre-stressed implant component and assembly
A dental implant and a dental implant assembly comprises a dental implant having a longitudinal-axial-pre-load. The dental implant has an insert portion, and an outer shell portion. The insert portion of the implant is affixed within a longitudinal-axial opening of the outer shell portion of the implant. The affixation of the inner portion within the axial opening of the outer shell portion of the implant applies a pre-load in a longitudinal axial direction on the implant. The dental implant assembly further comprises an abutment and a retaining screw. The abutment is adapted to be attached to the dental implant. The retaining screw is adapted fasten the abutment to the dental implant. |
| US07850451B2 |
Modular system for customized orthodontic appliances
A set of customized orthodontic brackets are provided with slots that are arranged substantially parallel to the tooth surface. The archwire, in an as-manufactured condition, has a portion of substantial arcuate extent, which is canted relative to the occlusal plane. The brackets are designed on a computer as a combination of three-dimensional virtual objects comprising the virtual bracket bonding pad and a separate virtual bracket body retrieved from a library of virtual bracket bodies. The virtual brackets can be represented as a file containing digital shape data and exported to a rapid prototype fabrication device for fabrication of the bracket in wax or other material and casting the wax prototype in a suitable alloy. Other manufacturing techniques are also contemplated, including milling and laser sintering. |
| US07850450B2 |
Orthodontic bone anchor
An orthodontic bone anchor comprising an anchor plate, a tube affixed to the emerging end of the anchor plate and, a rod slidable within the tube, a groove formed in the rod, a plate attached to the tube at one end and having a V-shaped notch at the other end, and the V-shaped notch adapted to cooperate with the groove to prevent movement of the rod with respect to the tube. |
| US07850449B2 |
Heat treatment equipment
In an embodiment, heat treatment equipment comprises a process tube, an exhaust duct connected to the process tube, and, during operation, exhausting gases present within the process tube. The heat treatment equipment also comprises a hollow pressure control member interposed between the process tube and the exhaust duct, the pressure control member being operatively connected to the process tube and the exhaust duct respectively, and including one or a number of openings. Negative pressure is avoided in the process tube during heat treatment processes so that unwanted gas and impurities cannot enter the process tube from outside. |
| US07850448B2 |
Furnace
A gas fired furnace capable of operating with a 16:1 turndown ratio or greater. The furnace includes a plurality of burners (10) grouped into at least (14a) first and second (14b) groups, each group connected to a source of combustible gas through a control valve (30a, 30b, 30c). The control valve (30c) controlling at least one group of burners is of a modulating type having an output proportional to a control signal applied to the valve. The burners fire into associated heat exchange tubes (20a), each tube having an inlet (24) and an outlet. The tube outlets are connected to a collector chamber (44) that includes a baffle plate (60) that divides the collector into two sections, one of the sections communicating with the outlets of the tubes associated with the first group of burners, the other section communicating with the outlets of the heat exchanger tubes associated with the other group of burners. |
| US07850447B1 |
Dual disc electrode
A combined igniter and flame sense electrode for a dual stage gas burner that includes a first burner and a second burner is disclosed. The electrode includes a first conductive element mounted on the shaft and positioned closer to the first burner than to the second burner; a second conductive element mounted on the shaft and positioned closer to the second burner than to the first burner; and one or more electrical connectors connected to the conductive elements. An electrode according to the invention can also be used with a single stage gas burner, by placing the first conductive element at the position of high level flame from the burner and by placing the second conductive element at the position of low level flame from the burner. A gas burner assembly incorporating such an electrode, and a gas appliance incorporating such a gas burner assembly, are also disclosed. |
| US07850444B2 |
Fuel element for melting plate candle assembly
A fuel charge for use with a melting plate candle assembly includes an outer shell of fuel material surrounding an inner core of fuel material having different properties than the fuel material of the outer shell. The outer shell is substantially solid and may contain fuel additive that slows capillary flow of liquid fuel to the flame through the wick. The inner core may include liquid fuel, discrete solid fuel particles, or a solid fuel mass. The fuel additive is disposed in the fuel charge so as to slow migration of liquefied fuel to a flame on a wick only after a substantial portion of the fuel charge has been liquefied by heat from the flame. |
| US07850442B2 |
Edge-gated nozzle
An injection molding apparatus includes a manifold having a manifold melt channel for receiving a melt stream of moldable material under pressure and at least one nozzle having a nozzle melt channel in fluid communication with the manifold melt channel. The nozzle has an opening that intersects with the nozzle melt channel, the opening having a central axis that is at an angle with respect to a central axis of the nozzle. A nozzle tip is coupled to the nozzle at one end of the opening. A valve pin bushing is coupled to the nozzle at an end of the opening opposite the nozzle tip. A valve pin extends through the opening. A primary actuator is connected to the valve pin. A nozzle locator piece is connected to the nozzle for mating with a side plate to locate the nozzle with respect to the mold gate. |
| US07850439B2 |
Vent plug for a tire vulcanization mold, tire vulcanization mold and method for manufacturing a pneumatic tire using the tire vulcanization mold
The invention relates to a vent plug for a tire vulcanization mold used for a vent hole of the mold, the tire vulcanization mold, and a manufacturing method for the tire using the mold. The vent plug includes a plug holder with a hollow ventilation portion and a plug head within the ventilation portion. The plug holder includes a tapered seat portion, an inside diameter of which becomes smaller toward a mold rear side, and a cylinder portion located at the mold rear side of the seat portion. The plug head includes a tapered head portion, an outer diameter of which becomes smaller toward the mold rear side, a base body portion located at the mold rear side of the head portion, and a slit portion communicating with the ventilation portion from an upper end face of the plug head. |
| US07850434B2 |
Pumping arrangement
A differentially pumped system comprises a plurality of pressure chambers; and a pumping arrangement (100) attached thereto for evacuating the chambers, the pumping arrangement comprising first and second compound pumps (102, 104) each comprising at least a first inlet (120); (124), a second inlet (122); (126), a first pumping section (110) and a second pumping section (112) downstream from the first pumping section, the sections being arranged such that fluid entering the pump from the first inlet passes through the first and second pumping sections and fluid entering the pump from the second inlet passes through, of said sections, only the second section, wherein the first inlet (120) of the first pump (102) is attached to an outlet from a first, relatively low, pressure chamber (10), the second inlet (122) of the first pump (102) and the first inlet (124) of the second pump (104) are attached to an outlet or respective outlets from a second, common medium pressure chamber (16), and the second inlet (126) of the second pump (104) is attached to an outlet from a third, relatively high pressure chamber (14). |
| US07850431B2 |
System and method for control of fluid pressure
Embodiments of the present invention are related to a pumping system that accurately dispenses fluid using a multiple stage (“multi-stage”) pump. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention provide for control of a feed stage pump to regulate fluid pressure at a downstream dispense stage pump. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a pressure sensor at the dispense stage pump determines the pressure in a dispense chamber. When the pressure reaches a predefined threshold, the dispense stage pump can begin to increase the available volume of the dispense chamber, thereby causing the pressure in the dispense chamber to drop. As the pressure decreases/increases at the downstream pump, the pressure applied by the upstream pump can bed increased/decreased. |
| US07850430B2 |
Turbomachine rotor blade
A turbomachine rotor blade comprising a root (14) mounted in a channel of the periphery of a disk and held by an annular flange (18) which presses on the root (14) of the blade (12), this root comprising a stop (44) engaging in a matching cavity of the flange in order to stop it rotating about the axis of the disk, the central portion of the stop having a thickness less than that of the ends of the stop. |
| US07850427B2 |
Closure device for a turbomachine casing
A high pressure turbomachine includes a casing having an interior chamber, an opening into the interior chamber, and a generally annular wall section extending about the opening and having an outer circumferential surface. A closure device is engageable with the casing and includes a body having an inner circumferential overlap surface defining an opening. The closure body is configured to receive at least a portion of the casing annular wall section within the body opening such that the closure body overlap surface extends about the annular wall section outer surface so that the body substantially closes the casing opening. When the casing chamber contains high pressure fluid, the casing wall section expands radially outwardly such that the casing section outer surface pushes generally radially outwardly against the closure body overlap surface, the closure body being configured to either minimize or substantially prevent casing wall radial expansion. |
| US07850426B2 |
Crimped connection for a cover and impeller in a torque converter
The present invention broadly comprises a torque converter including a cover arranged to accept torque from a drive unit and an impeller. The cover and the impeller are joined by a crimped connection. In some aspects, the converter includes a sealing element disposed between the cover and the impeller and the sealing element is selected from the group consisting of an o-ring and a gasket. In some aspects, the cover is a cast piece. In some aspects, the cover is formed by a process selected from the group consisting of: molding, compression molding, and pressed metal forming. In some aspects, the cover is a stamped metal piece. The present invention also broadly comprises a torque converter including a cover, an impeller, and an induction brazed connection joining the cover and impeller. In some aspects, the cover further comprises axially disposed fingers engaged with the impeller. |
| US07850424B2 |
Steam turbine power plant
An intermediate-pressure turbine is divided into a high-temperature, high-pressure side high-temperature, intermediate-pressure turbine section 11a and a low-temperature, low-pressure side low-temperature, intermediate-pressure turbine section 11b, the component members of the high-temperature, intermediate-pressure turbine section 11a are formed of austenitic heat-resistant steels or Ni-based alloys, and the high-temperature, intermediate-pressure turbine section 11a is operated by steam having a temperature of 650° C. or more. Other turbines are mainly formed of ferritic heat-resistant steels. Thus, a steam turbine power plant having high thermal efficiency and being economical can be provided. |
| US07850421B2 |
Stator arrangement for turbine
A stator arrangement, or distributor, for a turbine machine is disclosed which includes a guide blade. The blade shaft is supported to be able to pivot around the pivot axis, with a part which is to be guided being situated to the outside. The pivoting device contains a setting ring which is located outside a flow channel and which can be pivoted around the turbine axis, and adjusting levers which transmit torque from the setting ring to the blade shaft of each guide blade. The adjusting lever is slipped with one end onto the blade shaft. The other end can be configured as a ball head, the adjusting levers being guided in a groove of the setting ring. The surface which acts on the ball head of the adjusting lever for transmission of torque from the setting ring to the blade shaft of each guide blade can be configured as a ball socket. Exemplary embodiments can yield a uniform large-area pressure distribution by which the wear of the parts which press on one another can be distinctly reduced. |
| US07850419B2 |
Bleed valve actuating system for a gas turbine engine
The bleed valve actuating system is for use in a gas turbine engine. The system comprises an actuator mounted adjacent the engine case and having a main actuation axis extending generally parallel to a surface of the engine case. A drive rod extends from the bleed valve to the actuator generally perpendicularly with reference to the main actuation axis of the actuator. The drive rod connected to the actuator via a linkage mechanically connects the actuator to the drive rod. The linkage is configured to convert axial motion of the actuator along the main actuation axis into generally perpendicular motion of the drive rod. |
| US07850417B2 |
Engine arrangement
In a contra rotating propeller engine propeller blade assemblies are provided which rotate in opposite directions as a result of association with an epicyclic gear assembly acting as a differential gearbox. A carrier is provided to drive one propeller blade assembly. Actuators are provided to cause pitch angle adjustment of the respective propeller blades of the assemblies. These actuators, are secured upon a stationary structure and act through actuator rods and appropriate mechanisms to cause such angular pitch adjustment. Rotational de-couplers are provided to rotationally isolate the actuators while an actuator rod part acts across the assemblies and a rotational de-coupler to de-couple contra rotation between the assemblies while still allowing axial displacement for adjustment of the other propeller blade assembly. |
| US07850416B2 |
Turboengine and method for adjusting the stator and rotor of a turboengine
A turbo-machine (1), including a stator (2), internally coated with a running-in layer (6), a rotor (4) within the stator (2), wherein the turbo-machine (1) supplementally includes a device for parallel displacement and rotation of the rotation axis of the rotor (10) about the axis of symmetry of the stator (2). By means of this device the gap width between stator (2) and rotor (4) is minimized and therewith the economy of the turbo-machine (1) is increased. |
| US07850412B2 |
Overhead boat storage system
A system and method for the safe storage of boats wherein a storage structure is provided having a first section in which boats are stored in vertically oriented cells with each boat being carried within a boat storage unit such that the units may be stacked one upon another and wherein at least one transfer vehicle is provided for selectively engaging and conveying the boat storage units along an overhead grid track system between the first section and a second section wherein the grid track system is at least partially oriented over a body of water such that the at least one transfer vehicle may be used to either lift or lower a boat contained within a boat storage unit relative to the body of water and move the storage unit to and from a storage position in one of the vertical storage cells of the first section of the storage structure. |
| US07850411B2 |
Storage and retrieval system
A storage and retrieval system includes a continuous track and a plurality of individual storage units stacked in multiple columns or rows. Each storage unit includes wheels for engaging the continuous track for selective movement along the track. A conveyor apparatus is used to selectively move the storage units along the length of the continuous track between uppermost positions of adjacent columns, so as to support the storage unit as the storage unit passes gaps in the upper rail due to intermediate vertical rails extending downwardly intermediate ends thereof. |
| US07850410B1 |
Fastener apparatus with self-leveling head
Fastener apparatus including a self-adjusting and automatically self-leveling head separate from a threaded shank portion. An embodiment of the apparatus provides a self-leveling head portion defining an annular conical recess and lip portion sized to receive a seal. A threaded shank resides within an annular cup center of the self-leveling head and has a thread-free portion seated by the compressed seal creating a water tight seal. |
| US07850409B2 |
Fastening element
A fastening element has a shaft (12), and a tapping thread (21) carried by the shaft (12) and having at least one screw thread (22, 42) a section (23; 43) of which that adjoins the thread pilot (35), having a plurality of following one another thread steps (24, 25, 26, 27; 44, 45, 46, 47) having different cross-sections, with a cross-section of the at least one screw thread (22; 42) decreasing stepwise toward the thread pilot (35) from a thread step (24, 25, 26, 27; 44, 45, 46, 47) to a thread step (24, 25, 26, 27; 44, 45, 46, 47), with the thread steps (24, 25, 26, 27; 44, 45, 46, 47) having respective cutting edge-forming end surfaces (28, 29, 30, 31; 48, 49, 50, 51) aligned, at least partially, in a direction of the thread pilot (35). |
| US07850407B2 |
Motorcycle transport device
A motorcycle transport device comprising a base, a pair of first upright members attached to the base, and a pair of second members telescopically connected to the first upright members. A lower jaw is attached to each of the first upright members and an upper jaw is attached to each of the second members. A lock assembly is operatively associated with the first upright member and the second member. The lock assembly is adapted to hold the lower jaw and the upper jaw in a closed position. |
| US07850403B2 |
Finishing machines used to orient objects
An improvement to finishing machines that are used to orient objects. The finishing machine includes a hopper for receiving loose objects, such as lids, and an endless belt for extracting the lids from the hopper. The belt moves vertically upwards with the lids and sorts the lids automatically, such that only correctly-oriented lids are retained. The machine is also equipped with a combined system for ejecting and conveying oriented lids, including: a plate which covers the upper part of the belt and which extends laterally beyond the belt, downstream thereof, in order to support the lids as they are ejected from the grooves in the belt; devices for ejecting the lids from the grooves and for subsequently conveying same beyond the grooves downstream, the ejection devices including jets of propellant fluid which pass through the plate by an arrangement of eyes; and a casing which is disposed on the plate and into which the propellant fluid is introduced and maintained under pressure by a turbine, the casing extending over the entire surface of the plate. In addition, the downstream part of the casing includes a routing conveyor with an adjustable height, which transports the oriented lids toward the use stations. |
| US07850402B1 |
Cement-treated soil blocks with vegetative faces
A retaining wall or steeply faced slope is disclosed having a naturally green façade. The wall or slope is made of blocks of compacted earth, each having a face reinforced with wire mesh and covered with vegetation such as native grasses. The blocks may be formed onsite, saving transportation costs and other waste, using native soils. The mesh may extend beyond other faces of each block to provide handles and geogrid anchoring. A press is disclosed to form the blocks by compacting soil mixed with cement, the press including hydraulic rams or screw jacks that create immense pressures and having wedge shaped sides that relieve lateral confining pressure when the block is extracted. The wall may be expected to last indefinitely, despite the vegetation growing on it. |
| US07850400B2 |
Stabilized soil structure and facing elements for its construction
The facing element for a stabilized soil structure comprises a body of cast material inside which a path is formed for a reinforcement strip between two points of emergence situated on a rear face of the element. This path includes two rectilinear portions which are respectively adjacent to the two points of emergence and are each arranged so as to position the strip in the same plane of emergence perpendicular to the rear face, two curved portions which respectively continue the two rectilinear portions and are arranged so as to deviate the strip from the plane of emergence, and a connection portion which joins the two curved portions to one another and has at least one loop situated outside the plane of emergence. |
| US07850397B2 |
Marine J-lay pipelaying system
A marine J-lay pipelaying system for use on a vessel for laying an offshore pipeline has a J-lay tower, a pipe connecting station, wherein said pipe section is connected to the previously launched pipeline, and J-lay tower bearing means which allow for the pivoting of the J-lay tower with respect to the vessel.The J-lay tower has a free-pivotal mode wherein the J-lay tower is freely pivotable with respect to the vessel so that the J-lay tower has an orientation independent from sea-state induced vessel motions.A pipe section loader is moveable between a loading position, wherein a new pipe section is received, and a erected position, wherein the new pipe section is aligned with the J-lay tower;The pipe section loader is provided with an automatic synchronizing system which—when the pipe section loader is moved from its loading position to its erected position—causes a synchronised pivotal motion of the pipe section loader with respect to the J-lay tower in its free-pivotal mode—at the latest as the pipe section loader reaches its erected position—, so that the new pipe section is aligned with the J-lay tower is in its free-pivotal mode. |
| US07850396B2 |
Wheeled screeding device
A method and apparatus for screeding post tensioned concrete slabs includes providing a screeding device having a wheeled support having a frame portion and spaced apart wheels rotatably mounted to the frame portion. The screeding device has a screed head mounted to the wheeled support. The screed head includes a vibrating member and a grade setting device adjustably mounted to the vibrating member. The vibrating member is at least partially supportable on the uncured concrete surface, and the grade setting device is adjustable relative to the vibrating member to strike off excess uncured concrete in front of the vibrating member to establish the desired grade or level of the uncured concrete. The screed head may be pivotable relative to the wheeled support about a longitudinal pivot axis extending along the screeding device and in the direction of travel of the screeding device. |
| US07850395B1 |
Smoothness indicator analysis system
A smoothness indicator analysis system generates a comprehensive report and a graphic user interface display useful for planning pavement projects and future maintenance of a paved road. The smoothness indicator analysis system includes an information handling system for analyzing elevation information collected and measured by a smoothness indicator. The information handling system may be configured to receive user selections and input parameters through a graphic user interface. Based on the user selections and the input parameters, the elevation information is analyzed and various reports are generated. An amount of paving material required for a given portion of the road surface and the pavement thickness of a given portion of the road surface may be estimated. |
| US07850387B2 |
System for reducing stress concentrations in lap joints
A stress concentration reduction system includes a hoop tension finger doubler coupled to a lap splice. The lap slice is formed by an first panel overlapped by a second panel. The hoop tension finger doubler is formed to fit against the panels flushly. |
| US07850386B2 |
Two-axis swivel joint
A two-axis swivel joint having a wheel member and a shoulder member is provided. The wheel member is securable to a first implement so that the wheel member swivels about a first axis. The wheel member has a rim portion with a channel defined therein. The shoulder member is secured in the channel such that the shoulder member swivels with respect to the wheel member about a second axis. |
| US07850375B2 |
Light quantity adjusting apparatus, image pickup apparatus and optical apparatus
At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to a light quantity adjusting apparatus that can include a first blade member configured to be driven by a drive source, such as a motor, and a second blade member whose movement is configured to be related to the movement of the first blade member. |
| US07850372B2 |
Optical connector with optical fiber
In an optical connector with optical fibers in which silica glass optical fibers with resin coating layers remaining attached are connected in optical fiber openings of a ferrule made from resin, at least a part of the resin coating layer of the optical fiber is glued to an inner face of the optical fiber opening, an outer diameter of the resin coating layer of the optical fiber is less than or equal to 125 μm, and the Young's modulus of the resin coating layer is less than the Young's modulus of the ferrule, and the Young's modulus of the resin coating layer is 1500 to 10000 MPa. |
| US07850365B1 |
Toroidal convection mixing device
A device for circulating a liquid media in a vessel includes a gas infusion tube having a leading end immersed in the liquid media and a trailing end in fluid communication with a remote air pump. A diffuser is secured to the leading end of the gas infusion tube. The lumen of an outer tube receives the gas infusion tube and the diffuser. The outer tube has a leading end disposed in spaced relation to a bottom wall of the vessel and has a trailing end substantially flush with a level of the liquid media. A plurality of circumferentially spaced openings are formed in the trailing end of the outer tube or in a cap secured to the trailing end. Bubbles are emitted from the diffuser, entraining the liquid media so that it follows a toroidal path of travel that maximizes cell growth. |
| US07850363B1 |
Adjustable lighting fixture with tool holder
An adjustable track lighting fixture of a type having rotary locking lever for securing the fixture to a bus bar, where the locking lever is economically formed with an internal confinement facility of removably housing an Allen key to be retained with the fixture and used for locking the adjustments of the fixture when desired. A spring, also housed internally of the locking lever, resiliently but releasably retains the Allen key until purposefully withdrawn by a workman. The key is returned to its confinement after the workman has finished using it for the purposes intended. The key is retained in an inconspicuous manner but nevertheless visible to the workman and readily extracted for use when desired. |
| US07850360B2 |
Backlight assembly, liquid crystal display having the same, and method thereof
The present invention relates to a backlight assembly and a liquid crystal display (“LCD”) having the same. The backlight assembly includes a light source unit including a printed circuit board (“PCB”) and a plurality of light emitting diodes (“LEDs”) mounted on a side of the PCB, a receiving member including a base plate and a plurality of walls that extend from the base plate at an angle and receive the light source unit, and a plurality of through holes or uneven patterns formed in a region of the receiving member where at least the light source unit is disposed. |
| US07850354B2 |
Rod shaped light for marking a tower with lights
A rod-shaped light for marking a pylon or a pylon element, in particular of a wind power installation, with lights, is in the form of a rod-shaped holder, at the first end of which lighting means are arranged and at the second end of which lighting means connections are arranged. In order to equip a pylon, in particular of a wind power installation which has already been erected, or a pylon element for a wind power installation which is still to be erected, with a light marking arrangement, the rod-shaped light is fitted from the inside through a bore in the pylon wall so that the lighting means radiate into the surrounding area of the pylon. |
| US07850353B2 |
Tail lamp structure
To provide a tail lamp structure wherein a height in an upward and downward direction can be reduced to achieve miniaturization thereof. A tail lamp structure is equipped at a rear portion of a motorcycle. A board on which a stop lamp LED and a tail lamp LED are mounted in a spaced relationship from each other forwardly and backwardly is disposed in the forward and backward direction of the vehicle. The stop lamp LED and said tail lamp LED are isolated from each other by a reflector. |
| US07850350B2 |
Rear view mirror with coloured appearance
The invention is related to an exterior rear-view mirror for vehicles, having a mirror head with a housing in which an adjustable mirror pane is positioned and in which at least one light source is arranged which is located in an area behind a light window of the housing. Light window is part of a turn light signal device which comprises a colour screen to influence colour appearance to turn light signal not activated. |
| US07850349B2 |
Headliner mounted center high mount stop lamp (CHMSL)
A vehicle headliner mounted center high mount stop lamp (CHMSL) including a light source disposable between a vehicle roof base layer and headliner generally aft of a vehicle, and a CHMSL frame disposable between the vehicle roof base layer and the headliner adjacent the light source. The CHMSL frame may be releasably mountable to the vehicle roof base layer by a fastener for mounting the headliner to the vehicle roof base layer. The invention also provides a method of mounting and servicing a CHMSL, including the steps of attaching the CHMSL to a vehicle roof base layer and/or a headliner, such that the CHMSL is disposed between the vehicle roof base layer and the headliner generally aft of the vehicle. |
| US07850348B2 |
LED fixture having two illuminating ranges
An LED fixture having two illuminating ranges includes a lamp holder and a lamp cover. The lamp holder is arranged an illuminating module of LED lamp. The LED lamp is substantially installed downwardly with respect to the whole illuminating module, making the LED lamp project light in a downward direction. In the meantime, one side of the lamp cover is connected to the lamp holder, while another side is extended downwardly under the LED lamp. The inner face of the lamp cover is arranged as a reflecting face. One part of the light irradiated from the LED lamp is reflected by the reflecting face to form an illuminating range to project light in a forward direction of the lamp cover, while another part of light irradiated from the LED lamp without being reflected by the reflecting cover can project out of the lamp cover directly, thus that another illuminating range to project light in a downward and down-forward directions of the lamp cover is formed. |
| US07850342B2 |
Luminaire reflector with light-modifying flange
A luminaire reflector of the type that is dome-shaped and includes a flange at the bottom provides a modified a flange that alters the pattern or other effect of light trapped in the wall of the reflector and exiting through the flange. When the bottom surface of the flange is angled with respect to the horizontal, the light exiting the flange is spread and lifted. In accordance with another embodiment, the flange is provided with a colored layer to provide decorative effects to the light exiting the flange. |
| US07850341B2 |
Elongated LED illumination device
An illumination device (10) for simulating neon lighting comprises an elongated light guide (14) and a light engine (12), operatively connected the elongated light guide (14). The light engine includes a plurality of LEDs (18). The light engine is positioned in relation to the light guide (14) such that light emanating from the light engine (12) passes through the light guide (14). |
| US07850340B2 |
Display apparatus
A display apparatus includes a display part to display an image thereon, a front cover to surround a front surface of the display part, a light source unit having a plurality of light sources and a light source supporter to support the plurality of light sources to emit light toward a predetermined illumination target, and a light reflector provided on a side of the front cover to reflect light emitted toward the predetermined illumination target, and having the predetermined illumination target. Thus, the display apparatus uses a plurality of light sources to improve an external appearance. |
| US07850339B2 |
Display having thin cross-section and/or multi-colored output
A display includes a substrate having front and rear sides and defining one or more optical paths. A light source corresponding to each optical path is associated with the rear side of the substrate. Light propagates from the light source to the front side of the substrate through the corresponding optical path. Offsetting the light source from the centerline of the optical path improves light diffusion by promoting light reflection off the sides of the optical path. Multiple light sources of different colors can be associated with each optical path to provide for variable color output from each optical path at the front side of the substrate. |
| US07850338B1 |
Methods for directing light
Certain exemplary embodiments can comprise a method, which can comprise controlling illumination of a set of illumination sources. The set of illumination sources can comprise a first subset of illumination sources and a second subset of illumination sources. Light from the set of illumination sources can be adapted to pass through a diffuser comprising a first zone and a second zone. The first zone can be physically and/or optically segregated from the second zone. |
| US07850337B2 |
LCD device and method of driving the LCD device
A backlight unit enables an LCD to realize five primary colors using a four sub-pixel structure. The backlight unit includes at least one fluorescent lamp of white color, at least one light source of yellow color, and at least one light source of cyan color. Alternatively, the backlight unit includes at least one first fluorescent lamp of white color having R, G, and B wavelengths, and second or/and third fluorescent lamps provided in between the adjacent first fluorescent lamps. The second fluorescent lamp is coated with yellow pigment, and the third fluorescent lamp is coated with cyan pigment. |
| US07850336B2 |
Light emitting module and display device having the same
A light emitting module includes a plurality of point light sources and a substrate applying driving power. Each of the point light sources includes a first light emitting chip emitting first light, a second light emitting chip emitting second light, and a third light emitting chip emitting third light. At least one restriction light emitting chip among the first, second and third light emitting chips has a larger light emitting area than that of a remainder of the light emitting chips, so that a light emitting intensity enough to display white light by mixing the first, second and third light is obtained. |
| US07850335B2 |
Light source module
A light source module including a plurality of first point light sources, a plurality of second point light sources, and a plurality of third point light sources is provided. The dominant wavelengths of lights provided by the first point light sources are within a wavelength range of a first color light, and at least two of the first point light sources emit light with different dominant wavelengths. The dominant wavelengths of lights provided by the second point light sources are within a wavelength range of a second color light, and at least two of the second point light sources emit light with different dominant wavelengths. The dominant wavelengths of lights provided by the third point light sources are within a wavelength range of a third color light, and at least two of the third point light sources emit light with different dominant wavelengths. |
| US07850333B2 |
Planar circuit for driving gas discharge lamps
Gas discharge lamps can be driven with a circuit with a small form factor by an arrangement comprising a planar printed wiring board with at least one coil for driving a gas discharge lamp, wherein a reflector plate of the gas discharge lamp supports the planar printed wiring board. |
| US07850332B2 |
Battery cartridge for flashlight
A battery cartridge has a casing adapted to releasably hold at least one battery, externally accessible contacts on the casing, and internal circuitry in the casing between the contacts and poles of the battery. A switch is mounted in the casing and connected to the circuitry between one of the poles and the respective contacts for controlling current flow therebetween. |
| US07850329B2 |
Flashlight with integrated clamp handle
A flashlight having a handle with a clamp integrated therein, so that the flashlight can be used in either hands-free or in a portable mode. A battery compartment is disposed within one of the clamp arms. |
| US07850326B2 |
Illumination device for items of furniture
Illumination device (20) for box-like or chest-like items of furniture having a body, which is provided with at least one door or flap, which can be pivoted between a closed position and an open position in relation to the body or a withdrawable part, for example a drawer or the like, which can be displaced between a closed position in which it is pushed into the body and an open position in which it is withdrawn from the body. The illumination device (20) has a holder, which can be connected to an electrical current source, for an illumination means (40), wherein a switch, which interrupts or opens the electrical connection in the event of a predetermined position of the door or flap or withdrawable part in relation to the body, is provided in the electrical connection between the current source and the illuminations means. The holder for the illumination means (40) has an adapter (32) having an adapter housing (34) which can be mounted in the body and in which a spring-prestressed pressure piece (36), which can be displaced between two separate positions and is in direct or indirect operative connection with the switch, is arranged. The adapter housing (34) is provided on one of the furniture fittings holding the door or flap or the withdrawable part movably on or in the body. |
| US07850324B2 |
Backlight chassis, a backlight unit, and a display device
A backlight chassis that is capable of preventing an unusual noise caused by vibrations of a backlight unit or a tubular lamp houses tubular lamps arranged behind a display panel via optical sheets. The backlight chassis includes lamp holding members provided on a lamp housing surface of the backlight chassis, for holding the tubular lamps at an approximate midpoint thereof, wherein the lamp holding members and the backlight chassis are defined by a unitary molded resin member. |
| US07850323B2 |
Sanitary fitting with a luminous actuating lever
A control cartridge (20) is inserted into the fitting housing (10). Mounted on the actuating shaft (38) of said cartridge is an actuating body (42) on which the tubular actuating lever (50) is fastened. A light guiding element (52) runs through the actuating lever (50). The light source (66) in the actuating body (42) emits light that is guided to the end of the actuating lever (50) by means of the light guiding element (52). |
| US07850322B2 |
Switch plate area light
A switch plate area light for attachment to an electrical box includes a body having a first aperture adapted to accommodate an element selected from a switch and an outlet, a second aperture adapted to accommodate a screw for attaching the body to the electrical box, and a third aperture located at a light-directing portion of the body. The light further includes a light emitting diode (LED) located in the third aperture, wherein the third aperture is adapted to receive the LED. The light also includes a driver circuit, connected with the LED and mounted on the body, the driver circuit having a pair of wires to be interconnected with the circuitry of the electrical box without the removal of the electrical box, wherein no ground wire is used to connect the driver circuit, and a load borne by the element is not activated when the LED is on. |
| US07850321B2 |
Wavelength converting system
An embodiment of the invention discloses a wavelength converting system capable of emitting a second electromagnetic radiation having a second wavelength in response to a first electromagnetic radiation having a first wavelength, wherein an energy level of the first electromagnetic radiation is higher than that of the second electromagnetic level, and a positive correlation is between the first wavelength and the second wavelength. |
| US07850317B2 |
Guardrail block and reflector system
A guardrail block includes an attachable support for signage, such as a reflector. The reflector may be mountable on the support, and the support may be integrated with a base or may be separate and attached to the base. For example, a support may be snap fit into the base and the base can be slip fitted into recessed channels formed in elongated extensions extending from a top surface of the guardrail block. The guardrail block may be made of a synthetic foam material, the support and base may be die injection molded, and the reflector may be reflective tape adhered to a surface of the support, for example. |
| US07850316B2 |
Adjusting apparatus assembly for projector
An adjusting apparatus is provided for a projector having a base. The adjusting apparatus includes a supporting member and a rotating member. The supporting member is partially received in the base of the projector and movably coupled to the base. The supporting member forms a plurality of teeth thereon. The rotating member is rotatably coupled to the base of the projector and partially exposed out of the base. The rotating member forms a plurality of teeth mating with the teeth of the supporting member, when the rotating member is rotated in either of two directions, the base of the projector correspondingly moves up and down relative to the supporting member. |
| US07850315B2 |
Projection apparatus and light integration rod thereof
A light integration rod having a light input end and a light output end opposite to each other is provided. The light integration rod includes a first reflective plate, a second reflective plate, a third reflective plate and a fourth reflective plate. The second reflective plate is opposite to the first reflective plate. The third reflective plate and the fourth reflective plate connect the first reflective plate and the second reflective plate, and are disposed opposite to each other. A long side of the first reflective plate is not equal to a long side of the second reflective plate. A short side at the light output end of at least one of the first reflective plate and the second reflective plate is separate from a short side of the third reflective plate and a short side of the fourth reflective plate at the light output end. |
| US07850312B2 |
Keystone correction derived from the parameters of projectors
A projector determines horizontal and vertical tilt angles. Using the tilt angles and the inherent properties of the projector, keystone correction corner points for the image can be computed. The keystone correction corner points can be used to perform keystone correction on the image. |
| US07850310B2 |
Projection display device
A projection display device may include a housing which can be placed on a placing face with a lower face portion thereof distanced from the placing face; a fan, disposed within the housing, to suction from a first air inlet formed in the lower face portion; a filter detachably provided to the housing the as to close off the first air inlet; and a filter replacement access lid detachably provided to the housing so as to cover the filter closing off the first air only from the placing face side, with a second air inlet for suctioning of the fan provided in the filter replacement access lid; wherein the filter replacement access lid may be formed so as to protrude toward the placing face side from the lower face portion; and wherein the second air inlet may be formed in a face of the filter replacement access lid intersecting the lower face portion. |
| US07850308B2 |
Device and method for measuring the optical properties of an eye in combination with an operating microscope
The invention relates to a device for measuring the optical properties of an eye, comprising an optical signal generator and optical guide means leading from the optical signal generator in the direction of the eye to be examined, wherein the optical signal generator is adapted to project an image through an optical path comprising the optical guide means and onto a reflective structure in the eye to be examined, wherein the device is adapted to couple the optical guide means of the device to optical guide means of an optical medical instrument so that the optical path extends through the optical guide means of the optical medical instrument. Such an optical medical instrument can be formed by an operating microscope, a so-called split lamp or by a fundus camera. |
| US07850304B2 |
Continuous adjustable 3Deeps filter spectacles for optimized 3Deeps stereoscopic viewing and its control method and means
Significantly faster state transitioning time between the optimal optical density for viewing 2D Movies as 3D movies through Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles can be achieved by using multiple layers (multi-layer) of electronically controlled variable tint materials to fabricate the right and left lenses of the 3Deeps spectacles. The use of multi-layered lenses may result in as much as a 50% decrease in transition time between states. The invention also relates to Multi-Use Electronically Controlled Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles that house within a single spectacle frame several layers of optoelectronic material in which each layer of electronically controlled relates to a different method of viewing. |
| US07850301B2 |
Eyewear frames with magnetic lens attachements
The present invention illustrates various methods of attaching a pair of eyeglass lenses or a lens shield to an eyeglass frame using magnets or magnetically attractive material. The magnetic attachment methods are beneficial because they allow the user to have interchangeable lenses or shields for indoor and outdoor use, enhancing their visual acuity during work or play. The lenses may be tinted, prescription, protective eyewear, or plano. The magnetic lenses are convenient and user friendly, allowing intuitive, tool-less interchangeability with no need to twist or stress the frame. These methods of attachment require no specific instructions or tools when the user replaces lenses. |
| US07850300B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus main body, a transport mechanism that is provided in the apparatus main body and transports a sheet, a recording head to record an image by discharging ink to the sheet transported by the transport mechanism, a sheet guide that is provided to be opposite to the recording head and guides the sheet, a transport roller provided at an upstream side of the sheet guide in a sheet transport direction, an ejection roller provided at a downstream side thereof, and a transport unit that integrates the medium guide, the transport roller and the ejection roller and is provided to freely come in and out of the apparatus main body. |
| US07850294B2 |
Accommodation device for ink cartridge
An ink-cartridge accommodation device including: a case which has a front opening and which accommodates an ink cartridge storing ink so as to permit the ink cartridge to be inserted into and withdrawn from the case through the front opening; and a connector which is disposed in a rear portion of the case so as to be opposed to the front opening, which is to be connected to an ink supply portion of the ink cartridge, and which includes (a) an ink introducing pipe portion projecting toward the front opening, (b) a guide rib portion provided around the ink introducing pipe portion so as to project toward the front opening for guiding the ink supply portion, and (c) a drain hole provided between the ink introducing pipe portion and the guide rib portion to drain the ink. |
| US07850285B2 |
Liquid jetting head, method for changing protective tape in adhesive strength, and protective tape
A liquid ejecting head includes an ejection side surface; an ejection outlet, formed in the ejection side surface, for ejecting liquid; and a protection tape pasted on the ejection side surface. The protection tape is partly irradiated with ultraviolet radiation or infrared radiation after being pasted on the ejection side surface such that bonding strength is different depending on a position of the protection tape. |
| US07850283B2 |
Printhead with liquid flow through device
A liquid drop ejector is disclosed including a nozzle structure and a thermal actuator. The nozzle structure includes a nozzle and a wall. The nozzle includes an end and the wall extends from the end of the nozzle. The thermal actuator is associated with at least one of the nozzle and the wall, and is operable to add surface energy to at least one of the nozzle and the wall to cause a directional change in a liquid flowing through the nozzle structure. |
| US07850282B2 |
Nozzle arrangement for an inkjet printhead having dynamic and static structures to facilitate ink ejection
Provided is a nozzle arrangement for an inkjet printhead. The nozzle arrangement includes a substrate with side walls and a roof portion together forming an ink chamber, the substrate defining an ink supply channel leading to the ink chamber, with one side wall defining an aperture. The arrangement also includes an elongate actuator extending through said aperture into the ink chamber, as well as a dynamic structure cantilevered from the side wall below the aperture. Further included is a static structure cantilevered from the side wall below the dynamic structure. The actuator is connected to the dynamic and static structures at a point distal from the aperture such that thermal expansion of the dynamic structure moves the actuator upwards in the chamber to eject ink from the chamber via a port defined in the roof portion. |
| US07850280B2 |
Light irradiating apparatus, light irradiating process, and image recording process
The present invention provides a light irradiating apparatus comprising a plurality of light emitting elements which emit light of a specific wavelength region and form elliptical light images on a surface to be irradiated, wherein the plurality of light emitting elements are mutually arranged so that the light images are made continuous along their major axis directions. Further, the invention also discloses the above-mentioned light irradiating process and an image recording process. |
| US07850275B2 |
Printing method, printing apparatus, and storage medium having program stored thereon with ink ejection amount correction
A printing method includes performing correction of an ink ejection amount for a certain area based on a correction value for a first type row region, and performing correction of an ink ejection amount for another area based on another correction value. The certain area includes a plurality of the first type row regions adjacent to each other in a transport direction of a medium. The other area is located on the downstream side in the transport direction from the certain area, and includes a plurality of second type row regions and a plurality of the first type row regions in the transport direction. The other correction value is obtained by increasing a degree of the correction based on the correction value for the first type row region as a distance from the certain area decreases. |
| US07850273B2 |
Printing apparatus and method of acquiring correction value of conveying error
The sequence of the acquisition of a correction value of a conveying error depending on the eccentricity of the conveying roller (correction value for eccentricity) and the acquisition of a correction value of a conveying error depending on the outer diameter of the roller (correction value for outer diameter) is considered to acquire a precise correction value for outer diameter. A test pattern to acquire the correction values for eccentricity and for outer diameter is formed with an area exceeds the area corresponding to an integer multiple of the circumferential length of the roller. The correction value for eccentricity and that for outer diameter are acquired in this sequence. The fluctuation in the conveying error is reduced by the application of the correction value for eccentricity, and the influence of the excess area is made smaller before the correction value for outer diameter is acquired by averaging the conveying errors. |
| US07850268B2 |
Recording method and recording apparatus
A recording method includes transferring recording data to a recording head having a nozzle array at a read timing for each of nozzle groups of the nozzle array according to information on misalignment of the nozzle array, and a driving the recording head for each of the groups for predetermined periods by inputting the transferred recording data. Each respective predetermined period includes a plurality of drive start timings for recording. One of the drive start timings is selected for each of the groups according to the information on the misalignment of the nozzle array. |
| US07850264B2 |
Droplet ejecting apparatus and current control method
A droplet ejecting component of the present invention includes an ejecting component having a charge and discharge characteristic, an applying component being provided with a transistor, and an increasing component. The ejecting component ejects a droplet. When a control signal is inputted, the applying component applies an application voltage to the ejecting component, and the increasing component increases the impedance of the transistor. |
| US07850263B2 |
Liquid consumption apparatus and liquid consumption amount control method
The invention provides a liquid consumption apparatus including a liquid consumption unit, a counting unit that counts the amount of the liquid consumed by the liquid consumption unit as a liquid consumption amount, a reception unit that receives a detection signal indicating that the amount of the liquid contained in the liquid container is not more than a predetermined amount; a detection-time liquid amount memory unit that memorizes the liquid consumption amount at the time of reception of the detection signal as a detection-time liquid consumption amount, and a judgment unit that judges that the liquid container is empty when the amount of difference between the liquid consumption amount and the detection-time liquid consumption amount is not more than a specified amount. |
| US07850259B2 |
Drawer interlocking mechanism apparatus
A drawer interlocking mechanism apparatus is applied where a drawer is installed inside an article. A secured plate of the present apparatus is secured at the lateral portion of the article and a sliding plate is connected the present apparatus at the lateral side of the drawer correspondingly to have the sliding plate move on the secured plate indirectly to produce the opening or closing function of the drawer. The sliding plate of the interlocking structure is installed on a single side or both sides of the drawer and also installed at a plurality of drawers in the same way. By means of a preset pull cord of the interlocking structure, a plurality of drawers are connected in series to lock the other drawers synchronously when one of drawers is opened. |
| US07850258B2 |
Inventory storage system
An inventory storage system may include a frame defining a plurality of storage levels and a first exterior sleeve supported by one of the storage levels. The first exterior sleeve may include a bottom wall, a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and a top wall. The inventory storage system may further include a first interior sleeve having an opening and disposed within the first exterior sleeve such that the first interior sleeve abuts at least one of the bottom wall, the first sidewall, the second sidewall, and the top wall. The inventory storage system may also include a second interior sleeve disposed within the first exterior sleeve, the first interior sleeve abutting the first interior sleeve and at least one of the bottom wall, the first sidewall, the second sidewall, and the top wall. |
| US07850257B2 |
Ticket dispensing device, installation and displays
A lottery ticket dispenser which may include a housing having a bottom support structure, a pair of side walls extending upwardly from the bottom support structure, and a front wall hinged adjacent its bottom edge to the bottom support structure at a first side so as to swing outwardly and downwardly. The lottery ticket dispenser may also include a transparent cover hinged to the bottom support structure that includes a space shaped to contain a plurality of arrays of tickets in strips. |
| US07850255B2 |
Electro-mechanical brake system and electro-mechanical brake apparatus used therefor
The invention provides an electro-mechanical brake system which can keep a stop state even if a malfunction is generated in a parking brake, and an electro-mechanical brake apparatus used for the electro-mechanical brake system. An electro-mechanical brake actuator presses a brake pad to a disc rotor so as to independently brake a braking force of each of wheels. A parking brake is constituted by a pawl portion attached to a motor of a motor driving the electro-mechanical actuator and a latch. A main controller detects a failure of the parking brake on the basis of a motor displacement at a time of reducing a motor current, and increases the pressing force in the remaining normal parking brake in the case that the parking brake failure in one wheel or more is detected. |
| US07850254B2 |
Extreme emergency braking systems for brake-by-wire brake systems
An extreme emergency braking system including at least two brake modules, a pedal feel emulator in communication with at least one of the brake modules by way of a first communication line, an electric park brake switch assembly in communication with the brake modules by at least a second communication line, and an electric circuit adapted to supply at least a first voltage to a first one of the brake modules and a second voltage to a second one of the brake modules, the supplied voltages being indicative of a state of the switch assembly, wherein the first communication line is independent of the second communication line. |
| US07850253B2 |
Hydraulic braking power unit
A hydraulic pump unit that includes a pump and an internal reservoir that is mountable as a unit to a towed vehicle. The hydraulic pump unit can be assembled in a plurality of configurations such that an inlet to the pump is located at a relatively low point within the internal reservoir depending on the orientation in which the unit is mounted to the towed vehicle. Thus, the power unit can be adapted for use in a plurality of applications thereby making the unit versatile. |
| US07850249B2 |
Floor covering removal machine
A floor covering removal machine for removing a floor covering that is secured to a floor that includes a drive frame formed with an underside caster assembly, and feed, ejection, and oppositely arranged cutter sides. A variable speed, reversible, motorized drum is mounted about the frame and cooperates with a gripping idler roller that is releasably biased toward the drum to establish a grip interface which conveys the floor covering from the feed to the ejection sides. In operation, the floor covering is pulled through the grip interface and thereby removed from the floor. The machine also may include a collapsible guide handle extending from the drive frame and a motor speed control. Optional retractable floor covering cutters are included that are deployable in a floor contour-following configuration. An optional alignment laser pointer is mounted on the frame for alignment during operation. |
| US07850243B2 |
Reclining adjuster
A reclining adjuster has a lower bracket fixed to a seat cushion; an upper bracket fixed to a seatback and connected to the lower bracket so as to be rotatable about a shaft; a lock mechanism capable of having a locked state where rotation of the upper bracket relative to the lower bracket is locked and a released state where the lock is released; and an emergency lock mechanism for preventing relative rotation between the lock mechanism and the upper bracket when it occurs. In the emergency lock mechanism, when a cam projection of an outer toothed ring gear is pressed in the circumferential direction by a cam pin of a disk member by the relative rotation therebetween, the outer toothed ring gear meshes with both inner teeth of the lower bracket and inner teeth of the upper bracket. |
| US07850240B2 |
System and device for monitoring and assisting human gross motor skills
A system includes a lift chair having sensors embedded therein to determine various factors such as the amount of pressure exerted in various portions of the chair, the activity level of the chair user, whether the chair is occupied and which user is currently occupying the chair, and how much assistance the chair provides the user. The information detected by the sensors can be transmitted via the Internet, for example, to a third party device, such as a doctor's personal computer, which is also hooked up to the internet and is capable of receiving periodic updates to monitor use of the chair or modify the rules that govern the use of the chair. The user can override the pre-set rules for use of the chair by using an override button on a user control device. |
| US07850239B1 |
Chair with spring actuated rear legs to minimize muscle strain
A chair to minimize muscle strain as a person sits in or rises providing an identical pair of elongated parallelepiped back frames having a vertically extending upper portion, a rearwardly extending lower portion with a parallelepiped connection member extending perpendicularly therebetween to connect the back frames. A parallelepiped crossbar extends between a pair of front legs. A spring assembly having a parallelepiped upper mount member, a parallelepiped lower mount member, and a single coil spring therebetween is secured to the lower edge of the back frame lower portion. The selective placement of a user's weight upon the seat positions the spring into either a compressed state, wherein the seat is parallel to a floor surface, or an uncompressed state, wherein the seat is at an angle to the floor surface. |
| US07850237B2 |
Device for adjusting the reclining force in office chair mechanisms
A device for adjusting the reclining force in office chair mechanisms comprising at least two mutually hinged parts and elastic means (16) which maintain said parts elastically spaced apart, said device being characterized by comprising:—at least two levers (7, 6), at least one of which interacts with said elastic means (16) and the other of which is connected to one of said hinged parts, said levers respectively interacting via at least one movable contact element (13) by way of contact surfaces,—means (9, 10, 14) for adjusting the position of said movable contact element (13) such as to modify the points at which said movable contact element bears on said contact surfaces and consequently such as to modify the lever arms. |
| US07850236B2 |
Rotatable armrest assembly
A rotatable armrest assembly comprises: an armrest support adapted to be connected to a base of the child car seat and having an insert hole; and an armrest having top and bottom ends that are opposite to each other in an axial direction, and provided with a shaft that extends into the insert hole so as to permit the armrest to be rotatable relative to the armrest support about an axis of the shaft that extends in the axial direction. |
| US07850235B2 |
Active head restraint system with actuating system for a vehicle seat
In one embodiment, a vehicle seat has a frame and is adapted to be mounted within a vehicle. The frame has first and second side members. The frame supports a head restraint that is moveable to an extended position providing support during an impact condition. An active head restraint system is connected to the head restraint for moving the head restraint when actuated. A cable is connected to the active head restraint. An impact member has a first end attached to the first side member, an intermediate portion spanning across a lumbar region and a second end extending to and not directly affixed to one of the first and second side members. The impact member is attached to the cable to translate upon receiving an input force from the occupant in response to the impact condition, displacing the cable and actuating the active head restraint system. |
| US07850234B2 |
Energy-dissipation system
A child restraint includes a juvenile vehicle seat and an energy-absorption apparatus coupled to the juvenile vehicle seat. The energy-absorption apparatus is configured to absorb external energy associated with an external impact force applied to the energy-absorption apparatus. |
| US07850232B2 |
Zero clearance recliner mechanism
A reclining chair includes a seat, a backrest, and a pair of spaced apart recliner mechanisms cooperatively supporting the seat and backrest. Each of the mechanisms includes a ground engaging base link, a seat link operably coupled with and supporting the seat, a backrest linkage operably coupling the backrest to the seat link, a rear swing link operably coupled to the base link at a first pivot, and a front swing link operably coupled to the base link with a shiftable pivot mechanism defining a second pivot. The rear swing link and the front swing link are selectively pivotable about the first and second pivots respectively to enable the mechanism to be selectively shifted between an upright position and a reclined position. The shiftable pivot mechanism shifts a position of the second pivot relative to the base link as the mechanism shifts between the first position and the second position. |
| US07850227B2 |
Front structure for vehicle
The present invention provides a vehicle front structure which can efficiently absorb collision energy regardless of collision modes. In at least one embodiment, a load transmission member arranged on inner side faces of a front corner part of a subframe has a male member attached to a front frame and a female member attached to a side frame. When a local load is fed to the front frame, the male and female members engage with each other, whereby the front frame is restrained from rotating in such a direction as to approach the side frame, while the fed collision load is transmitted to the side frame through the load transmission member. When a collision load is fed onto an axis of the side frame, the male and female members separate from each other to block the load transmission through the load transmission member. |
| US07850219B2 |
Viscous rotary damper for vehicle end gate assembly
A viscous rotary damping device for a vehicle end gate assembly is provided. The damping device includes a housing member configured to operatively attach to the vehicle body or the end gate assembly. The housing member defines a fluid chamber having viscous fluid therein. The damping device also includes an impeller member having a mast with a first end configured to operatively attach to the other of the vehicle body and the end gate assembly, and a second end having one or more blades projecting outward therefrom. The second end of the mast is rotatably received in the fluid chamber such that the impeller member dissipates kinetic energy generated by the end gate assembly when transitioning between a first, closed position and a second, open position. A cover plate member is preferably coupled to the housing member, and configured to fluidly seal the fluid chamber. |
| US07850218B2 |
Handling clamp for a machine designed for tending an electrolytic cell used for the production of aluminium
The present invention relates to a handling clamp, designed to grasp a stem fixed to a load and equipped with at least one attachment means. The stem is capable of moving between a lower position in the handling clamp and an upper position in the handling clamp when the handling clamp is closed on the stem. When the stem is in the lower position, the handling clamp is capable of being locked closed. When the stem is in the upper position, the handling clamp is capable of being unlocked. The handling clamp of the present invention is particularly adapted for use in the aluminium industry. |
| US07850216B2 |
Garden tool head with coated leading edge
A garden tool wherein the leading edge of the tool head has a leading edge coated with a hardness enhancing material. |
| US07850215B2 |
Closure element
A closure element for a detachable, locking storage area in a motor vehicle is disclosed. The closure element comprises at least one clamping element designed for securing to a first component, in particular a plate-type component, by means of an elastic element, and with a handle which is pre-clamped by an elastic element for clamping a second component between the clamping element and the handle. |
| US07850214B2 |
Closure safety interlock for a pressure vessel
A closure safety interlock system is provided for a pressure vessel having a closure assembly with a primary locking system. The closure safety interlock defines a secondary locking system for assuring that the primary locking system may be opened only by following a proper sequence, thereby minimizing misuse of the primary locking system. The closure safety interlock includes a blocking member movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position for blocking movement of a primary lock when in the engaged position and until a release mechanism in the primary lock has been activated. A mechanism is provided for moving the blocking member from the engaged position to the disengaged position once the release mechanism has been activated. |
| US07850211B2 |
Wedge thread connections having a clearance gap volume
A wedge-threaded tubular connection includes a pin member and a box member, wherein each of the pin and box members include an engaged thread area, and a clearance gap volume formed between corresponding roots and crests of the pin and box members and arranged along an axial length of the engaged thread area according to a distribution profile. The clearance gap volume distribution profile is configured having a greater clearance gap volume proximate a central portion of the engaged thread area and progressively less clearance gap volume towards each of the distal ends of the engaged thread area. |
| US07850207B1 |
Multi-part labels with variable data on at least two layers
A multi-part label with variable data and method for its manufacture. First indicia may be printed on a first label face ply of a multi-ply label material in registration with an eventual location of at least one of a plurality of multi-part labels. The first indicia may be variable between at least two of the plurality of multi-part labels. A second label material may be removably adhered to the multi-ply first label material, thereby covering the first indicia. Second indicia may be printed on the face of the second label material. The second indicia may be variable between at least two of the plurality of multi-part labels. |
| US07850205B2 |
Seatbelt restraint
Part of a seat belt, anchored at the top of the seat, adopts a conventional sash/belt arrangement (2a, 2c). The other end of the belt, however, passes under the seat base and protrudes up on the opposite side of the seat base to the above anchorage point. This other end carries a buckle to receive a conventional tongue which slides along the belt. Thus, in use, the belt encircles user's thighs (22) and the seat squab. In an accident a pretensioner activates which tightens the belt, somewhat raising and curling seat squab and user's legs (22), so preventing “submarining” (ie sliding of the user out from under the belt). Alternatively an existing lap/sash belt may be augmented by an extra belt passing from the seat top, across the chest, and around one thigh of the wearer. |
| US07850200B2 |
Airbag and a motor vehicle
An airbag for a motor vehicle capable of adjusting its internal pressure to the size of a vehicle occupant and to the accident situation. This adaptation is achieved by purely passive means. The airbag includes an airbag cover enclosing a gas chamber and also has at least one venting arrangement which connects the gas chamber with an external environment. Gas flow through the venting arrangement is throttled or blocked when a certain area of the airbag cover meets an obstacle. The venting arrangement includes at least one opening in the airbag cover and a tube which is connected with the airbag cover. The at least one opening ends in the tube, and the tube includes an exit opening to the external environment. |
| US07850198B2 |
Knee protection apparatus for vehicle occupant
A knee protection apparatus includes an airbag and an airbag support that is attached to the airbag. Upon deployment of the airbag, the airbag support together expands so as to cover the instrument panel and thus help the airbag smoothly expand. |
| US07850185B2 |
Carrying trailer for use with bicycles
A carrying trailer for use with bicycles includes a spine, a plurality of branch members and a wheel. The spine has a connecting portion at one end thereof which is adapted to couple to a bicycle. Each branch member has a ring and a supporting arm. The ring is rotatably mounted around the spine. One end of the supporting arm is fixed to an outer radial surface of the ring and the other end thereof extends away from an axis of the ring, with the supporting arm extending in a radial direction of the ring. The wheel pivotably couples to the other end of the spine. Consequently, positions of the branch members on the spine can be adjust to form a loading plane, or to stack the supporting arms of the branch members up at the same side of the spine for reducing storage space. |
| US07850184B1 |
Cargo trailer
A cargo trailer includes an elongated trailer frame having a longitudinal axis, a wheel mount arm having an end pivotally carried by the trailer frame, an axle arm segment extending from the end and a distal arm segment extending from the axle arm segment; at least one wheel carried by the axle arm segment of the trailer frame; and at least one arm spring interposed between the trailer frame and the distal arm segment of the wheel mount arm. |
| US07850183B1 |
Adjustable suspension leveling apparatus
A suspension height modification apparatus includes a first portion that is securable to a vehicular biasing suspension device and a second portion that is securable to a vehicular frame. The apparatus includes an axis along which a suspension height may be determined between the vehicular frame and the vehicular wheel assembly. The apparatus includes a movable portion which may be actuated along such axis to adjust suspension height, and a spacer device connectable between an upper ball joint stud and a steering knuckle. |
| US07850180B2 |
Hub assembly for a tilting vehicle suspension
A suspension system for a vehicle is provided that allows for the vehicle body to be tilted wherein the tilt is controlled by the operator's legs in a manner that greatly enhances the stability of the vehicle while producing a fun vehicle to operate. Generally a hub is provided for use ad the vertical members in a four-bar suspension linkage that includes an inboard side and an outboard side such that the tilting pivots are positioned inboard and the steering pivots are positioned outboard. This arrangement allows for the optimum placement of the pivot axis for steering as close to the wheel as possible, even directly within the rim of the wheel, while the pivot point of the suspension linkage is optimally positioned a few inches inboard relative to the wheels thereby increasing the lever arm used to control the relative tilt of the wheel. |
| US07850179B2 |
Wheel assembly
A wheel assembly for a vehicle includes a knuckle having an upper end and a lower end. A bracket is mounted to one of the upper end and the lower end of the knuckle by a plurality of fasteners. A ball joint is mounted to the bracket and configured for attaching the wheel assembly to the vehicle. One of the knuckle and the bracket defines a boss and the other defines a bore. The boss is slideably disposed within the bore in slip fit engagement. The boss transfers a load between the knuckle and the bracket in both a vertical direction along a king pin axis and a horizontal direction along a longitudinal axis of the vehicle. |
| US07850178B2 |
Motor vehicle adjustable toe link
A toe link for the suspension system of a vehicle includes means for adjusting the axial length of the toe link while preventing relative rotation of the extending ends of the toe link. |
| US07850175B2 |
Footwear with adjustable wheel assembly
Footwear has a sole for supporting a foot of a wearer, a first pair of wheels projecting from opposite sides of the sole adjacent the heel, and a second pair of wheels spaced in front of the first pair and projecting from opposite sides of the sole adjacent the arch portion of the sole. The footwear is convertible from a wheeled configuration to a non-wheeled configuration by opening a cover plate normally covering a downwardly facing, recessed region of the heel, removing the wheel axles from wheel axle mounting grooves in the recessed region, then re-closing the cover plate over the heel region. |
| US07850173B2 |
Repairable labyrinth seal
A repairable labyrinth seal of a gas turbine engine comprises at least one fin having a base with a thickness and a tip portion extending therefrom. A shoulder distinguishes the base from the tip portion. The shoulder defines a machining site suitable for receiving a welded replacement piece for shaping a new tapered tip portion following removal of a worn tapered tip portion. |
| US07850171B2 |
Gaming system, device and method involving a plurality of rotors interchangeably operable in a decoupled mode and a coupled mode
A gaming table, method and device including a plurality of rotors interchangeably operable in a decoupled mode and a coupled mode. The system includes a rotor coupler and a coupler actuator. The system provides an award associated with an indication of a combination of symbols of the rotors. |
| US07850169B2 |
Automatic original feeder
A feed roller and a separation roller each having convex portions are arranged so that the convex portions engage with each other. A lever is provided such that one end of the lever is fixed to a rotatable shaft and other end slides on a shaft around which the separation roller rotates. The other end has at least two portions with different radii of curvature. A knob is integrally connected to the lever. When a user operates the knob, the lever rotates and the shaft around which the separation roller rotates is pushed away depending on the radii of curvature of the portion of the lever so that amount of engagement between the feed roller and the separation roller changes. |
| US07850168B2 |
Recording medium delivery mechanism and image forming device having the same
A recording medium discharge mechanism is provided with a side wall member capable of changing position between an upright state in which small size sheets are caught when small size sheets are discharged and a laid flat state in which a placement surface of a discharge space is extended for placement of large size sheets when large size sheets are discharged by a discharge mechanism having the discharge space, whose downstream side in a paper discharge direction has been opened. In the upright state, the side wall member does not protrude laterally from an apparatus. Furthermore, in the laid flat state, large size sheets can be placed. |
| US07850159B2 |
Method of processing and printing print job portions for enabling bindery efficiencies
A method is provided for preparing one or more print jobs for finishing. The method includes dividing a portion of the one or more print jobs into a first set of pages corresponding with a first print output stack having one stack height and a second set of pages corresponding with a second print output stack having another stack height. A printing instruction is provided for causing at least one of the first and second sets of pages to be printed in a multiple up format when either one of the output stack heights is greater than a selected output stack height, or when the sum of the stack heights is greater than the selected output stack height. The printing instruction is used, pursuant to printing the first and second sets of pages with the printing instruction, for (1) causing the at least one of the first print output stack and the second print output stack to be printed in multiple-up format, and (2) preventing either one of the print output stack heights from exceeding the selected output height. |
| US07850158B2 |
Method and device for supplying, opening and depositing folded printed products
Folded printed products (6) are supplied with trailing fold-edges (6.3) from above towards a clamping gap (1) and are pushed out of the clamping gap (1), in order to be deposited on, for example, saddle-like supports (7). As soon as the leading edge of each printed product (6) exits from the clamping gap (1), the printed product (6) is opened by two printed product parts (6.1 and 6.2) being separated from each other, and the opened printed products are positioned above the support (7). Gripper elements (11) are provided for gripping the trailing fold-edge (6.3) of each printed product (6), before it exits the clamping gap (1), thus preventing a free fall of the printed products (6) onto the support (7) when the trailing fold-edge (6.3) exits the clamping gap (1). The gripper elements (11) grip and guide the printed products towards the support (7). If a plurality of supports (7) is provided, and these are conveyed continuously and in succession past, below the stationary clamping gap (1), the fold-edges (6.3) of the printed products (6) are moved by the gripper elements (11) to track the supports (7). |
| US07850155B2 |
Sheet folding apparatus, sheet post-processing apparatus and image forming apparatus
A sheet folding apparatus including: a conveyance device having a first pair of rollers for nipping and conveying a paper sheet; a folding device disposed downstream of the conveyance device in a paper sheet conveyance direction, the folding device having a second pair of rollers for nipping and conveying the paper sheet, wherein the conveyance device conveys the paper sheet to the folding device by making the paper sheet bent toward the folding device, and the folding device conveys the bent paper sheet to fold the paper sheet; and a folding assist member for pushing the paper sheet so that the paper sheet moves toward the folding device, the folding assist member being pivotally arranged to be capable of rotating downstream of the conveyance device in the conveyance direction. |
| US07850152B2 |
Methods and devices for moisturizing hyperpolarized noble gases and associated moisturized pharmaceutical grade inhalable hyperpolarized gas products
Methods and devices for moisturizing hyperpolarized noble gas and associated hyperpolarized noble gas products which are formulated for inhalation or ventilation delivery include adding moisture content to (dry) hyperpolarized gas. |
| US07850151B2 |
Diffuser for aeration
Disclosed is a diffuser installation structure capable of improving uniformity of air bubbles discharged from air bubble discharge holes, restricting the formation of dead zone air bubble discharge holes, and having the tolerance against design deviation. In the installation structure for a diffuser including at least one air feeding port and an air bubble discharge wall having a plurality of air bubble discharge holes, the air bubble discharge wall is inclined upward in the direction of increasing distance relative to the air feeding port. |
| US07850144B2 |
Hoist for elevator
An elevator hoist apparatus includes a stationary frame member, a main shaft, a stationary element disposed to said stationary frame member, a rotary frame member supported on said main shaft and extending in a radial direction in axial opposition to said stationary frame member, a rotary element disposed to said rotary frame member in opposition to said stationary member, a brake unit including a brake portion extending through an opening in said stationary frame member, and a rope sheave disposed to said rotary frame member for rotation therewith. The brake unit includes a brake portion disposed in a hollow portion of the stationary frame member of the stationary member and extending through the opening portion and disposed to the inner circumference of the stationary frame member or the rotary frame member. The magnetic path for the brake unit extends through one portion of the rotary frame member or the stationary frame member. Small-size and high performance are realized. |
| US07850143B1 |
Ball valve assembly
A ball valve assembly for controlling flow of a mixture. The ball valve assembly includes a body with a cavity therein and a ball positioned in the cavity with a passage therethrough, and a low-pressure valve seat and a high-pressure valve seat for locating the ball therebetween. The ball is movable between an open position, in which flow of the mixture through the passage is permitted, and a closed position, in which flow of the mixture through the ball is substantially prevented. The low-pressure valve seat includes one or more scallops formed to permit movement of at least a portion of the solid particles past the low-pressure valve seat when the ball is in the open position. |
| US07850141B2 |
Retainer apparatus
A retainer apparatus and method is disclosed for retaining a form mold in a selected position that includes a beam having a longitudinal axis and a retaining member slidably engaged to the beam allowing for free movement along the longitudinal axis when said retaining member is in a free state. The retaining member has a lengthwise axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis in the free state, with the retaining member also including a leg substantially parallel to the lengthwise axis, the leg extending from the slidable engagement and terminating in a form mold interface portion. The retaining member also including a head portion extending from the slidable engagement being substantially oppositely disposed from the leg. The retainer apparatus is place into the locked state by applying a force to the leg to substantially lock the slidable engagement and retaining the form mold. |
| US07850139B2 |
Transportation frame for oversize container and method of installing the frame onto the container
The present invention provides a transportation frame for an oversize container or the like and a method of installing the frame onto the container or the like. The transportation frame includes a top frame body comprising two top corner fittings each provided with a top corner fitting hole, a bottom frame body comprising two bottom corner fittings each provided with a bottom corner fitting hole, and a plurality of posts each having two ends connected to the top frame body and the bottom frame body respectively. The orientations of the two top corner fitting holes and the distance therebetween, and the orientations of the two bottom corner fitting holes and the distance therebetween satisfy the requirements for coupling with corner fittings of neighboring stacked containers. With the invention, non-standard containers may be easily hoisted, stacked and transported. Moreover, the transportation frame can be easily operated and stored while being reusable. |
| US07850133B2 |
Suction cup having compact axial installation and release mechanism
A novel suction cup mounting apparatus having a novel compact axial suction cup installation and release mechanism and method for assembling such a suction cup apparatus. The suction cup device includes a suction cup portion of a plunger assembly fit within a concave drive base and coupled thereto by a rigid drive pin. An optional rotational drive member or “handle” structured to operate on an external surface of the drive base may be provided for manipulating the drive pin relative to the suction cup and drive base. The suction cup device is intended to secure some device—a “utilization device”—to a surface. Therefore, according to another aspect of the suction cup device, a utilization mounting surface is projected above the drive base. |
| US07850126B2 |
Laminar flow surfaces with selected roughness distributions, and associated methods
Laminar flow surfaces with selected roughness distributions, and associated methods are disclosed. A representative method for designing an airfoil includes selecting a parameter that includes a flow behavior distribution and/or a surface shape for an airflow surface. Based at least in part on the selected parameter, the method can include (a) selecting a target roughness value and determining a chordwise location forward of which surface roughness is at or below the target roughness value and/or (b) selecting a target chordwise location and determining a roughness value for a region forward of the chordwise location, with the surface roughness at or below the roughness value. In particular embodiments, a percentage of a local chord length of the airfoil over which the roughness is below a target value decreases in a spanwise direction. In another embodiment, the roughness at a particular spanwise location can increase over at least three values, continuously, in a step manner, or otherwise. |
| US07850125B2 |
Method and device for reducing the wake vortices of an aircraft in the approach/landing phase
The invention relates to a method and device for reducing the wake vortices of an aircraft during the approach/landing phase. Spoilers are automatically ordered to deploy when lift-augmenting aerodynamic surfaces are ordered to deploy, and are automatically ordered to retract when at least one of the following three conditions holds: the angle of incidence α of the aircraft is equal to or greater than an incidence threshold αs; the speed Vc of the aircraft is equal to or less than a speed threshold Vs; and the aircraft is instigating a go-around maneuver. |
| US07850124B2 |
Long-service-life rotary positioning device for space applications
A rotary positioning device of a movable element for space equipment comprising a part attached to a fixed portion of the equipment and a handle actuating the movable portion of the equipment, said handle being rigidly connected to a first race of a ball or roller antifriction bearing and said fixed part being connected to the second race of said antifriction bearing, wherein a link between said fixed part and the second race is an elastic link in rotation about the axis of said antifriction bearing and wherein a stop is rigidly attached to one of the races in order to interact with an element rigidly attached to the other race, so that the relative rotation of the two races of said antifriction bearing is limited angularly. |
| US07850118B2 |
Structural element, method for manufacturing a structural element and use of a structural element for an aircraft hull
A structural element includes the following elements: a carrier element, a reinforcing element, and a sheathing element. At least a portion of the reinforcing element is enveloped by the sheathing element and the reinforcing element is embedded in the carrier element. Materials of the elements are selected to inhibit crack initiation or propagation in the elements and/or from one element to another. An intermediate layer of a different material may be added between elements to further inhibit crack initiation and propagation and to inhibit corrosion, such as galvanic corrosion. |
| US07850117B2 |
Fuselage structure
A fuselage structure comprises a plurality of elements that in longitudinal direction are interconnected by weld joints; a plurality of circumferential ribs that are connected to the plurality of elements and that extend so as to be substantially perpendicular in relation to the longitudinal direction of the elements; and a plurality of clips that are arranged between the elements and the ribs such that said clips do not cover the respective weld joints. |
| US07850111B2 |
Belt retractor for a safety belt system
A belt retractor for a safety belt system has a frame (2), a belt reel (4) rotatably mounted in the frame (2) for receiving a belt webbing, a reversible belt tensioning unit with a motor (8), an irreversible belt tensioning unit, and a coupling mechanism, by means of which the reversible belt tensioning unit can be coupled to the belt reel (4) and which can be deactivated and reactivated, the coupling mechanism being deactivated when the irreversible belt tensioning unit is activated and the coupling mechanism being reactivated after termination of the irreversible belt tensioning. |
| US07850106B2 |
Shredder with secondary waste container
A shredder is disclosed. The shredder has an external frame, and includes an internal waste container space that has an upper primary waste container, and a lower secondary waste container, all positioned beneath a shredder mechanism that includes a motor and cutter elements. The shredder mechanism is positioned so that shredded waste falls into the primary waste container. In the event that waste falls outside the primary waste container, due to the primary waste container being full or for other reasons, the waste can be caught in the lower secondary waste container. A sweep mounted to the bottom of the primary waste container in some variations can push or pull shredded waste into the secondary waste container as the primary waste container is removed from the external frame in a generally horizontal direction. The secondary waste container may also include a handle to facilitate removal in some variations. Other variations and improvements to shredders are also disclosed. |
| US07850103B2 |
Assembly and method for restricting spinning in a gyratory crusher
A crusher system includes a gyratory crusher, which has a crushing head, on which a first crushing shell is mounted; a frame, on which a second crushing shell is mounted; and a driving device, which is arranged to cause, by means of a rotating eccentric, the crushing head to execute a gyratory movement for crushing material. The crusher system includes a device for generating a signal that indicates the current tendency of the crushing head to spin; a device arranged to establish, based on the signal, a maximum allowable rotational speed for the eccentric; and a device arranged to adapt the rotational speed of the eccentric to a rotational speed that is lower than the maximum allowable rotational speed. |
| US07850100B2 |
Electromagnetic fuel injector for a direct injection internal combustion engine
An embodiment of a fuel injector comprising: an injection valve provided with a mobile needle for regulating the fuel flow through an injection nozzle; a supporting body having a tubular shaft and displaying a feeding channel which ends with the injection valve; and an electromagnetic actuator comprising a spring which tends to maintain the needle in a closing position and an electromagnet, which comprises a coil arranged outside the supporting body, a fixed magnetic armature arranged within the supporting body, and a keeper which is arranged within the supporting body, is magnetically attracted by the magnetic armature against the bias of the spring, and is mechanically connected to the needle; the coil displaying a toroidal shape having an internal annular surface, which is directly in contact with an external surface of the supporting body without the interposition of any intermediate element. |
| US07850098B2 |
Power sprayer
A spray head for a power sprayer configured to generate a continuous sheet-like water shield around a center stream of water is disclosed. A water delivery device for use with a sink is disclosed, the water delivery device may produce a stream of water surrounded by a continuous shield of water. |
| US07850095B2 |
Multiple function dispenser
A dispenser for mixing and dispensing a liquid chemical concentrate from a container with a dilutent. The dispenser includes a rotatable and slideable eductor assembly. Both a high and low flow rate can be obtained with simultaneous adjustment of concentration of the chemical concentrate. The dispenser has a high degree of accuracy of the amount of dilution of the chemical concentrate as well as positive positioning of the high and low flow rate. The dispenser also provides for proper selection of concentrate during operation and has a lock-in feature during operation. |
| US07850094B2 |
Arc adjustable rotary sprinkler having full-circle operation
A rotary sprinkler is provided that includes a housing having a riser assembly and a rotatable nozzle turret on an upper end of the riser assembly. The sprinkler includes an arc setting assembly that enables part-circle operation of the turret and a selector assembly that permits selection of either part-circle or full-circle operation of the nozzle turret where the components of the selector assembly are generally separate from the components of the arc setting assembly. |
| US07850091B2 |
Fuel injector with directly triggered injection valve member
A fuel injector having an injector body and a fuel inlet communicates with a high-pressure fuel source outside the injector body and including an actuator received in a hollow chamber from which a high-pressure inlet extends to an injection valve member. Depending on the pressure in the first hydraulic chamber, fuel is injected into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine when the injection valve member lifts from a seat. The actuator acts directly upon a stepped piston which defines the first hydraulic chamber and actuates a control piston. The injection valve member is guided in the control piston. |
| US07850090B2 |
Spikeless tie plate fasteners, pre-plated railroad ties and related assemblies and methods
Railroad tie plates secured collectively by spikeless fasteners to a tie with railroad spikes securing the rails to the ties and related methodology are disclosed wherein two-part fasteners are used in respect to sets of aligned tie and tie plate apertures such that the two fastener parts are joined together against inadvertent separation within each tie aperture at a connection or union site, which includes but is not limited to force fit unions and threaded unions, and spikes are driven into the ties through other tie plate apertures. Discarded ties rehabilitated as composite railroad ties are also disclosed. |
| US07850084B2 |
Computer apparatus
A computer apparatus includes an equipment-information holding unit which holds equipment information which contains setting information of equipment of the computer apparatus and license information for using the equipment. An image-data generating unit generates image data for printing the equipment information on a sheet in a predetermined form. An equipment-information setting unit stores the equipment information into the equipment-information holding unit based on image data read from the printed sheet on which the equipment information is printed. |
| US07850081B2 |
Apparatus and method for authenticating products
A method of authenticating a product includes authenticating a user through a graphical user interface. Product information is secured. The product information is linked to product pedigree information derived from cross-enterprise RF tag information. The cross-enterprise RF tag information includes RF tag information characterizing product movement from a first enterprise to a second enterprise. The first enterprise and the second enterprise are selected from a manufacturer, a warehouse, a distributor and a retailer. The product pedigree information is supplied. The pedigree of a product is verified based upon the product pedigree information. |
| US07850080B2 |
Assistance method and apparatus for online purchases of goods or services conducted with payment card systems
A card payment system includes a purchases assistance system linking online merchants of goods or services, including digital goods, with the operator of the card issuance system. Merchants can use the purchases assistance system to seek help from the Issuer for resolving disputes related to purchases of digital goods of which the provisioning may have failed, to trade better commercial terms from the Issuer in exchange for providing details of products purchased by cardholders, to verify the balance of debit cards and request a reservation of funds from the Issuer to lower their financial risks prior to certain types of transactions, or to signal to the Issuer special loyalty rewards associated with specific purchases. |
| US07850079B2 |
Multifunction card dispenser and customer information collection device
A method and a computer-controlled, multi-function device for generating and dispensing retail cards such as gift cards and loyalty cards and for collecting customer survey information. The device includes a reader such as a magnetic strip reader for receiving payment for the gift card from the customer. A card inspector determines whether the gift card is electronically readable and if not, disposes the card in a bad card hopper. If the card is readable, the device dispenses the card to the customer. An electronic survey apparatus obtains customer information and stores it in an external server. The customer information may include customer responses to survey questions or customer contact information. An external interface enables survey questions to be automatically uploaded to the device and for responses and customer contact information to be downloaded from the device. |
| US07850078B2 |
Remote control reactivation
A remote control system includes a portable control unit with a user interface. A radio frequency transceiver communicates with the remote control system to determine if the portable unit is within a secure space. Commands from the remote control system are ignored when the portable control unit is within the secure space until a predetermined code is entered on the user interface. |
| US07850076B1 |
Cash management system
An apparatus and method for managing cash utilize one or more remotely or locally operable cash management devices. A cash management device dispenses cash, determines the denomination and amount of deposited cash and remotely or locally reconciles a cashier cash drawer at the end of a shift. The cash is accounted for from the time it is disbursed from a cash management device, throughout a cashier's sales and when it is deposited into the cash management device. |
| US07850071B2 |
Portable tool and work management data collection system
A work management data collection system 1 is provided with a data collection mechanism in a tool 2, and by counting a number of times a work operation has been executed or the like, obtains a work data identifying the work task that has been executed and detects a time data required for the work task. The system is provided with an RFID tag 3a on an ID card 3 held by a worker, and by writing data into the ID card 3 of the worker who carried out the work task, using an RFID reader/writer 4 provided on the tool 2, the system obtains data necessary for the work management from the ID card 3 of the worker. |
| US07850069B2 |
Operation support system
An operation support system includes a progress information providing unit, an entry device, and an updating unit. The progress information providing unit stores progress information indicating to which operation stage an operation procedure has progressed and provides the progress information in response to a request made from an external device. The entry device includes an entry tool and a reading device. The entry tool makes an entry into a paper form associated with the operation procedure. When an entry is made into an entry field of the paper form using the entry tool, the reading device reads identification information presented in the entry field. The updating unit updates the progress information, which is stored in the progress information providing unit, based on an operation stage associated with the identification information, which is read from the entry field by the reading device. |
| US07850067B1 |
Color bar codes
A device for initiating automatic retrieval of content using a plurality of three-dimensional elements is provided. The device comprises a plurality of three-dimensional elements producing a color pattern. The color pattern is associated with an item of interest and is used to obtain a content related to the item of interest. |
| US07850066B2 |
Smartcard system
A programmable device carries an on-device file. An interface device is provided to interface with the programmable device, the interface device having an off-device file. Web (Internet) standard language operating software is stored in the programmable device in a compressed format, that software containing at least some of the file system and commands for accessing the file system which enable the on-device file and off-device file to interface with each other. The interface device further includes an upgrade file. The system operates to compare the upgrade file to the on-device file and upgrade the on-device file to the newer upgrade file. The system is further provided with a web (Internet) standard language file containing a configurable Security Environment. The system is further provided with a file including a data model (‘virtual card’) corresponding to a programmable device and adapted for downloading to the programmable device. |
| US07850065B2 |
Universal collection and support column for diverse electronic candle arrays
A column alternatively supports one of a plurality of arrays of different pluralities candles in different configurations. A plurality of donation or payment mechanisms are mounted on the column for alternative modes of receiving diverse monetary transactions elements, such as cash, credit card and debit card, with resultant automated actuation of the at least one of the electronic candles upon receipt of one of the monetary transaction elements. The column includes jimmy-proof, pilfer-proof and tamper-proof features for securing cash collected in an authorized accessibly collection box. A replaceable paperboard collection box is removably disposed in the secured column. |
| US07850061B2 |
Method for making a component including fluid flow channels
A method for making a component including fluid flow channels formed by making a plurality of grooves (12), in at least one face (21) of a base plate (10); having opposite ends so that the grooves have open top sides; scalably blocking the open top side of each groove and diffusion-welding a lid by hot isostatic compression onto the face (21) of the base plate (10) to cover each of the strips leaving open the fluid flow channels at one or both opposite ends of the base plate for allowing pressurized gas to penetrate into the flow channels. |
| US07850057B2 |
Lateral position detection and control for friction stir systems
A friction stir system for processing at least a first workpiece includes a spindle actuator coupled to a rotary tool comprising a rotating member for contacting and processing the first workpiece. A detection system is provided for obtaining information related to a lateral alignment of the rotating member. The detection system comprises at least one sensor for measuring a force experienced by the rotary tool or a parameter related to the force experienced by the rotary tool during processing, wherein the sensor provides sensor signals. A signal processing system is coupled to receive and analyze the sensor signals and determine a lateral alignment of the rotating member relative to a selected lateral position, a selected path, or a direction to decrease a lateral distance relative to the selected lateral position or selected path. In one embodiment, the friction stir system can be embodied as a closed loop tracking system, such as a robot-based tracked friction stir welding (FSW) or friction stir processing (FSP) system. |
| US07850056B2 |
Electronic component mounting apparatus and electronic component mounting method
In a direction parallel to a direction 5 of ultrasonic vibrations imparted from an ultrasonic vibrator 1, the shape of a center portion 3a of a tool 3 and the shape of an end portion 3b of the tool 3 are changed such that the cross-sectional areas are different, whereby ultrasonic amplitudes 9 in a direction perpendicular to the direction 5 of ultrasonic vibrations are substantially equal. By this means, the difference in ultrasonic vibration between at the center portion 3a of the tool 3 and at the end portion 3b of the tool 3 can be eliminated or reduced. |
| US07850053B2 |
Security holster with locking lever
Holster (10) is provided having shroud (20) with top (28), sides (34, 34′), slide bearing stop (22) with hole (24) facing slide guard. Cam slot (44) is provided through shroud (20). Protuberance slots (36, 36)′ are provided in shroud (20) for receiving pistol protuberance (99). Screw (84) pivotally secures lever (70) to shroud (20). Lever (70) includes lever arm (72) having actuator (74) with bearing (76) and cam arm (78) having guide cam (80) positioned in cam slot (44) into side of shroud (20). A method for using holster is provided. |
| US07850050B2 |
Liquid dispensing apparatus and device
The invention provides an apparatus and device for dispensing a quantity of liquid from a vessel. In one embodiment, an apparatus according to the invention comprises: a base portion adapted for insertion into an opening of a vessel, the base portion having a well extending into the base portion such that at least a portion of the well resides at within a body of the vessel when the base portion is inserted into the vessel opening; and a hollow spout portion extending from the well of the base portion away from the vessel opening when the base portion is inserted into the vessel opening, the spout portion having at least one opening such that a liquid within the body of the vessel may pass through the hollow spout, through the at least one opening, and into the well. |
| US07850049B2 |
Foam pump with improved piston structure
A foam pump includes a piston housing and a piston assembly received in the piston housing thereby defining a collapsible liquid chamber and a collapsible air chamber. The piston assembly includes a premix chamber separated from both the collapsible liquid chamber and the collapsible air chamber by a premix chamber wall and fluidly communicating with both the collapsible liquid chamber and the collapsible air chamber through a mix aperture in the premix chamber wall. A biasing member urges the piston assembly to a non-actuated position. The foam pump is actuated by urging the piston assembly against the biasing member to an actuated position in which the collapsible air chamber and the collapsible liquid chamber are reduced in volume such that air and foamable liquid are expelled from their respective collapsible air chamber and collapsible liquid chamber through the mix aperture. The simultaneous movement of the air and foamable liquid through the mix aperture causes a turbulent mixing thereof. |
| US07850044B2 |
Welded in plastic spout part
The invention relates to a welded-in plastic spout part that is to be joined to a plastic receptacle part, especially a receptacle part made of film-type plastic material such as a pouch. The inventive spout part comprises parallel planar weld-on ribs which extend along the circumference of a neck area (spout) that defines a pouring passage. A rib-shaped welding burr that is less thick than the weld-on ribs is provided at the outer circumference of said weld-on ribs. The welding burr is molded onto an outer rounded peripheral edge of the weld-on ribs. A partition which protrudes radially on both sides of the neck area is arranged perpendicular to the weld-on ribs. Both ends of said partition extend beyond the ends of the rib base area so as to form lateral flaps. The welding burrs extend past both sides of the flaps while the lateral flaps are provided with one respective recess instead of a top and bottom outer corner. |
| US07850040B2 |
Component tape feeder
Provided is a component tape feeder apparatus comprising a single output module, a single component exposure module, operably connected to the single output module, and, a plurality of input modules, wherein each input module of the plurality of input modules is operably connected to the single exposure module. A corresponding method of feeding electronic components includes supplying a plurality of component tapes housing electronic components to the single exposure module, wherein the supplying involves receiving and forwarding of the plurality of component tapes by the plurality of input modules. |
| US07850039B1 |
Waste bag holder for refill roll
The present invention relates generally to dog waste bag holder and, more specifically, to a travel waste bag holder capable of accepting roll refills. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way. |
| US07850034B2 |
Multi-fuel storage system and method of storing fuel in a multi-fuel storage system
Reduced emissions of nitrogen oxides can be achieved if engines are fuelled with mixtures of gaseous fuels such as hydrogen and natural gas. Storing the gaseous fuels separately is desirable so that the fuel mixture ratio can be changed responsive to engine operating conditions. The present apparatus increases the storage density of gaseous fuels such as hydrogen by storing them in gaseous form at high pressures and at sub-ambient temperatures. A first thermally insulated space for holding a first gaseous fuel in a liquefied form is separated from a second thermally insulated space for holding a second gaseous fuel by a thermally conductive fluid barrier. The second gaseous fuel liquefies at a lower temperature than the first gaseous fuel such that the second gaseous fuel can be stored within the second thermally insulated space in a gaseous form at a sub-ambient temperature. |
| US07850031B2 |
Housing
The invention relates to a housing for receiving electric lines and/or connections, comprising a first housing part and a second housing part, said housing parts being connected to one another by means of at least one hinge. Said hinge defines a rotational axis about which the first housing part and the second housing part can pivot against one another, wherein a first hinge part of said hinge is affixed in the first housing part and wherein a second hinge part is affixed in the second housing part. One of the hinge parts is an axle extending in the direction of the rotating axis. The other hinge part is a fixing part extending in peripheral direction of the axle. At least one recess is arranged in one of the hinge parts while at least one protrusion is arranged in the other hinge part so that said protrusion engages in the recess in a given rotational position and/or in different rotational positions over a given rotational angle area. |
| US07850029B2 |
Closure
A plastic closure for a container is provided. The closure includes a top plate with a side skirt depending from the periphery thereof. A sealing strip depends from the top plate and is adapted to sealingly engage a container neck finish. The closure also comprises an abutment member including a guide surface for guiding the sealing strip towards the neck finish as the closure is applied, to increase the strength of the seal. The guide surface includes a guide member that projects from the abutment member, thereby minimizing friction between the strip and the abutment member. The sealing strip is inclined radially towards the neck finish to improve the sealing effect. |
| US07850028B2 |
Child-proof capsule with security strip
The invention relates to a child-proof capsule with a security strip (12) the capsule comprises an internal cap (4) which can be removably applied on a neck (2) of a container (1). An external cap (5) is applied and constrained on the internal cap (4). The external cap (5) is free to move in an axial direction from a first position in which free rotation is possible between the external cap (5) and the internal cap (4) to second position in which the external cap (5) and the internal cap (4) are solid in rotation. The security strip (12) is made in a single piece with the internal cap (4) and is of annular shape with a V-section. When the capsule is mounted on the container, a free circumference (12b) of the security strip (12) engages with an annular projection (15) fashioned on the container (1). In a connection zone between the security strip (12) and the peripheral edge (4a) of the internal cap (4) there is a plurality of circumferential cuts (16), not conjoined, which occupy all of the connection zone. |
| US07850020B2 |
Storage carts
Storage carts for the storage of pallets and other loads that may be moved between an open position into an aisle for access to the load and a closed position out of the aisle when desired. |
| US07850017B2 |
Wine rack
A wine rack for mounting on a wall or other surface, the wine rack including at least a first and second pair of support members. In one embodiment, the first pair of support members may support at least a first and a second wine bottle in a substantially parallel relation to the wall, wherein the second bottle is positionable proximate the wall, and wherein the label of the first wine bottle is visible to a person standing in front of the wine rack. The second pair of support members may support at least a third and a fourth wine bottle in a substantially parallel relation to the wall, wherein the fourth bottle is positionable proximate the wall, and wherein the label of the third wine bottle is visible to the person standing in front of the wine rack. In one example, a pair of frame elements may be attached to the support members in order to mount the support members to the wall. |
| US07850015B1 |
Display device for tubular items
A display device for displaying and dispensing tubular items of merchandise includes a first side and a substantially parallel second side spaced apart by a distance. A base forming a bottom portion and a cover forming a top portion of the display device are disposed between the first and second side. A first ramp having a first width is disposed between the first and second side and slopes downwardly toward a rear portion of the display device. A second ramp having a second width is disposed between the first and second side. At least a portion of the second ramp is disposed under the first ramp and slopes downwardly toward a front portion of the display device. The first width and second width are less than the distance between the first side and second side for facilitating a movement of the tubular items of merchandise in the display device. |
| US07850014B2 |
Bag dispensing system
A bag and system for dispensing thermoplastic bags or the like from a stack of bags. The present system is configured for point of use dispensing to a customer, such as in the produce section of a grocery store or market. Each bag pack is dispensed from a station which includes an underlying, medially situated, angled bag pack support, configured to provide optimal support for the user in opening and removing the bag to be dispensed from the bag pack. Further contemplated is a unique cover which partially envelopes the bag pack to be dispensed, the cover defining an opening formed therethrough for the dispensing of bags therethrough, the opening configured to define the area for optimal dispensing of the bags while maintaining the remaining bags in a uniform bag pack. The cover not only facilitates uniform dispensing of bags from the pack, but also holds the pack down when the system is used in windy conditions. |
| US07850013B1 |
Locking mechanism for rack mounted devices
A locking mechanism to minimize access to a portion of a rack-mounted electronic device is provided. The locking mechanism includes a bar supported at one end to a first vertical post of the rack, and a locking member supported at a second end of the bar for locking to a second vertical post. In one embodiment, the bar is pivotally supported at the one end to the first post. The bar is movable between an open position where unimpeded access to a first portion of the electronic device is provided, and a closed position to restrict removal of components from the first portion of the electronic device. A clearance space may provided between the bar and the electronic device in the closed position to allow a user to access an electronic component to remove power from the component, but not to fully remove the component without unlocking the locking member. |
| US07850009B2 |
Clean container having elastic positioning structure
A clean container having an elastic positioning structure includes a support element and a back positioning element on a base. A cover is disposed for covering the base, and a positioning part is disposed between the cover and the base, which has two elastic arms extended laterally, and each elastic arm extends with a pushing surface respectively. When a plate of brittle material is placed on the base, and the cover is closed, the pushing surfaces are elastically pressed against and push the plate respectively, so that the plate moves backwards and presses against the back positioning element. Therefore, the plate is prevented from being damaged. Additionally, the base, the cover, and the positioning part are made of a conductive material, so that the electrostatic charges for the plate is conducted out of the clean container, and has a protective function of an electrostatic discharge. |
| US07850007B2 |
Apparatus for storing and transporting watercraft propellers
An apparatus for carrying and storing watercraft propellers comprises a soft-shell enclosure having a rigid bottom member. The apparatus further comprises means for securing the propeller within the enclosure. An embodiment of the apparatus may shaped in the form of a cube or other parallelepiped with an opening symmetrically bisecting the enclosure along the top and the sides, or a top with a single panel defining the bottom of the enclosure. Alternatively, the apparatus may have a cylindrical shape. An embodiment of the invention may further comprise an inflatable support member for protecting the propeller. |
| US07850006B2 |
Medical apparatus containing device, discarding device and method of use of medical apparatus
A container case contains a capsule endoscope which incorporates a magnet. A magnetic body is disposed so as to guide, from one magnetic pole to the other magnetic pole, a magnetic field which is generated from the magnet of the capsule endoscope that is accommodated between and positioned by a first hold portion of an outer case and a second hold portion of an inner case which position the capsule endoscope. Thereby, there is provided a capsule medical apparatus containing device which can facilitate handling of a capsule medical apparatus and can enhance the efficiency in storage of the capsule medical apparatus. |
| US07850002B2 |
Packaging for soft contact lenses
The present disclosure provides a contact lens package containing a contact lens in a compressed state. In one exemplary embodiment, the overall internal depth of the package is less than the natural sagittal depth of the contact lens. Different single-use contact lens package shapes and configurations may be used. In some embodiments, a spring disc is included in the packages to help present the contact lens to the user when the package is opened. The contact lens packages may be adhered or clipped to a card or other carrier sheet, and may be housed in a number of different secondary packages. |
| US07849999B1 |
Conveyor tensioning system
A method and apparatus for a conveyor tensioning system comprising a main frame with at least one main frame roller pivotally mounted thereto for engagement with a conveyor belt. A moveable frame is engaged with the main frame at an engagement interface such that the position of the moveable frame with respect to the main frame may be adjusted in at least one dimension. The moveable frame also includes at least one moveable frame roller pivotally mounted thereto for engagement with a conveyor belt. The position of the moveable frame with respect to the main frame may be actuated by hydraulic cylinders or other mechanical systems. As the distance between the main frame and moveable frame increases, the tension on the belt also increases. |
| US07849998B2 |
Container switching device
Device (1) for switching containers rotating about a fixed axis (10) of rotation and comprising, arranged peripherally around the axis (10) of rotation, a plurality of arms (7, 188) for gripping at least one container, each gripping arm (7, 188) comprising a cam follower (98, 186) for engagement in a cam raceway (91, 184), the raceway (91, 184) comprising at least one fixed section (111, 112, 115) and at least one removable section (120a, 120b, 194, 196) for a retractable cam, said device being characterized in that it comprises at least one rotary transverse plate (152, 153, 185) on which are fixed the radially mobile gripping arms (7, 188) and at least one fixed transverse plate (90a, 90b, 182) containing the raceway (91, 184) of the cam follower (98, 186) of the gripping arm (7, 188), and in that the removable section (120a, 120b, 194, 196) is retractable in a direction approximately parallel to the axis (10) of rotation by means of an actuator (140a, 140b) mounted on the fixed transverse plate (90a, 90b, 182). |
| US07849996B2 |
Device for loading or unloading containers comprising a neck on a transporting element
The invention concerns a device for loading (10) or unloading (58) preforms (12) comprising a neck (20) on a transporting element (14) which includes a device (28) for individually gripping one preform (12) by its neck, the loading or unloading device comprising: means for dispensing (32, 42) preforms which include means for individually receiving (42) each preform, the trajectory of the receiving means and the trajectory of the gripping means, in planar projection, being tangent in at least one intersecting point (P3, P4) wherein the preform (12) being in a gripping position, the neck (20) of the preform (12) is vertically arranged opposite the gripping member; means for synchronizing the movement of the receiving means relative to the movement of the gripping member. The invention is characterized in that the trajectory of the receiving means and the trajectory of the gripping member are superimposed along at least one intersecting line (P3-P1, P2-P4). |
| US07849994B2 |
System and method for processing batches of documents
A method of processing documents by receiving at least a batch of documents and a separator card in an input receptacle of a document processing device. The separator card includes a conductive material disposed on one side, and a barcode indicative of the source of the batch of documents. The documents and separator card are transported via a transport mechanism past an evaluation unit and a field-effect sensor, respectively. The document processing device evaluates each document, determines whether the document meets or fails predetermined criteria, and detects the presence of the conductive material when a separator card is transported past the sensor. The source identification information from each separator card is entered into a memory of the document processing device after all the documents from the corresponding batch of documents have met the predetermined criteria. Feeder operation is paused between each batch long enough to verify that the previous batch closed successfully. Pausing feeder operation to address document anomalies before subsequent batches are processed promotes batch integrity and reduces operator confusion. |
| US07849992B2 |
Bill deposit machine
A bill deposit machine comprising: a deposit/return port for accepting and returning a batch of bills, a bill transport path for transporting the batch of bills accepted at said deposit/return port with the wide dimension of the bills parallel to the transport path horizontally and in a straight line, a feed-out section for feeding out the bills, one at a time, out of the batch of bills received from said bill transport path, a discriminating unit for discriminating if the bills fed out of said feed-out section can be deposited or not, and a bill returning path for transporting the rejected bills, which are determined by said discriminating unit as being unable to be deposited, to said bill transport path. Bills are projected and kept to be projected out of said deposit/return port by the specified amount by said bill conveying device when the movement of the bills which are being taken out of said deposit/return port is detected by said takeout detecting device. |
| US07849989B2 |
One-way clutch
A one-way clutch is provided with an outer ring having a cylindrical wall on an inner circumference thereof, an inner ring having cam surfaces formed thereon, rolling elements arranged between the outer and inner rings to perform transmission of a torque between the outer and inner rings, and springs biasing the rolling elements, respectively. The inner ring is provided on its outer circumferential wall with recesses such that lube-oil receiving and accumulating parts are formed between the cylindrical wall of the outer ring and the outer circumferential wall of the inner ring. |
| US07849986B2 |
Hydraulic pressure control apparatus
The hydraulic pressure control apparatus includes an upstream control valve, a downstream control valve, a hydraulic pressure sensor, and a controller. The upstream control valve is provided between a hydraulic pressure source and a hydraulic pressure device. The downstream control valve is disposed between the upstream control valve and the hydraulic pressure device. The hydraulic pressure sensor is configured and arranged to detect the hydraulic pressure on a downstream side of the downstream control valve. The controller is configured to control the upstream control valve and the downstream control valve based on an upstream pressure command value and a downstream pressure command value, respectively. The controller is further configured to detect an abnormality in the upstream control valve based on the hydraulic pressure detected by the hydraulic pressure sensor when the downstream pressure command value is set to be equal to or greater than the upstream pressure command value. |
| US07849985B2 |
Pilot plate torque transmitting assembly for a torque converter
A pilot plate torque transmitting assembly for a torque converter, including: a pilot plate arranged to be rotationally connected to a housing for the torque converter; a piston plate for a clutch; and at least one spring assembly rotationally connecting the pilot plate and the piston plate. The at least one spring assembly is arranged to be axially disposed between the piston plate and the housing for the torque converter. In some aspects, the piston plate is arranged to form at least a portion of a pressure release chamber for the clutch with the housing, and the assembly includes a channel between the piston plate and the pilot plate and arranged to be in fluid communication with the release chamber. In some aspects, the pilot plate or the piston plate is stamped. |
| US07849979B2 |
Brake drum
A brake drum includes a generally cylindrical sidewall that is open at one end and at least partially closed by an endwall at its other end. The sidewall preferably has a thickness that vanes along its axial length and preferably is thickest at the end closest to the endwall. In one implementation, the outer surface of the sidewall is generally frustum shaped in cross section with a straight radially tapered outer wall. In another implementation, the outer surface of the sidewall is generally concave or sloped from the first end to a second end spaced from the endwall. In another implementation, the outer surface of the sidewall is generally convex. |
| US07849978B2 |
Brake system for patient care equipment support arm
A patient care equipment support system includes an arm supported in a hospital room for pivoting movement about a generally vertical axis, a patient care equipment column coupled to the arm for movement therewith, and a brake configured to impede the pivoting movement of the arm. The brake allowing the pivoting movement of the arm when the brake is deactivated in response to a user input. The column is configured to support patient care equipment. |
| US07849977B2 |
Disc brake with optimized caliper mounting and brake lining
An optimized disc brake includes two fixed mountings and one free mounting, and an assembly space optimized brake carrier and corresponding brake lining for a reaction side of the disc brake are provided. |
| US07849974B2 |
Method of dispatching an elevator car
An elevator system (20) includes a plurality of cars (22) and destination entry devices (40) located some distance from the elevator cars (22). A controller (38) dispatches an elevator car to a requested destination entered by a passenger before the passenger enters an elevator car. In one example, the controller (38) uses an expected arrival time corresponding to the time it is expected to take for a passenger to travel from the location where the destination request is entered to the location of the elevator car to decide how to dispatch a car to service that request. In one example, the controller dispatches an elevator car to the requested destination on a next trip of that car if the expected arrival time of the passenger near that car occurs at or before the departure time for that next trip. Otherwise, the controller (38) dispatches the car to the requested destination on a subsequent trip after the next trip. |
| US07849972B2 |
Emergency stop device of elevator
In an emergency brake device for an elevator, a pair of pivot levers are pivotably provided to a car. Each pivot member is provided with each of a plurality of wedges that can be brought into and out of contact with a car guide rail as the pivot member pivots. A connecting member is connected between the pivot levers. The car is mounted with an electromagnetic actuator for displacing the connecting member in a reciprocating manner so as to pivot the pivot levers in a direction for bringing each wedge into and out of contact with the car guide rail. The electrical actuator is actuated when inputted with an actuating signal from an output portion mounted in a control panel. |
| US07849971B2 |
Powered controlled acceleration suspension work platform hoist system
A powered controlled acceleration suspension work platform hoist system for raising and lowering a work platform at a predetermined acceleration. The system incorporates several hoists attached to the work platform and in electrical communication with the motor control system. The motor control system is attached to the work platform and is in electrical communication with a constant frequency input power source and the hoist motors. The motor control system controls the acceleration of the work platform as it is raised and lowered by controlling the hoist motors. The controlled acceleration hoist system also includes a platform control system attached to the work platform that is in electrical communication with the motor control system and the hoist motors. Acceleration control is achieved by converting the constant frequency input power to a variable frequency power supply. This may be accomplished through the use of a variable frequency drive(s). |
| US07849970B2 |
Method for maintaining a vertical motor thrust bearing
Certain exemplary embodiments comprise a system for cooling bearing of a shaft of a motor, comprising: an oil sump adapted to collect oil that contacts a bearing enclosed within the sump; and a heat exchanger physically separated from the sump and the bearing, the heat exchanger adapted to be in fluid communication with the sump and the bearing. |
| US07849967B2 |
Foldable stepladder with step lock
A stepladder includes a longer inclined frame provided with steps coupled to a shorter stabilizer frame provided with rungs for movement relative to the longer inclined frame between an expanded use position and a collapsed storage position. The stepladder also includes a top-step lock to lock the top step in a fixed position relative to the two frames. |
| US07849963B1 |
Ladder carrier apparatus
The ladder carrier apparatus provides a basic design for ladder carry with one end of the ladder angled upwardly. The apparatus provides for supporting a ladder's weight with a cushioned strap which is born on a carrier's shoulder. The apparatus is quickly affixed to or removed from a ladder. |
| US07849959B2 |
Exhaust pipe structure for vehicle
A vehicle (1) is provided with an exhaust pipe (2) extending from an engine mounted in the front part of the vehicle to a branch part (24) in the rear part of the vehicle, and right and left branch pipes (25, 26) extending from the branch part to mufflers (5, 6) on both right and left sides. The branch part (24) is arranged so as to be offset to the side of either one muffler (5) of the right and left mufflers with respect to the center in the vehicle width direction; the exhaust pipe has an upstream part (2, 21) laid linearly to a bend part (22) positioned in the center in the vehicle width direction near the rear end of a fuel tank, and an oblique part (23) laid slantwise from the bend part toward the branch part; and the length of the branch pipe (25) having a longer distance to the muffler is approximately equal to the length of the oblique part (23). |
| US07849955B2 |
Materials handling vehicle having a steer system including a tactile feedback device
A materials handling vehicle is provided comprising: a frame comprising an operator's compartment; wheels supported on the frame, at least one of the wheels being a steerable wheel; a steer-by-wire system and control apparatus. The steer-by-wire system is associated with the steerable wheel to effect angular movement of the steerable wheel about a first axis. |
| US07849954B2 |
Steering system for vehicle
A steering system including a pair of operating members operable independently of each other, wherein a target wheel-turning amount and a return force for returning operating members to their reference position are determined based on an operation amount of the operating members. At least either a steering gain, set for each pair of operating members upon determination of the target wheel-turning amount, or a return-force gain, set for each pair of operating members upon determination of the return force, is made changeable depending on various parameters. Steering characteristics can be set relatively freely. For example, where the steering gain is made changeable depending on an operating angle of the operating member, determination of the target wheel-turning amount can be made with a changeable degree of contribution of operation of each operating member, which is changeable depending on an operating position of the operating member. |
| US07849949B2 |
Motorcycle having a continuously variable transmission
A motorcycle includes a frame and an engine supported by the frame. A continuously variable transmission is operatively and indirectly driven by the engine and is supported by the frame. A rotatable rear wheel is operatively and indirectly driven by the continuously variable transmission, which is generally vertically oriented. |
| US07849946B2 |
Device for truck cab suspension
Device for truck cab suspension comprising a forward cab suspension which itself comprises a carrier frame fastened to the cab and the frame is arranged on each long side of the truck close to a stabilizer. An articulation device allows forward tilting of the carrier frame and the cab. The tilting is caused by at least one tilt cylinder. The cab suspension comprises a cab spring adapted to acting between the truck chassis and the carrier frame. The carrier frame is supported for pivoting relative to the forward lower portion of each of two end pieces which form part of the carrier frame and are each connected to their respective stabilizer which is situated rearward from the forward lower portion and is supported by the truck chassis. |
| US07849935B2 |
System and method for drilling wellbores
A system and method are provided for drilling a wellbore. The wellbore is formed with a drilling tool that cuts through a formation. A pumping system removes cuttings from the drilling tool and also transports the cuttings along at least a portion of the wellbore formed behind the drilling tool. |
| US07849932B2 |
Steering and elevating wheel system for agricultural implement
An apparatus for facilitating steering, height adjustment and transport of a farm implement towed by a vehicle. The implement includes a main frame and a hitch that extends from the frame for linking to the vehicle. The apparatus comprises a wheel support member supported below the frame, at least a first ground engaging wheel supported by the wheel support member for rotation about a first wheel axis and to engage a ground surface below the frame thereby supporting the frame above the ground, a first hydraulic lift cylinder linked between the frame and the wheel support member and controllable to adjust the height of the frame above the ground, and a hydraulic steering cylinder mounted to the wheel support member and controllable to steer the first wheel independent of the state of the first lift cylinder. |
| US07849931B2 |
Integrated environmental control system for a cargo stowage compartment on a mobile platform
An integrated environmental control system for a cargo stowage compartment in a mobile platform, for example in a commercial passenger jet aircraft. A fire detection/suppression subsystem is integrated together with an airflow management system. The airflow management system operates to circulate, and optionally to heat or cool, air withdrawn from a cargo stowage compartment of the aircraft before the air is released back into the cargo stowage compartment. A fire suppression substance, for example, Halon gas, can be discharged directly into a recirculation duct of the airflow management system, thus reducing the duct work required to achieve fire suppression and ventilation operations for the cargo stowage compartment. The integration of the fire detection/suppression and airflow management system operations reduces the overall amount, complexity and weight of the ducting employed in a cargo stowage compartment of a commercial jet aircraft. This integration also eliminates or minimizes potential integration and control issues such as smoke penetration from the cargo stowage compartment to the passenger cabin. |
| US07849927B2 |
Running bore-lining tubulars
A method of running a tubular string into a wellbore comprises running a bore-lining tubular string into a wellbore substantially without rotation, while rotating a cutting structure at a distal leading end of the tubular string. Other methods provide for rotation of the string and the provision of a non-rotating stabiliser towards the leading end of the string. |
| US07849925B2 |
System for completing water injector wells
A system for completing water injection wells includes an injector well completion system. In an embodiment, an injector well completion system for liquid injection in a formation includes a casing string disposed in a wellbore having a tubing bore. The casing string includes a casing and a sliding sleeve. The sliding sleeve has a pressure control valve having open and closed positions, an actuator mandrel having a flow control device, and an injection pressure communication port. The open position of the pressure control valve actuates the actuator mandrel to align the flow control device and the injection pressure communication port to inject liquid from the tubing bore to the formation and generate fractures in the formation. |
| US07849923B2 |
Proppant entrainment prevention method
Elimination of sand entrainment and a significant increase in hydrodynamic permeability of the sand pack in an area near the wellbore are achieved through the use of a sand and/or proppant, and proppant material mixture at the final stage of the fracture filling process, where individual particles of the proppant material have at least one shape of plates, lattices, hollow bars, inside-hollow tubes with a closed impermeable cavity or cavities, toroidal particles, elongated particles in the form of ovals, pellets or plates, cylinders with a closed impermeable cavity or cavities, or blocks with a comb multi-channel structure with throughout channels of the ellipse or polygon cross-section. |
| US07849921B2 |
Water treatment method for heavy oil production
A process for treating produced water to generate high pressure steam. Produced water from heavy oil recovery operations is treated by first removing oil and grease. Pretreated produced water is then fed to an evaporator. Up to 95% or more of the pretreated produced water stream is evaporated to produce (1) a distillate having a trace amount of residual solutes therein, and (2) evaporator blowdown containing substantially all solutes from the produced water feed. The distillate may be directly used, or polished to remove the trace residual solutes before being fed to a steam generator. Steam generation in a packaged boiler, such as a water tube boiler having a steam drum and a mud drum with water cooled combustion chamber walls, produces 100% quality high pressure steam for down-hole use. |
| US07849916B2 |
Temperature control apparatus and method
An apparatus for use with a process liquid for controlling the temperature of a semiconductor-processing target comprises first and second tanks adapted for holding process liquid, at least one fluid level sensor carried by the first tank for monitoring the amount of process liquid in the first tank, and a valve coupled to one of the at least one fluid level sensor and configured to increases the flow of process liquid from the second tank to the target when the amount of process liquid in the first tank drops to a first predetermined amount. The first tank may include first and second compartments partially separated by a divider with a top whereby process liquid in the first compartment flows over the top of the divider into the second compartment. |
| US07849914B2 |
Cooling apparatus for microelectronic devices
One embodiment of the present invention is an apparatus for cooling a microelectronic device including: (a) a rigid support ring having a top surface and a bottom surface; (b) a mechanically resilient, thermally conductive bottom membrane having a top and a bottom surface, wherein the top surface of the membrane is attached to the bottom surface of the ring; and (c) a multiplicity of thermally conductive posts having top and bottom surfaces, the posts being disposed with their bottom surfaces in thermal contact with the top surface of the bottom membrane over an area, wherein the posts are arrayed in the area with spaces therebetween so that heat transferred from the microelectronic device to the bottom surface of the membrane may be transferred to the multiplicity of thermally conductive posts. |
| US07849908B2 |
Method for manufacturing hose couplings
A method for manufacturing hose couplings is composed of three steps as follows. The first step involves jointing and fixing a top casting-cavity insert and a bottom casting-cavity insert within a mold base of a casting machine. The second step is injecting a high-temperature molten metal into both the casting-cavity inserts, so that the molten metal can fill up the casting-cavity inserts. The third step is cooling the casting-cavity inserts by using a cooling liquid, so that the cooled and solidified metal can be released from the casting-cavity inserts to form a hose coupling. By using the method, various types of top casting-cavity inserts and bottom casting-cavity inserts may be adapted as desired and, therefore, various types of hose couplings may be manufactured as desired. |
| US07849907B2 |
Multiple choice shade system
A multiple choice shade system includes a main frame, a first winding roller rotatably supported on the main frame, a second winding roller rotatably supported on the main frame in a spaced-apart relationship with the first winding roller, a multiple choice shade element having a succession of screen sections, and an actuator for rotating at least one of the first winding roller and the second winding roller. The shade element has a first end fixedly secured to the first winding roller and a second end fixedly secured to the second winding roller. The shade element is suspended from the first winding roller and the second winding roller in such a manner that one of the screen sections is extended into or retracted from a target area as the first winding roller and the second winding roller are rotated by the actuator. |
| US07849906B2 |
Fast door with secure operation
The invention concerns a fast door, closing an opening provided in a partition, comprising a soft screen (21), means for lifting the screen including, among others, a winding shaft (2) fixed at the door lintel, and a strap (7) whereof one end is fixed to the winding shaft (2) and the other end is fixed to the screen lower edge (8). The invention is characterized in that the strap (7) passes through a tension sensor (6) comprising a mobile element having an opening wherein the strap (7) is engaged, the mobile element being maintained in a first so-called normal operating position by the strap (7), the latter being subjected to a normal operating tension, the mobile element tilting into a so-called abnormal operating position, when the strap (7) shows a tension lower than a predetermined threshold corresponding to an abnormal operation of the door. |
| US07849905B2 |
Stripping device and stripping apparatus
A stripping apparatus has a simplified structure for stripping a supporting plate from a layered structure, occupies less space, and strips a supporting plate in a shorter period of time. The stripping apparatus comprises a transfer robot, a cassette, a stripping device and a cleaning device which surround the transfer robot. The stripping device comprises a chucking plate for attracting and retaining a layered structure, and a stripping plate for stripping the supporting plate from the layered structure. The chucking plate is constructed so as to be rotated by 180° within a vertical plane, elevated and lowered in a vertical direction in a state of retaining the layered structure. |
| US07849903B2 |
Motorized cut and feed head
A motorized head for applying fiber composite material to an application surface includes a drive roll and a backup roll for feeding fiber composite material toward the application surface, a compaction roll for pressing fiber composite material onto the application surface, and a restart pinch roll assembly located between the drive roll and the compaction roll for driving fiber composite material received from the drive roll to the compaction roll. The drive roll nip between the drive roll and the backup roll forms a drive zone that grips and drives the composite material, a clamp zone that prevents movement of the composite material after it has been cut, and a free zone that allows composite material to be freely pulled through the head. Two cutters mounted on the drive roll mesh with a single anvil on the backup roll to cut the composite material to the desired length. |
| US07849900B2 |
Apparatus for joining a separating adhesive tape
During relative and horizontal movement of a mount frame, in which a semiconductor wafer with a protective tape is supported on a ring frame through a supporting adhesive tape, and a joining member, a position of an end edge of the protective tape is detected in a non-contact manner. Based on the detection result, a joining member is stopped in the position of the end edge of the protective tape and is moved close to the semiconductor wafer to press and bring a separation tape against and into contact with an end of the protective tape. In this state, the mount frame and the joining member are relatively and horizontally moved to join the separation tape onto the protective tape. Then, the mount frame and the joining member are relatively and horizontally moved to separate the separation tape together with the protective tape from a surface of the semiconductor wafer. |
| US07849895B2 |
Pneumatic tire having directional tread pattern
The present invention provides a pneumatic tire which can obtain a high wet drainage performance, roadholding ability, and wear-resistant property without sacrificing other capabilities A directional pattern is formed by a circumferential wide major groove, a first narrow circumferential minor groove, a second narrow circumferential minor groove, a first transverse groove, a second transverse groove, and a third transverse groove. The circumferential wide major groove is provided in a center region in a tire width direction of a tread. The first narrow circumferential minor groove is arranged on the outside in a tire axis direction of the circumferential wide major groove. The second narrow circumferential minor groove is arranged on the outside in the tire axis direction of the first narrow circumferential minor groove. The first transverse groove is extended from a tread end and coupled to the circumferential wide major groove. The second transverse groove is arranged between the first transverse grooves, and the second transverse groove is extended from the tread end and terminated while not coupled to the circumferential wide major groove. The third transverse groove is arranged between the first transverse groove and the second transverse groove, and the third transverse groove is extended from the tread end and terminated between the first narrow circumferential minor groove and the second narrow circumferential minor groove. |
| US07849893B2 |
Floating caterpillar feeder
A floating caterpillar feeder is used for moving a workpiece on a worktable. The feeder includes a housing unit having a bottom edge, a driving unit including two pairs of sprockets and two chains respectively trained on the pairs of the sprockets, and a plurality of feeding units connected between the chains. Each feeding unit includes two mounting members connected respectively and fixedly to two corresponding links of the chains, parallel horizontal inner and outer rods connected fixedly between the mounting members, parallel pushing plates sleeved on the inner and outer rods, and resilient members for biasing the pushing plates to project from the bottom edge. Each pushing plate has a pair of inner and outer holes engaging respectively and movably the inner and outer rods so as to allow the corresponding pushing plate to move relative to the inner and outer rods in an inner-to-outer direction. |
| US07849891B2 |
Device and method for measuring hard granular objects
A device for measuring a hard granular object. The device includes a measuring vessel, a holder, a shutter, and a pressing means for pressing the holder against the measuring vessel. The measuring vessel includes a first face, a second face parallel to the first face, and a space formed between the first and second faces for receiving hard granular object supplied from first face side. The holder is located on the side of the first face., includes a through hole communicable with the space, and is slidable along the first face. The shutter is located on the side of the second face, includes a through hole communicable with the space, and is movable parallel to the second face. |
| US07849888B2 |
Surface functional electro-textile with functionality modulation capability, methods for making the same, and applications incorporating the same
A surface functional electro-textile fabric incorporates energy-active, electrically conductive or optically conductive fibers and nonconductive fibers in a woven or knitted textile fabric. The weave or knit pattern is selected so as to form floats of the electrically conductive fibers on at least one surface of the electro-textile fabric. The electro-textile fabric can be incorporated into an antenna structure that interacts with high frequency electromagnetic radiation, particularly in the frequency range of DC to 100 GHz. |
| US07849887B2 |
Refrigerant transportation hose
A refrigerant transportation hose having excellent flexibility and high resistance to permeation of refrigerant. The refrigerant transportation hose includes an innermost layer formed by using polyamide resin, a low-permeation layer formed on an outer peripheral surface of the innermost layer and rubber layers (of an inner rubber layer and an outer rubber layer) formed on an outer peripheral surface of the low-permeation layer, wherein the low-permeation layer is a resin film in thickness of 5 to 100 μm made of polyvinyl alcohol having a degree of saponification of not less than 90%. |
| US07849886B2 |
Unified conduit array
A conduit array configured to route in-floor tubing includes a plurality of elbow conduits. A webbing is positioned between each of the elbow conduits in the plurality of elbow conduits to connect the plurality of elbow conduits. The webbing is configured to allow for separation of at least one of the plurality of elbow conduits from the conduit array, thus allowing for the conduit array to be scaleable or sizeable. |
| US07849884B2 |
Pressure hose for a water carrying system
A functional pressure hose for a water-carrying system, particularly for connecting movable sanitary fittings or for connecting parts of the water-carrying system with one another, has an inner hose made of plastic and an outer jacket made of a braided material. At least one hose end is provided with a connector piece having a tubular connector, onto which the hose end is pressed. The inner hose is formed by a corrugated hose, and the tubular connector has circumferential ring beads that are adapted to the inner contour of the corrugated hose. At least some of the ring beads are provided with notches that run axially. The hose demonstrates great flexibility while maintaining the required pressure strength, but at the same time guarantees great bending protection. |
| US07849880B2 |
Electropneumatic central unit for a commercial vehicle configured of modules with electrical and/or pneumatic components
An electropneumatic central unit for a commercial vehicle is made up of modules with electrical and/or pneumatic components. The individual modules are arranged in module housings detachably connected to each other in a defined position, on which standard pneumatic connectors and electrical connectors are arranged such that, on connection of the module housings, corresponding connectors, arranged on opposing connection surfaces of the module housings, form direct mutual electrical and pneumatic connections. |
| US07849879B2 |
Powder paint recirculation block assembly
A powder paint recirculation block assembly for use in a powder paint transfer assembly, and a method of operation, is disclosed. The recirculation block assembly includes a powder paint recirculation block body having an intake flow passage directing flow to an applicator flow passage leading to an application flow control assembly and a return flow passage leading to a return flow control assembly. The angles (change in direction) through which powder paint flows may be minimized to minimize potential impact fusion. The pinch rubbers in pneumatic pinch valves of the application flow control assembly and return flow control assembly may be removable to allow for valve repair. |
| US07849874B2 |
Slide valve apparatus and method of manufacturing slide valve apparatus
A slide valve apparatus includes a first member having a first fluid channel for allowing a fluid to flow therethrough, a second member sliding along the first member and having a second fluid channel formed in a manner to communicate with the first fluid channel, and a first elastic membrane formed in the sliding surface along which the second member and the first member slide relative to each other and having a first communicating hole communicating with the first fluid channel. In manufacturing the slide valve apparatus, a gas is spurted from the open edge of the first fluid channel in at least a stage between the start up of the step of forming the elastic membrane and the end of the step of baking the elastic membrane so as to form in the elastic membrane the communicating hole communicating with the first fluid channel. |
| US07849869B2 |
Method for water hammerless opening of fluid passage, and method for supplying chemical solutions and device for water hammerless opening for which the method is used
The water hammerless opening device comprises an actuator operating type valve installed on the fluid passage, an electro-pneumatic conversion device to supply the 2-step actuator operating pressure Pa to the afore-mentioned actuator operating type valve, a vibration sensor removably fixed to the pipe passage on the upstream side of the actuator operating type valve, and a tuning box to which the vibration detecting signal Pr detected by the vibration sensor is inputted, through which the control signal Sc to control the step operating pressure Ps′ of the afore-mentioned 2-step actuator operating pressure Pa is outputted to the electro-pneumatic conversion device, and with which the 2-step actuator operating pressure Pa, of the step operating pressure Ps′ which makes the vibration detecting signal Pr nearly zero, is outputted from the electro-pneumatic conversion by adjusting the control signal Sc. |
| US07849867B2 |
Locking device for a tent
A locking device for a tent comprises a pole 2, a lock base 3 installed to allow hoisting/lowering of the pole, a lock hole 4 provided the pole, and a lock pin 5, provided movably within the lock base in the longitudinal direction, thus enabling the lock pin to be in a locking position to allow it enter the lock hole, or to be retracted to an unlocking position, to allow the lock pin to disengage from the lock hole. An elastic body 6 pushes the lock pin towards the locking position all the time. An operating lever 7 provided on the lock base can move the lock pin to an unlocking position; a coming-off prevention and holding means 8 allows the lock pin to be placed in a safety position for preventing accidental unlocking. |
| US07849865B2 |
System for processing a workpiece
A wafer processing system has a moveable drain assembly having multiple drain rings. The drain rings may be spaced apart sufficiently to allow a process fluid applicator to move between them. Each drain ring provides a separate drain path, optionally in a separate recirculation loop carrying a single process fluid. The drain rings may be sequentially moved into position to collect process fluid moving off of the workpiece. As a result, process fluids may be more uniformly applied and used process fluids can be separately removed, collected, and either recycled or processed for disposal. Mixing of used process fluids is largely avoided. A lower process fluid outlet allows for processing the back side of the wafer as well, without flipping the wafer. |
| US07849864B2 |
Liquid processing system
A liquid processing system includes a liquid processing section including liquid processing units horizontally disposed therein and each configured to perform a liquid process while supplying a process liquid onto a substrate; a process liquid storing section that stores the process liquid to be supplied to the liquid processing units of the liquid processing section; and a piping unit including a supply pipe configured to guide the process liquid from the process liquid storing section to the liquid processing units. The process liquid storing section, the piping unit, and the liquid processing section are disposed inside a common casing in this order from below. The supply pipe of the piping unit has a horizontal pipe portion horizontally extending along an array direction of the liquid processing units, such that the process liquid is supplied from the horizontal pipe portion to the liquid processing units individually. |
| US07849863B2 |
Versatile, tri-fold compact with decoupled motion
A versatile, convenient-to-use, unitary, cosmetic compact of increased stability, having a base, a hinged cover capable of rotating with respect to the base and an article carrier that is capable of translation and rotation with respect to the base, via a selective rotation mechanism. The combination of a decoupled motion of the article carrier with respect to the base and the fact that the cover and article carrier move independently, creates a versatile, tri-fold compact that may be held in the hand similar to a bi-fold compact or placed on a surface in various useful configurations, including lying flat, extended base and stable A-frame configurations. The compact has an elegant, playful feel, while being versatile, stable, simple and inexpensive to manufacture. |
| US07849862B2 |
Hair holding device, a method of using such a device, and a kit including such a device
A device for holding a lock of hair is provided. The device includes a base portion for resting on the scalp; a holding portion arranged to hold a portion of the lock in a substantially upstanding configuration between the holding portion and the scalp; and a link portion connecting the base portion to the holding portion and configured in such a manner as to allow access to the portion of the lock. |
| US07849860B2 |
Methods and apparatus for transmyocardial direct coronary revascularization
Methods and apparatus for direct coronary revascularization wherein a transmyocardial passageway is formed between a chamber of the heart and a coronary blood vessel to permit blood to flow therebetween. In some embodiments, the transmyocardial passageway is formed between a chamber of the heart and a coronary vein. The invention includes unstented transmyocardial passageways, as well as transmyocardial passageways wherein protrusive stent devices extend from the transmyocardial passageway into an adjacent coronary vessel or chamber of the heart. The apparatus of the present invention include protrusive stent devices for stenting of transmyocardial passageways, intraluminal valving devices for valving of transmyocardial passageways, intracardiac valving devices for valving of transmyocardial passageways, endogenous tissue valves for valving of transmyocardial passageways, and ancillary apparatus for use in conjunction therewith. |
| US07849855B2 |
Gas exhaust system for a gas delivery mask
A noise-suppressing gas exhaust system for a gas delivery mask is provided. The system may include a face mask, an arm assembly, and a gas exhaust member. The face mask may be configured to interface with a subject's face. The arm assembly may be configured to support the face mask. The gas exhaust member may be coupled to the arm assembly and may include a single gas passageway extending therethrough. The gas passageway may extend from a first opening formed in a first side of the gas exhaust member to a second opening formed in a second side of the gas exhaust member. The first opening may have a cross-sectional area of about 0.01 square inches to about 0.03 square inches, and the second opening may have a substantially larger cross-sectional area than the cross-sectional area of the first opening. |
| US07849854B2 |
Portable drag compressor powered mechanical ventilator
A ventilator device and system comprising a rotating compressor, preferably a drag compressor, which, at the beginning of each inspiratory ventilation phase, is accelerated to a sufficient speed to deliver the desired inspiratory gas flow, and is subsequently stopped or decelerated to a basal flow level to permit the expiratory ventilation phase to occur. The ventilator device is small and light weight enough to be utilized in portable applications. The ventilator device is power efficient enough to operate for extended periods of time on internal or external batteries. Also provided is an oxygen blending apparatus which utilizes solenoid valves having specific orifice sizes for blending desired amounts of oxygen into the inspiratory gas flow. Also provided is an exhalation valve having an exhalation flow transducer which incorporates a radio frequency data base to provide an attendant controller with specific calibration information for the exhalation flow transducer. |
| US07849853B2 |
Ventilator circuit and the method for the use thereof
A ventilator circuit for use in administering medication to a patient includes a chamber housing defining an interior space and having an input end and an output end and a one-way inhalation valve positioned upstream of the interior space. The one-way inhalation valve is operative to permit a flow of medication into the interior space of the chamber housing. An inhalation conduit communicates with the output end of the chamber and is adapted to transmit the medication to the patient. An exhaust conduit is connected to the inhalation conduit and a one-way exhaust valve is located in the exhaust conduit. The one-way exhaust valve is adapted to prevent a backflow of gas from the exhaust conduit into the inhalation conduit. A method of administering a medication to a patient is also provided. |
| US07849851B2 |
Nebulizer
A nebulizer having an insertable container and a monitoring device for counting actuations of the nebulizer is proposed. The monitoring device is mounted in a detachable housing part and directly detects movements of container during a nebulizing process, an air supply current in the region of a mouthpiece, and/or the production of aerosol, in order to detect this as the actual dispensing of fluid and actuation of the nebulizer, while preferably the time of actuation of the nebulizer is additionally detected and stored. This allows better monitoring and guidance for the user. |
| US07849850B2 |
Nozzle for handheld pulmonary aerosol delivery device
An improved Electrohydrodynamic (EHD) nozzle particularly suitable for a handheld pulmonary aerosol inhaler increases the consistent and efficient dispensing of therapeutic liquids by reducing or eliminating wetting through shielding of discharge electrodes. Some versions further eliminate wetting while enhances neutralization of the aerosol through presentation of a corona wind of ions annularly surround the aerosol. Incorporation of improved liquid distribution with consistent pressure drops to each EHD nozzle tip allows horizontal dispensing, and by using dielectric nozzle tips with low surface energy to thereby avoid wicking between dispenses and to advantageously reduce achievable particle size when dispensing. Some versions feature enhanced snap-fit assembly and other manufacturability advantages. One of the unique features of the EHD nozzles is achieved high dose rate (microliters/minute) with low wetting and small particle size (1.0-5 microns), although these properties tend to be mutually exclusive. Furthermore, these attributes are incorporated into a conveniently small, handheld device. |
| US07849847B2 |
Drainage apparatus for a singulation system
A singulation system for a workpiece has a carrier for mounting the workpiece during singulation and a receptacle for collecting debris formed. A driving mechanism, which is operative to move the carrier and the workpiece, is at least partially covered by a bellows. A bellows protecting cover extending over the bellows is coupled between the carrier and the receptacle and is operative to guide debris from the carrier along its longitudinal length towards the receptacle. The bellows protecting cover further comprises side walls extending along opposite sides of its longitudinal length to prevent debris from falling off its sides. |
| US07849846B1 |
Archery bow armguard
This invention entails an armguard for mounting on an archery bow. The armguard includes a shield that extends rearward from a bow, protecting an archer's forearm from the inherent danger presented by a bowstring as it delivers an arrow to its target. A mounting plate extends perpendicularly from one end of the shield provides for fast, fail-safe mounting to the bow. The armguard is mounted to the bow by threading a stabilizer, a bolt, or other bow accessory through an aperture in the mounting plate and into the accessory port. The mounting plate can be attached to both sides of the mounting end of the shield, enabling both right-handed and left-handed use of the armguard. |
| US07849845B2 |
Degassing tool for high pressure pre-charged pneumatic airgun
A pre-charged pneumatic airgun includes a reservoir, a stopper, a barrel and a manually actuated degassing tool. The reservoir contains a volume of compressed fluid and includes a discharge port disposed therein through which the compressed fluid is selectively discharged from the reservoir. The stopper is disposed in the discharge port and is moveable between a normal position sealing the discharge port in an actuated position allowing passage of the compressed air through the discharge port. The stopper is biased to the normal position by a biasing force. The barrel is in fluid communication with the discharge port. When the stopper is disposed in the discharged position, the compressed fluid discharged through the discharge port is further exhausted through the barrel. The manually actuated degassing tool is disposed in the air gun for manually overcoming the biasing force to move the stopper from a normal position to the actuated position, and for maintaining the stopper in the actuated position to degas the reservoir. |
| US07849843B2 |
Ignition coil
An ignition coil is equipped with a sparkplug of an engine. The ignition coil includes a coil portion, a tower portion, and a plug cap. The coil portion includes a coil case accommodating a primary and secondary coils being coaxial with each other. The coil portion has an end connected with the plug cap via the tower portion. The plug cap is press-fitted with the sparkplug. The coil case has an outer periphery from which a flange portion projects radially outward in a flange-projecting direction. The tower cylinder portion has a tower axis substantially in parallel with a coil axis of the primary and secondary coils. The tower axis is offset from the coil axis in a tower-offset direction. The tower-offset direction is substantially the same as the flange-projecting direction. |
| US07849842B1 |
System and method for compensation of fuel injector limits
A method for an engine with first and second injectors in a cylinder provides different fuel injection compensation upon reaching minimum pulsewidths of the first and second injectors. When the first injector reaches its minimum pulsewidth, the first injector is disabled. However, when the second injector reaches its minimum pulsewidth, the second injector is maintained active and injection from the first injector is decreased. In this way, sufficient injection from the second injector is maintained in either situation. |
| US07849833B2 |
Engine head structure
An injector, a spark plug and a pressure sensor are assembled integrally in a common housing. The common housing is fixed in a mounting hole provided in a cylinder head of an engine so that tip end portions of the injector, the spark plug and the pressure sensor face inside of the cylinder room. For example, a gasket having heat resistance can be provided between a lower end portion of an outer wall of the common housing and an inner wall of the mounting hole for the air-tight sealing. Furthermore, a concave portion may be provided at an outer portion of the common housing so as to form a coolant passage. |
| US07849832B2 |
Rotary piston machine
A rotary piston machine has a housing in which are arranged at least two pistons which are able to revolve together in the housing about an axis of rotation which is fixed with respect to the housing, the pistons being mounted slidingly in a piston cage which is mounted in the housing and revolves together with the pistons about the axis of rotation, the two pistons executing mutually opposing reciprocating motions while revolving about the axis of rotation in order alternately to increase and decrease the volume of a working chamber defined by end faces oriented towards one another of the two pistons and by the piston cage, the axis of rotation passing through the working chamber and the piston cage having a gas exchange opening for admitting and discharging gas to and from the working chamber. The gas exchange opening is arranged on the axis of rotation and a closing member is arranged in the gas exchange opening, which is connected to the piston cage in a rotationally fixed manner with respect to the axis of rotation and is axially movable relative to the piston cage in the direction of the axis of rotation in order to open and close the gas exchange opening, there being present a control mechanism for the closing member which derives the axial motion of the closing member from the rotary motion of the closing member about the axis of rotation. |
| US07849831B2 |
Engine start device for manual work machine, having small-sized electric motor, and manual work machine having the start device mounted thereon
The present invention relates to a start device for a small-sized engine, which is capable of starting the small-sized engine in an appropriate starting time and is ultimately reduced in size and weight by a rational design. A plurality of secondary batteries is used as a power source required to drive a small-sized electric motor and a small-sized engine, and has a considerably large capacity and an extremely small size. A speed reduction mechanism that has a reduction ratio of 1/30 to 1/90 is disposed between the electric motor and a buffer/power storage section. The start device starts the engine in an extremely short time of 0.4 to 1.3 seconds. Within this range of staring time of the engine, an operator has no uncomfortable feelings. |
| US07849829B2 |
Concentric camshaft with independent bearing surface for floating lobes
A camshaft may include a first shaft, a first lobe member fixed to the first shaft, a second lobe member fixed to the first shaft, and a third lobe member. The first lobe member may include a first lobe portion and a first bearing portion extending axially from the first lobe portion. The second lobe member may include a second lobe portion and a second bearing portion extending axially from the second lobe portion toward the first bearing portion. The third lobe member may include a first end that is rotatably supported on the first bearing portion and a second end that is rotatably supported on the second bearing portion. |
| US07849827B2 |
Engine and method of assembling an engine
An engine is provided with features allowing a method of assembly that combines the ease of assembly of a net-assembled system with the positional accuracy of an index-assembled system in order to meet critical valve to piston clearance requirements, especially critical in a diesel engine. |
| US07849824B2 |
Two-stroke internal combustion engine with enhanced scavenging
The engine has at least one cylinder (2) each with at least one and preferably multiple air intake valves (25′, 1) into the cylinder, and at least one exhaust port (51) at a lower position above the bottom position of the piston (53). A blower (4) is arranged to force air into each cylinder via each intake valve as the piston moves around the bottom position, the blower not supplying enough pressure to keep each intake valve open during upward motion of the piston, such that during upward motion of the piston, compression occurs within each cylinder, and such that during downward motion of the piston the blower forces air into each cylinder via each intake valve once each exhaust port is uncovered by the downward motion, and out of each cylinder via each exhaust port. The air intake valves are positively actuated by controlled air pressure differentials, for example by each intake valve having a valve disk (85) to close against a valve seat (1), a valve shaft (86), and lower and upper guide disks (87, 88). The lower and upper guide disks run in guide bores (89) and act as actuating pneumatic pistons, the guide bores extending between an air supply chamber (3) receiving air from the blower and a vacuum plenum (84). The guide disks thereby respond to a pressure differential between the vacuum plenum and the air supply chamber to actuate the valve. |
| US07849819B2 |
Brisket tube hanger for cow stall assembly
A hanger for a brisket tube or brisket rail employs an L-shaped bracket member formed of a slotted vertical plate with a horizontal top mounting flange. A clamp member, e.g., an omega clamp, secures the top mounting flange to a lower rail of a stall divider. A brisket pipe clamp attaches to the bracket and has an arcuate portion that captures the brisket pipe. The brisket pipe clamp is formed of a slide plate with flanged edges, a partly arcuate retaining arm that extends proximally from the slide plate, and a stub or post that extends distally through the slot in the vertical plate. This can be a threaded post so that the slide plate can be secured to the vertical plate with a nut. The slot permits limited vertical adjustment. |
| US07849817B1 |
Pet watering apparatus
Apparatus for providing drinking water to an animal includes inner and outer annular walls which define a water supply reservoir. The inner wall forms a draw reservoir that is in communication with the water supply reservoir to replenish water in the draw reservoir and maintain the level of water in said draw reservoir equal to the level of water in said water supply reservoir. |
| US07849816B2 |
Varmint guard feeder and method of using same
A feed dispensing apparatus comprising a hopper to contain feed and a large sheet of metal adjustably attached below the base of the hopper. The base of the hopper has small openings to allow for feed to fall from the hopper to the sheet of metal below the hopper. The feed dispensing apparatus also comprises a motor and a fan blade which operate to disperse feed through the gap between the base of the hopper and the sheet of metal. The gap between the base of the hopper and the sheet of metal is adjustable in order to ensure that a specific type of varmint cannot gain access to the feed in the hopper. |
| US07849814B2 |
Plasma generating device
A plasma generating device provided with a plasma generating chamber (10) and a high-frequency antenna (1) arranged in the chamber (10) for generating inductively coupled plasma by applying a high-frequency power to a gas in the chamber (10) from the antenna (1). The antenna (1) is a low-inductance antenna formed of a first portion (11) extending from the outside of the chamber (10) into the chamber (10), and a plurality of second portions (12) diverging from an inner end (11e) of the first portion (11) in an electrically parallel fashion, and having a termination (12e) directly connected to the inner wall of the grounded chamber (10). The surface of the antenna (1) is coated with an electrically insulating material. Frequency of the high-frequency power applied to the antenna may be in a range from 40 MHz to hundreds of megahertz. The plasma generating device can generate desired plasma by suppressing disadvantages such as abnormal discharge, matching failure and others, and can be constructed so that a desired processing such as film deposition can be performed. |
| US07849811B2 |
Disconnectable mooring system
A disconnetable mooring system is provided, comprising a vessel with an outrigger supporting a riser assembly in a disconnectable manner, which riser assembly is provided with a riser top body which by means of disconnectable latching means is attached to the outrigger. The riser top body additionally is connected to the outrigger by means of a braking device for temporarily controlling the downward speed of the riser top body after disconnecting a mechanism. The braking device comprises a first end permanently connected to one of the riser top body and outrigger, and a second end releasably connected to the other of the riser top body and outrigger. |
| US07849810B2 |
Mating of buoyant hull structure with truss structure
A method of mating of a buoyant hull with a truss structure while at the installation site of the completed offshore structure. The buoyant hull is moored in place. The truss structure is placed in the water, self upends, and maneuvered near the buoyant hull. The buoyant hull and truss structure are rigged with lines to allow the truss structure to be pulled into engagement with the buoyant hull. The truss structure is lowered to a predetermined depth below the water surface but above the sea floor and the weight is transferred to the lines from the buoyant hull. The truss structure is aligned with the buoyant hull and lines from the buoyant hull are used to pull the truss structure into engagement with the buoyant hull. The truss structure and buoyant hull are rigidly attached together as is customary using grouting and welding. |
| US07849806B2 |
Method and apparatus for an agricultural implement seed meter
A seed meter includes an input port configured to receive a supply of seeds and an output port configured to deliver the supply of seeds for dispensing to a planting area and a seed disk configured to receive the supply of seeds from the input port and deliver the supply of seeds to the output port at a substantially uniform rate. The seed disk has a seed side where seeds flow from the input port, and a vacuum side opposite the seed side. The seed meter further includes a first housing portion surrounding a first portion of the seed disk in a fixed relationship to direct the supply of seeds against the seed disk and a second housing portion. The second housing portion is configured to move between a first position extending to a second portion of the seed disk to operate in concert with the first housing portion to direct the supply of seeds against the seed disk and a second position providing access to at least a portion of the second portion of the seed disk including the lowest most portion of the seed disk. |
| US07849805B2 |
System and method for the operation of a furnace that is operated with at least one coal pulverizer
A primary air system for a combustion plant provides a flow of primary air to at least one coal pulverizer, which emits pulverized coal in a downstream direction to a furnace. The primary air system includes a first primary air line for feeding hot primary air to the coal pulverizer and a second primary air line for admixing of cold primary air into the hot primary air line at a mixing location positioned upstream of the coal pulverizer. A control system shuts off the flow of primary air to the coal pulverizer, when the coal pulverizer is being repaired or serviced while the furnace is in operation. The control system includes a first flow control butterfly valve disposed in the first primary air line at a position upstream of the mixing location and a second flow control butterfly valve disposed in the second primary air line at a position upstream of the mixing location. A shut-off butterfly valve, disposed in the primary air line intermediate the mixing location and the coal pulverizer, includes a tandem wing supported at a cental location and movable between an open position and a closed position. The tandem wing has parallel, first and second wings forming a space therebetween. A pressure relief line provides fluid communication with the space between the first and second wings when the tandem wing is in the closed position. A pressure relief butterfly valve is disposed in the pressure relief line. |
| US07849803B2 |
Expandable table and center alignment assembly for such an expandable table
An expandable table of the type in which a number of table top sections are caused to move outwardly and expand upon rotation of the table top and a center alignment assembly for such an expandable table. The center alignment assembly includes a first plate member adapted to be secured to a center portion of a guide plate of the expandable table, a plurality of fasteners arranged to be attached to the plate member to define a plurality of receiving structures, and a plurality of second plate members adapted to be secured to each of a plurality of separate table top sections moveably arranged over a top surface of the guide plate, wherein each of the plurality of second plate members includes a projecting member adapted to be received in one of the receiving structures. |
| US07849801B2 |
Protective housing assembly for a tank car manway
A railway tank car is provided having a manway formed in a body of the tank car. The tank car includes a manway cover plate coupled to the body of the tank car and disposed over at least a portion of the manway. A protective housing assembly is coupled to the body of the tank car and disposed around the manway cover plate. A plurality of structural supports are arranged around an outer perimeter of the protective housing assembly and are coupled to the protective housing assembly and to the body of the tank car. |
| US07849797B2 |
Projectile with telemetry communication and proximity sensing
A projectile fuze sends a signal having encoded telemetry data. The telemetry data may be encoded by modulating an aspect or characteristic of the signal, such as frequency modulation of the signal. The fuze may receive and interpret reflections in order to determine proximity to a target or other object, such as by functioning as a height of burst sensor. The signal may include a series of random or seemingly random pulses (a keyed pattern of pulses), such as pulses in amplitude of the signal. The fuze includes a pair of transceivers for sending signals of different frequencies through an antenna, and for receiving signals through the antenna. The transceivers are configured such that one or the other is used at any one time when telemetry data is sent, with telemetry being encoded by changes in frequencies. |
| US07849789B1 |
Adjustable portable cutting board and method of use thereof
An adjustable portable cutting board has a cutting surface and at least two adjustable legs. The adjustable legs are coupled to a bottom side of the cutting surface and may adjust in length, wherein the legs include a locking device to lock the legs at a desired length. The legs are also pivotable between an opened position and a closed position, wherein the opened position allows the cutting board legs to be placed on a work surface and elevate the cutting surface to the desired height and the closed position rotates the legs into a position substantially parallel with the cutting surface for transporting. The cutting board also includes a handle for carrying the cutting board. The cutting board is completely submersible in water or other liquids and the legs also include a drain aperture for draining any water and drying any moisture that enters within the legs. |
| US07849787B2 |
Rolled shell and stuffer apparatus
A rolled shell and stuffer apparatus, particularly useful for deep frying, utilizes a number of structures which together provide the ability to quickly produce a large number of stuffed taquito type shells having high quality. The basic components of the system include a shell mold having an outer diameter of about 0.5 inches for example, formation mandrel, a rolling support, a frying support, a removal support, a stuffing system, and an optional handling tool. As will be seen, the degree of interrelatedness of these components can vary, but the result is a uniformity of high quality product which enables a wider range of food stuffing. |
| US07849785B1 |
Disposable combined squeezer/stirrer/dispenser/brewer device with bottom cup
A disposable packaging form is provided for brewed, hot drinks. The invention allows a user to brew the hot drink, squeeze out the brewed contents, and stir the contents of the hot drink. Each action can be performed multiple times before disposal. The present invention frees the user of the inconvenience of having to collect, wash, or dispose of the stirrers, squeezers and bags of the hot drink individually. A beverage apparatus has a rigid rod, a first manipulator connected to the rigid rod near the top of the rigid rod, and a second manipulator connected to the rigid rod near a bottom end of the rigid rod, a porous enclosure material, and beverage brewing contents within the enclosure. The second manipulator is a bottom cup and may be made as one unit with the rigid rod, serve as a stand, or serve as a caddy for a tea bag. |
| US07849784B2 |
Coffee or tea filtering press
A coffee or tea filtering press includes a hollow cylinder having top and bottom openings, a perforated removable cap which encloses the bottom opening, a removable piston which is inserted into said top opening and pressed downward to force liquid in the cylinder through the perforated cap, and a support to hold the press above the mouth of an open vessel. |
| US07849782B2 |
Large-caliber gun integrated into a military ship
A large-caliber gun integrated into a military ship and mounted with the turret and the weapons system of an armored howitzer. Disposed below the turret body portion is a shell magazine in which is installed a shell transporter that grasps the shells and supplies them to a shell-raising mechanism, by means of which the shells are conveyed from the shell magazine into the turret body portion. A shell transfer arm, pivotably mounted on the trunnion of the weapon, carries at one end a charger that in the raised position of the shell transfer arm is aligned with the gun bore axis of the weapon, and in the lowered position is aligned with the direction of movement of the shell-raising mechanism. The shells are introduced from the shell-raising mechanism directly into the charger and after pivoting-up of the shell transferring arm are supplied to the weapon. |
| US07849780B1 |
Shielding for structural support elements
A shield for shielding a structural member from an explosive blast or accidental or malicious destruction is provided. The shield includes a plurality of shield members which include cast ultra high strength concrete, wherein the shield members are capable of being assembled to enclose at least a portion of the structural member to provide protection to the enclosed portion from, for example, an explosive blast. In one embodiment, the shield members include a chassis, at least one ballistic liner disposed on the energy absorbing layer, and a concrete-integrating structure. |
| US07849776B2 |
Case cutter assembly
A case cutter apparatus for cutting a container has a conveyor for moving the container in a single direction, a measuring device measuring a length, a width, and a height of the container, a controller for controlling the apparatus and for receiving information from the measuring device, and a first cutting assembly and a second cutting assembly positioned along the conveyor. The first cutting assembly includes an indexing assembly holding the container in a predetermined position during cutting, a carriage moveable in a cutting direction transverse to the direction of the conveyor, and two cutting blades attached to the carriage. The second cutting assembly includes two belts each having a cleat thereon for pushing the container through the second cutting assembly in the direction of the conveyor, and two cutting blades. |
| US07849773B1 |
Radial arm framework with integral roof pitch (angle) saw guide
The invention RADIAL ARM FRAMEWORK WITH INTEGRAL ROOF PITCH ANGLE SAW GUIDE is designed to accurately control the cutting of roof pitch angles 0/12-12/12 to the right or left pitch angle in ribbed metal panels 3′ wide or more for hips and valleys in buildings. Roof pitch angles can easily be changed according to an integrated guide plate. |
| US07849769B2 |
Precision roll turning lathe
The present invention provides a precision roll turning lathe which can form a pattern including three-dimensionally shaped portions, such as three-sided pyramids, on the surface of a roll, with high accuracy. Specifically, a tool post is provided with a tool turning axis (A axis) which is used to turn a tool such that, when forming a spiral groove cut through the roll, a cutting face of a tip of the tool is oriented perpendicular to a direction along which the spiral groove extends. |
| US07849766B2 |
Speed multiply screwdriver handle
A screwdriver is disclosed including a handle, a shaft, and a gearbox disposed between the handle and the shaft. The gearbox is structured and arranged to cause rotational motion of the shaft at a first rate due to rotational motion imparted on the handle at a second rate. In an embodiment, the first rate is greater than the second rate. |
| US07849765B2 |
Bicycle shift operating device
A bicycle shift operating device is basically provided with a first operating member, a second operating member, a shift wire take-up element and a wire winding/release mechanism. The second operating member is operatively coupled to the first operating member to move with the first operating member during movement of the first operating member, and to move the first operating member during movement of the second operating member. The shift wire take-up element is rotated in a first rotational direction by the first operating member and in a second rotational direction that is opposite to the first rotational direction by the second operating member. The wire winding/release mechanism is operatively coupled to the shift wire take-up element and the first and second operating members to selectively hold the shift wire take-up element in one of a plurality of shift positions. |
| US07849763B2 |
Securement device with an at least height-adjustable steering column
The invention relates to a device for fixing an at least height-adjustable steering column. The device includes a clamping device provided with a clamping element having an open position in which the height adjustment is released. When the clamping element passes from the opening position thereof to the closed position thereof, toothings engage with each other. A blocking element has a blocking position in which it blocks the lifting of the counter-fixing part from the fixing part, maintaining the engagement of the toothings, and a release position in which the counter-fixing part can be lifted from the fixing part. A coupling is provided between the clamping element and the blocking element During the displacement of the clamping element from the closed position to the open position, the blocking element assumes the release position only if the clamping element has already authorised the lifting of the counter-fixing part from the fixing part by the force of at least one spring in so far as the toothings thereof are no longer engaged. |
| US07849757B2 |
Linear feedback device for an actuator
A linear feedback device for an actuator comprises: a coiling belt, a return gear wheel, a driven member, and a sensing feedback device. The sensing linear feedback device serves to feedback the displacement data of the driven member that is moveable along a predetermined rail after engaging with the return gear wheel. The return gear wheel is coaxial with the coiling belt, and the coiling belt unwinds or retracts along with the actuator and drives the return gear wheel to rotate. The gear ratio between the return gear wheel and the driven teeth is used to adjust the back and forth moving distance of the probe. The linear feedback device can be installed in a small external hanging type body and offer an absolute position sensing function while preventing the error accumulation. |
| US07849755B2 |
Starter motor with bi-directional clutch
Disclosed herein is a starter motor clutch. The clutch includes, a shell, a wedgable component support member operably positioned adjacent the shell, and at least one wedgable component positioned between the shell and the wedgable component support member. The at least one wedgable component is displaceable into engagement with the shell to lock the shell into synchronous movement with the wedgable component support member upon initial rotational movement of the wedgable component support member in either direction relative to the shell while allowing asynchronous movement of the shell relative to the wedgable component support member. |
| US07849747B2 |
Flaw detection in exhaust system ceramic monoliths
Ultrasonic detection of flaws in ceramic monoliths such as are commonly used in diesel particulate filters is made possible by beaming ultrasound into the monolith from an inlet or outlet face thereof and analyzing the reflected ultrasound from the same face. The monolith is preferably rotated during the scan, or the scan may be repeated from several rotational positions relative to the face of the monolith. Even small flaws which are hard to detect may be identified. |
| US07849744B2 |
Driving device, physical quantity measurement device, and electronic instrument
An oscillation driver circuit includes a gain control amplifier which causes a vibrator to produce driving vibrations by controlling an oscillation amplitude in an oscillation loop, and a comparator which generates a synchronous detection reference signal based on a signal in the oscillation loop. The oscillation driver circuit sets a gain in a first oscillation loop including the vibrator and the comparator to be larger than unity using an output from the comparator, and then causes the vibrator to produce the driving vibrations by controlling an oscillation amplitude in a second oscillation loop including the vibrator and the gain control amplifier in at least one of an oscillation startup state and a sleep mode. |
| US07849741B2 |
Gyro module
A gyro module includes: two gyro element pieces outputting a signal, the signal being obtained by combining a signal of an angular velocity of a first detection axis and a signal of an angular velocity of a second detection axis; and an arithmetic circuit for performing an addition and a subtraction with respect to the signal outputted from the two gyro element pieces. The two gyro element pieces are a first gyro element piece and a second gyro element piece. The first and second gyro element pieces are arranged such that a detection sensitivity polarity of the first detection axis of the first gyro element piece is same as that of the second gyro element piece, and a detection sensitivity polarity of the second detection axis of the first gyro element piece and that of the second gyro element piece are inverted. |
| US07849740B2 |
Impact resistant speed sensing object
An impact resistant speed sensing object having an inner body with a processor and at least one speed detecting sensors adapted to engage the inner body and adapted to interact with the processor for determining the speed of the impact resistant speed sensing object. The impact resistant speed sensing object further includes an impact resistant housing having apertures adapted to receive the inner body and the speed detecting sensor. The impact resistant speed sensing object has an aperture adapted to receive the impact resistant housing with the inner body and speed detecting sensor. |
| US07849738B2 |
Device for detecting interaction with an object
A device and method for the detection of the interaction between two or more objects is disclosed. The device utilizes electrical impedance spectra measured from a piezoelectric element attached to one such object. Comparison of such spectra along a range of traverse allows precise estimates of distance to be made. One useful application is the topographical mapping of a surface. |
| US07849735B2 |
Apparatus and method for testing flow noise
An apparatus and method for testing flow noise of a motor vehicle are provided. The apparatus includes a blast nozzle device having at least one blast nozzle, and a transport device. The blast nozzle device is designed for the targeted impingement of the outer skin of the motor vehicle by air flow, and the transport device is designed such that the blast nozzle device and the motor vehicle may be moved relative to one another. A microphone array is positioned in the interior of the motor vehicle and measures the flow noise in the interior of the motor vehicle. The microphone array is preferably a spherical array. The flow noise in the interior of the motor vehicle generated by the air flow is measured by use of the microphone array. |
| US07849734B2 |
Test equipment of engine motoring
Test equipment of engine motoring for automatically conducting an engine test includes a conveying mechanism that carries in and carries out an engine to and from a test position, a fixing mechanism that fixes the engine carried in to the test position, a coupling mechanism that directly couples an electrical motor to the engine and can detect drive torque, an encoder that generates a pulse signal as an operating standard in synchronism with rotation of the electrical motor, a plurality of detection units driven to reciprocate so as to be connected to and disconnected from or approach and separate from the engine positioned at the test position and detect a plurality of operating state quantities, a control unit for various driving controls, and a judging unit for judging whether the engine is normal by comparing information obtained by the plurality of detection units with standard information obtained in advance. |
| US07849727B2 |
Gas-sensing semiconductor devices
A gas-sensing semiconductor device 1′ is fabricated on a silicon substrate 2′ having a thin silicon dioxide insulating layer 3′ in which a resistive heater 6 made of doped single crystal silicon formed simultaneously with source and drain regions of CMOS circuitry is embedded. The device 1′ includes a sensing area provided with a gas-sensitive layer 9′ separated from the heater 6′ by an insulating layer 4′. As one of the final fabrication steps, the substrate 2′ is back-etched so as to form a thin membrane in the sensing area. The heater 6′ has a generally circular-shaped structure surrounding a heat spreading plate 16′, and consists of two sets 20′, 21′ of meandering resistors having arcuate portions nested within one another and interconnected in labyrinthine form. The fabrication of the heater at the same time as the source and drain regions of CMOS circuitry is particularly advantageous in that the gas-sensing semiconductor device is produced without requiring any fabrication steps in addition to those already employed in the IC processing apart from a post-CMOS back etch and deposition of the gas-sensitive layer. The circular design is advantageous in that it is the best solution to minimise the size of the membrane at fixed power loss and heated area. |
| US07849723B2 |
Rolling mill with stands with three adjustable rolls
The invention relates to a rolling mill for tubes, in which a series of roll-holder containers (10) is housed in an external structure (2) extended along a rolling axis (L); the containers can slide inside the structure to be extracted therefrom and each one houses at least three rolls (17, 18, 19) controlled by respective driving motors (41, 42, 43). In accordance with the intervention the rolls (17, 18, 19) can be moved inside the containers (10) in a guided way along directions radial in relation to the rolling axis, in order to regulate the distance therefrom. |
| US07849716B2 |
Drum type washing machine
A drum type washing machine is disclosed. An object of the present invention is to provide a drum type washing machine having a preventing member which can structurally prevent the laundry from coming between a tub and a drum. When the drum is stopped or rotated at a low speed, an end of the preventing member is in contact with a drum door or the tub. When the drum is rotated at a high speed, the preventing member is separated apart from the drum door or the tub by centrifugal force. |
| US07849714B2 |
Dehydration-sintering furnace
A dehydration-sintering furnace includes a core tube configured to dehydrate and sinter a porous base material in fabrication of an optical fiber and having an outlet configured to discharge a vapor. The furnace includes a pressure-variation damper connected to the outlet of the core tube. The furnace includes a trap between the core tube and the pressure-variation damper for collecting the vapor. |
| US07849711B2 |
Titania-doped quartz glass and making method, EUV lithographic member and photomask substrate
A titania-doped quartz glass containing 3-12 wt % of titania at a titania concentration gradient less than or equal to 0.01 wt %/μm and having an apparent transmittance to 440 nm wavelength light of at least 30% at a thickness of 6.35 mm is of such homogeneity that it provides a high surface accuracy as required for EUV lithographic members, typically EUV lithographic photomask substrates. |
| US07849710B2 |
Falling film evaporator
A falling film evaporator is provided for use in a two-phase refrigeration system or process system. The evaporator includes a shell having an upper portion, a lower portion, and a tube bundle having tubes extending substantially horizontally in the shell. A hood is disposed over the tube bundle, the hood having an upper end adjacent the upper portion above the tube bundle, the upper end having opposed substantially parallel walls extending toward the lower portion, the walls terminating at an open end opposite the upper end. Once liquid refrigerant or liquid refrigerant and vapor refrigerant is deposited onto the tube bundle, the substantially parallel walls of the hood substantially prevent cross flow of refrigerant vapor or liquid and vapor between the tubes of the tube bundle. |
| US07849706B2 |
Indoor unit of an air conditioner
An indoor unit of an air conditioner includes an indoor unit casing having a first suction port, a panel, a moving mechanism, and a control unit. The panel opens the first suction port by moving so that the panel is spaced apart from the indoor unit casing, and closes the first suction port by moving so that the panel is proximate to the indoor unit casing. The moving mechanism moves the panel so that the first suction port is opened to a desired degree of opening. The control unit controls the moving mechanism. Furthermore, the control unit is capable of modifying the degree of opening of the first suction port to a desired degree of opening. |
| US07849704B2 |
Cryogenic apparatus of superconducting equipment
A cryogenic apparatus of superconducting equipment with excellent assembly workability and a termination structure of a superconducting cable including the cryogenic apparatus are provided. A termination structure of a superconducting cable includes a terminal of the superconducting cable disposed on a low-temperature side, a bushing 10 for communicating power between the low-temperature side and a room-temperature side, a connection part 2 connecting the terminal of the cable and the bushing 10, and a terminal connection box 3 accommodating the connection part 2. The terminal connection box 3 includes a coolant vessel 20 accommodating a terminal of the bushing 10 on the low-temperature side and the connection part 2 and filled with a coolant for cooling the terminal and the connection part 2 and a vacuumed vessel 30 disposed so as to surround the coolant vessel 20. The vacuumed vessel 30 includes a first vacuum part 31 where a vacuum can be maintained irrespective of the presence or absence of the bushing 10. |