| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US07884841B2 |
Line thermal printer
A line thermal printer includes a platen roller and a line thermal head including a plurality of heating elements. The heating elements are disposed to face the entire area of a recording sheet in a width direction of the recording sheet and selectively generate heat. The recording sheet is interposed between the platen roller and the line thermal head. The line thermal printer performs printing at the interposed position on the recording sheet by the selective generation of heat of the heating elements while the recording sheet is moved. The line thermal printer includes a foreign material blocking member. The foreign material blocking member is disposed upstream of the interposed position to come in contact with an upper surface of the recording sheet, and prevents foreign materials, which are placed on the upper surface of the recording sheet, from being moved toward the interposed position. |
| US07884837B2 |
Method and apparatus for correcting spatial non-uniformity in display device
A method and display device for correcting spatial non-uniformity in a display device are provided. The method includes receiving color signals of a pixel to receive the pixel, extracting correction data for correcting adjacent representative color signals which represent areas adjacent to the received pixel, and correcting the adjacent representative color signals using correction data and correcting the color signals of the pixel using the corrected adjacent representative color signals. |
| US07884832B2 |
Calibrating RGBW displays
A method for calibrating a display device having four or more channels, including three main channels which include in their gamut a desired display white point, and one or more further channels, said display device also having one or more individual adjustment controls for each channel. The method uses a series of targets, which are each one or more activated display settings at which the luminance and chromaticity coordinates are measured and recorded. |
| US07884824B2 |
Method for processing status information on determined functions in wireless terminal device
A method for processing status information on determined functions in a wireless terminal device. Reference information on the appearance of an element of a display, such as a selection or a background element, and the status of status information is determined. The status of the status information, such as availability, on pointable targets is determined. When a target is pointed by a selection element, the appearance of the element of the display is selected in a predetermined manner in accordance with the status of the status information. The method can be implemented by a wireless terminal device or by a software product arrangeable in a terminal device. |
| US07884823B2 |
Three dimensional rendering of display information using viewer eye coordinates
Game data is rendered in three dimensions in the GPU of a game console. A left camera view and a right camera view are generated from a single camera view. The left and right camera positions are derived as an offset from a default camera. The focal distance of the left and right cameras is infinity. A game developer does not have to encode dual images into a specific hardware format. When a viewer sees the two slightly offset images, the user's brain combines the two offset images into a single 3D image to give the illusion that objects either pop out from or recede into the display screen. In another embodiment, individual, private video is rendered, on a single display screen, for different viewers. Rather than rendering two similar offset images, two completely different images are rendered allowing each player to view only one of the images. |
| US07884820B2 |
Interactive relighting with dynamic reflectance
Interactive relighting with dynamic reflectance involves relighting a graphical scene with dynamic changes to the reflectance(s) in the graphical scene. A graphical scene may include source radiance, regions having reflectances, a surface spot, incident radiation from the source radiance at the surface sport, an incident direction, a viewing direction, exit radiance, and so forth. In an example embodiment, a graphical scene is relighted based on at least one adjusted reflectance of the graphical scene using an incident radiance at a surface spot that is separated into respective incident radiance components corresponding to different respective numbers of interreflections in the graphical scene. In another example embodiment, a graphical scene is relighted based on at least one adjusted reflectance of the graphical scene using a tensor representation for a reflectance of a surface spot with the tensor representation being segmented into three adjustable factors for lighting, viewing, and reflectance. |
| US07884817B2 |
Method and system for defining and controlling algorithmic elements in a graphics display system
An API is provided that enables programmability of a 3D chip, wherein programming or algorithmic elements written by the developer can be downloaded to the chip, thereby programming the chip to perform those algorithms. A developer writes a routine that is downloadable to a 3D graphics chip. There are also a set of algorithmic elements that are provided in connection with the API that have already been programmed for the developer, that are downloadable to the programmable chip for improved performance. Thus, a developer may download preexisting API objects to a 3D graphics chip. A developer adheres to a specific format for packing up an algorithmic element, or set of instructions, for implementation by a 3D graphics chip. The developer packs the instruction set into an array of numbers, by referring to a list of ‘tokens’ understood by the 3D graphics chip. This array of numbers in turn is mapped correctly to the 3D graphics chip for implementation of the algorithmic element by the 3D graphics chip. |
| US07884814B1 |
Light emitting display mirrored concealment apparatus and method
An apparatus and method for concealing and revealing a light emitting display. The apparatus includes a housing structure, for positioning about the display, which has an opening aligned for visual access to the display. A film is disposed within the opening, which has the optical properties of partial reflectance and partial transmittance. A shade is supported by the housing structure, and includes a means for moving the shade between a concealed position that disables visual access to the display and a revealed position that enables visual access to the display. |
| US07884812B2 |
Liquid crystal projector
Disclosed is a liquid crystal projector comprising operation means for operating a liquid crystal projector; means for previously registering a password; means for entering, in a case where the password is registered, a password when the power to the liquid crystal projector is turned on; and means for comparing the entered password with the registered password and making it possible to operate the liquid crystal projector by the operation means only when both the passwords coincide with each other. |
| US07884808B2 |
Cover for a mobile device and mobile device having same
A cover for a mobile device is provided. The cover includes a support member having an upper surface, and a touch sensitive portion located on the upper surface of the support member, the touch sensitive portion being configured to generate a signal when touched to control the mobile device. A mobile device is also provided. The mobile device has a cover including a support member having an upper surface, and a touch sensitive portion located on the upper surface of the support member, the touch sensitive portion being configured to generate a signal when touched to control the mobile device. The mobile device also includes a display unit located in the mobile device. |
| US07884805B2 |
Using touches to transfer information between devices
A device may comprise a display and a processor. The processor may obtain a first set of one or more touches on a remote surface of a remote device based on a signal received on a communication link between the device and the remote device. receive information associated with the first set of one or more touches through the signal. detect a gesture on the display, and determine whether the information is to be used to obtain content based on the gesture. |
| US07884804B2 |
Keyboard with input-sensitive display device
An input/output device is disclosed that includes an input-sensitive display screen and alphanumeric keys for entering characters. The input-sensitive display screen may be positioned proximate the alphanumeric keys and be capable of displaying graphical information and sensing user selection of the graphical information. The input-sensitive display screen may include a combination display/input region and a non-display input region. The touch sensitive display screen may be detachable from the alphanumeric region and may be operable in a detached configuration. The input/output device may usable with a method of input correction. The method may include displaying, on a secondary display, a first text unit, such as a character or a word, which corresponds with a second text unit shown on a primary display screen of a computing device. The method further involves receiving user selection of the first text unit and replacing the first text unit with a second text unit. |
| US07884803B2 |
Turntable-type input device
A turntable-type input device includes a base, a first keyboard, a second keyboard and a turntable. The first keyboard and second keyboard are movably disposed on the base. The turntable is rotatably disposed on the base and located above the first keyboard and the second keyboard. The turntable is coupled to the first keyboard and the second keyboard. When the turntable is rotated, the turntable brings the first keyboard and the second keyboard synchronously to move in opposite directions relative to the base such that the first keyboard and the second keyboard are spread out from the base or received to the base. |
| US07884802B2 |
Information selecting apparatus and storage medium storing information selecting program
An information selecting apparatus includes a computer, and makes a user select an arbitrary item from a plurality of items by a direction input of the user. Each of the items is assigned to a direction based on an input frequency, for example. In a case that a direction input is performed by means of a polygonal guide, the items are assigned to directions corresponding to the vertexes of the guide and directions corresponding to the parts except for the vertexes. For example, a high-frequency item is assigned to the direction corresponding to the vertex, or a range of the direction assigned to the high-frequency item is relatively made larger. Furthermore, when a direction corresponding to the vertex is input, items assigned to the parts except for the vertexes may temporarily be assigned to other vertexes. In addition, when predetermined operation data is input, the items of the directions corresponding to the vertexes and the items of the directions corresponding to the parts except for the vertexes may be interchanged. |
| US07884800B2 |
Left/right hand operated sensing intelligent mouse
A mouse includes a left button, a right button, a touch sensing unit and a processing unit. The left button and the right button generate click signals in response to click operations. The touch sensing device generates touch positional signals when the left or right button is touched. The processing unit is used to receive the touch positional signals, calculate y-coordinate values of all points in the touched areas; select two significant points respectively from the left touched area and the right touched area; compare the y-coordinate values of the two significant points to generate a comparison result; confirm a current operated mode; if the confirmed operated mode is a left handed operation, send a control signal with a left-button identifier to a computer configured therewith; if the confirmed operated mode is a right handed operation, send a control signal with a right-button identifier to the computer configured therewith. |
| US07884798B2 |
Protective mechanism for an optical input device
A protective mechanism terminates the emission of a laser beam from an inadvertently inverted laser input device. A transmitting/detecting circuit is positioned under a laser input device that emits laser beams from a laser light. The transmitting/detecting circuit projects an infrared ray to a working surface to be reflected therefrom, with the reflected infrared ray detected by the transmitting/detecting circuit. The laser light is turned off if the transmitting/detecting circuit fails to detect the reflected infrared ray. |
| US07884795B2 |
Gate driver having a plurality of shift registers, driving method thereof and display device having the same
A display device is set forth that comprises a display panel having a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix. A data driver supplies pixel drive signals to data lines that are connected to drive the individual pixels of at least one row of pixels with corresponding pixel drive signals. The display device also includes a gate driver that supplies gate drive signals to the gate lines of the matrix. Each gate line may be connected to concurrently drive at least one row of pixels with a respective gate drive signal. The gate driver may comprise a sequence of shift registers that are connected in cascade with one another and two or more phase clocks that are connected to drive the sequence of shift registers. The shift registers of the gate driver may be interconnected with one another so that a shift register to which a given phase clock is applied is reset using an output signal from a next occurring shift register in the sequence of shift registers that is also connected to the given phase clock. |
| US07884794B2 |
Small-sized data line driver capable of generating definite non-video gradation voltage
In a data line driver for driving data lines of a display apparatus, a data register is adapted to latch video data and a definite non-video gradation data via a data bus. A data latch circuit is adapted to latch the video data and the definite non-video gradation data at different timings to generate digital output signals. A digital/analog converter is adapted to convert the digital output signals of the data latch circuit into analog signals. An output buffer is adapted to apply the analog signals of the digital/analog converter to the data lines. |
| US07884792B2 |
Method of extracting optimized digital variable resistor value and system using the same
A method of extracting an optimized digital variable resistor (“DVR”) value of a display panel, the method including varying a DVR value, corresponding to a common voltage, and applying the varied DVR values to the display panel, measuring brightness values of the display panel for at least two frames, extracting flicker values corresponding to the varied DVR values using the brightness values, and extracting an optimized DVR value by generating first to third coordinate values in which coordinate values have x-coordinate values and y-coordinate values representing DVR values and flicker values, respectively, calculating a first linear function of a first straight line connecting two of the coordinate values, and a second linear function of a second straight line using the first linear function and the other of the coordinate values, and extracting an x-coordinate value at an intersection point of the first and second lines, as the optimized DVR value. |
| US07884790B2 |
Display device and driving method of display device
A digital driving display device to make gradation display by pulse width modulation includes: a pixel array unit arranging pixels having an electrooptic element and incorporating a memory in a matrix, disposing a scanning line for each row in a pixel arrangement in the matrix, and a signal line for each column; a horizontal driving section inputting display data in a block for each scanning line having a low to a high gradation level subfield for each bit of the data defining gradation levels of the pixels and in a period for weight of the bit, sampling-latching, sequentially transferring, and supplying the data to the signal line; and a vertical driving section selecting and scanning pixels of the pixel array unit in a row and performing scanning while jumping rows to write the data supplied in the block from the horizontal driving section to pixels of the pixel array unit. |
| US07884789B2 |
Display apparatus
The object of the invention is to provide an FSC display apparatus that can easily achieve color balance. The display apparatus (1) according to the present invention, which includes a light source (30) for emitting a plurality of colored lights in sequence and in a repetitive manner and a display section (14) for controlling transmission or reflection of the lights emitted from the light source, produces a color display by dividing each field into a plurality of subfields and by causing a designated one of the plurality of colored lights to be emitted at least during a part of a period within the plurality of subfields thereby displaying on the display section an image corresponding to the designated colored light, wherein each of the subfields includes at least a data writing period for writing display data to the display section and a light-emission period for emitting the designated colored light, and the end timing of the light-emission period can be set in a variable manner. |
| US07884786B2 |
Organic light emitting display having demultiplexers and parasitic capacitances
An organic light emitting display that reduces the number of output lines from a data driver, attains image stability, and adjusts white balance. A plurality of demultiplexers at the primary output lines of the data driver simultaneously supply the data signals from each primary output line to a plurality of secondary output lines allowing a reduced number of primary output lines. A plurality of parasitic capacitors are formed where data lines are coupled with the pixels and are charged to a voltage corresponding to the data signal that is simultaneously provided to the pixels allowing an image of uniform brightness to be displayed. The scan period and the data period are not overlapping allowing a stable image. Capacitance values of data capacitors are set taking into consideration the light emitting efficiency of organic light emitting diodes, allowing an image of adjusted white balance. |
| US07884778B2 |
Antenna structure with antenna radome and method for rising gain thereof
An antenna structure includes a radiating element and an antenna radome. The antenna radome has at least one dielectric layer, which has an upper surface having many S-shaped metal patterns and a lower surface having many inverse S-shaped metal patterns corresponding to the S-shaped metal patterns. The S-shaped metal patterns are respectively coupled to the corresponding inverse S-shaped metal patterns to converge radiating beams outputted from the radiating element. |
| US07884771B2 |
Antenna
An antenna comprises a ground element, a transmission element, a conductive element and a coupling element. The conductive element connects the ground element and the transmission element. The coupling element extends from the conductive element substantially parallel to the transmission element, wherein the coupling element is located on a first plane, the transmission element is located on a second plane, and the second plane is parallel to the first plane. |
| US07884769B2 |
Planar antenna assembly with impedance matching and reduced user interaction for a RF communication equipment
A planar antenna assembly (AA), for an RF communication module, comprises i) a ground plane (GP) and a feeding circuit (FC) defined on a lace of a printed circuit board (PCB), ii) a feed tab (FT1) and a first shorting tab (ST1) coupled to the feeding circuit (FC) and the ground plane (GP) respectively, and iii) a radiating element (RE) comprising a first part (P1) connected to the feed tab (FT) and first shorting tab (ST1), located in a first plane approximately perpendicular to the ground plane (GP) and in which a slot (SO), comprising opened (OE) and closed (CE) ends, is defined, and a second part (P2) extending approximately perpendicularly from the first part (P1) to be located in a second plane lacing and approximately parallel to the ground plane (GP). The feed tab (FT) and first shorting tab (ST1) are parallel and close to each other and connected to the first part (P1) at a chosen place located at a chosen distance away from the slot opened end (OE) in order to define a chosen input impedance. |
| US07884768B2 |
Compact, dual-beam phased array antenna architecture
A dual beam electronically scanned phased array antenna architecture including a plurality of antenna modules orthogonally connected to a signal distribution board. Each module includes a radiator board orthogonally connected to a first end of a support mandrel. Each radiator board includes RF radiators and a pair of chip carriers mounted to opposing sides of the respective mandrel and interconnected to the respective radiator board. Each module includes a signal transfer board formed to fit around a second end of the mandrel such that it is compressed between the mandrel and the signal distribution board, and a pair of signal distribution bridges mounted to the opposing sides of the mandrel. Each signal distribution bridge interconnects respective chip carriers with the signal transfer board and distributes digital, DC and/or RE signals received from the signal transfer board to a plurality of beam scanning circuits included in the respective chip carrier. |
| US07884766B2 |
Variable dielectric constant-based antenna and array
An antenna and antenna array are provided. A radiating elements and corresponding feed lines are provided over a variable dielectric constant material sandwiched between two panels. The sandwich may be in the form of an LCD. The dielectric constant in a selected area under the conductive line can be varied to control the phase of the radiating element. The dielectric constant in a selected area under the radiating element can be varied to control the resonance frequency of the radiating element. The dielectric constant in a selected area under the conductive line can be varied to also control the polarization of the radiating element. |
| US07884763B2 |
Orthogonal/partial orthogonal beamforming weight generation for MIMO wireless communication
Techniques are provided for computing beamforming weight vectors useful for multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) wireless transmission of multiple signals streams from a first device to a second device. The techniques involve computing a plurality of candidate beamforming weight vectors based on the one or more signals received at the plurality of antennas of the first device. A sequence of orthogonal/partially orthogonal beamforming weight vectors are computed from the plurality of candidate beamforming weight vectors. The sequence of orthogonal/partially orthogonal beamforming weight vectors are applied to multiple signal streams for simultaneous transmission to the second device via the plurality of antennas of the first device. |
| US07884762B2 |
Method and apparatus for receiving a global positioning system signal using a cellular acquisition signal
Method and apparatus for a GPS device that uses at least one cellular acquisition signal is described. More particularly, a GPS device is configured to receive at least one cellular acquisition signal for obtaining benefits associated with AGPS with only a small subset of AGPS circuitry to interact with a cell phone network. This facilitates use of GPS devices without subscription to a cell phone service provider, thus avoiding cellular subscription fees. |
| US07884758B2 |
GPS parasite system
A non-GPS capable stationary device and method thereof is presented that permits the stationary device to receive location and time information from a mobile, GPS capable device using a non-GPS wireless protocol. This permits the stationary device to make use of the location information in combination with other information from the stationary device, communicated from the mobile device and/or communicated from other devices in a network of devices connected to the stationary device, to customize features of the stationary device accordingly. The stationary device is activated through an external trigger or automatically through an internal trigger. |
| US07884754B1 |
Method of distributed estimation using multiple asynchronous sensors
A method and system are provided for merging data from a plurality of multiplexed measurement sources to a decision-maker. The method includes operations for receiving a corresponding plurality of measurements of the data, processing each measurement to respectively obtain local state estimates and local error covariances, determining a corresponding plurality of lag periods, offsetting each of the corresponding event times, supplying to a track fusion center the local state estimates and the local error covariances for summing the pluralities of the local state estimates as a fusion state estimate and the local error covariances as a fusion error covariance. The measurements to be fused are each acquired from its respective source and correspond to an associated sampling period within an acquisition interval. The lag periods represent a wait duration for obtaining the corresponding local state estimates and local error covariances. The system correspondingly includes a receiver to obtain the plurality of measurements, a set of associated processors to analyze the measurements and provide their local state estimates and the local error covariances; a time-offsetter to determine corresponding lag periods and displace each of the event times accordingly, and the track fusion center. |
| US07884752B2 |
Radar system and a method relating thereto
A radar system comprising a platform movable along a path in relation to a ground surface portion and carrying a positioning device, a timing device and a radar equipment. It is adapted to implement synthetic aperture radar (SAR) for imaging the ground portion. It includes recording means for collecting radar raw data comprising radar echo amplitudes annotated with distance and the moment of time of collection and being intertwined with platform position measurement data annotated with the respective moment of time of collection thereof. |
| US07884751B2 |
Time-to-digital converter
A TDC circuit having a small scale circuit and high resolution is disclosed, which is a time-to-digital converter that detects a phase with respect to a reference clock of a signal to be measured, comprising a first delay line in which a plurality of first delay elements with a first delay amount is connected in series, a second delay line group that is connected to a plurality of connection nodes of the first delay line or an input node in the first stage and in which at least one or more second delay elements with a second delay amount different from the first delay amount are connected in series, a plurality of judgment circuits that judge whether the changing edge of the signal to be measured is advanced or delayed with respect to the changing edges of a delayed clock output from the first delay element and the second delay element, and an operation circuit that calculates a phase with respect to the reference clock of the changing edge of the signal to be measured from the judgment results, wherein a difference between the first delay amount and the second delay amount is smaller than the first delay amount and the second delay amount. |
| US07884749B2 |
A/D converting apparatus
An A/D converting apparatus includes a first A/D converter to sample an analog input signal having a D/A converter to generate a comparative signal for successive comparison with the analog input signal, a signal generator generate a differential signal between the analog input signal and the comparative signal, and a comparator to compare the comparative signal with a standard value to generate a first digital signal exhibiting high-order bit; an amplifier to amplify the differential signal to generate a residue signal; and a second A/D converter to sample the residue signal to generate a second digital signal exhibiting low-order bit. |
| US07884744B2 |
Circuit arrangement, L[ocal] I[nterconnected] NE[twork] comprising such circuit arrangement as well as method for processing input signals of the LIN
Circuit arrangement, LIN comprising such circuit arrangement as well as method for processing input signals of the LIN In order to further develop a circuit arrangement (100)—for processing at least one input signal (12) from at least one data bus (10) of at least one LIN and—for providing the data bus (10) with at least one output signal (18), as well as a corresponding operating method in such way that EMI performance and/or EMI performance of the LIN (300) is improved, it is proposed to provide—at least one analog-digital converting circuit (ADC) for converting the analog input signal (12) into at least one digital signal (14) to be processed, and—at least one digital-analog converting circuit (DAC) for converting the processed digital signal (16) into the analog output signal (18). |
| US07884742B2 |
System and method for efficient compression of digital data
A system for compressing digital data by representing a portion of it predictionally and transformationally as a block of transform coefficients, then quantizing that block selectively into a set of encoding symbols based on an indication whether the transform coefficients represent the portion as having a particular characteristic, and then by encoding the set of encoding symbols into a data bit stream. In particular, frequency may be used as the characteristic of the digital data in many applications. |
| US07884741B2 |
For externally clocked digital audio input, determining a valid clock and muting audio during synchronization
Methods and apparatus for determining the existence of an external clock over a digital input port on a computer. In one embodiment, the external clock is validated, and a lock is performed when the clock is valid. Whenever a loss of the lock is detected, and, if a re-lock is likely, the apparatus is muted so that audio artifacts that would otherwise be heard are minimized. The methods and apparatus also provide automatic re-locking to the external clock when a sampling rate change is detected. |
| US07884738B2 |
Emergency traffic light system
A visual warning assembly for disposal at an intersection of a plurality of roadways is disclosed herein. The visual warning assembly includes a housing with first and second openings facing first and second directions. The first and second directions are transverse to one another. The visual warning assembly also includes a first light assembly positioned in the first opening and having a plurality of light emitting diodes arranged in pattern representing an emergency vehicle. The visual warning assembly also includes a second light assembly positioned in the second opening and having a plurality of light emitting diodes arranged in pattern representing an emergency vehicle. The visual warning assembly also includes a signal receiver physically supported by the housings or one or both of the first and second light assemblies. The signal receiver or sensor is operable to receive and communicate a signal emitted by a signal emitter associated with an emergency vehicle. The visual warning assembly also includes a controller physically supported by the housing or one or both of the first and second light assemblies. The controller is in communication with the first and second light assemblies and the signal receiver. In response to receiving the signal from the signal receiver, the controller is operable to selectively direct power to the first and second light assemblies from a power source such that only one of the first and second light assemblies is illuminated at any particular time to limit power consumption and heat generation by the visual warning assembly. |
| US07884732B2 |
Wireless network control for building facilities
Wireless control of building facility systems via a wireless network using a wireless relay controller with a unique identifier. The wireless relay controller receives wireless control signals via a wireless communication network. The wireless relay controller determines that a wireless control signal concerns the wireless relay controller based on the unique identifier. The wireless relay controller further identifies a mode of operation for a specified relay indicated by the wireless control signal and controls the power to the specified relay in accordance with the wireless control signal. The wireless control signal may also monitor the power consumption of the load controlled by the specified relay and send that information to the network. |
| US07884728B2 |
Medical monitoring system and process for processing alarm signals
A monitoring system and process is provided for at least two medical apparatuses, which can send at least one alarm signal each. At least one alarm unit is connected to these apparatuses, wherein the alarm unit has at least one processing unit, a memory unit and an output unit. The processing unit assigns priorities to the alarm signals, and an assignment list of the distribution of the priorities of the individual alarms is stored in the memory unit. |
| US07884725B2 |
Systems and methods for stirring electromagnetic fields and interrogating stationary RFID tags
RFID tags are used for many purpose including tracking. RFID interrogators are used to retrieve information from tags. In many applications, RFID interrogators and RFID tags remain stationary during interrogation. Regions of low energy due to interference from either additional antenna or reflections from RFID tags and objects can impede or prohibit the reading of RFID tags residing in such regions. Stirring of the generated electromagnetic field is a method of moving around the regions of low energy, where tags can not be read, during the interrogation process. Mechanical stirring is accomplished by introducing a conductor into the electromagnetic field and moving it about in the field. Solid state stirring is accomplished by introducing a variable conductor into the field and varying the conductivity of the variable conductor. Mathematical stirring is accomplished by use of a plurality of antenna and controlling the phase difference between the antenna in a configuration known as phased antenna arrays. |
| US07884724B2 |
Radio frequency data communications device with selectively removable antenna portion and method
An adjustable radio frequency data communications device has a monolithic semiconductor integrated circuit with integrated circuitry, interrogation receiving circuitry provided on the monolithic integrated circuit forming at least part of the integrated circuitry and configured to receive an interrogation signal from the interrogator unit, an antenna electrically coupled to the interrogation receiving circuitry and configured to communicate with the remote interrogator unit, a power source electrically coupled to the integrated circuitry and configured to generate operating power for the communications device, and at least one of the antenna and the interrogation receiving circuitry having reconfigurable electrical characteristics, the electrical characteristics being reconfigurable to selectively tune the at least one of the antenna and the interrogation receiving circuitry within a range of tuned and detuned states to realize a desired receiver sensitivity of the communications device. Additionally, a method for tuning receiver sensitivity and/or transmitter sensitivity according to construction of the above device is disclosed. |
| US07884722B2 |
Data carrier comprising strain gauge means
A data carrier (2) comprises a data circuit (4) arranged on a substrate (3) and data transmission unit (10) being connected to the data circuit (4). The data carrier (2) further comprises at least one strain gauge unit (7) being adapted to measure strains exerted on the substrate (3) and to transmit a deactivating signal (DE) to the data circuit (4) if the measured strains exceed a defined deactivating strain threshold. If the data circuit (4) receives the deactivating signal (DE), the data circuit (4) interrupts a data exchange with an external data reader/writer (1) via the data transmission unit (10). |
| US07884719B2 |
Radio frequency identification (RFID) tag lamination process
An antenna web can include an RFID antenna on a first side of a substrate. An adhesive can be laminated on a second side of the substrate. The antenna web can then be cut into individual segments for use in constructing an RFID label. |
| US07884717B2 |
Passive microwave fire and intrusion detection system
A passive microwave receiver array, operating in the one meter to sub-millimeter wavelengths range and including an internationally protected range of frequencies of varying bandwidth, may be used for fire and intrusion detection. One or more receiver array can be used to provide a plurality of frequency ranges that can be detected. In an interior installation, one or more receiver array can be placed inside a wall. In other embodiments, the receiver and array can be in the form of a hand-held or wearable device. This method and apparatus achieves high performance by exploiting conventional low noise amplification block conversion circuits and provides the detection of thermal signals through clear, smoky, misty, or environmentally untenable conditions as well as the detection of fire and intrusion events through a non-metallic wall. |
| US07884712B2 |
Wireless tracking system and method utilizing tags with variable power level transmissions
The present invention provides a solution to mistaken location calculations based on multipath effects. The present invention utilizes tags attached to objects that transmit signals at various power levels for reception by sensors stationed throughout a facility. Sensor readings at the various power levels are utilized to determine the location of the tagged object. |
| US07884708B2 |
Monitoring system for vehicle wheels and wireless measurement module
The invention relates to a monitoring system for vehicle wheels and a wireless measurement module. The wireless measurement module is configured to be attached to a vehicle wheel and comprises: an acceleration measurement unit for determining acceleration information associated with wheel motion of the vehicle; a state determination unit for determining a value of at least one parameter characterizing a characteristic or state of the vehicle wheel by using the acceleration information; and a module communication unit for communicating the value of said at least one parameter by means of a wireless communication signal. |
| US07884707B2 |
Tire pressure monitor system tool with parts number database
A tire pressure monitor system tool is capable of communicating with a plurality of tire pressure monitor systems. The tool includes a storing module that stores a plurality of communication protocols that are used for enabling the tool to communicate with a tire pressure monitor system. The tool enables a user to input the parts number of a sensor used by the vehicle having a tire pressure monitor system. Based on the vehicle data input and/or the parts number, the tool determines a tire pressure monitor system installed on the vehicle using information stored by the tool. Based on the tire pressure monitor system installed on the vehicle, the tool determines a protocol used by the tire pressure monitor system to communicate with, for example, the tool and an electronic control unit of a vehicle. |
| US07884706B2 |
Capacitive pressure sensor
A capacitive pressure sensor comprises a pair of conductive plates surrounding a compressible dielectric to form a capacitor. Changes in pressure create changes in the capacitance of the capacitor which in turn may be measured to determine the changes in pressure. The pressure sensor may be constructed to be temperature and centripetal force compensated so that it may be positioned in a tire. A further embodiment uses the conductive plates to form a radiating element for the sensor such that it may wirelessly communicate with a remote interrogator. |
| US07884703B2 |
Pillow speaker remote control
Embodiments of a pillow speaker are disclosed. In one embodiment, a pillow speaker includes a case that contains a collection of control circuitry. A wireless transmitter is operably connected to the collection of control circuitry. The wireless transmitter is configured to transmit control signals. Also included is a wired interface having at least two elongated conductors connected to the collection of control circuitry. |
| US07884693B2 |
Two piece bi-metal coil terminal and electrical coil assembly incorporating same
An electrical coil assembly utilizing a bimetallic two-piece terminal construction and a method of manufacturing same are provided. The inner terminal structure utilizes a material that aids in the touchless attachment of the fine gauge magnetic wire to the inner terminal structure. The low mass of the inner terminal structure allows for increased winding speeds during the manufacturing process. The outer terminal structure utilizes a material that provides good corrosion resistance and electrical conductivity. The inner and outer terminal structures are electrically attached after the winding and electrical attachment process of the fine gauge magnetic wire. The coil and two-piece terminal connectors may then be encapsulated to provide a final electrical coil assembly. |
| US07884685B2 |
Band switching by diplexer component tuning
A circuit and antenna arrangement includes a diplexer having a single radio frequency input/output interface and dual feed connections with an antenna adapted for use over a plurality of frequency bands. The diplexer has a capacitance connected between the radio frequency input/output interface and the antenna, and further has an additional capacitance that is selectively one of connected or not connected in parallel with the capacitance. In one embodiment the additional capacitance may be a capacitor in series with a switch, while in another embodiment the additional capacitance may be a MEMS variable capacitor. |
| US07884684B1 |
Radio frequency multiplexer for coupling antennas to AM/FM, CB, and television apparatus
A multiplexer circuit for CB, AM/FM, and television splits the radio and television signals, adding impedance to the split lines, and providing an amplifier upstream of the split. |
| US07884682B2 |
Waveguide to microstrip transducer having a ridge waveguide and an impedance matching box
When a microstrip line is connected with a waveguide, there is a limit to reducing the connection loss by using only a matching box. We have discovered that in a transmission mode line transducer for converting between the TEM waves of the microstrip line and the TE01 waves of the waveguide, if the cross-sections of the microstrip line and the waveguide are substantially the same size, in the case of a 50Ω microstrip line when the characteristic impedance of the waveguide is about 80%, i.e., 40Ω, the line conversion loss can be optimized. Therefore, according to the present invention, the microstrip line is connected with the waveguide using a λ/4 matching box by means of a ridged waveguide having a low impedance and a length of λ/16 or less. |
| US07884676B1 |
PLL/FLL circuit with gain control
An FLL circuit having a capability of configuring a desired loop bandwidth in a short period of time is provided. An FDC 17 generates a feedback of an output signal of a VCO 15. An error detector 11 detects an error of the output signal of the VCO 15. A voltage retainer 13 retains an output of a control voltage of the VCO 15. A reference signal generator 16 generates a reference signal. An adder 14 adds the reference signal to a control voltage outputted by the voltage retainer 13. A Kv calculator 18 calculates a gain Kv of the VCO 15 based on a degree of transition of an output frequency of the VCO 15. A loop bandwidth controller 19 adjusts, based on the gain Kv of the VCO 15, a gain of a loop filter 12 to an optimum value, and configures a desired loop bandwidth. |
| US07884673B2 |
Wideband low-noise amplifier
A wideband low-noise amplifier includes a source-degenerated common-source amplifier, a common-gate amplifier, and a matching frequency band determiner. The source-degenerated common-source amplifier is configured to amplify an input signal to output a first signal that is opposite in phase to the input signal. The common-gate amplifier is connected in parallel to the source-degenerated common-source amplifier to amplify the input signal to output a second signal that has the same phase as the input signal. The matching frequency band determiner is configured to isolate an input terminal of the source-degenerated common-source amplifier and an input terminal of the common-gate amplifier and determine a matching frequency band. |
| US07884672B1 |
Operational amplifier and method for amplifying a signal with shared compensation components
An operational amplifier and a method for amplifying a signal. Embodiments provide a convenient and effective mechanism for reducing die area, design time and design verification time by sharing compensation components between the common-mode and differential feedback networks of the operational amplifier. As such, fewer compensation components are required, thereby reducing component die area. Additionally, given that the compensation components are shared between the common-mode and differential feedback networks, the feedback networks can be stabilized together with fewer compensation components to specify and verify, thereby reducing design and design verification time. Further, embodiments provide a compensation component coupling which does not couple directly to virtual ground, thereby reducing the noise of the operational amplifier. |
| US07884671B2 |
Low power operational amplifier
An amplifier which operates with low power is provided. In the amplifier, a first input unit includes a first control circuit and a second control circuit each including one terminal connected to an output node and the other terminal connected to a respective input transistor from among the plurality of input transistors, and controls the amount of current flowing into the plurality of input transistors or flowing out of the plurality of input transistors according to operating modes of the amplifier, whereby even when an A bias current is increased in order to increase a slew rate of the amplifier, a B bias current a the quiescent current do not increase. |
| US07884669B2 |
Broadband amplifying device
The present invention relates to an amplification device for a satellite in order to amplify a plurality of n transmission channels to an output corresponding to a beam, the device comprising: frequency band combining means comprising n inputs in order to receive the n transmission channels and q outputs in order to supply respectively the channels grouped together within q frequency bands, a power amplification unit including p active amplifiers in parallel for the distributed amplification of the n channels, gain and phase adjustment means corresponding to the p power amplifiers on the q frequency bands. |
| US07884668B2 |
Integrated doherty type amplifier arrangement with high power efficiency
The present invention relates to an integrated Doherty type amplifier arrangement and an amplifying method for such an arrangement, wherein a lumped element hybrid power divider (12) is provided for splitting input signals of main and peak amplifier stages (20, 30, 40) at predetermined phase shifts and non-equal division rates and at least one wideband lumped element artificial line (Z 1, Z2) combined with wideband compensation circuit for receiving said first amplified signal and for applying said predetermined phase shift to said first amplified signal and its higher harmonics. Thereby, the low gain of the peak amplifier is compensated by providing the non-equal power splitting at the input. Moreover, the use of the lumped element hybrid power divider leads to an improved isolation between the input ports of the main and peak amplifiers decreasing final distortions of the output signal. |
| US07884661B2 |
Clock generator circuit, method of clock generating, and data output circuit using the clock generating circuit and method
A clock generating circuit generates a high frequency clock having a constant duty and the same period as that of an external clock. A clock generating circuit generates a clock signal (hereinafter “the clock”) used for outputting a data signal to a data pin. The clock generating circuit includes at least a dividing portion and a clock generating portion. A dividing portion divides an internal clock signal (hereinafter “the internal clock”) generated based on an external clock signal (hereinafter “the external clock”) and outputs a plurality of divided clock signals (hereinafter “the divided clocks”). The clock generating portion performs a predetermined logical operations combining the divided clocks to generate the clock having a constant duty and the same period as the external clock. |
| US07884658B2 |
Circuits for forming the inputs of a latch
Circuits for forming the inputs of a latch are provided. In some embodiments, circuits for forming inputs of a latch comprise: a first transistor having a first gate terminal, a first drain terminal, a first source terminal, a first gate length, and a first common mode level at the first gate terminal, wherein the first gate terminal provides a data input to the latch; and a second transistor having a second gate terminal, a second drain terminal, a second source terminal, a second gate length, and a second common mode level at the second gate terminal, wherein the second gate terminal provides a clock input to the latch, the second drain terminal is coupled to the first source terminal, and the first gate length and the second gate length are sized so that the first common model level and the second common mode level are substantially equal. |
| US07884656B2 |
Phase locked loop with small size and improved performance
A phase locked loop (PLL) includes a frequency detector and a type 1 PLL including a phase detector. The phase detector produces a phase error signal indicative of a difference in phase between a reference signal and a feedback signal, while the frequency detector produces a frequency error signal indicative of a difference in frequency between the reference signal and the feedback signal. Logic switches between the phase detector and the frequency detector based on the frequency error signal. |
| US07884653B2 |
Source driver with charge sharing
A source driver includes four output switches, two resistors, and a charge-sharing switch. The first output switch and the first resistor are coupled in series to a first output channel of the source driver. The second output switch and the second resistor are coupled in series to a second output channel of the source driver. The third output switch is coupled in parallel to the first output switch. The fourth output switch is coupled in parallel to the second output switch. The charge-sharing switch is coupled between the first resistor and the second resistor. The third output switch and the fourth output switch are controlled to adjust the resistance of the output current path of the source driver. |
| US07884652B2 |
Pulse signal generating device, transport device, image forming apparatus, and pulse generating method
A pulse signal generating device includes: the plurality of encoders each of which outputs an encoder signal with a pulse period corresponding to the speed of an object to be detected; delay amount control unit that controls a relative delay amount with respect to a pulse signal for each of the plurality of pulse output signals output from the plurality of encoders; a detection unit that individually detects abnormalities in pulses of the plurality of encoder signals; a switching unit that performs switching to one pulse output signal, in which pulse abnormalities are not detected, of the plurality of pulse output signals; and a pulse generating unit that generates a pulse signal by delaying the one pulse output signal switched by the switching unit by the corresponding relative delay amount. |
| US07884651B2 |
Comparator
An electronic device compares a first voltage with a selected first reference voltage or second reference voltage. The electronic device includes a comparator having a first input receiving the first voltage, a second input receiving the selected reference voltage and an output providing an output signal based on a comparison. A control stage connected to the output of the comparator generates a control signal based on the output of the comparator. The electronic device selects either the first reference voltage or the second reference voltage in response to the control signal thus comparing the first voltage with the selected reference voltage. |
| US07884650B2 |
Analog comparator comprising a digital offset compensation
A digital compensation of an input stage of a comparator may be achieved by providing switched load elements, which may be appropriately connected to the differential input pair of the comparator in order to match transistor characteristics of the input pair and also match the load value of the input stage. Thus, enhanced offset behavior may be accomplished without providing an external signal and/or without requiring complex reference voltages/currents. |
| US07884649B1 |
Selection of optimal clock gating elements
Techniques in which an optimal set of clock gating elements is determined for a selected circuit design. Those clock gating elements are coupled to selected flip-flops, with the effect that those selected flip-flops will consume less dynamic power during operation of the logic circuit. The selected set of clock gating elements provides an optimal savings in overall power consumption after modification of that selected circuit design. |
| US07884648B2 |
Pseudo-differential interfacing device having a switching circuit
The invention relates to an interfacing device for pseudo-differential transmission through interconnections used for sending a plurality of electrical signals. The interfacing device of the invention includes signal terminals and a common terminal. A transmitting circuit receives the input signals of the transmitting circuit coming from a source. The output of the transmitting circuit delivers, when the transmitting circuit is in the activated state, voltages between one of the signal terminals and the reference terminal (ground). A receiving circuit delivers, when the receiving circuit is in the activated state, output signals of the receiving circuit determined each by the voltage between one of the signal terminals and the common terminal, to the destination. In the closed state, the common terminal switching circuit is, for the common terminal, equivalent to a voltage source delivering a constant voltage, connected in series with a passive two-terminal circuit element presenting a low impedance. |
| US07884647B2 |
Output driver
There is provided an output driver, which includes a pre-driver configured to generate a main driving control signal in response to a data signal, a main driver configured to drive an output terminal in response to the main driving control signal, an auxiliary driving control signal generator configured to generate an auxiliary driving control signal having an activation interval corresponding to the data signal and an interval control signal, and an auxiliary driver configured to drive the output terminal in response to the auxiliary driving control signal. |
| US07884644B1 |
Techniques for adjusting level shifted signals
A level shifter circuit includes first and second transistors that receive a first input signal at control inputs. A level shifted output signal is generated by the first and the second transistors. Third and fourth transistors receive a second input signal at control inputs. The first input signal is an inverse of the second input signal. A first multiplexer circuit is configurable to couple a control input of a fifth transistor to the first and the second transistors. A second multiplexer circuit is configurable to couple a control input of a sixth transistor to the third and the fourth transistors. |
| US07884640B2 |
PLD providing soft wakeup logic
A programmable logic device (PLD) with a plurality of programmable regions is disclosed. Some of the programmable regions have switch power or ground supplies to allow them to be put into a low-power state in one or more low-power modes. At least one of the programmable regions always remains on during the low-power modes to enable the user to design custom PLD power management logic that may be placed in the always-on programmable region. |
| US07884633B2 |
Wide area soft defect localization
Various apparatus and methods of testing a semiconductor chip for soft defects are disclosed. In one aspect, a method of testing a semiconductor chip that has a surface and plural circuit structures positioned beneath the surface is provided. An external stimulus is applied to a series of fractional portions of the surface to perturb portions of the plural circuit structures such that at least one of the series of fractional portions is smaller than another of the series of fractional portions. The semiconductor chip is caused to perform a test pattern during the application of external stimulus to each of the fractional portions to determine if a soft defect exists in any of the series of fractional portions. |
| US07884628B2 |
Interposer and probe card having the same
An interposer may include a first base, at least one first signal line in the first base, and at least one first ground line in the first base, wherein the ground line surrounds the at least one first signal line. The at least one first signal line and the at least one first ground line may be exposed through an upper surface of the first base. The at least one first signal line may be configured to conduct a test current through the first base. An interposer may also include a second base below the first base and may include a printed circuit board between the first base and the second base. A probe card may include a multilayer substrate having at least one contact needle, a coaxial board having at least one coaxial signal cable and the above described interposer between the multilayer substrate and the coaxial board. |
| US07884627B2 |
Stiffener assembly for use with testing devices
A stiffener assembly for use with testing devices is provided herein. In some embodiments, a stiffener assembly for use with testing devices can be part of a probe card assembly that can include a stiffener assembly comprising an upper stiffener coupled to a plurality of lower stiffeners; and a substrate constrained between the upper stiffener and the plurality of lower stiffeners, the stiffener assembly restricting non-planar flex of the substrate while facilitating radial movement of the substrate with respect to the stiffener assembly. |
| US07884626B2 |
Cathodic protection monitor
A cathodic protection monitor to be electrically connected to a cathodic protection rectifier that is adapted to prevent rust, corrosion and possible leakage in an underground pipe or storage tank above which the rectifier is supported. The cathodic protection monitor includes a CPU that reads, digitizes and stores analog current and voltage signals which are supplied from the DC output of the rectifier and are indicative of the effectiveness thereof. The monitor includes an ISM band transceiver and antenna by which the CPU is polled and from which packets of stored data are transmitted to a data collector at an overhead airplane or nearby motor vehicle for retransmission and analysis by the pipe owner or maintenance crew. Synchronized timing signals are supplied (from the National Bureau of Standards) to a stable auxiliary clock by way of a WWVB transceiver and antenna so that a plurality of cathodic protection rectifiers can be turned on and off at the same time as may be required to compile ground voltage readings along the pipeline as part of a government-mandated survey. |
| US07884624B2 |
Capacitance sensing structure
A capacitance sensing structure includes a substrate, a sensing electrode layer, at least one stack layer and a conductive body. The sensing electrode layer is formed on or in the substrate. The stack layer is formed on the sensing electrode layer. The conductive body is disposed over and corresponding to the sensing electrode layer and the stack layer. |
| US07884618B2 |
Testing system for electricity safety and a testing method therefor
A system for testing the safety of electricity includes steps as following. First step is inserting a testing apparatus into a socket of utility power. Second step is providing a first amplifier and rectifier unit for measuring a first voltage wave as no-loading. Third step is providing a signal capturing unit at driver circuit for capturing an instant load cycle current wave. Fourth step is providing a second amplifier and rectifier unit for simulating a second voltage wave according to the instant cycle current wave. At least, a processing unit provides for comparing the first voltage wave with the second voltage wave. Therefore, the above-mentioned method is provided for determining the quality of household electricity wire and further improving the electricity safety. |
| US07884616B2 |
Automatic multicable electrical continuity tester
An automatic multi-cable continuity tester. The multi-conductor electrical continuity tester includes a controller that is configured to generate a first serial stream of input test signals. The first serial stream of input test signals includes a plurality of signals equal in number to a plurality of conductors in a cable. A data input module is configured to convert the first serial stream of input test signals into a first parallel stream of test signals. A data output module is configured to receive and convert the first parallel stream of test signals to a first serial stream of output test signals. The controller is further configured to receive the first serial stream of output signals, store the first serial stream of output signals to a memory, generate subsequent serial streams of input test signals corresponding to each possible combination and permutation of conductors, determine whether each possible combination and permutation of conductors includes an open circuit condition and/or a short circuit condition, and determine whether at least one predefined relationship between input and output test signals includes an open circuit condition and/or a short circuit condition, wherein the predefined relationship defines a stream of output test signals that are different than a stream of input test signals. |
| US07884615B1 |
Cable tester
A network interface includes a physical layer (PHY) device that provides an interface to a cable. The PHY device includes an autonegotiation module that selectively performs autonegotiation to establish a link with a link partner based on link parameters and a cable test module that performs a cable test before the autonegotiation begins, that determines a cable performance parameter during the cable test, and that compares the cable performance parameter to a predetermined threshold. The autonegotiation module selects at least one of the link parameters based on the comparison. |
| US07884613B2 |
System, method, and article of manufacture for determining an estimated battery state vector
A system, a method, and an article of manufacture for determining an estimated battery state vector indicative of a state of a battery are provided. The method determines a first estimated battery state vector indicative of the state of the battery at a first predetermined time based on a plurality of predicted battery state vectors, a plurality of predicted battery output vectors, and a first battery output vector. |
| US07884611B1 |
Method for controlling a characteristic of an induction field
In one aspect of the present invention, an induction resistivity tool includes an induction transmitter and an induction receiver located along the length of the tool. The transmitter is located adjacent at least one induction bucking coils of the tool. When activated the bucking coils are configured to direct a field transmitted by the induction transmitter away from the tool at an angle from the central axis of the tool. |
| US07884597B2 |
Apparatus for testing a protective measuring or metering device as a constituent part of a high or medium voltage installation, more specifically of a utility protective relay, of a generator protective device, of a current meter, or of other protective, measuring or metering electrical devices in a high or medium voltage installation
The subject matter of the invention is an apparatus for testing a protective, measuring or metering device as a constituent part of a high or medium voltage installation, more specifically of a utility protective relay, of a generator protective device, of a current meter and so on in a high or medium voltage installation, a combined terminal and pole block (1) located in the input field of the high or medium voltage installation being connected in the protective field to the protective, measuring or metering device, said terminal and pole block (1) comprising several terminal and pole segments (2) disposed behind each other, each terminal and pole segment (2) comprising on its upper side a pole opening (5) for receiving the pole blade (7) of a plug (8), each terminal and pole segment (2) having a cable clamping apparatus (27; 31) on either side thereof, said cable clamping apparatus (27; 31) being accessible through an opening (22a) for the cable disposed in the side wall of the terminal and pole segment (2). |
| US07884596B2 |
Self-balancing frequency determining bridge
A self-balancing Wheatstone bridge that provides frequency and power information. The frequency information obtained can be applied to correct the power measurement to provide excellent match, excellent frequency insensitivity, good dynamic range, good frequency range, and adequate frequency accuracy. The system is highly responsive, simple, and cost effective. |
| US07884595B2 |
Method for producing an electricity sensing device
A method for producing an electricity sensing device with a one-piece, U-shaped bent current conductor of a certain length having a middle portion and two end portions and comprising in the middle portion the form of a rod having a non-rectangular conductor cross-section and featuring flats having a rectangular conductor cross-section in its end portions, and arranged in the middle portion a magnetic module comprising a lead-through for mounting the current conductor, the method comprising the steps: providing the magnetic module as well as a current conductor configured straight and rod-shaped in the middle portion and in at least one of the end portions; tin-coating the current conductor at least partly in at least one end portion; positioning the current conductor and the magnetic module relative to each other such that the current conductor is located in the lead-through of the module by its middle portion, and shaping the current conductor into a U with flattened ends. |
| US07884594B2 |
Method and apparatus for distribution of a voltage reference in integrated circuits
Inventive embodiments described here provide for accurately distributing a voltage reference to multiple cores of an integrated circuit (IC). A quasi-differential interface is used to transmit the voltage reference, and a virtual ground is established at a receiver located at each core location on the integrated circuit. In one embodiment, the receiver is an operational transconductance amplifier (OTA) that converts a virtual-ground-referenced voltage input to a current. In one embodiment, the OTA converts the virtual-ground-referenced voltage into three currents via three driving current sources operating relative to the virtual ground and the local ground of the core. Negative feedback controls the accuracy of this conversion and provides a way to cancel the effects of the distribution resistance. The current is sourced across the voltage domains between the virtual ground and the VSS, which is the IC ground. An I*R drop across a resistor converts the current to a voltage referenced to VSS at the output. |
| US07884590B2 |
Voltage converter
An exemplary voltage converter includes a pulse width modulation controller chip, a pull-up transistor, a pull-down transistor, and a low pass filter. The pulse width modulation controller chip includes a plurality of pins, a power management circuit, a gate control logic circuit, a first gate driver, a second gate driver, a current source, a first resistor, an inductor current sensor, a counter and current step generator, and an oscillator. The plurality of pins include a Vcc pin, a BOOT pin, a PHASE pin, a UGATE pin, a LGATE pin, and a GND pin. The PHASE pin serves as a multi-function pin in the pulse width modulation controller chip. The current source, the first resistor, the inductor current sensor, the counter and current step generator, the oscillator, and the pull-down transistor constitute a light-load efficiency improvement circuit. |
| US07884583B2 |
Speed recognition for half bridge control
Circuit and method for controlling a high bridge circuit with increased efficiency is disclosed. Circuitry is provided outputting gating signals to a high side driver and a low side driver responsive to a time varying input signal. A frequency measurement circuit determines a high speed mode when the input signal is at a frequency above a threshold, and the gating signal to the high side driver is inhibited. When the input signal frequency is below the threshold, the low side driver and the high side driver gating signals switch alternately. In an exemplary implementation, the frequency measurement circuit is provided as two counters outputting signals to a decision circuit which controls the half bridge circuit. Methods are provided for efficiently providing gating signals to the drivers of a half bridge circuit based upon the frequency of the input signal. |
| US07884582B2 |
Method and device in frequency converter
A method in connection with a frequency converter for correcting the power factor of the frequency converter, and a power factor correction unit. The method includes connecting the power factor correction unit between a rectifier bridge of the frequency converter and the supplying AC voltage network, generating with the power factor correction unit DC voltage from the AC voltage of the supply network and feeding the generated DC voltage to the frequency converter via the rectifier bridge of the frequency converter. |
| US07884579B2 |
Energy capture circuit
An energy capture circuit for capturing energy in response to an input pulse. The circuit is constructed and arranged to transfer input energy in time divided portions among subcircuits. This includes a storage means, a clock means, at least two subcircuits, and at least one transfer circuit. Each subcircuit includes a first inductive means in operative communication with the input source, a rectifying means for producing a positive current in operative communication with the first inductive means, a capacitive means in operative communication with the rectifying means, and a switch means in operative communication with the capacitive means. At least one transfer circuit is in operative communication with each of the switch means of the at least two subcircuits. The output of the clock means is in operative communication with both a first switch means and an inverter means, the inverter means having an output in operative communication with a second switch means. |
| US07884577B2 |
Apparatus for controlling temperature of secondary battery, vehicle battery pack, and system and program for heating secondary battery
An apparatus, which controls the temperature of a secondary battery formed by combination of a plurality of single cells or a plurality of battery modules each made by series connection of multiple single cells, prevents variations in the temperature or voltage of the single cells or the battery modules, which could otherwise be caused when the secondary battery is heated. A temperature control section controls the quantity of heat by means of which a heater heats a secondary battery formed by combination of a plurality of battery modules made by series connection of multiple single cells. The temperature control section detects a rate of temporal changes in an open circuit voltage of the secondary battery. When a detected rate of temporal changes in open circuit voltage has exceeded a predetermined threshold voltage value, the heater is controlled to thus diminish the quantity of heat used for heating the secondary battery. |
| US07884573B1 |
Flexible size and orientation battery system
A battery receptacle system is provided to accept various types or sizes of batteries in different orientations. The battery receptacle system includes a first radial notch for positioning a first positive terminal of a first battery to electrically connect with the first positive contact at a first position, and a second radial notch for positioning a second positive terminal of a second battery of a different size and/or type than the first battery to electrically connect with the first positive contact at a second position, different from the first position. The second radial notch is configured to prevent the first positive terminal of the first battery from electrically connecting with the first positive contact at the second position. |
| US07884572B2 |
Hot spot device
A hot spot device includes an embedded processing module, a network connection module, and a terminal connection module. The embedded processing module controls the network connection module to connect to Internet, and also controls the network connection module to communicate with the terminal connection module. The terminal connection module includes a station (STA) chip and a first antenna. The STA chip receives from the embedded processing module data information obtained from the Internet through the network connection module, processes the data information, and transmits the data information to a certain area through the first antenna, so as to realize wireless signal coverage in the area. The STA chip also receives data information transmitted by wireless local area network (WLAN) equipment from the first antenna, processes the data information, outputs the processed data information to the embedded processing module for sending the processed data information to the Internet through the embedded processing module and network connection module. |
| US07884567B2 |
Fuel cell system and method for controlling operation of the fuel cell system
Fuel cell systems and methods for controlling fuel cell systems. In one embodiment, the method includes supplying power produced by operating the fuel cell stack in a maximum output mode to the load while concurrently charging the secondary cell with the produced power when an amount of charge of the secondary cell is smaller than a first standard value, supplying both power produced by operating the fuel cell stack in a stable output mode and the power discharged by the secondary cell to the load when the amount of charge of the secondary cell is larger than a second standard value, and maintaining an existing output mode among the output modes when the amount of charge of the secondary cell is larger than the first standard value and smaller than the second standard value. |
| US07884565B2 |
Human-machine interface with passive soft stops
A human-machine interface assembly includes a user interface and a passive force feedback mechanism. The user interface is configured, upon receipt of an input force that exceeds a null breakout force, to move from a null position to a first control position and, upon receipt of an input force that exceeds a soft stop force, to move beyond the first control position. The passive force feedback mechanism is coupled to the user interface and is configured to supply the null breakout force to the user interface when the user interface is in the null position, and supply the soft stop force to the user interface when the user interface is in the first control position. The soft stop force exceeds the null breakout force and is not supplied to the user interface unless the user interface is in the first control position. |
| US07884562B2 |
Brushless multiphase self-commutation controller
The Brushless Multiphase Self-Commutation Controller or BMSCC is an adjustable speed drive for reliable, contact-less and stable self-commutation control of electric apparatus, including electric motors and generators. BMSCC transforms multiphase electrical excitation from one frequency to variable frequency that is automatically synchronized to the movement of the electric apparatus without traditional estimation methods of commutation and frequency synthesis using derivatives of electronic, electro-mechanical, and field-oriented-control. Instead, BMSCC comprises an analog electromagnetic computer with synchronous modulation techniques to first establish magnetic energy and then dynamically share packets of magnetic energy between phase windings of a multiphase, position dependent flux, high frequency transformer by direct AC-to-AC conversion without an intermediate DC conversion stage. |
| US07884558B2 |
Driver apparatus and method
A driver apparatus is provided for controlling a light source array comprising at least first and second light sources, the light source array used for illuminating a scan region on a target object, wherein light reflected from said target object is captured by a detector. The driver apparatus comprises a single integrated circuit comprising processing means for processing image data received from the detector, a switching array comprising at least first and second switches for switching the respective first and second light sources, and a current source for controlling the flow of current through the light sources. In this way the LED switching circuitry that controls an LED array is 15 placed on the same integrated circuit (i.e. monolithic circuit) as the analogue processing circuitry that processes the image data, with the current source controlling the flow of current through the LEDs in the LED array. |
| US07884552B2 |
Electrical discharge tube, illumination apparatus for display device, liquid crystal display device, and liquid crystal display television
A backlight device includes a hot cathode fluorescent tube having a pair of electrodes, a power source arranged to apply voltage having an alternating component to at least one of the pair of electrodes, and an electrode heating circuit arranged to supply heating current to the electrodes. The backlight device further includes temperature sensors that detect the temperatures in the electrodes to be supplied with the heating current. Based on the results detected by the temperature sensors, a switch element is driven by the control section. The heating current is thus controlled. With this, the temperatures in the electrodes of the electrical discharge tube can be more accurately grasped, and the temperatures in the electrodes of the discharge tube can be more properly controlled. |
| US07884548B2 |
Plasma display panel
A PDP comprises: front and back glass substrates facing each other across a discharge space; a plurality of row electrode pairs and column electrodes disposed between the front and back glass substrates and extending in directions at right angles to each other to form discharge cells in positions corresponding to the intersections in the discharge space; and an electride compound in which electrons are substituted for part of anions in the crystal lattice and which is disposed in an area facing the discharge cells and exposed to each discharge cell. |
| US07884547B2 |
Lead-free acid-resistant glass composition and glass paste comprised of the same
Lead-free acid-resistant glass composition includes 5-25% of SiO2, 4-30% of B2O3, 7-30% of ZnO, 15-70% of Bi2O3, 0-15% of Al2O3, 5-20% of BaO in weight percentage, and being substantially lead-free. |
| US07884545B2 |
LED light source and method for adjusting chromaticity of LED light source
The present invention is directed to the provision of an LED light source that can easily adjust its chromaticity and a chromaticity adjustment method for such an LED light source. More specifically, the invention provides a chromaticity adjustment method for an LED light source having an LED device, a phosphor which absorbs a portion of light emitted from the LED device and emits light by wavelength conversion, and a resin material containing the phosphor and disposed so as to enclose the LED device, wherein an ink coating layer is disposed on a surface of the resin material in order to adjust chromaticity; the invention also provides an LED light source adjusted in such a manner. |
| US07884539B2 |
Light source having phosphor including divalent, trivalent and tetravalent elements
A phosphor having an excitation band relative to lights in the wide range of wavelengths from ultraviolet to visible light, and having an emission spectrum in the red range and so on, with a wide half value width, and an LED and a light source using the phosphor and emitting white and other color lights with good color rendering properties are provided. Powdered raw materials of Ca3N2 (2N), CaO (2N), AlN (3N), Si3N4 (3N), and Eu2O3 (3N) are prepared, and the respective raw materials are mixed to have a mole ratio of the respective elements of Ca:Al:Si:Eu=0.985:1:1:0.015. The mixed raw materials are fired at 1000° C. or higher in an inert atmosphere for three hours, and thereafter pulverized to obtain a phosphor having a composition of CaAlSiN2.83O0.25:Eu, which is one example of the phosphor satisfying the above described object. Furthermore, by combining the phosphor with an appropriate LED or a light source emitting from ultraviolet light to visible light, the LED and the light source emitting white and other color lights with good color rendering properties can be obtained. |
| US07884538B2 |
Light-emitting device
A light-emitting device is provided, which includes a package having a first portion and a second portion surrounding it, a semiconductor light-emitting element mounted on the first portion and emitting a light having an emission peak in a near-ultraviolet region, a transparent resin layer covering the semiconductor light-emitting element and contacted with the package, and a laminated body formed on the transparent resin layer with end faces of the laminated body being contacted with the second portion. The transparent resin layer has an arch-like outer profile perpendicular cross section. The laminated body has an arch-like outer profile in perpendicular cross section and comprises a red fluorescent layer, a yellow fluorescent layer, a green fluorescent layer and a blue fluorescent layer laminated in the mentioned order. The yellow fluorescent layer has a top portion which is made larger in thickness than that of the end face portions thereof. |
| US07884534B2 |
Display panel and manufacturing method of the display panel
In a PDP, an end of a first partition (124) is provided with a partition end 126 whose height dimension and width dimension are smaller than those of the first partition (124). With this arrangement, when a nozzle is moved from a portion between the partition ends (126) on a first side to a portion between the partition ends (126) on a second side in a phosphor layer forming step for forming a phosphor layer, a phosphor paste can be uniformly applied to recessed portions (123A), thereby easily providing the PDP that includes the phosphor layer with which good images can be realized. |
| US07884525B2 |
Carbon nanotube based compliant mechanism
A nano-scale compliant mechanism includes a coupler and a plurality of nanotubes disposed for nano-scale motion relative to a grounded component. The nanotubes are fastened at one end to the coupler and at the other end to ground, to guide motion of the coupler relative to the ground. Particular embodiments include a plurality of parallel carbon nanotubes. An exemplary embodiment exhibits first and second regions of mechanical behavior; a first region governed by bulk elastic deformation of the nanotubes and a second region governed by compliant, hinge-like bending of the buckled nanotubes. |
| US07884521B2 |
Rotor shaft for a magnetic bearing device
A rotor shaft (200) for a magnetic bearing device (1) is disclosed. The shaft comprises an inner portion on whose periphery a plurality of targets (240, 260, 280) separated by spacers (250, 270) are mounted. This is achieved exerting an axial pressing force (F, F′) to the peripheral parts, rather than applying a radial press fit. In this manner, a simplified construction, a higher stiffness and a higher stability at high rotational speed are achieved. Further disclosed is a rotor having a thrust disk (220) whose diameter decreases towards the periphery. This allows to use a larger thrust disk at a given rotational speed. |
| US07884518B2 |
Electrical synchronous machine
An electrical synchronous machine, in particular for use as a drive machine in motor vehicle applications. A stator has an electrical winding arrangement for generating a rotating field. A rotor has magnetic flux generating means for generating a rotor flux with which the rotating field interacts.The rotor has a first rotor section with first magnetic flux generating means and a second rotor section with magnetic flux influencing means. It is possible to move the two rotor sections relative to one another between at least a first and a second relative position in such a way that the rotor flux provided by the rotor has a different magnitude in the two relative positions. |
| US07884515B2 |
Power transmission device and method of assembling the same
A power transmission unit includes an electric motor including a rotor arranged on an inner circumference of a stator and concentrically with the stator and a transmission mechanism for transmitting power. A portion of a predetermined constructional element of the transmission mechanism protrudes toward the stator or the rotor side coaxially with the stator or the rotor. The rotor is loosely fitted onto an outer circumferential face of the protruding portion, and a clearance is created between an outer circumferential face of the protruding portion and an inner circumferential face of the rotor into which a guide sleeve for guiding the rotor in an axial direction is inserted. The structure improves a convenience in assembling the rotor of the electric motor of the power transmission unit including the electric motor and transmission mechanism. |
| US07884513B2 |
Rotor
A rotor includes a hub, a permanent magnet and a shaft. The hub has an inner surface and an outer surface, with an assembling hole being formed at the center of the inner surface. The permanent magnet is mounted on the inner surface of the hub. The shaft has two ends, with one end being a connecting end. The connecting end is fixed in the assembling hole of the hub. An extending member is arranged at the connecting end and extends radially from a radial surface of the shaft. The extending member is embedded in a wall of the hub. Consequently, a contact area between the hub and the shaft is radially extended and increased to provide a reliable combination of the hub and the shaft, and the rotor can be applied to a motor with minimizing dimensions. |
| US07884510B2 |
Small-sized motor
The present invention is used with a stopper mechanism for mechanically stopping the rotation of a motor. A pair of brushes is disposed such that a line which passes through the center of a rotor and connects the centers of the paired brushes is offset by a predetermined angle from a line which connects the centers of paired magnets. A commutator is disposed in such a manner as to be offset from a reference position by the same angle as the predetermined angle by which the paired brushes are offset. The predetermined angle falls within a range between an angle obtained by dividing 70° by the number of pairs of stator poles and an angle obtained by dividing 290° by the number of pairs of stator poles. Specifically, in the case of two stator poles, the predetermined angle falls within a range of 70° to 290° inclusive. In the case of four stator poles, the predetermined angle falls within a range of 35° to 145° inclusive. |
| US07884504B2 |
Transmission line based high voltage pulse generator
A high voltage, fast pulse rise/fall time, and high repetition rate pulse generator solves the high pulse repetition rate limitations associated with RF power amplifiers and gap switch type pulse generators. The pulse generator employs a transmission line architecture and structural techniques that allow for continued high voltage, fast rise/fall time, and high repetition pulse rate operation of the pulse generator without impairment of the pulse generator while exceeding performance characteristics achievable with conventional RF power amplifiers and gap switch type pulse generators. |
| US07884503B2 |
Method and arrangement for harmonic-wave suppression for AC voltage-operated PTC heaters
The invention relates to a method and to an arrangement for harmonic-wave suppression in AC voltage-operated PTC heaters, especially in frequency-stable and frequency-variable alternating-voltage networks in aerospace applications. The problem of harmonic-wave suppression for AC voltage-operated PTC heaters, in which the harmonic waves are suppressed by superimposing a correction current, which permits a simple and economical generation of the harmonic-wave suppression signal, is solved according to the invention by generating a correction current in a correction current circuit arranged parallel to the PTC heater using an ohmic resistor (4). The correction current is generated and additively superimposed exclusively for suppressing the third harmonic of the heating current of the PTC heater. |
| US07884502B2 |
Deployable power supply system
A self-contained conveyable power unit for producing 12V/24V, 110V AC, and 220V AC electricity at a desired location independent of external power sources integrates within one weather-resistant molded nonmetallic material based housing a power generating device of a selectable combination of a renewable energy type (e.g., solar), power management devices, power storage devices and management reporting devices. Additional optional power generating devices, renewable or of traditional fuel type, can be contained within or coupled to the housing. The system includes devices or an array of devices contained within the housing for the storage of electrical power. A device for power management is contained within the housing as is networking equipment of wireless or wired type for remote system observation and reporting. The system and housing are modular and configured to produce power using any combination of renewable and non-renewable energy resources. The conveyable power unit may provide easy access to different types of power outputs and inputs and be coupled with like appliances in a ‘daisy chain’ or network of power. Given its molded composite material construction and scaleable design, the appliance may be readily fabricated in a variety of sizes for varied applications. Further, the molded housing of composite material construction is designed for resistance to the elements, light weight and strength. |
| US07884500B2 |
High voltage array converter
A direct current to pulse amplitude modulated (“PAM”) current converter, denominated a “PAMCC”, is connected to an individual source of direct current. The PAMCC receives direct current and provides pulse amplitude modulated current at its output. An array of PAMCCs constructed in accordance with the present invention form a distributed multiphase inverter whose combined output is the demodulated sum of the current pulse amplitude modulated by each PAMCC. The array is configured as a series of stages, wherein the power sources within each stage are in parallel. The series of stages provides for a high voltage AC or DC output. In some embodiments a weak power source is compensated for by adjusting the voltage or the current of the weak power source. |
| US07884498B2 |
Method and arrangement for the energy-saving operation of dishwashers
In a method and an apparatus for operation of a dishwasher, a total maximum electric output is assigned to a group of electric consumer elements of the dishwasher. In addition, at least two output levels are assigned to each electric consumer element of said group. An optimum combination of output levels is then selected in a requirement determination step, based on an operational state B of the dishwasher, whereby for each consumer element the selected output level is adapted to the output requirement of the consumer element in operational state B and the total output of all consumer elements does not exceed the maximum electric total output. The output levels of the individual consumer elements are optimally adapted in accordance with the requirements in operating phases of the dishwasher, thus allowing a response to be made to any fluctuations in the operational state. |
| US07884497B2 |
Power supply circuit
Provided is a power supply circuit generating a desired voltage by voltage multiplication, and satisfying both a demand to reduce current consumption and a demand to enable operation with a low power voltage at the same time. A power supply circuit of the present invention includes: a voltage generating circuit for generating internal voltages VI1 and VI2 from a power supply voltage VDD; a voltage step-up/down circuit for generating voltages VO1 to VO3 each having a different level by multiplying the internal voltages VI1 and VI12; and a voltage comparison circuit for comparing the voltage VO2 with the power supply voltage VDD. The voltage generating circuit is configured to select one of the internal voltages VI1 and VI2 according to an output of the voltage comparison circuit. Additionally, a voltage multiplication rate of the voltage multiplication circuit is switched according to the output of the voltage comparison circuit. |
| US07884491B2 |
Power turbine speed control using electrical load following
A power turbine speed control system for a turbo-shaft type gas turbine engine that has a gas generator compressor spool and a power turbine spool and drives an electrical generator that powers at least one electrical load by way of at least one electrical bus, comprises a power turbine controller that senses the rotary speed of the power turbine spool and generates at least one signal that changes the torque of the electrical generator in response to the sensed change in the rotary speed of the power turbine spool. |
| US07884490B1 |
Resonating blade for electric power generation
An apparatus for generating electric current from a vibrating blade exposed to a fluid flow. in one embodiment, a plurality of blades are secured within a tail cone of a steam turbine and each blade includes a magnet and a coil associated with the magnet to produce electric current in the coil when the magnet moves across the coil. Each blade is designed to have a natural frequency so that the blade will resonate under the influence of the exhaust flow from the turbine in the tail cone. Abutment members are mounted on the blade or the fixed support to limit the range of motion of the vibrating blade so that it does not exceed the fatigue limit. The blades are made from a low damping material such as titanium so that a low frequency is produced. |
| US07884486B2 |
Chip-stacked package structure and method for manufacturing the same
A chip stacked package structure and applications are provided. The chip-stacked package structure includes a main substrate, a baseboard substrate, and a molding compound. The main substrate has a substrate and a first chip. The substrate has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The first chip is disposed on the first surface and electrically connected to the substrate via first bumps. The baseboard substrate has a third surface and a fourth surface faced towards the substrate. The baseboard substrate includes a core layer having a plurality of first through holes and a first accommodation space in which the first chip is received. The second chip is disposed on the third surface of the baseboard substrate. The molding compound is used to encapsulate the main substrate, and the baseboard substrate. |
| US07884482B2 |
Flip-chip mounting substrate
It is a flip-chip mounting substrate according to the invention has a wiring pattern in which bonding pads and predetermined parts of lead wires continuously extending from the bonding pads are exposed from an insulating layer or a solder resist. In the flip-chip mounting substrate, exposed parts of the wiring pattern are formed in to a plurality of different shapes. The exposed parts are formed so that the areas of the bonding pads are substantially equal to one another, and that the total areas of predetermined parts of the lead wires continuously extending from the bonding pads are substantially equal to one another. |
| US07884478B2 |
Semiconductor apparatus
In a semiconductor apparatus having a plurality of wiring layers, the semiconductor apparatus includes a bonding pad formed by an uppermost wiring layer, a first-layer plug wire formed by a first lower wiring layer in a region under the bonding pad, and a first conductive plug connecting the bonding pad and the first-layer plug wire. The first-layer plug wire may include a plurality of first-layer plug wires arranged in parallel to one another in a stripe pattern. |
| US07884477B2 |
Air gap structure having protective metal silicide pads on a metal feature
A hard mask is formed on an interconnect structure comprising a low-k material layer and a metal feature embedded therein. A block polymer is applied to the hard mask layer, self-assembled, and patterned to form a polymeric matrix of a polymeric block component and containing cylindrical holes. The hard mask and the low-k material layer therebelow are etched to form cavities. A conductive material is plated on exposed metallic surfaces including portions of top surfaces of the metal feature to form metal pads. Metal silicide pads are formed by exposure of the metal pads to a silicon containing gas. An etch is performed to enlarge and merge the cavities in the low-k material layer. The metal feature is protected from the etch by the metal silicide pads. An interconnect structure having an air gap and free of defects to surfaces of the metal feature is formed. |
| US07884476B2 |
Semiconductor device
Embodiments relate to a semiconductor device. In embodiments, the semiconductor device may include a semiconductor substrate having a first metal line; a pre-metal dielectric (PMD) layer over the first metal line on the semiconductor substrate; a first metal layer formed in a first contact hole in the PMD layer; a second metal layer formed in a second contact hole in the PMD layer; and a second metal line electrically connected to the first and second metal layers, respectively, over the PMD layer, wherein the first and second metal layers are located at prescribed positions and configured to be electrically connected to the first metal line. |
| US07884470B2 |
Semiconductor packages with stiffening support for power delivery
Embodiments of the invention relate to semiconductor packages in which electrical power is delivered to die-side components removably installed in sockets formed between a package stiffener and an electrical conductor. To this purpose, the package stiffener and the electrical conductor may be electrically coupled to the power and ground terminals of the semiconductor package. |
| US07884467B2 |
Package structure of a microphone
A kind of microphone package structure includes at least of a substrate, a sound processing unit, an upper cap and other devices. There would be at least one trench set on the substrate, and a separation gap between the trench and the bonding pad of the substrate is maintained. After connective paste is smeared on the surface of the substrate, the trench would be assembled with other devices. This kind of package structure could prevent a short circuit being caused by the overflowing of the connective paste. |
| US07884461B2 |
System-in-package and manufacturing method of the same
The present invention discloses a structure of package comprising: a substrate with a die receiving through hole and a contact conductive via formed therein, a die disposed within the die receiving through hole, a surrounding material filled in the gap except the die area of the die receiving though hole, a re-distribution layer formed on the substrate and coupled to the contact conductive via, a protection layer formed over the re-distribution layer, a cover material formed over the protection layer; and a terminal contact pad formed on the lower surface of the substrate and under the contact conductive via and the die to couple the contact conductive via. |
| US07884458B2 |
Decoupling capacitor, wafer stack package including the decoupling capacitor, and method of fabricating the wafer stack package
A decoupling capacitor, a wafer stack package including the decoupling capacitor, and a method of fabricating the wafer stack package are provided. The decoupling capacitor may include a first electrode formed on an upper surface of a first wafer, a second electrode formed on a lower surface of a second wafer, and an adhesive material having a high dielectric constant and combining the first wafer with the second wafer. In the decoupling capacitor the first and second electrodes operate as two electrodes of the decoupling capacitor, and the adhesive material operates as a dielectric of the decoupling capacitor. |
| US07884452B2 |
Semiconductor power device package having a lead frame-based integrated inductor
A semiconductor power device package having a lead frame-based integrated inductor is disclosed. The semiconductor power device package includes a lead frame having a plurality of leads, a inductor core attached to the lead frame such that a plurality of lead ends are exposed through a window formed in the inductor core, a plurality of bonding wires, ones of the plurality of bonding wires coupling each of the plurality of lead ends to adjacent leads about the inductor core to form the inductor, and a power integrated circuit coupled to the inductor. In alternative embodiments, a top lead frame couples each of the plurality of lead ends to adjacent leads about the inductor core by means of a connection chip. |
| US07884450B2 |
Growth of boron nanostructures with controlled diameter
A process for growth of boron-based nanostructures, such as nanotubes and nanowires, with a controlled diameter and with controlled chemical (such as composition, doping) as well as physical (such as electrical and superconducting) properties is described. The boron nanostructures are grown on a metal-substituted MCM-41 template with pores having a uniform pore diameter of less than approximately 4 nm, and can be doped with a Group Ia or Group IIa electron donor element during or after growth of the nanostructure. Preliminary data based on magnetic susceptibility measurements suggest that Mg-doped boron nanotubes have a superconducting transition temperature on the order of 100 K. |
| US07884449B2 |
Process for precision placement of integrated circuit overcoat material
The present invention provides a process for manufacturing an integrated circuit (IC) package and an integrated circuit (IC) package. The process, without limitation, includes providing an integrated circuit chip having a configuration, and forming a layer of overcoat material over the integrated circuit chip based upon the configuration. |
| US07884441B2 |
Semiconductor device having polysilicon bit line contact
Provided are a semiconductor device and a method of fabricating the same. The semiconductor device includes a plurality of device isolation layers disposed in a semiconductor substrate, the device isolation layers extending in a word line direction and spaced apart from each other; a plurality of floating gate devices extending in a bit line direction perpendicular to the device isolation layer and spaced apart from each other; a source region and a drain region disposed at sides of the floating gate device; an insulation layer disposed on the floating gate device and the source region, and a polysilicon line extending in the word line direction and connected to the drain region. |
| US07884434B2 |
Photoelectric conversion apparatus, producing method therefor, image pickup module and image pickup system
A photoelectric conversion apparatus has a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements arranged on a semiconductor substrate, a plurality of wiring layers arranged on the semiconductor substrate through the first and second insulation layers, and a high refractive index region which is arranged in an opening part that is arranged in the interlayer insulation layer so as to correspond to the photoelectric conversion element and has a higher refractive index than the interlayer insulation layers, wherein an area of a cross section parallel to a photoreceiving plane of the photoelectric conversion element in the high refractive index region increases as the position approaches to an upper part of the substrate from a photoreceiving plane of the photoelectric conversion element, namely, as the position approaches to a light-incident plane, and the increasing rate continuously increases with the increase of the area. |
| US07884429B2 |
Impact sensor and method for manufacturing the impact sensor
An impact sensor comprises a silicon substrate; an insulating layer formed over the silicon substrate; a plurality of beams having flexibility that are formed of conductive silicon material; a fixing portion to fix a fixed end of each of the beams, the fixing portion being formed of conductive silicon material; a fixed end line at whose one end is formed the fixing portion, the fixed end line being formed of conductive silicon material on the insulating layer; and a free end line having a pressing portion that faces a free end of each of the beams via a space, the free end line being formed of conductive silicon material on the insulating layer. Respective beam widths, each measured in a direction orthogonal to a length direction joining the fixed end and the free end, of the plurality of beams are set different from each other, thus reducing the space occupied by the sensor. |
| US07884427B2 |
Applying epitaxial silicon in disposable spacer flow
A process for forming active transistors for a semiconductor memory device by the steps of: forming transistor gates having generally vertical sidewalls in a memory array section and in periphery section; implanting a first type of conductive dopants into exposed silicon defined as active area regions of the transistor gates; forming temporary oxide spacers on the generally vertical sidewalls of the transistor gates; after the step of forming temporary spacers, implanting a second type of conductive dopants into the exposed silicon regions to form source/drain regions of the active transistors; after the step of implanting a second type of conductive dopants, growing an epitaxial silicon over exposed silicon regions; removing the temporary oxide spacers; and forming permanent nitride spacers on the generally vertical sidewalls of the transistor gates. |
| US07884425B2 |
Non-volatile memory devices
In one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes a substrate having first and second active regions. The first active region includes a first source and drain regions and the second active region includes a second source and drain regions. A first interlayer dielectric is located over the substrate. A first conductive structure extends through the first interlayer dielectric. A first bit line is on the first interlayer dielectric. A second interlayer dielectric is on the first interlayer dielectric. A contact hole extends through the second and first interlayer dielectrics. The device includes a second conductive structure within the contact hole and extending through the first and second interlayer dielectrics. A second bit line is on the second interlayer dielectric. A width of the contact hole at a bottom of the second interlayer dielectric is less than or substantially equal to a width at a top of the second interlayer dielectric. |
| US07884417B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor storage device, and method for controlling nonvolatile semiconductor storage device
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided, a nonvolatile semiconductor storage device including: a substrate; a stacked portion that includes a plurality of conductor layers and a plurality of insulation layers alternately stacked on the substrate, at least one layer of the plurality of conductor layers and the plurality of insulation layers forming a marker layer; a charge accumulation film that is formed on an inner surface of a memory plug hole that is formed in the stacked portion from a top surface to a bottom surface thereof; and a semiconductor pillar that is formed inside the memory plug hole through the charge accumulation film. |
| US07884416B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit
A semiconductor integrated circuit according to an example of the present invention includes a semiconductor substrate, an element isolation insulating layer formed in a surface region of the semiconductor substrate, and first and second MIS type devices isolated from each other by the element isolation insulating layer and formed in adjacent first and second element regions in a second direction orthogonal to a first direction. Each of the first and second MIS type devices has a stack gate structure having a floating gate and a control gate electrode. The first MIS type device functions as an aging device, and the second MIS type device functions as a control device which controls an electric charge retention characteristic of the aging device. |
| US07884415B2 |
Semiconductor memory device having multiple air gaps in interelectrode insulating film
In a semiconductor device, each of a plurality of floating gate electrodes has an upper end, a lower end and an intermediate portion between the upper and lower ends and is formed so that the intermediate portion has a smaller length in a gate-length direction than each of the upper and lower ends. Each of a plurality of control gate electrodes has an upper end, a lower end and an intermediate portion between the upper and lower ends and is formed so that the intermediate portion has a smaller length in a gate-length direction than each of the upper and lower ends. Each of a plurality of inter-electrode insulating films includes a first air gap formed in a first portion corresponding to the intermediate portion of each floating gate electrode and a second air gap formed in a second portion corresponding to the intermediate portion of each control gate electrode. |
| US07884411B2 |
Area-efficient gated diode structure and method of forming same
An area-efficient gated diode includes a semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type, an active region of a second conductivity type formed in the semiconductor layer proximate an upper surface thereof, and at least one trench electrode extending vertically through the active region and at least partially into the semiconductor layer. A first terminal of the gated diode is connected to the trench electrode, and a second terminal is connected to the active region. The gated diode is operative in one of at least first an second modes as a function of a voltage potential applied between the first and second terminals. The first mode is characterized by the creation of an inversion layer in the semiconductor layer surrounding the trench electrode. The gated diode has a first capacitance in the first mode and a second capacitance in the second mode, the first capacitance being greater than the second capacitance. |
| US07884409B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of fabricating the same
A semiconductor device and methods of fabricating the same, wherein insulation layers are interposed to sequentially dispose the semiconductor device on a semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor device includes a first conductive plate, a second conductive plate, a third conductive plate, and a fourth conductive plate. At least two of the first second, third and fourth conductive plates are electrically connected and constitute at least two capacitors. |
| US07884408B2 |
One-transistor random access memory technology compatible with metal gate process
One-transistor RAM technology compatible with a metal gate process fabricates a metal gate electrode formed of the same metal material as a top electrode of a MIM capacitor embedded isolation structure. A gate dielectric layer is formed of the same high-k dielectric material as a capacitor dielectric of the MIM capacitor embedded isolation structure. |
| US07884406B2 |
Semiconductor device including ferroelectric capacitor
A semiconductor device includes a ferroelectric capacitor formed above the lower interlevel insulating film covering a MOS transistor formed on a semiconductor substrate, including lamination of a lower electrode, an oxide ferroelectric film, a first upper electrode made of conductive oxide having a stoichiometric composition AOx1 and an actual composition AOx2, a second upper electrode made of conductive oxide having a stoichiometric composition BOy1 and an actual composition BOy2, where y2/y1>x2/x1, and a third upper electrode having a composition containing metal of the platinum group; and a multilayer wiring structure formed above the lower ferroelectric capacitor, and including interlevel insulating films and wirings. Abnormal growth and oxygen vacancies can be prevented which may occur when the upper electrode of the ferroelectric capacitor is made of a conductive oxide film having a low oxidation degree and a conductive oxide film having a high oxidation degree. |
| US07884403B2 |
Magnetic tunnel junction device and memory device including the same
The output voltage of an MRAM is increased by means of an Fe(001)/MgO(001)/Fe(001) MTJ device, which is formed by microfabrication of a sample prepared by the following steps. A single-crystalline MgO (001) substrate 11 is prepared. An epitaxial Fe(001) lower electrode (a first electrode) 17 with the thickness of 50 nm is grown on a MgO(001) seed layer 15 at room temperature, followed by annealing under ultrahigh vacuum (2×10−8 Pa) and at 350° C. A MgO(001) barrier layer 21 with the thickness of 2 nm is epitaxially formed on the Fe(001) lower electrode (the first electrode) at room temperature, using a MgO electron-beam evaporation. A Fe(001) upper electrode (a second electrode) with the thickness of 10 nm is then formed on the MgO(001) barrier layer 21 at room temperature. This is successively followed by the deposition of a Co layer 21 with the thickness of 10 nm on the Fe(001) upper electrode (the second electrode) 23. The Co layer 21 is provided so as to increase the coercive force of the upper electrode 23 in order to realize an antiparallel magnetization alignment. |
| US07884399B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of fabricating the same
A semiconductor device and a method of fabricating the same include a gate electrode formed over the silicon substrate, the gate electrode including low-concentration conductive impurity regions, a high-concentration conductive impurity region formed between the low-concentration conductive impurity regions and a first silicide layer formed over the high-concentration conductive impurity region, and contact electrodes including a first contact electrode connected electrically to the gate electrode and a second contact electrode connected electrically to source/drain regions. The first contact electrode contacts the uppermost surface of the gate electrode and a sidewall of the gate electrode. The gate electrode can be easily connected to the contact electrode, the high-concentration region can be disposed only on the channel region, making it possible to maximize overall performance of the semiconductor device. |
| US07884394B2 |
III-nitride devices and circuits
A III-nitride based high electron mobility transistor is described that has a gate-connected grounded field plate. The gate-connected grounded field plate device can minimize the Miller capacitance effect. The transistor can be formed as a high voltage depletion mode transistor and can be used in combination with a low voltage enhancement-mode transistor to form an assembly that operates as a single high voltage enhancement mode transistor. |
| US07884392B2 |
Image sensor having through via
One embodiment exemplarily described herein can be characterized as an image sensor including a substrate having a front surface and a rear surface; a photoelectric converting portion on the front surface of the substrate; a through via extending through the substrate, wherein the through via is electrically connected to the photoelectric converting portion; an external connection terminal on the rear surface of the substrate, wherein the external connection terminal is connected to the through via; and a light shading layer formed on a portion of the rear surface of the substrate, wherein the light shading layer is substantially opaque with respect to an external light. In some embodiments, the portion of the rear surface of the substrate on which the light shading layer is formed is not overlapped by the through via or the external connection terminal. |
| US07884389B2 |
Bipolar power semiconductor component comprising a p-type emitter and more highly doped zones in the p-type emitter, and production method
Bipolar power semiconductor component comprising a p-type emitter and more highly doped zones in the p-type emitter, and production method. The invention relates to a bipolar power semiconductor component comprising a semiconductor body (1), in which a p-doped emitter (8), an n-doped base (7), a p-doped base (6) and an n-doped main emitter (5) are arranged successively in a vertical direction (v). The p-doped emitter (8) has a number of heavily p-doped zones (82) having a locally increased p-type doping. |
| US07884388B2 |
Light emitting diode having a first GaN layer and a first semiconductor layer each having a predetermined thickness and fabrication method therof
A light emitting diode (LED) and a method for fabricating the same, capable of improving brightness by forming a InGaN layer having a low concentration of indium, and whose lattice constant is similar to that of an active layer of the LED, is provided. The LED includes: a buffer layer disposed on a sapphire substrate; a GaN layer disposed on the buffer layer; a doped GaN layer disposed on the GaN layer; a GaN layer having indium disposed on the GaN layer; an active layer disposed on the GaN layer having indium; and a P-type GaN disposed on the active layer. Here, an empirical formula of the GaN layer having indium is given by In(x)Ga(1−x)N and a range of x is given by 0 |
| US07884380B2 |
Semiconductor light emitting device
This invention discloses a light emitting semiconductor device including a light-emitting structure and an external optical element. The optical element couples to the light-emitting structure circumferentially. In addition, the refractive index of the external optical element is greater than or about the same as that of a transparent substrate of the light-emitting structure, or in-between that of the transparent substrate and the encapsulant material. |
| US07884377B2 |
Light emitting device, method of manufacturing the same and monolithic light emitting diode array
A light emitting device including: at least one light emitting stack including first and second conductivity type semiconductor layers and an active layer disposed there between, the light emitting stack having first and second surfaces and side surfaces interposed between the first and second surfaces; first and second contacts formed on the first and second surface of the light emitting stack, respectively; a first insulating layer formed on the second surface and the side surfaces of the light emitting stack; a conductive layer connected to the second contact and extended along one of the side surfaces of the light emitting stack to have an extension portion adjacent to the first surface; and a substrate structure formed to surround the side surfaces and the second surface of the light emitting stack. |
| US07884376B2 |
Optoelectronic semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
An embodiment of the invention discloses an optoelectronic semiconductor device comprising a semiconductor system capable of performing a conversion between light energy and electrical energy; an interfacial layer formed on at least two surfaces of the semiconductor system; an electrical conductor; and an electrical connector electrically connecting the semiconductor system to the electric conductor. |
| US07884372B2 |
Diamond UV-Ray sensor
Au base electrode materials have fatal disadvantages, such as inferior adhesion to diamond, low mechanical strength, and low thermal stability.A diamond UV sensor is provided which includes a photoconductive or Schottky optical sensor element having two-terminal electrodes and detects light irradiating a light-receiving portion according to the changes in electrical resistance or photo-induced current of the material of the light-receiving portion. The sensor element includes diamond having a surface from which a conductive surface layer has been removed, and the surface of the diamond is used as the light-receiving portion and a junction interface with the electrodes. The electrodes include a rectifying and an ohmic electrode. The rectifying electrode is transparent electrode capable of transmitting light and is defined by a single layer made of a nitride of a refractory metal element. The ohmic electrode includes a first layer made of a reactive elementary metal that can react with diamond to form a carbide or a carbon-containing solid solution, and a second layer made of a nitride of a refractory metal element. |
| US07884371B2 |
LED backlight device and LCD device
A backlight device includes a first substrate, and an LED thin-film layered structure (epitaxially grown inorganic material layers) fixed to a surface of the first substrate. An anode electrode and a cathode electrode are formed on the LED thin-film layered structure. An anode driver IC and a cathode driver IC are provided for driving the LED thin-film layered structure. A wiring structure electrically connects the anode driver IC and the anode electrode of the LED thin-film layered structure, and electrically connects the cathode driver IC and the cathode electrode of the LED thin-film layered structure. A second substrate has an optical transparency and is disposed to face the surface of the first substrate on which the LED thin-film layered structure is formed. A phosphor is formed on a surface of the second substrate facing the first substrate and is disposed on a position corresponding to the LED thin-film layered structure. |
| US07884370B2 |
Organic light emitting diode display and method for manufacturing the same
A method for manufacturing an organic light emitting diode display includes disposing a crystalline semiconductor layer on a substrate, disposing a gate line, a driving input electrode, and a driving output electrode on the crystalline semiconductor layer, the gate line including a switching control electrode, patterning the crystalline semiconductor layer using the gate line, the driving input electrode, and the driving output electrode as a mask, disposing a gate insulating layer and an amorphous semiconductor layer on the gate line, the driving input electrode, and the driving output electrode, disposing a data line, a driving voltage line, a switching output electrode, and a driving control electrode on the amorphous semiconductor, the data line including a switching input electrode, disposing a pixel electrode connected to the driving output electrode, disposing a light emitting member on the pixel electrode, and disposing a common electrode on the light emitting member. |
| US07884368B2 |
Thin film transistor, method for manufacturing the same and display using the same
One embodiment of the present invention is a thin film transistor having a gate electrode formed on an insulating substrate, a gate wire connected to the gate electrode, a capacitor electrode, a capacitor wire connected to the capacitor electrode, a gate insulator formed on the gate electrode, an oxide semiconductor pattern formed on the gate insulator, a sealing layer formed on the oxide semiconductor pattern, a drain electrode and a source electrode formed on the sealing layer, a drain wire connected to the drain electrode and a pixel electrode connected to the source electrode, the drain wire and the pixel electrode being in the same layer as the drain electrode and the source electrode. Wherein the gate wire, the capacitor electrode and the capacitor wire are in the same layer as the gate electrode, and wherein the sealing layer does not cover a connection part of the source electrode and a connection part of the drain electrode and wherein the drain electrode and the source electrode are connected to the oxide semiconductor pattern via the connection part of the drain electrode and the connection part of the source electrode. |
| US07884367B2 |
Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof, SOI substrate and display device using the same, and manufacturing method of the SOI substrate
A polycrystalline Si thin film and a single crystal Si thin film are formed on an SiO2 film deposited on an insulating substrate. A polycrystalline Si layer is grown by thermally crystallizing an amorphous Si thin film so as to form the polycrystalline Si thin film. A single crystal Si substrate, having (a) an SiO2 film thereon and (b) a hydrogen ion implantation portion therein, is bonded to an area of the polycrystalline Si thin film that has been subjected to etching removal, and is subjected to a heating process. Then, the single crystal Si substrate is divided at the hydrogen ion implantation portion in an exfoliating manner, so as to form the single crystal Si thin film. As a result, it is possible to provide a large-size semiconductor device, having the single crystal Si thin film, whose property is stable, at a low cost. |
| US07884361B2 |
Pattern-print thin-film transistors with top gate geometry
A self-aligned, thin-film, top-gate transistor and method of manufacturing same are disclosed. A first print-patterned mask is formed over a metal layer by digital lithography, for example by printing with a phase change material using a droplet ejector. The metal layer is then etched using the first print-patterned mask to form source and drain electrodes. A semiconductive layer and an insulative layer are formed thereover. A layer of photosensitive material is then deposited and exposed through the substrate, with the source and drain electrodes acting as masks for the exposure. Following development of the photosensitive material, a gate metal layer is deposited. A second print-patterned mask is then formed over the device, again by digital lithography. Etching and removal of the photosensitive material leaves the self-aligned top-gate electrode. |
| US07884349B2 |
Selection device for re-writable memory
A memory cell including a memory element and a non-ohmic device (NOD) that are electrically in series with each other is disclosed. The NOD comprises a semiconductor based selection device operative to electrically isolate the memory element from a range of voltages applied across the memory cell that are not read voltages operative read stored data from the memory element or write voltages operative to write data to the memory element. The selection device may comprise a pair of diodes that are electrically in series with each other and disposed in a back-to-back configuration. The memory cell may be fabricated over a substrate (e.g., a silicon wafer) that includes active circuitry. The selection device and the semiconductor materials (e.g., poly-silicon) that form the selection device are fabricated above the substrate and are integrated with other thin film layers of material that form the memory cell. |
| US07884344B2 |
Phase change memory device resistant to stack pattern collapse and a method for manufacturing the same
A phase change memory device resistant to stack pattern collapse is presented. The phase change memory device includes a silicon substrate, switching elements, heaters, stack patterns, bit lines and word lines. The silicon substrate has a plurality of active areas. The switching elements are connected to the active areas. The heaters are connected to the switching elements. The stack patterns are connected to the heaters. The bit lines are connected to the stack patterns. The word lines are connected to the active areas of the silicon substrate. |
| US07884342B2 |
Phase change memory bridge cell
Memory devices are described along with manufacturing methods. An embodiment of a memory device as described herein includes a conductive bit line and a plurality of first electrodes. The memory device includes a plurality of insulating members, the insulating members having a thickness between a corresponding first electrode and a portion of the bit line acting as a second electrode. The memory device further includes an array of bridges of memory material having at least two solid phases, the bridges contacting respective first electrodes and extending across the corresponding insulating member to the bit line. The bridges define an inter-electrode path between the corresponding first electrode and the bit line defined by the thickness of the insulating member. |
| US07884336B2 |
Sponge sanitizing enclosure
Sponge sanitizing enclosure with a front cover, a rear cover, an inner back plate, a base housing, a push plate, a push button, a UV lamp, electronics to support the UV lamp, a battery power supply, a translucent sponge, and a hinge member. The front and rear cover each being dish shaped and forming a hollow housing and being joined at their base by the hinge member. The inner back plate forms a bisection of the front cover and the rear cover. The UV light is located between the rear cover and the inner back plate. The front cover includes a centrally located aperture that accepts the push button which is fixedly attached to the push plate. The space between the push plate and the inner back plate accommodates the translucent sponge. The base housing encloses the electronics and the battery power supply that support the UV lamp. |
| US07884329B2 |
Device and method for detecting electromagnetic radiation
A device for detecting electromagnetic radiation, with a diode structure acting absorbingly for the electromagnetic radiation and having a diode, and an ascertainer for ascertaining a measurement value for the absorbed electromagnetic radiation by means of at least two current/voltage measurements at the diode for different pairs of a diode current and a diode voltage. |
| US07884328B2 |
Microbolometer with improved mechanical stability and method of manufacturing the same
Provided are a microbolometer having a cantilever structure and a method of manufacturing the same, and more particularly, a microbolometer having a three-dimensional cantilever structure, which is improved from a conventional two-dimensional cantilever structure, and a method of manufacturing the same. The method includes providing a substrate including a read-out integrated circuit and a reflective layer for forming an absorption structure, forming a sacrificial layer on the substrate, forming a cantilever structure having an uneven cross-section in the sacrificial layer, forming a sensor part isolated from the substrate by the cantilever structure, and removing the sacrificial layer. |
| US07884327B2 |
Vein imaging apparatus, vein imaging method and vein authentication apparatus
A vein imaging apparatus of the present invention includes: a lens array to which a plurality of light receiving lenses are arranged in an array shape; a plurality of near-infrared light irradiation sources which are respectively arranged at opposing ends of the lens array and which irradiate a part of a living body with near-infrared light; an imaging element which generates a pickup image of a vein based on near-infrared light which is collected by the lens array and which is scattered in the living body and penetrates through the vein; and a brightness adjustment unit which adjusts brightness of the near-infrared light radiated from the near-infrared light irradiation source in accordance with a synchronization signal for controlling the imaging element and distance from the near-infrared light irradiation source. |
| US07884326B2 |
Manipulator for rotating and translating a sample holder
A manipulator for use in e.g. a Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) is described, said manipulator capable of rotating and translating a sample holder (4). The manipulator clasps the round sample holder between two members (3A, 3B), said members mounted on actuators (2A, 2B). Moving the actuators in the same direction results in a translation of the sample holder, while moving the actuators in opposite directions results in a rotation of the sample holder. |
| US07884318B2 |
Systems, methods, and computer-readable medium for determining composition of chemical constituents in a complex mixture
Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for determining composition of chemical constituents in a complex mixture are disclosed. According to one aspect, a method for determining composition of chemical constituents in a complex mixture includes generating, using a separation tool and a mass spectrometer, separation and mass spectrometry data of a sample, wherein the separation data includes peak information and wherein the mass spectrometry data includes primary and secondary mass spectrometry data. The analysis results, including the generated separation and mass spectrometry data, are collected and stored. A chemical constituent of the sample is determined by comparing the analysis results to a library of information indicating characteristics of chemical entities, where the comparison is based on the separation and mass spectrometry information. The library of information includes data generated by the separation tool and mass spectrometer, and also includes separation and mass spectrometry data for both identified and unidentified chemical entities. An indication of the chemical constituent of the sample is made available in human-accessible form. |
| US07884315B2 |
Invisible, light-transmissive display system
An invisible, light-transmissive display system with a light resistant material is provided. Substantially invisible holes penetrate through at least a portion of the light resistant material in a predetermined light-transmissive display pattern. |
| US07884306B2 |
Oven and a food delivery vehicle comprising said oven
A convection oven for use in a food delivery vehicle comprises an oven cavity with an air inlet and an air outlet, an air feed conduit for feeding an air feed into the oven cavity through the air inlet and a heating arrangement for heating the air feed before it is fed into the oven cavity, the heating arrangement comprising a heating device that is electrically powered and being arranged to maintain a temperature of at least 130° C. in the oven cavity. A food delivery vehicle may comprise such an oven and the oven may be heatable from an electric current provided by the engine of the vehicle. |
| US07884305B2 |
Weld bead shape control
Disclosed are techniques and compositions for arc welding consumables such as electrodes that reduce the energy otherwise required for the welding. Particularly, the techniques and electrode compositions can reduce the extent of contamination of weld metal in an arc welding operation. The techniques and compositions promote exothermic reactions during the welding process which reduce the energy otherwise required of the arc. Lower energy arcs can be of shorter length, which thereby reduce the potential for weld contamination by agents from the atmosphere or shielding gas. The techniques and compositions can also be used to selectively tailor shape of the resulting weld, achieve particular weld deposition rates, achieve particular cooling rates and thus influence weld properties, and also enable formation of certain phases in the weld metal. |
| US07884303B2 |
Laser thin film poly-silicon annealing optical system
A high, energy, high repetition rate workpiece surface heating apparatus is disclosed which comprise a XeF laser producing a laser output light pulse beam, an optical system narrowing the laser output light pulse beam in the short axis of the laser output light pulse beam and expanding the laser output light pulse beam to form in a long axis of the beam a workpiece covering extent of the long axis, the optical system focuses the laser output light pulse beam at a field stop with a magnification sufficient to maintain an intensity profile that has sufficiently steep sidewalls to allow the field stop to maintain a sufficiently steep beam profile at the workpiece. |
| US07884302B2 |
Plasma processing installation, influenced by a magnetic field, for processing a continuous material or a workpiece
An installation for the plasma processing of a continuous material (1) includes an evacuatable discharge chamber (3a, 3b) and a device for setting a gas atmosphere in the discharge chamber (3a, 3b). The device for setting a gas atmosphere includes a prechamber system (10, 11, 12) and a postchamber system (2), with sluice openings between the chambers (2, 3a, 3b, 10, 11, 12). The continuous material (1) is guided with low friction through the prechamber system (10, 11, 12) and the postchamber system (2). The device for setting a gas atmosphere includes a recovery system wherein gas can be recirculated from a postchamber (2a . . . 2k) into a prechamber (10, 11, 12) and/or postchamber (2a . . . 2k) having a higher pressure level so that processing is effected in a gas-saving manner. |
| US07884301B2 |
Device and method for separation of microparticles in particular biohazardous and hazardous materials
A device and method for sorting microparticles including a nozzle for a separating stream, with a vibration generator for the dispersion of the separation flow into a droplet flow with a deflector device for separation of the droplet flow into a through flow and at least one side flow depending on signals from an analytical device configured to analyze the microparticles (s) contained in the droplets and to control the deflector device. Also provided is a protective chamber in which at least the nozzle, the oscillation generator and the deflector device are arranged. The analytical device is outside the safety cabinet wherein the protective chamber is part of the safety cabinet with a clean chamber and a monitoring device through which the signals of the microparticles arising from the separating stream are supplied to the detectors of the analytical device, arranged outside the safety cabinet. |
| US07884300B2 |
Method of carbon nanotube separation, dispersion liquid and carbon nanotube obtained by the separation method
A method of realizing selective separation of metallic single-walled carbon nanotubes and semiconducting carbon nanotubes from bundled carbon nanotubes; and obtaining of metallic single-walled carbon nanotubes separated at high purity through the above method. Metallic single-walled carbon nanotubes are dispersed one by one from bundled carbon nanotubes not only by the use of a difference in interaction with amine between metallic single-walled carbon nanotubes and semiconducting carbon nanotubes due to a difference in electrical properties between metallic single-walled carbon nanotubes and semiconducting carbon nanotubes but also by the use of the fact that an amine is an important factor in SWNTs separation. The thus dispersed carbon nanotubes are subjected to centrifugation, thereby attaining separation from non-dispersed semiconducting carbon nanotubes. |
| US07884298B2 |
Switch for a switchgear assembly for power supply and distribution
A switch for a switching unit for energy supply and distribution includes a first connection and a second connection, each with a cylindrical bolt. The bolts are axially adjacent one another and spaced apart. An annular sleeve with an inner diameter larger than the diameter of the bolts, is arranged in such a way that it can be axially displaced on the bolt of the first connection, and partially on the bolt of the second connection. At least a first contact element is arranged between the surface of the bolt of the first connection and the inner surface of the annular sleeve. At least a second contact element is arranged and constructed in such a way that it can be positioned between the surface of the bolt of the second connection and the inner surface of the annular sleeve. The switch has an annular third connection, the inner diameter of which is greater than an outer diameter of the annular sleeve, and which is arranged such that the sleeve can be shifted between the bolts of the first connection and the annular third connection. At least a third contact element is arranged and constructed in such a way that it can be positioned between the inner surface of the annular third connection and the outer surface of the annular sleeve. |
| US07884296B2 |
Side-surface light-emitting unit and illuminated panel using the same
The present invention is a side-surface light-emitting unit to illuminate one or more illuminated objects disposed on a flat surface to extend in one direction, from a side surface of the illuminated object and includes a light guiding body which is disposed along the side surface of the illuminated object and emits light toward the side surface of the illuminated object, and an LED disposed at at least one end of light guiding body, an upper surface and a lower surface of the light guiding body except the side surface facing the object being optically shielded. It is possible to brightly illuminate objects such as key switches or the like from one end of the arrangement along a direction of the arrangement by uninterrupted continuous emission light. |
| US07884294B2 |
Rolling-ball switch
A rolling-ball switch includes a housing defining at least two receiving sections, at least one separating member provided in the housing between the two receiving sections, at least two conductive balls disposed rollably and respectively in the receiving sections, a pair of first terminals extending into one of the receiving sections to contact one of the conductive balls, and a pair of second terminals extending into the other one of the receiving sections to contact the other one of the conductive balls. The conductive balls are rollable toward the respective pairs of the first and second terminals in a first direction. The separating member prevents movement of the conductive balls from one of the receiving sections to the other one of the receiving sections. |
| US07884293B2 |
Control for the electrical actuation of a lock on a lid or on a door in a vehicle
Such a control (10) firstly has a control housing (11) with a control rocker switch (21) which is mounted on the control housing in such a way that it can be rocked and at least two electrical wires in the interior of the housing, which protrude from the control housing (11) and are attached to an electrical drive of one lock. An electrical switch which in turn has a switch housing with a ductile snap disc (40), which interacts with at least two rest contacts as articulated contact when a switch actuator deforms the snap disc, is normally a part of this control. The rest contacts are connected to the wires in the control housing (11). In order to manufacture an economical and space-saving device, it is proposed that the control housing (11) is also used as the switch housing and that the control rocker switch (21) is also utilized as the switch actuator. That way the rest contacts of the switch and the wires are formed from one part in the control housing (21) and make up a grill insert in the control housing (21). The control housing (21) has a support bearing (37) in the area of the grill insert, at which the snap disc (40) is supported with its bearing points. |
| US07884289B2 |
Method for manufacturing an electronic assembly; an electronic assembly, a cover and a substrate
The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing an electronic assembly (50) comprising an electronic component, a cavity and a substrate which method comprises; —providing an electronic component (10) having a first pattern with a substantially closed configuration; —providing a cover (18) on a surface of the electronic component, which cover together with said surface defines a cavity (20), the closed configuration of the first pattern substantially enclosing the cover at said surface; —providing a substrate (30) having a second pattern with a substantially closed configuration, which closed configuration at least partially corresponds to the closed configuration of the first pattern and comprises a solder pad; —disposing solder material at the solder pad; —positioning the electronic component and the substrate so as to align both the substantially closed configurations of the first and second pattern, while the substrate supports a top surface (28) of the cover; —reflow-soldering the solder material, therewith providing a soldered connection (52) between the first and second pattern. Furthermore the present invention relates to an electronic assembly (50), a cover (18) and a substrate (30). |
| US07884285B2 |
Systems for efficient insulation of electrical structures
An animal protectant power line electrical insulator to be placed on structures such as electrical apparatus to protect birds, wildlife and other animals. Specifically the insulator may include, a snap-fit insulating cover configured to fit over an energized part of an electrical structure of a power line, a resiliently flexible separable juncture for application onto the power line and secure closure; and perhaps even at least one formed eye on the cover. A cover may hold itself in place and may be made from plastic, fiberglass, PVC, or other semi-rigid, non-conductive material; molded, formed, or fabricated to fit a desired application. |
| US07884284B2 |
Energy cable comprising a dielectric fluid and a mixture of thermoplastic polymers
A cable includes at least one electrical conductor and at least one extruded covering layer including a thermoplastic polymer material in admixture with a dielectric liquid, wherein the thermoplastic polymer material includes (a) at least 75% by weight, with respect to the total weight of the thermoplastic polymer material, of at least one copolymer of at least two α-olefin co-monomers, the copolymer having a melting enthalpy lower than 25 J/g; and (b) an amount equal to or less than 25% by weight with respect to the total weight of the thermoplastic polymer material of at least one propylene homopolymer or propylene copolymer with at least one α-olefin, the at least one propylene homopolymer or propylene copolymer having a melting enthalpy higher than 25 J/g and a melting point higher than 130° C. The covering layer has a melting enthalpy equal to or lower than 40 J/g, and the concentration by weight of the dielectric liquid in the thermoplastic polymer material is lower than the saturation concentration of the dielectric liquid in the thermoplastic polymer material. |
| US07884282B2 |
Swellable tapes and yarns to replace strand filling compounds
A cable has a conductor and an insulator over the conductor. The conductor includes a first layer of at least one conductor element, a second layer of conductor elements, disposed over the first layer, and an intermediate water blocking layer, between the first and second conductor layers. The intermediate water block layering has at least one longitudinally applied water swellable yarn and at least one helically applied water swellable yarn. |
| US07884279B2 |
Solar tracker
A two-axis solar tracker is capable of withstanding extreme weather conditions. The solar tracker includes a solar array, a frame, a base, a pivot frame, and a first and second actuator. The solar array is mounted to the frame and captures sunlight. The base is pivotally connected to the frame and defines a pivot axis for elevational movement of the solar array. The pivot frame is also pivotally connected to the frame and defines a pivot axis for azimuthal movement of the solar array. The first actuator controls elevational movement of the solar array and the second actuator controls azimuthal movement of the solar array. The solar tracker is pivotable between a raised position and a stowed position. |
| US07884277B2 |
Apparatus for the conversion of electromagnetic radiation in electric energy and corresponding process
An apparatus is described that converts electromagnetic radiation into electric current, of the type comprising a plurality of junctions between a first element (11; 111) of material with conduction through carriers of positive charge and a second element (12; 112) of a material with conduction through carriers of negative charge, said plurality of junctions defining a plurality of couples (10; 111, 112) comprising a hot junction (19) and a cold junction (18), said plurality of couples (10; 110) receiving a thermal flow (FT) generated by a radiation (R) incident in the direction of a region (172) including the hot junction (19), said apparatus (20; 30; 70; 170; 190) including a device (25; 75; 175) to guide said radiation (R) towards said plurality of couples (10; 111, 112). According to the invention, said first element (11; 111) of material with conduction through carriers of positive charge and/or said second element (12; 112) of material with conduction through carriers of negative charge comprise nanostructured materials and in that said device to guide said radiation (R) comprises a plurality of guiding elements (25; 75) that guide said radiation (R) onto faces (19; 39; 119) exposed to said radiation (R) of the respective first element (11) and second element (12) of the couples (10). |
| US07884275B2 |
Music creator for a client-server environment
A system and method are provided wherein a server based music creator is accessible by a client for the creation of composite audio files. The method and system receives, from a remote client computer via a network connection, a play sequence for playing audio segments, wherein a play sequence identifies one or more audio segments and associates at least one temporal location in a playback timeline with each audio segment. A composite audio file including each audio segment identified in the play sequence is generated, such that the composite audio file when played plays each audio segment identified by the play sequence at each audio segment's associated temporal location(s). The composite audio file is then transmitted to the client computer. In another non-limiting example, the play sequence includes one or more track sequences. In a further non-limiting example, a server computer coupled to a communications network transmits to the client computer, computer-executable instructions for generating and displaying a graphical user interlace. The graphical user interface allows a user to select audio segments accessible to the server computer but not directly available to the remote client computer from the server computer, to arrange the audio segments into a play sequence by identifying temporal locations within the play sequence at which the audio segments should be played, and to transmit the play sequence to the server computer. |
| US07884274B1 |
Adaptive personalized music and entertainment
A method and system for providing a personalized entertainment experience that is customized for each user. The history of user control actions (such as “forward” and “back”) associated with each played composition are captured as positive or negative user feedback about each composition. A customized sequence of compositions may be automatically generated for each user by utilizing the prior history of user control actions. The personalized sequence automatically adapts to changing user feedback over time. The user's collection of compositions is automatically integrated with the generated customized sequence. Additional compositions and samples, that are new to a user, may be automatically chosen based on the prior user feedback history and may be added to the user's collection when positive user feedback occurs during playback. |
| US07884268B2 |
Soybean variety D5247567
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated D5247567. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety D5247567. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety D5247567 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety D5247567 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods. |
| US07884264B2 |
Compositions and methods for inhibition of fucosyltransferase and xylosyltransferase expression in duckweed plants
Methods for altering the N-glycosylation pattern of proteins in higher plants are provided. In some embodiments, the methods comprise introducing into a duckweed plant a recombinant RNAi construct that provides for the inhibition of expression of α1,3-fucosyltransferase (FucT) and β1,2-xylosyltransferase (XylT). Use of these RNAi constructs to inhibit or suppress expression of both of these enzymes, and isoforms thereof, advantageously provides for the production of endogenous and heterologous proteins having a “humanized” N-glycosylation pattern without impacting plant growth and development. Stably transformed higher plants, including duckweed plants, having this protein N-glycosylation pattern are provided. Glycoprotein compositions, including monoclonal antibody compositions, having substantially homogeneous glycosylation profiles, and which are substantially homogeneous for the G0 glycoform, are also provided. |
| US07884263B2 |
Alteration of tobacco alkaloid content through modification of specific cytochrome P450 genes
Compositions and methods for reducing the level of nornicotine and N′-nitrosonornicotine (NNN) in Nicotiana plants and plant parts thereof are provided. The compositions comprise isolated polynucleotides and polypeptides for cytochrome P450s that are involved in the metabolic conversion of nicotine to nornicotine in these plants. Expression cassettes, vectors, plants, and plant parts thereof comprising inhibitory sequences that target expression or function of the disclosed cytochrome P450 polypeptides are also provided. Methods for the use of these novel sequences to inhibit expression or function of cytochrome P450 polypeptides involved in this metabolic conversion are also provided. The methods find use in the production of tobacco products that have reduced levels of nornicotine and its carcinogenic metabolite, NNN, and thus reduced carcinogenic potential for individuals consuming these tobacco products or exposed to secondary smoke derived from these products. |
| US07884258B2 |
Wound contact device
A therapeutic device for promoting the healing of a wound in a mammal is disclosed. An exemplary device comprises a permeable structure having a plurality of depressions formed in a surface thereof. In use, the surface having the depressions is disposed adjacent a surface of the wound. A method of treating a wound comprises the steps of providing a permeable structure comprising a plurality of randomly disposed fibers and having i) a plurality of wound surface contact elements disposed between end portions of the structure, and ii) a plurality of voids defined by the contact elements; and applying the permeable structure to at least one surface of the wound. |
| US07884247B2 |
Salt of dimethylaminomethyl-phenyl-cyclohexane and crystalline forms thereof
Novel 3-[2-(dimethylamino)methyl-(cyclohex-1-yl)]-phenol maleate compounds corresponding to formula I and processes for preparing these compounds are provided. Pharmaceutical compositions including these compounds and methods of treating or alleviating pain with these compounds are also provided. |
| US07884244B2 |
Therapeutic fluoroethylcyano guanidines
Disclosed herein is compound having a formula as described herein. Therapeutic methods, compositions, and medicaments related thereto are also disclosed. |
| US07884238B2 |
Process for the long-term operation of a heterogeneously catalyzed partial gas phase oxidation of an organic starting compound
A process for the long-term operation of a heterogeneously catalyzed partial gas phase oxidation of an organic starting compound, in which the reaction gas input mixture is partially oxidized over a fixed catalyst bed which is accommodated in two successive temperature zones A, B whose temperature is changed with increasing operating time such that the initially lower temperature increases and the difference between the two temperatures decreases. |
| US07884234B2 |
N-phenyloxamide derivatives
A compound represented by the following general formula (I) or a salt thereof, or a hydrate thereof or a solvate thereof having an inhibitory action against plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1): wherein R1 represents a C6-10 aryl group; or a C6-10 aryl group substituted with a group or groups selected from the group consisting of a halogen atom, cyano group, nitro group, a C1-6 alkyl group, a halogenated C1-6 alkyl group, a C1-6 alkoxy group, a halogenated C1-6 alkoxy group and a C1-6 alkylsulfanyl group, R2 represents a C6-10 aryl group; or a C6-10 aryl group substituted with a group or groups selected from the group consisting of a halogen atom, hydroxy group, a C1-6 alkyl group, a halogenated C1-6 alkyl group, a C1-6 alkoxy group, a halogenated C1-6 alkoxy group, a C1-6 alkylsulfanyl group and phenyl group, X represents a single bond or oxygen atom, Z represents a phenylene group or a substituted phenylene group, m represents 0 or 1. |
| US07884231B2 |
Process to produce an enriched composition
A process is provided for producing an enriched carboxylic acid compositions produced by contacting composition comprising a carboxylic acid with an enrichment feed in an enrichment zone to form an enriched carboxylic acid composition. This invention also relates to a process and the resulting compositions for removing catalyst from a carboxylic acid composition to produce a post catalyst removal composition. |
| US07884230B2 |
Process for chemical recycling of post consumption poly(ethylene terephthalate) and apparatus for chemical recycling of post consumption polyethylene terephthalate
A process for the chemical recycling of post consumption polyethylene terephthalate which includes the steps of performing the depolymerization of polyethylene terephthalate based upon a hydrolysis reaction which causes a rupture in of the ester bonds formed between the polymer precursors of terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol at the time of polymerization to recover terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol. The advantages of the present process are the working conditions at low to moderate pressure, at temperatures of 215 to 450° C., allowing the process to reach the energy level required to achieve the desired polyethylene terephthalate hydrolysis and simultaneously promoting the separation and purification of the terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol formed in this hydrolysis reaction. |
| US07884229B2 |
Method for making a polyether monomer
A method for making a polyether monomer having at least one unsaturated site per molecule and having a desired number of alkoxyl repeating units includes the steps of reacting an active hydrogen-containing monomer having at least one unsaturated site per molecule with an alkyl oxide in the presence of an alkoxylation catalyst and a polymerization inhibitor at a temperature from about 30° C. to less than 45° C. to produce a polyether monomer. In one embodiment, from about 5 to about 1000 parts by weight of a phenothiazine polymerization inhibitor per one million parts by weight of the active hydrogen-containing monomer phenothiazine compound is used as the polymerization inhibitor. |
| US07884218B2 |
Benzoindole-based compound and dye-sensitized solar cell using the same
A benzoindole-based compound represented by Formula 1 below, a dye including the benzoindole-based compound, and a dye-sensitized solar cell including the dye: is prepared at a low cost, has a high molar absorption coefficient, and high photoelectron conversion efficiency, as compared to a conventional ruthenium dye. The benzoindole-based dye is an organic dye including an N-aryl electron donor and an acidic functional group an electron acceptor. |
| US07884215B2 |
2-substituted benzimidazoles
Inhibitors of RSV replication of formula (I) the addition salts and stereochemically isomeric forms thereof, wherein Q is hydrogen, C1-6alkyl optionally substituted with a heterocycle or Q is C1-6alkyl substituted with both —OR4 and a heterocycle; wherein said heterocycle is oxazolidine, thiazolidine, 1-oxo-thiazolidine, 1,1-dioxothiazolidine, morpholinyl, thiomorpholinyl, 1-oxo-thiomorpholinyl, 1,1-dioxothiomorpholinyl, hexahydrooxazepine, hexahydro-thiazepine, 1-oxo-hexahydrothiazepine, 1,1-dioxo-hexahydrothiazepine, pyrrolidine, piperidine, homopiperidine, piperazine; which heterocyle may be substituted with 1-2 substituents; each Alk is C1-6alkanediyl; R1 is Ar2 or optionally substituted piperidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholinyl, thiomorpholinyl, pyridyl, pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrimidinyl, furanyl, tetrahydro-furanyl, thienyl, pyrrolyl, thiazolyl, oxazolyl, imidazolyl, isothiazolyl, pyrazolyl, isoxazolyl, oxadiazolyl, quinolinyl, quinoxalinyl, benzofuranyl, benzothienyl, benzimidazolyl, benzoxazolyl, benzthiazolyl, pyridopyridyl, naphthiridinyl, 1H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridinyl, 3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridinyl, imidazo[1,2-a]pyridinyl or 2,3-dihydro-1,4-dioxino[2,3-b]pyridyl; R3 is hydroxyC1-6alkyl, C1-6alkoxyC1-6alkyl, cyanoC1-6alkyl, aminocarbonyl-C1-6-alkyl, mono- or di(C1-6alkyl)aminocarbonyl-C1-6-alkyl, carboxyl-C1-6-alkyl, C1-6alkoxycarbonyl-C1-6alkyl; R2 is hydrogen or C1-6alkyl; R3 and R4 are hydrogen, C1-6alkyl, Ar2, Ar2C1-6alkyl, C1-6alkylcarbonyl, Ar2carbonyl, Ar2C1-6alkylcarbonyl, C1-6alkylsulfonyl, aminosulfonyl, Ar1sulfonyl, Ar1C1-6alkylsulfonyl, C1-6alkyloxyC1-6alkyl, aminoC1-6alkyl, mono- or di(C1-6alkyl)-aminoC1-6alkyl, hydroxyC1-6alkyl, aminocarbonylC1-6alkyl, C1-4alkyloxycarbonyl-C1-6alkyl, hydroxycarbonylC1-6alkyl, aminosulfonylC1-6alkyl, Het, Het-C1-6alkyl, Het-carbonyl, Het-sulfonyl, HetC1-6alkylsulfonyl, Het-C1-6alkylcarbonyl; Het is an optionally substituted heterocycle; pharmaceutical compositions containing compounds (I) and processes for preparing compounds (I). |
| US07884214B2 |
Process for the preparation of Telmisartan
The present invention encompasses a method for the preparation of Telmisartan comprises, through Telmisartan dihydrochloride comprises i) Condensing 4-Methyl-2-n-propyl-1H-benzimidazole-6-carboxylic acid with N-Methyl-O-phenylenediamine dihydrochloride to yields 4-methyl-6 (1-methyl benzimidazol-2-yl)-2-n-propyl 1H-benzimidazole ii) Treating 4-methyl-6-(1-methylbenzimidazol-2-yl)-2-n-propyl-1H-benzimidazole with 4′-(bromomethyl)-2-biphenyl-2-carboxylate in presence of a base in an organic solvent and isolating the ester as acid addition salt iii) Converting ester acid addition salt to Telmisartan dihydrochloride and iv) Converting Telmisartan dihydrochloride to Telmisartan. |
| US07884212B2 |
Process for the preparation of candesartan cilexetil
The present invention provides an improved synthesis for the manufacture of candesartan and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters thereof as active ingredients of a medicament for the treatment of hypertension and related diseases and conditions which comprises the removal of the tetrazolyl protecting group in an organic solvent, and in the presence of a Lewis acid. |
| US07884209B2 |
Use of bora-tetraazapentalenes
The present invention relates to the use of bora-tetraazapentalenes with the general formula A as redox-dopant and/or emitter in electronic, optoelectronic or electroluminescent structural elements. |
| US07884207B2 |
Substituted imidazoquinolines, imidazopyridines, and imidazonaphthyridines
Imidazo-quinoline, -pyridine, and -naphthyridine ring systems (particularly quinolines, tetrahydroquinolines, pyridines, [1,5]naphthyridines, [1,5]tetrahydronaphthyridines) substituted at the 1-position with a cyclic substituent, pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds, methods of making these compounds, and methods of use of these compounds as immunomodulators, for inducing cytokine biosynthesis in animals and in the treatment of diseases including viral and neoplastic diseases are disclosed. |
| US07884205B2 |
Salts of aripiprazole
The present invention relates to acid addition salts of aripiprazole, a process for preparing said acid addition salts and their use to prepare or purify aripiprazole in the form of a free base or in the form of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt. |
| US07884204B2 |
Phenylalanine derivatives
Phenylalanine derivatives of the following formula, analogues thereof and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof have an antagonistic activity to α4 integrin. They are used as therapeutic agents or preventive agents for various diseases concerning α4 integrin in which α4 integrin-depending adhesion process participates in the pathology, such as inflammatory diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel diseases, systemic lupus erythematosus, multiple sclerosis, Sjögren's syndrome, asthma, psoriasis, allergy, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, arterial sclerosis, restenosis, tumor proliferation, tumor metastasis and transplantation rejection. wherein R1 is a methyl group and R2 is a methoxy group. |
| US07884203B2 |
Method of sucralose synthesis yield
The invention discloses a method for improving the yield of sucralose, including reacting sucrose to produce sucrose-6-acetate in the existence of an azo reagent as a catalyst and acetic acid as an acylating agent in a proper solvent; then reacting sucrose-6-acetate with a proper chlorinating agent to produce sucralose-6-acetate in a non-proton polar solvent with TCA as a catalyst; and at last, alcoholyzing sucralose-6-acetate in KOH/methanol to obtain sucralose. |
| US07884197B2 |
Synthetic agonists of TLR9
The invention provides novel oligonucleotide-based compounds that individually provide distinct immune response profiles through their interactions as agonists with TLR9. The TLR9 agonists according to the invention are characterized by specific and unique chemical modifications, which provide their distinctive immune response activation profiles. |
| US07884196B2 |
Vaccine composition comprising methylated DNA and immunomodulatory motifs
The present invention relates generally to compositions and methods using mammalian, dsDNA (Double Stranded Deoxyribonucleic Acid) vaccination for the induction and maintenance of regulator suppressor T cells resulting in suppression of non infectious, and post infectious, inflammatory, allergic, auto-immune, vasculitic, certain degenerative vascular, and graft versus host diseases, with or without the use of IL-10, and with or without the use or TGFβ, with or without the use of anti-IL 6 receptor antibody, anti TNF antibody and or Plasmapheresis, IVIG, Corticosteroids, Methotrexate, Bromocriptine, and or vitamin D analogues. |
| US07884188B2 |
Complement inhibitors
The invention relates to complement inhibitors that inhibit both the classical and alternative complement pathways. In particular, the invention relates to complement inhibitors derived from the salivary glands of haematophagous arthropods that inhibit both the classical and alternative complement pathways. The invention also relates to the use of such complement inhibitors in the treatment and prevention of diseases. |
| US07884170B2 |
Stable ethylpolysilicates with greater than fifty percent available SiO2 and methods for making the same
A stable MQ resin solution with over 50% SiO2 and having viscosity of 50 cps at 25° C. to about 750 cps at 25° C. and which is essential free of monomer is disclosed. The stable resin solution is made by a two step addition of catalysts wherein a hydrolysis catalysts, as for example, hydrochloric acid is added initially and a second catalysts such as Phosphonitrilic chloride trimer is added subsequently. |
| US07884164B2 |
Catalyst system for olefin polymerization comprising trioxasilocane and method for olefin polymerization using the same
The present invention relates to a catalyst system for olefin polymerization and a method for olefin polymerization using the same. More particularly, the present invention relates to a Ziegler-Natta catalyst system for olefin polymerization comprising a transition metal compound as a main catalyst component, an organic metal compound as a cocatalyst component, and a cyclic organosilane compound, trioxasilocane as an external electron donor, and a method for olefin polymerization using the same. According to the present invention, a polyolefin having improved various properties such as polymerization activity, melt-flow ability, isotacticity, molecular weight distribution and apparent density can be produced. |
| US07884162B2 |
Copolymer comprising alkene, acrylate and unsaturated acid anhydride, and method for preparing the same
The present invention provides a copolymer that includes at least one alkene monomer, at least one acrylate monomer and at least one the unsaturated acid anhydride monomer, and a method of preparing the same. |
| US07884156B2 |
Elastomer compositions with carbon black
An elastomer composition includes an elastomer and a carbon black, wherein the carbon black is characterized as having a COAN of between about 90 and 150 ml/100 g, a BET of between 50 and 69 m2/g and a distribution index DI that is greater than 1.15, wherein the DI is a ratio of dw to dmode. In particular embodiments, the elastomer may be selected from one or more natural rubbers, one or more synthetic rubbers or combinations thereof. For example, the one or more synthetic rubbers may be selected from styrene butadiene rubber, butadiene rubber, polyisoprene rubber, butyl rubber or combinations thereof. Products made from the elastomer composition include tires and other products, particularly tires that include a sidewall, a carcass, a carcass reinforcement, tread and/or an undertread comprising the elastomeric composition. |
| US07884154B2 |
Rubber composition
The rubber composition of the invention includes a rubber composition which is a silica compounded rubber composition for tire containing 100 parts by weight of a rubber component made of (a) from 20 to 80% by weight of a vinyl-cis-polybutadiene rubber containing 1,2-polybutadiene having a melting point of 170° C. or higher and a high-molecular substance having at least one unsaturated double bond per a repeating unit and comprising at least one member selected from polyisoprene, crystalline polybutadiene having a melting point of not higher than 150° C., liquid polybutadiene and derivatives thereof and (b) from 80 to 20% by weight of a diene-based rubber other than (a); and (c) from 40 to 100 parts by weight of a rubber reinforcing agent containing 40% or more of silica, wherein the 1,2-polybutadiene is dispersed in a short crystalline fiber state and the high-molecular substance is dispersed in a granular state in the cis-polybutadiene rubber which is a matrix component of the subject vinyl-cis-polybutadiene rubber (a); and the short crystalline fiber of the 1,2-polybutadiene is dispersed in particles of the high-molecular substance. |
| US07884144B2 |
Hydrate inhibited latex flow improver
A process in which a mixture is agitated in a substantially oxygen-free environment to produce an agitated emulsion. The mixture comprises water, one or more surfactants, a hydrate inhibitor, and a monomer. The monomer is then polymerized in the emulsion using an initiator and a catalyst to form a hydrate inhibited latex drag reducer. |
| US07884143B2 |
Biopolymer-based composition for a power and/or telecommunications cable
The present invention relates to a power and/or telecommunications cable including at least one component element made of a material extruded from an extrudable composition, wherein said extrudable composition comprises a biopolymer selected from polymers of cellulose ester, polymers of starch complexed with a biodegradable polyester, polymers of polyhydroxyalkanoate, and/or polymers of polylactic acid comprising a mixture of polylactic and of polyester. |
| US07884142B2 |
Biodegradable copolymer and thermosensitive material
The disclosed is a biodegradable copolymer, an amphiphilic diblock copolymer, composed of a hydrophilic segment and a hydrophobic segment. The hydrophilic segment is an endcapped PEG or derivatives thereof. The hydrophilic segment is a random polymer polymerized of lactone or cyclic C3-C6 molecule and lactic acid/glycolic acid. There is no coupling agent between the hydrophilic and hydrophobic segments, and the biodegradable copolymer is formed by one-pot ring-opening polymerization. The biodegradable copolymer can be dissolved in water to form a thermosensitive material having a phase transfer temperature of 25 to 50° C., thereby being applied to biological activity factor delivery, tissue engineering, cell culture and biological glue. |
| US07884140B2 |
Compositions of materials containing recycled plastics
Techniques for creating recycled plastic materials from waste plastic materials are described. A recycled plastic material contains at least a primary polymer, a secondary polymer, and residual additives. Predetermined properties of the recycled plastic material can be controlled by selecting the types of waste plastic materials used in the recycling feed, determining the types and amounts of recycled plastic material recovered from a separation process and blending the recycled plastic material with other materials. |
| US07884139B2 |
Fischer-Tropsch catalyst
The present invention relates to a catalyst comprising particles of a cobalt and zinc co-precipitate, having a volume average particle size of less than 150 μm. Another aspect of the invention is the use of such a catalyst in a Fischer-Tropsch process.The present invention further relates to a method for preparing a catalyst comprising cobalt and zinc oxide, wherein an acidic solution comprising zinc ions and cobalt ions and a alkaline solution are contacted and the precipitate is isolated. |
| US07884134B2 |
Synthesis scheme for lacosamide
The present invention is concerned with an improved method of producing (R)-2-acetamido-N-benzyl-3-methoxypropionamide (lacosamide) comprising the O-methylation of a compound of formula I to produce a compound of formula II in a single step reaction. |
| US07884128B2 |
Process for total synthesis of pladienolide B and pladienolide D
Process for producing compound of Formula: wherein P2, P3 and R2 are the same as defined below, characterized by comprising reacting a compound represented by Formula (7): wherein P3 means a protecting group for hydroxy group; and Het means a 1-phenyl-1H-tetrazol-5-yl group, with a compound represented by Formula (8): wherein P2 means a protecting group for hydroxy group; and R2 means a phenyl group which may be substituted, in the presence of a base. |
| US07884127B2 |
Inhibitors of cyclin dependent kinases and their use
The present invention relates to novel compounds for the inhibition of cyclin-dependent kinases, and more particularly, to chromenone derivatives of formula (Ic) wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7 and A have the meanings indicated in the claims. The invention also relates to processes for the preparation of the compounds of formula (Ia), to methods of inhibiting cyclin-dependent kinases and of inhibiting cell proliferation, to the use of the compounds of formula (Ic) in the treatment and prophylaxis of diseases, which can be treated or prevented by the inhibition of cyclin-dependent kinases such as cancer, to the use of the compounds of formula (Ic) in the preparation of medicaments to be applied in such diseases. The invention further relates to compositions containing a compound of formula (Ic) either alone or in combination with another active agent, in admixture or otherwise in association with an inert carrier, in particular pharmaceutical compositions containing a compound of formula (Ic) either alone or in combination with another active agent, together with pharmaceutically acceptable carrier substances and auxiliary substances. |
| US07884125B2 |
Straightforward entry to 7-azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-1-carbonitriles and subsequent synthesis of epibatidine analogues
The present invention relates to a group of substituted-7-azabicyclo-[2.2.1]heptyl derivatives with biological activity. The present invention also relates to synthetic methods for producing said substituted-7-azabicyclo-[2.2.1]heptyl derivatives. The present invention also relates to certain intermediates for producing such substituted-7-azabicyclo-[2.2.1]heptyl derivatives, as well as a synthetic method for producing such intermediates. The present invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such substituted-7-azabicyclo-[2.2.1]heptyl derivatives, as well as their use as medicaments for the treatment of diseases mediated by a Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor or a receptor being a member of the Neurotransmitter-gated Ion Channel Superfamily, such as pain, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia, epilepsy and nicotine addiction. |
| US07884122B2 |
Extended release formulation and method of treating adrenergic dysregulation
A composition and method of treating adrenergic dysregulation by administering the composition is disclosed, wherein the composition comprises a a2-adrenergic receptor agonist; a pharmaceutically acceptable hydrophilic matrix and a release-retardant of a metal alkyl sulfate. In embodiments, the composition provides a sustained release of the agonist, wherein after administration of the composition no more than once about every 12 hours to a subject having a steady state plasma concentration of the a2-adrenergic receptor agonist, the agonist's plasma concentration peak-to-trough ratio is no greater than about 1.9. |
| US07884117B2 |
Carbonylamino pyrrolopyrazoles, potent kinase inhibitors
Carbonylamino Pyrrolopyrazole compounds of formula I, compositions including these compounds and methods of their use are provided. Preferred compounds of formula I have activity as protein kinase inhibitors, including as inhibitors of PAK4. |
| US07884116B2 |
Octahydronaphthalene derivative and medicine
It is an object of the invention to provide a novel octahydronaphthalene derivative with an activity of inhibiting ICAM-4 expression and a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The invention encompasses, for example, agents for suppressing ICAM-1, therapeutic agents for inflammatory diseases, therapeutic agents for rheumatoid arthritis, immunosuppressive agents, and agents for suppressing cell growth, comprising N-(pyridin-3-ylmethyl)-(2E,4E)-5-[(1S,2S,4aR,6R,7S,8S,8aS)-7-hydroxy-2,6,8-trimethyl-1,2,4a,5,6,7,8,8a-octahydronaphthalen-1-yl]-2-methylpenta-2,4-dienamide as an active ingredient. |
| US07884109B2 |
Purine and imidazopyridine derivatives for immunosuppression
The present invention provides novel purine and imidazopyridine derivatives useful for the prevention and treatment of autoimmune diseases, inflammatory disease, mast cell mediated disease and transplant rejection. The compounds are of the general formulas: |
| US07884106B2 |
Method of stabilizing lipid-rich plaque and method of preventing rupture thereof
A method of stabilizing lipid-rich plaques and method of preventing the rupture thereof, characterized in that an effective amount of 2-[4-[2-(benzimidazol-2-ylthio)ethyl]piperazin-1-yl]-N-[2,4-bis(methylthio)-6-methyl-3-pyridyl]acetamide, its acid adduct salt or a hydrate thereof is administered to patients with lipid-rich plaques. Prevention of plaque rupture and stabilization of plaques can be attained by reducing the occupancy of macrophages in lipid-rich plaques being unstable and tending to rupture among plaques being a lesion from a seat of atherosclerosis and simultaneously increasing the occupancy of collagen therein. |
| US07884104B2 |
Aminopiperidines as dipeptidyl peptidase-IV inhibitors for the treatment or prevention of diabetes
The present invention is directed to novel substituted aminopiperidines which are inhibitors of the dipeptidyl peptidase-IV enzyme (“DPP-IV inhibitors”) and which are useful in the treatment or prevention of diseases in which the dipeptidyl peptidase-IV enzyme is involved, such as diabetes and particularly Type 2 diabetes. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds and the use of these compounds and compositions in the prevention or treatment of such diseases in which the dipeptidyl peptidase-IV enzyme is involved. |
| US07884101B2 |
3-phenyl-pyrazole derivatives as modulators of the 5-HT2A serotonin receptor useful for the treatment of disorders related thereto
The present invention relates to certain 3-phenyl-pyrazole derivatives of Formula (Ia) and pharmaceutical compositions thereof that modulate the activity of the 5-HT2A serotonin receptor and are useful, optionally in combination with other pharmaceutical agents administered separately or together, in the treatment of platelet aggregation, coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, transient ischemic attack, angina, stroke, atrial fibrillation, reducing the risk of blood clot formation, asthma or symptoms thereof, agitation or a symptom, behavioral disorders, drug induced psychosis, excitative psychosis, Gilles de la Tourette's syndrome, manic disorder, organic or NOS psychosis, psychotic disorder, psychosis, acute schizophrenia, chronic schizophrenia, NOS schizophrenia and related disorders, and sleep disorders, sleep disorders, diabetic-related disorders, progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy and the like. |
| US07884099B2 |
Quinolone carboxylic acid-substituted rifamycin derivatives
The compounds include substituted rifamycin derivatives in which a quinolone carboxylic acid pharmacophore is covalently bonded to a benzoxazinorifamycin or a spiropiperidinorifamycin. The rifamycin derivatives are useful as antimicrobial agents and are effective against a number of human and veterinary Gram positive and Gram negative pathogens. The advantage of the inventive compounds is that both the rifamycin and quinolone antibacterial pharmacophores are co-delivered with matched pharmacokinetics to the targeted pathogens of interests. Delivery of multiple antibacterial pharmacophores simultaneously to the targeted pathogens has the maximum chance of achieving synergy and minimizing the development of resistance to the antibiotics given. |
| US07884095B2 |
Method of treating post-surgical acute pain
A method is provided for treating pain in patients recovering from post-surgical trauma by administering between about 13 to about 30 mg of diclofenac potassium in a liquid dispersible formulation over a period of at least 24 hours, wherein the daily total amount of diclofenac potassium administered is less than or equal to about 100 mg. The method is particularly useful in treating acute pain in bunionectomy patients. |
| US07884088B2 |
Functionalized organic oligomers using homogeneous modification method for molecular binding
A method of homogeneously forming functionalized biocompatible oligomers includes the steps of dissolving a biocompatible oligomer in a solvent to form a solution, and admixing at least one π complex forming group to the solution, wherein the π complex forming group grafts to at least one location on the backbone of the oligomer to form a grafted oligomer. The oligomer is preferably oligochitosan and the solvent is preferably dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). The degree of graft substitution can be at least 50%. The functionalized biocompatible oligomer can be used for drug detoxification through binding to a variety of target drugs. |
| US07884087B1 |
Amides of hyaluronic acid the derivatives thereof and a process for their preparation
An amide of hyaluronic acid or a derivative thereof which comprises at least one repetitive unit of general formula (I): wherein R═NR6R7, or alcoholic group of the aliphatic, aromatic, arylaliphatic, cycloaliphatic, heterocyclic series, OH, O—, alcoholic group of hyaluronic acid, amino group of deacylated hyaluronic acid; R1, R2, R3, R4═H, SO3—, acyl group derived from a carboxylic acid of the aliphatic, aromatic, arylaliphatic, cycloaliphatic, heterocyclic series, —CO—(CH2)2—COOY; Y═ negative charge, or H; R5═—CO—CH3, H, SO3—, acyl group derived from a carboxylic acid of the aliphatic, aromatic, arylaliphatic, cycloaliphatic, heterocyclic series, acylic group of hyaluronic acid; R6═ is H or a aliphatic, aromatic, arylaliphatic, cycloaliphatic, or heterocyclic group, substituted or unsubstituted; R7═ is H or an aliphatic, aromatic, arylaliphatic, cycloaliphatic, or heterocyclic group, substituted or unsubstituted; wherein at least one of R or R5 forms an amide group. |
| US07884085B2 |
Delivery of AS-oligonucleotide microspheres to induce dendritic cell tolerance for the treatment of autoimmune type 1 diabetes
AS-oligonucleotides are delivered in microsphere form in order to induce dendritic cell tolerance, particularly in the non-obese-diabetic (NOD) mouse model. The microspheres incorporate antisense (AS) oligonucleotides. A process includes using an antisense approach to prevent an autoimmune diabetes condition in NOD mice in vivo and in situ. The oligonucleotides are targeted to bind to primary transcripts CD40, CD80, CD86 and their combinations. |
| US07884084B2 |
Oligonucleotides which inhibit expression of the OB-RGRP protein
The present application relates to antisense oligonucleotides which inhibit expression of the OB-RGRP protein and to uses thereof for preventing and/or treating leptin-related pathological conditions.It also relates to a method for detecting compounds which modify the interaction between proteins of the OB-RGRP family and the leptin receptor. This detection may be carried out by measuring the energy transfer between fusion proteins composed of these proteins and of energy-donor and -acceptor proteins. |
| US07884082B2 |
Combined therapeutical treatment of hyperproliferative diseases
A medicinal combination of one or more nucleic acids that at least partially inhibit oncogenic cell signalling pathways, and a therapeutic anticancer agent, for use simultaneous, separate or over a period of time to treat hyperproliferative diseases. |
| US07884078B2 |
CPG15 compounds as insulin receptor and insulin-like growth factor receptor agonists
Disclosed herein are CPG15 and CPG15-2 compounds and inhibitors that act as agonists and antagonists of the insulin receptor and insulin-like growth factor receptors, and the use of such compositions for the treatment of insulin and insulin-like growth factor-related diseases. |
| US07884076B2 |
Multipeptide regimen for the treatment of autistic spectrum, behavioral, emotional and visceral inflammation/autoimmune disorders
The present invention provides compositions and methods for preventing and treating gastrointestinal disorders by administering to a subject an effective amount of secretin either alone or in combination with an effective amount of oxytocin. The invention also provides compositions and methods for preventing and treating central nervous system disorders by administering to a subject an effective amount of secretin in combination with an effective amount of oxytocin. The invention further provides compositions and methods for treating and preventing a variety of autoimmune diseases by administering to a subject an effective amount of secretin in combination with an effective amount of oxytocin. Additionally, the invention provides compositions and methods for preventing and treating pain by administering to a subject using a combination of an effective amount of secretin and an effective amount of oxytocin. The invention also provides kits for use in treating and/or preventing gastrointestinal disorders, central nervous system disorders, autoimmune diseases and pain comprising a combination of secretin and oxytocin. |
| US07884074B2 |
Compounds and methods for prevention and/or treatment of inflammation using the same
The invention is directed to compounds and methods for prevention and/or treatment of inflammation using the same. |
| US07884069B2 |
Methods of treating neurological conditions with hematopoeitic growth factors
The present invention relates to a method of treating a neurological condition in a mammal by administering at least one hematopoietic growth factor. |
| US07884067B2 |
Peptides derived from cadherin and methods of use thereof
The present invention provides polypeptides and peptides derived from cadherin. The polypeptides and peptides are useful in a method of inhibiting amyloid deposition and a method of inhibiting tumor metastasis. A method of determining susceptibility to Alzheimer's disease and a method of screening for agents that modify cadherin processing are also provided. |
| US07884066B2 |
NELL-1 enhanced bone mineralization
Provided herein are methods for enhancing bone mineralization for bone repair or regeneration and compositions and grafts therefor. Methods for screening agents that enhance or modulate NELL-1 gene expression or NELL-1 protein production in a cell are also provided. |
| US07884058B2 |
Stable colloidal suspensions and lubricating oil compositions containing same
A stable colloidal suspension comprising: (a) a dispersed phase comprising a major amount of one or more dispersed hydrated polymeric compounds selected from the group consisting of polymolybdates, polytungstates, polyvanadates, polyniobates, polytantalates, polyuranates, and mixtures thereof, and, (b) an oil phase comprising one or more dispersing agents and a diluent oil. Processes for preparing the stable colloidal suspensions and their use in lubricating oil compositions are also provided. |
| US07884057B2 |
Polycationic viscoelastic compositions
Viscoelastic compositions are disclosed herein containing an effective amount of one or more random or structurally defined polycationic quaternary ammonium compounds for controlling the viscoelasticity of the composition. In at least one aspect, the present technology provides polycationic quaternary ammonium compounds comprising bis-quaternary compounds. In another aspect, the present technology provides viscoelastic compositions that comprise polycationic quaternary ammonium compounds comprising bis-quaternary compounds. Preferred viscoelastic compositions of the present technology maintain viscoelasticity at a temperature greater than about 80° C., preferably greater than about 100° C. or about 110° C. when the amount of the one or polycationic quaternary compounds is less than about 10% by weight based on the total weight of the composition. |
| US07884056B2 |
Composition that can form a gel comprising a copolymer, and useful copolymers
The invention relates to a composition that can form a gel comprising a copolymer. Said composition is an aqueous composition, and the copolymer is a star copolymer. The invention also relates to useful copolymers, especially for the inventive compositions. |
| US07884046B2 |
Catalyst and process for hydrogenating carbonyl compounds
A process for hydrogenating an organic compound which has at least one carbonyl group, in which the organic compound is hydrogenated in the presence of a shaped article which contains (i) an oxidic material comprising copper oxide, aluminum oxide and lanthanum oxide, and (ii) powdered metallic copper, copper flakes, powdered cement, graphite or a mixture thereof, is provided. |
| US07884045B2 |
Regeneration of ionic liquid catalyst and recovery of an oil
A process for regenerating a used acidic ionic liquid catalyst, comprising: a. contacting the catalyst and hydrogen with a supported hydrogenation catalyst under hydrogenation conditions; and b. recovering a conjunct polymer that is a clear and colorless oil from the catalyst. A process for regenerating a used acidic ionic liquid catalyst which has been deactivated by conjunct polymers comprising the steps of contacting the used catalyst and hydrogen with a supported hydrogenation catalyst in a reaction zone under hydrogenation conditions in the presence of an inert hydrocarbon in which saturated conjunct polymers are soluble for a time sufficient to hydrogenate at least a portion of the conjunct polymers; and recovering the saturated conjunct polymers. Also, a process comprising: contacting the used acidic ionic liquid catalyst and hydrogen with a hydrogenation catalyst comprising a hydrogenation component under hydrogenation conditions; and recovering a conjunct polymer that is a clear and colorless oil. |
| US07884041B2 |
Optical glass
An optical glass has optical constants of a refractive index (nd) within a range from 1.73 to less than 1.80 and an Abbe number (νd) within a range from 43 to 55, comprises SiO2, B2O3, Y2O3, La2O3, ZnO and Li2O as essential components, is substantially free of lead component, arsenic component and fluorine component, has a ratio of SiO2/B2O3 of 0.30 to 1.55 and a ratio of Y2O3/La2O3 of 0.15 to 1.00, and has a glass transition temperature (Tg) of 620° C. or below. |
| US07884040B2 |
Optical glass
Optical glass has a refractive index of 1.83 or above and an Abbe number of 26 or less and contains SiO2, TiO2, Nb2O5 and Na2O as its essential constituents in such proportions on a final oxide basis that the amounts of its oxide constituents as expressed on a mass percentage basis may satisfy the relationship: (TiO2+Nb2O5)/(Na2O+K2O)=3.0 to 4.0. |
| US07884032B2 |
Thin film deposition
A system, method and apparatus is capable of producing layers of various materials stacked on one another on a substrate without exposing the substrate to the pressure and contaminants of ambient air until the stack is complete. In one aspect, the stack of layers can include both an insulative layer of one or more insulative films, and a conductive metal layer of one or more conductive metal layer films. In another aspect, a bias signal of positive and negative voltage pulses may be applied to a target of a deposition chamber to facilitate deposition of the target material in a suitable fashion. In yet another aspect, one or more of the deposition chambers may have associated therewith a pump which combines a turbomolecular pump and a cryogenic pump to generate an ultra high vacuum in that chamber. Other features are described and claimed. |
| US07884019B2 |
Poison-free and low ULK damage integration scheme for damascene interconnects
A method of forming a dual-damascene structure is disclosed. A lower dielectric hardmask layer and an upper dielectric hardmask layer are deposited on an ultra low-k film. A first via is formed in the upper hardmask layer. Next, a first trench is formed using the tri-layer resist scheme. Finally, a full via and a full trench are formed simultaneously. An optional etch-stop layer can be used in the ultra low-k layer to control trench depth. |
| US07884015B2 |
Methods for forming interconnects in microelectronic workpieces and microelectronic workpieces formed using such methods
Methods for forming interconnects in microelectronic workpieces and microelectronic workpieces formed using such methods are disclosed herein. One embodiment, for example, is directed to a method of processing a microelectronic workpiece including a semiconductor substrate having a plurality of microelectronic dies. The individual dies include integrated circuitry and a terminal electrically coupled to the integrated circuitry. The method can include forming a first opening in the substrate from a back side of the substrate toward a front side and in alignment with the terminal. The first opening has a generally annular cross-sectional profile and separates an island of substrate material from the substrate. The method can also include depositing an insulating material into at least a portion of the first opening, and then removing the island of substrate material to form a second opening aligned with at least a portion of the terminal. In several embodiments, the method may include constructing an electrically conductive interconnect in at least a portion of the second opening and in electrical contact with the terminal. |
| US07884014B2 |
Method of forming contact structure with contact spacer and method of fabricating semiconductor device using the same
A method of forming a contact structure with a contact spacer and a method of fabricating a semiconductor device using the same. In the method of forming a contact structure, an interlayer dielectric layer is formed on a semiconductor substrate. The interlayer dielectric layer is patterned, thereby forming a contact hole for exposing a predetermined region of the semiconductor substrate. A contact spacer is formed on a sidewall of the contact hole using a deposition method having an inclined deposition direction with respect to a main surface of the semiconductor substrate. The deposition direction may be set between the main surface and a normal with respect to the main surface. Further, there is provided a method of fabricating a semiconductor device using the method of forming the contact structure. |
| US07884010B2 |
Wiring structure and method for fabricating the same
A wiring structure has a silicon layer, a backing layer provided on the silicon layer, the backing layer comprising a copper alloy containing a manganese, and a copper layer provided on the backing layer, and a diffusion barrier layer having an electrical conductivity, the diffusion barrier layer being provided at a region including an interface between the silicon layer and the backing layer, in which a manganese in the diffusion barrier layer is enriched compared with the backing layer. |
| US07884007B2 |
Super high density module with integrated wafer level packages
A wafer level package, and a semiconductor wafer, electronic system, and a memory module that include one or more of the wafer level packages, and methods of fabricating the die packages on a wafer level, and integrated circuit modules that include one or more packages are provided. In one embodiment, the die package comprises a redistribution layer interconnecting two or more dies disposed on a substrate, typically a semiconductor wafer, the redistribution layer including a first trace connecting a bond pad of each of two dies, and a second trace connecting one of the bond pads of the two dies to a ball pad. The die package of the invention can comprise memory devices such as static random access memories (SRAMs), and can be incorporated into a variety of electronic systems as part of a memory package such as single in line memory modules (SIMMs) or dual in line memory modules. |
| US07884004B2 |
Maskless process for suspending and thinning nanowires
Semiconductor-based electronic devices and techniques for fabrication thereof are provided. In one aspect, a device is provided comprising a first pad; a second pad and a plurality of nanowires connecting the first pad and the second pad in a ladder-like configuration formed in a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) layer over a buried oxide (BOX) layer, the nanowires having one or more dimensions defined by a re-distribution of silicon from the nanowires to the pads. The device can comprise a field-effect transistor (FET) having a gate surrounding the nanowires wherein portions of the nanowires surrounded by the gate form channels of the FET, the first pad and portions of the nanowires extending out from the gate adjacent to the first pad form a source region of the FET and the second pad and portions of the nanowires extending out from the gate adjacent to the second pad form a drain region of the FET. |
| US07884002B2 |
Method of fabricating self aligned Schottky junctions for semiconductor devices
A method of fabricating a self-aligned Schottky junction (29) in respect of a semiconductor device. After gate etching and spacer formation, a recess defining the junction regions is formed in the Silicon substrate (10) and a SiGe layer (22) is selectively grown therein. A dielectric layer (24) is then provided over the gate (14) and the SiGe layer (22), a contact etch is performed to form contact holes (26) and the SiGe material (22) is then removed to create cavities (28) in the junction regions. Finally the cavities (28) are filled with metal to form the junction (29). Thus, a process is provided for self-aligned fabrication of a Schottky junction having relatively low resistivity, wherein the shape and position of the junction can be well controlled. |
| US07883995B2 |
Method of forming stable functionalized nanoparticles
A novel top-down procedure for synthesis of stable passivated nanoparticles uses a one-step mechanochemical process to form and passivate the nanoparticles. High-energy ball milling (HEBM) can advantageously be used to mechanically reduce the size of material to nanoparticles. When the reduction of size occurs in a reactive medium, the passivation of the nanoparticles occurs as the nanoparticles are formed. This results in stable passivated silicon nanoparticles. This procedure can be used, for example in the synthesis of stable alkyl- or alkenyl-passivated silicon and germanium nanoparticles. The covalent bonds between the silicon or germanium and the carbon in the reactive medium create very stable nanoparticles. |
| US07883992B2 |
Wafer dividing method
A laser beam is applied to an intersection area of each second street of a wafer by using a dicing apparatus to thereby form a first modified layer along the intersection area. Thereafter, the wafer is divided along each first street intersecting each second street at right angles to obtain a plurality of wafer strips. Thereafter, the laser beam is applied along the remaining area of each second street other than the intersection area to form a second modified layer along the remaining area of each second street. Thereafter, an external force is applied to each wafer strip in which the first and second modified layers have been formed along each second street, thereby dividing each wafer strip along each second street to obtain a plurality of devices. |
| US07883989B2 |
Method for manufacturing semiconductor device
It is an object of the invention to provide a peeling method which does not damage a peeling layer, and to perform peeling not only a peeling layer having a small-size area but also an entire peeling layer having a large-size area with a preferable yield. In the invention, after pasting a fixing substrate, a part of a glass substrate is removed by scribing or performing laser irradiation on the glass substrate which leads to providing a trigger. Then, peeling is performed with a preferable yield by performing peeling from the removed part. In addition, a crack is prevented by covering the entire face except for a connection portion of a terminal electrode (including a periphery region of the terminal electrode) with a resin. |
| US07883988B2 |
Method for manufacturing semiconductor substrate
One surface of a single crystal semiconductor substrate is irradiated with ions to form a damaged region in the single crystal semiconductor substrate. An insulating layer is formed over the one surface of the single crystal semiconductor substrate. A surface of a substrate having an insulating surface and a surface of the insulating layer are disposed in contact with each other to bond the substrate having the insulating surface and the single crystal semiconductor substrate to each other. Heat treatment is performed to divide the single crystal semiconductor substrate along the damaged region and to form a semiconductor layer over the substrate having the insulating surface. One surface of the semiconductor layer is irradiated with light from a flash lamp under conditions where the semiconductor layer is not melted, to repair a defect. |
| US07883983B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, includes: forming a gate insulating film on a semiconductor substrate; forming a first metal film on the gate insulating film; forming a second metal film on the first metal film; and patterning a stacked film of the first and second metal films such that the stacked film is left in a gate electrode formation region and a resistive element formation region. The method further includes: removing the second metal film in the resistive element formation region with protecting a contact hole formation region. The method further includes: forming an interlayer insulating film so as to cover the stacked film; and removing the interlayer insulating film formed in the contact hole formation region to form a contact hole leading to the second metal film. |
| US07883982B2 |
Monitor pattern of semiconductor device and method of manufacturing semiconductor device
A plurality of diffused resistors and a plurality of wirings (resistive elements) are alternately disposed along a virtual line, and those diffused resistors and wirings are connected in series by contact vias. In the same wiring layer as that of the wirings, a dummy pattern is formed so as to surround a formation region of the wirings and the diffused resistors. A space between the dummy pattern and the wirings is set in accordance with, for example, a minimum space between wirings in a chip formation portion. |
| US07883980B2 |
Insulated gate field effect transistor having passivated schottky barriers to the channel
A transistor includes a semiconductor channel disposed nearby a gate and in an electrical path between a source and a drain, wherein the channel and at least one of the source or the drain are separated by an interface layer so as to form a channel-interface layer-source/drain junction in which a Fermi level of the semiconductor channel is depinned in a region near the junction and the junction has a specific contact resistance of less than approximately 1000 Ω-μm2. The interface layer may include a passivating material such as a nitride, a fluoride, an oxide, an oxynitride, a hydride and/or an arsenide of the semiconductor of the channel. In some cases, the interface layer consists essentially of a monolayer configured to depin the Fermi level of the semiconductor of the channel, or an amount of passivation material sufficient to terminate all or a sufficient number of dangling bonds of the semiconductor channel to achieve chemical stability of the surface. Also, the interface layer may include a separation layer of a material different than the passivating material. Where used, the separation layer has a thickness sufficient to reduce effects of metal-induced gap states in the semiconductor channel. |
| US07883979B2 |
Method for manufacturing a semiconductor device with reduced floating body effect
A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a first device situated on the substrate, the first device including a source and a drain each situated extending a first depth within the substrate, and a second device situated on the substrate, the second device including a source and a drain each situated extending a second depth within the substrate, the second depth not equal to the first depth. |
| US07883976B2 |
Structure and method for manufacturing device with planar halo profile
A semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the device with a planar halo profile is provided. The semiconductor device can be a MOSFET. The method of forming the structure includes forming an angled spacer adjacent a gate structure and implanting a halo implant at an angle to form a halo profile having low dopant concentration near a gate dielectric under the gate structure. The structure includes an underlying wafer or substrate and an angled gate spacer having an upper portion and an angled lower portion. The upper portion is structured to prevent halo dopants from penetrating an inversion layer of the structure. The structure further includes a low concentration halo dopant within a channel of a gate structure. |
| US07883973B2 |
Method of forming semiconductor wells
A method is provided of forming a semiconductor device. A substrate is provided having a dielectric layer formed thereover. The dielectric layer covers a protected region of the substrate, and has a first opening exposing a first unprotected region of the substrate. A first dopant is implanted into the first unprotected region through the first opening in the dielectric layer, and into the protected region through the dielectric layer. |
| US07883965B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for fabricating the same
A semiconductor device includes a device isolation structure, a recess channel structure, and a gate electrode. The device isolation structure is formed in a semiconductor substrate to define an active region. The recess channel structure is disposed in the semiconductor substrate under the active region. The gate electrode includes a holding layer disposed in a gate region to fill the recess channel structure. The holding layer prevents a seam and a shift of the seam occurring in the recess channel structure. |
| US07883964B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor memory and a fabrication method thereof
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory includes: a device region and a device isolating region, which have a pattern with a striped form that extends in a first direction, and are alternately and sequentially disposed at a first pitch in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction; and a contact made of a first conductive material, which is connected to the device region and disposed at the first pitch in the second direction. On a cross section of the second direction, the bottom width of the contact is longer than the top width of the contact, and the bottom width is longer than the width of the device region. |
| US07883962B2 |
Trench DRAM cell with vertical device and buried word lines
A DRAM array having trench capacitor cells of potentially 4F2 surface area (F being the photolithographic minimum feature width), and a process for fabricating such an array. The array has a cross-point cell layout in which a memory cell is located at the intersection of each bit line and each word line. Each cell in the array has a vertical device such as a transistor, with the source, drain, and channel regions of the transistor being formed from epitaxially grown single crystal silicon. The vertical transistor is formed above the trench capacitor. |
| US07883954B2 |
Self-aligned epitaxially grown bipolar transistor
The illumination system has a light source (1) with a plurality of light emitters (R, G, B). The light emitters comprise at least a first light-emitting diode of a first primary color and at least a second light-emitting diode of a second primary color, the first and the second primary colors being distinct from each other. The illumination system has a facetted light-collimator (2) for collimating light emitted by the light emitters. The facetted lightcollimator is arranged along a longitudinal axis (25) of the illumination system. Light propagation in the facetted light-collimator is based on total internal reflection or on reflection at a reflective coating provided on the facets of the facetted light-collimator. The facetted light-collimator merges into a facetted light-reflector (3) at a side facing away from the light source. The illumination system further comprises a light-shaping diffuser (17). The illumination system emits light with a uniform spatial and spatio-angular color distribution. |
| US07883952B2 |
Method of manufacturing flash memory device
A method of manufacturing a flash memory device that prevents generation of voids when forming an interlayer dielectric film. The method may include forming a gate on a semiconductor substrate, and then sequentially stacking a first dielectric film and a second dielectric film on the semiconductor substrate, and then forming a first spacer comprising a first dielectric film pattern and a second dielectric film pattern on sidewalls of the gate by performing a first etching process, and then forming source and drain areas in the semiconductor substrate, and then removing the second dielectric film, and then sequentially stacking a third dielectric film and a fourth dielectric film on the semiconductor substrate, and then forming a second spacer comprising the first dielectric pattern and a third dielectric pattern on the sidewalls of the gate by performing a second etching process, and then forming an interlayer dielectric film on the semiconductor substrate including the gate and the first spacer. |
| US07883949B2 |
Methods of forming silicon carbide switching devices including P-type channels
Methods of forming a p-channel MOS device in silicon carbide include forming an n-type well in a silicon carbide layer, and implanting p-type dopant ions to form a p-type region in the n-type well at a surface of the silicon carbide layer and at least partially defining a channel region in the n-type well adjacent the p-type region. A threshold adjustment region is formed in the channel region. The implanted ions are annealed in an inert atmosphere at a temperature greater than 1650° C. A gate oxide layer is formed on the channel region, and a gate is formed on the gate oxide layer. A silicon carbide-based transistor includes a silicon carbide layer, an n-type well in the silicon carbide layer, and a p-type region in the n-type well at a surface of the silicon carbide layer and at least partially defining a channel region in the n-type well adjacent the p-type region. A threshold adjustment region is in the channel region and includes p-type dopants at a dopant concentration of about 1×1016 cm−3 to about 5×1018 cm−3. The transistor further includes a gate oxide layer on the channel region, and a gate on the gate oxide layer. The transistor may exhibit a hole mobility in the channel region in excess of 5 cm2/V-s at a gate voltage of −25V. |
| US07883948B2 |
Method and structure for reducing induced mechanical stresses
Methods and structures for relieving stresses in stressed semiconductor liners. A stress liner that enhances performance of either an NFET or a PFET is deposited over a semiconductor to cover the NFET and PFET. A disposable layer is deposited to entirely cover the stress liner, NFET and PFET. This disposable layer is selectively recessed to expose only the single stress liner over a gate of the NFET or PFET that is not enhanced by such stress liner, and then this exposed liner is removed to expose a top of such gate. Remaining portions of the disposable layer are removed, thereby enhancing performance of either the NFET or PFET, while avoiding degradation of the NFET or PFET not enhanced by the stress liner. The single stress liner is a tensile stress liner for enhancing performance of the NFET, or it is a compressive stress liner for enhancing performance of the PFET. |
| US07883946B1 |
Angled implantation for deep submicron device optimization
A method for forming a submicron device includes depositing a hard mask over a first region that includes a polysilicon well of a first dopant type and a gate of a second dopant type and a second region that includes a polysilicon well of a second dopant type and a gate of a first dopant type. The hard mask over the first region is removed. Angled implantation of the first dopant type is performed to form pockets under the gate of the second dopant type. |
| US07883942B2 |
Contact structure of semiconductor device, manufacturing method thereof, thin film transistor array panel including contact structure, and manufacturing method thereof
Gate lines are formed on a substrate. A gate insulating layer, an intrinsic a-Si layer, an extrinsic a-Si layer, a lower film of Cr and an upper film of Al containing metal are sequentially deposited. A photoresist having thicker first portions on wire areas and thinner second portions on channel areas is formed on the upper film. The upper film on remaining areas are wet-etched, and the lower film and the a-Si layers on the remaining areas are dry-etched along with the second portions of the photoresist. The upper film, the lower film, and the extrinsic a-Si layer on the channel areas are removed. The removal of the upper film and the lower film on the channel areas are performed by wet etching, and the first portions of the photoresist are removed after the removal of the upper film on the channel areas. |
| US07883940B1 |
Ball grid array including redistribution layer, packaged integrated circuit including the same, and methods of making and using the same
Method, algorithms, architectures, packages, circuits, and/or approaches for relatively low cost packaged integrated circuits (e.g., ball grid array or BGA packages) are disclosed. For example, a packaged integrated circuit can include a chip with a plurality of bond pads thereon; a plurality of bond pad connectors in electrical communication with the plurality of bond pads; a substrate having a plurality of layers, where at least one of the layers is configured to electrically connect a plurality of bond pad connectors and a plurality of external package connections; and a redistribution layer on the chip, where the redistribution layer is configured to electrically connect at least one of the bond pad connectors and at least one of the bond pads on the chip. Such an approach enables reductions in overall package costs. The RDL may complete an electrical path between one or more substrate traces and the corresponding bond pad(s) to avoid increasing the substrate layer count. Because substrate layers are typically provided in pairs, the advantages of the invention may be amplified when a relatively small number of connections (e.g., one) are made via an RDL on the chip. |
| US07883939B2 |
Method for manufacturing semiconductor device
A method for manufacturing a thin but robust stack of electrically connected thin film semiconductor elements includes the steps of forming a first element to be stacked: forming a separation layer and a semiconductor element layer over a substrate, forming a wiring connected to the semiconductor element layer, forming a protective material over the semiconductor layer and the wiring, forming a conductive region electrically connected to the wiring in the protective layer, and separating the semiconductor element layer from the substrate along the separation layer. A second element is formed according to the aforementioned process, and the first element is stacked thereon, before separating the second element from its substrate. The first element is bonded to the protective layer of the second element so that the semiconductor element layers of the first and the second element are electrically connected to each other through the protective layer, without damaging the protective layer. |
| US07883937B1 |
Electronic package and method of forming the same
The present invention is directed to a method and electronic computer package that is formed by placing an integrated circuit, having a plurality of bonding pads with solder bumps deposited thereon, in contact with the substrate so that one of the plurality of solder bumps is in superimposition with respect to one of the contacts and one of the plurality of bonding pads, with a volume being defined between region of the substrate in superimposition with the integrated circuit. A portion of the volume is filled with a quantity of underfill. A fluid flow barrier is formed on the substrate and defines a perimeter of the volume, defining a flow restricted region. The fluid flow barrier has dimensions sufficient to control the quantity of underfill egressing from the flow restricted region. |
| US07883936B2 |
Multi layer low cost cavity substrate fabrication for PoP packages
In a method and system for fabricating a semiconductor device (100) having a package-on-package structure, a base laminate substrate (BLS) (110) is formed to include a base center portion (112) and a peripheral portion (114) separated by a barrier element (120). The barrier element (120) forms a peripheral wall (118) to surround the base center portion (112). A frame shaped top laminate substrate (TLS) (130) is disposed over the peripheral portion (114) of the BLS (110). The TLS (130) has an open top center portion (132) matching the base center portion (112) surrounded by the peripheral wall (118) to form a cavity (140). A plurality of conductive bumps (150) each disposed between a top contact pad (134) of the TLS and a base contact pad (116) of the peripheral portion (114) of the BLS (110) are formed to provide electrical and mechanical coupling therebetween. The barrier element (120) forms a seal between the cavity (140) and the plurality of conductive bumps (150). |
| US07883933B2 |
Method of making to small devices having self-assembled organic layers
In one embodiment of the invention, a method of fabricating a SAM device comprises the steps of: (a) providing a substrate having a top surface and a first metal electrode disposed on the top surface, (b) annealing the first metal electrode, (c) forming a SAM layer on a major surface of the first electrode, the SAM layer having a free surface such that the SAM is disposed between the free surface and the major surface of the first electrode, and (d) forming a second metal electrode on the free surface of the molecular layer. Forming step (d) includes the step of (d1) depositing the second metal electrode in at least two distinct depositions separated by an interruption period of time when essentially no deposition of the second metal takes place. SAM FETs fabricated using this method are also described. |
| US07883932B2 |
Molecular devices and methods of manufacturing the same
Molecular devices and methods of manufacturing the molecular device are provided. The molecular device may include a lower electrode on a substrate and a self-assembled monolayer on the lower electrode. After an upper electrode is formed on the self-assembled monolayer, the self-assembled monolayer may be removed to form a gap between the lower electrode and the upper electrode. A functional molecule having a functional group may be injected into the gap. |
| US07883926B2 |
Methods for fabricating image sensor devices
Image sensor devices and methods for fabricating the same are provided. An exemplary embodiment of an image sensor device comprises a support substrate. A passivation structure is formed over the support substrate. An interconnect structure is formed over the passivation structure. A first semiconductor layer is formed over the interconnect structure, having a first and second surfaces, wherein the first and second surfaces are opposing surfaces. At least one light-sensing device is formed over/in the first semiconductor layer from a first surface thereof. A color filter layer is formed over the first semiconductor layer from a second surface thereof. At least one micro lens is formed over the color filter layer. |
| US07883916B2 |
Optical sensor including stacked photosensitive diodes
A complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor comprises a first photosensitive diode comprising a first semiconductor material is formed in a first semiconductor substrate. A second photosensitive diode comprising a second semiconductor material, which has a different light detection wavelength range than the first semiconductor material, is formed in a second semiconductor substrate. Semiconductor devices for holding and detecting charges comprising a sensing circuit of the CMOS image sensor may also be formed in the second semiconductor substrate. The first semiconductor substrate and the second semiconductor substrate are bonded so that the first photosensitive diode is located underneath the second photosensitive diode. The vertical stack of the first and second photosensitive diodes detects light in the combined detection wavelength range of the first and second semiconductor materials. Sensing devices may be shared between the first and second photosensitive diodes. |
| US07883911B2 |
Method for fabricating photodiodes
A Schottky photodiode includes a semiconductor layer and a conductive film provided in contact with the semiconductor layer. The conductive film has an aperture and a periodic structure provided around said aperture for producing a resonant state by an excited surface plasmon in a film surface of the conductive film by means of the incident light to the film surface. The photodiode detects near-field light that is generated by at the interface between the conductive film and semiconductor layer the excited surface plasmon. The aperture has a diameter smaller than the wavelength of the incident light. |
| US07883903B2 |
Dendritic chemiluminescent substrates
Chemiluminescent substrate delivery systems comprising a conjugate a dendrimer and at least one chemiluminescent substrate are provided. The substrate delivery systems can also include a chemiluminescence enhancer. The dendrimer/chemiluminescent substrate conjugates can be used in kits including an enzyme capable of activating the chemiluminescent substrate to produce a peroxygenated intermediate that decomposes to produce light. The dendrimer/chemiluminescent substrate conjugates can be used in assays to detect the presence of an analyte (e.g., an enzyme, an antibody, an antigen or a nucleic acid) in a sample. |
| US07883902B2 |
Method and device for dispensing dry powders
The inventive method for dispersing a dry powder sample in a dispersion chamber consists in vacuuming the chamber with respect to the environment, in dispersing a dry powder in the chamber, by means of a suction generated by the rupture of a membrane which is torn. |
| US07883899B2 |
Diagnostic devices
The present invention relates to analytical methods, platforms, and devices for the rapid and efficient immunochromatic determination of one or more components in fluid samples. The devices are especially useful for identifying analytes in small volumes of whole blood samples utilizing one membrane principally for separating particles such as red blood cells from plasma and a second membrane as the site for reactions to identify the analytes. |
| US07883892B2 |
Swine multipotent adult progenitor cells
The present invention provides swine cells of non-embryonic origin that can be maintained in culture in the undifferentiated state or differentiated to form cells of multiple cell types. Also provided are methods of isolation and culture, as well as uses for the cells, such as xenogeneic transplantation and/or tissue repair. |
| US07883882B2 |
Renewable chemical production from novel fatty acid feedstocks
Disclosed herein are methods of manufacturing renewable chemicals through the manufacture of novel triglyceride oils followed by chemical modification of the oils. Methods such as transesterification, hydrogenation, hydrocracking, deoxygenation, isomerization, interesterification, hydroxylation, hydrolysis and saponification are disclosed. Novel oils containing fatty acid chain lengths of C8, C10, C12 or C14 are also disclosed and are useful as feedstocks in the methods of the invention. |
| US07883881B2 |
Inhibitors of GSK-3 and crystal structures of GSK-3β protein and protein complexes
The present invention relates to inhibitors of GSK-3 and methods for producing these inhibitors. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising the inhibitors and methods of utilizing those compositions in the treatment and prevention of various disorders, such as diabetes and Alzheimer's disease. In addition, the invention relates to molecules or molecular complexes which comprise binding pockets of GSK-3β or its homologues. The invention relates to a computer comprising a data storage medium encoded with the structure coordinates of such binding pockets. The invention also relates to methods of using the structure coordinates to solve the structure of homologous proteins or protein complexes. The invention relates to methods of using the structure coordinates to screen for and design compounds that bind to GSK-3β protein or homologues thereof. The invention also relates to crystallizable compositions and crystals comprising GSK-3β protein or GSK-3β protein complexes. |
| US07883879B2 |
Ketoreductase polypeptides for the production of azetidinone
The present disclosure provides engineered ketoreductase enzymes having improved properties as compared to a naturally occurring wild-type ketoreductase enzyme. Also provided are polynucleotides encoding the engineered ketoreductase enzymes, host cells capable of expressing the engineered ketoreductase enzymes, and methods of using the engineered ketoreductase enzymes to synthesize a variety of chiral compounds. |
| US07883877B2 |
Compositions and methods for enhanced bacterial exopolysaccharide production
The present invention provides nucleic acid sequences and variants thereof capable of modulating exopolysaccharide production in Sphingomonas, and provides methods of using such nucleic acid sequences to generate bacteria that hyper-produce exopolysaccharide in slime form. |
| US07883873B2 |
Saccharide composition synthesizer
The present invention provides a sugar chain synthesizer capable of continuously reacting sugar chains when a plurality of sugar chains are successively reacted. The sugar chain synthesizer of the present invention includes a plurality of vessels containing respective sugar nucleotide solutions, a plurality of vessels containing respective glycosyltransferases, and a reactor containing a primer that is a water-soluble polymer, into which the above described sugar nucleotide solution and glycosyltransferase are introduced. In the present invention, components in a reaction solution obtained in the reactor are separated through an ultrafiltration column, and a reaction product is then returned to the above described reactor, so as to continuously synthesize sugar chains. Although it is a complicated synthesis of sugar chains, it becomes possible to carry out such synthesis continuously and automatically. |
| US07883868B2 |
Nucleic acid molecules encoding beta-like glycoprotein hormone polypeptide and heterodimer thereof
Novel β10 polypeptides and heterodimers thereof, and nucleic acid molecules encoding the same are disclosed. The invention also provides vectors, host cells, selective binding agents, and methods for producing β10 polypeptides and heterodimeric forms thereof, specifically α2/β10. Also provided for are methods for the treatment, diagnosis, amelioration, or prevention of diseases with β10 polypeptides and α2/β10 heterodimers or their respective binding agents. |
| US07883867B1 |
Solubilization and purification of a target protein fused to a mutant maltose-binding protein
Methods and compositions are provided for increasing at least one of: (i) binding affinity of a target protein for a maltodextrin substrate and/or (ii) solubility of a target protein. The methods and compositions relate to a modified maltose-binding protein. |
| US07883863B2 |
Apparatuses and methods for determining protease activity
The present invention relates to compositions and an apparatuses for determining protease activity. The compositions of the invention contain a reporter protein fused to at least one protease cleavage sequence, and a linker for attaching the protease cleavage sequence to a solid support. Methods for determining protease activity and characterizing proteases are also provided. |
| US07883862B2 |
Diglyceride solutions for lipase activity determination
Diglyceride solutions for lipase activity determination, comprising at least one diglyceride, a low concentration buffer, and a nonionic surfactant. |
| US07883861B2 |
High throughput assay of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell proliferation
The present invention relates generally to kits that provide reagent mixes and instructions for the use thereof, in performing high-throughput assay methods that determine the proliferative status of isolated target cell populations. The methods measure the luminescent output derived from the intracellular ATP content of incubated target cells, and correlate the luminescence with the proliferative status of the cells. The present invention further relates to kits that provide reagent mixes and instructions for high-throughput assays methods for screening compounds that may modulate the proliferative status of a target cell population. The kits of the present invention and methods therein described may be used for determining the proliferative status of any isolated cell line or type. The kits and methods of the present invention address the need for rapid assays that determine the proliferative status of isolated hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells and of subpopulations of differentiated cells thereof. |
| US07883860B2 |
Human protein acyl transferases and methods of uses therefor
The present invention provides the identification of human Ras palmitoyl acyl transfersase complexes, and nucleic acids coding therefor. In addition, methods of screening for modulators of human Ras palmitoyl acyl transfersase, including high throughput yeast screens, are also provided. |
| US07883859B2 |
Method for producing active and stable acetylcholinesterase bioassay element
The present invention relates to a bioassay element and its producing method. The bioassay element includes a carrier, a testing material, and a coating film, in which the testing material is dispersed in the coating film which covers on the surface of the carrier and comprises a casein and calcium ions. The bioassay element is produced by applying a bioassay solution which includes a testing material, a casein and calcium ions to the carrier, and then drying the bioassay solution. |
| US07883856B2 |
Identification of bitter ligands that specifically activate human T2R receptors and related assays for identifying human bitter taste modulators
The present invention relates to the discovery that specific human taste receptors in the T2R taste receptor family respond to particular bitter compounds. Also, the invention relates to the discovery of specific hT2R9 alleles and their disparate activity in functional assays with the same biter ligands. The invention further relates to the use of these T2R receptors in assays for identifying ligands that modulate the activation of these taste receptors by specific bitter ligands and related compounds. These compounds may be used as additives and/or removed from foods, beverages, cosmetics and medicinals in order to modify (block) T2R-associated bitter taste. Also T2R ligands may be used as therapeutics to treat and modulate T2R associated gastrointestinal and metabolic functions as well as treat gastrointestinal and metabolic diseases such as eating disorders, food sensing, food absorption, obesity, diabetes, Crohn's disease, celiac disease, et al. |
| US07883848B2 |
Regulation analysis by cis reactivity, RACR
Methods of detecting affinity interactions between at least two molecules of interest are provided. The method comprises: a. forming a plurality of interactors by coupling each molecule of interest with at least one nucleic acid moiety comprising an identification sequence element and at an association element; b. promoting an association between at least two nucleic acid moieties from different interactors to form a plurality of unique associated oligonucleotides, wherein each nucleic acid moiety may form more than one unique associated oligonucleotide, and wherein each unique associated oligonucleotide comprises at least two identification sequence elements derived from the at least two nucleic acid moieties; c. selecting the plurality of unique associated oligonucleotides; and d. subjecting the selected associated oligonucleotides to an analysis that permits detection of the at least two identification sequence elements. Similar methods directed to detecting functional interactions, libraries of interactors employable in the present methods, and kits comprising those libraries are also provided. |
| US07883845B2 |
Antigen constructs useful in the detection and differentiation of antibodies to HIV
Isolated HIV-1 Group O env polypeptides obtained from the HIV-1 isolate HAM112 are claimed, as well as (a) antigen constructs comprising fusions of one or more of each of HIV-1 Group O env polypeptides and HIV-1 Group M env polypeptide and (b) further antigen constructs containing additional Group O sequences and especially the gp41 IDR of isolate HAM112. Also claimed are polynucleotide sequences encoding the above, expression vectors comprising the same, host cells transformed thereby, and immunoassay methods and kits utilizing the antigen constructs of the invention. |
| US07883843B2 |
Hepatitis virus core proteins as vaccine platforms and methods of use thereof
The present invention relates to hepatitis virus core proteins and nucleic acids. In particular, the present invention provides compositions and methods comprising recombinant hepatitis virus core proteins or nucleic acids for use in vaccine formulations. |
| US07883842B2 |
Use of C3a and derivatives thereof as a biomarker for colorectal adenoma and/or carcinoma; method for detection and test system
The present invention is directed to a method for detecting colorectal adenoma and/or colorectal carcinoma comprising the steps: a) providing an isolated sample material which has been taken from an individual, b) determining the level of C3a or a derivative thereof in said isolated sample material, c) comparing the determined level of C3a or a derivative thereof with one or more reference values. The invention is further directed to a method for discriminating between colorectal adenoma and colorectal carcinoma as well as to a method for monitoring the course of colorectal adenoma and/or colorectal carcinoma and/or the treatment of colorectal adenoma and/or colorectal carcinoma. Moreover, the invention is directed to a test system and an array for use in these methods. Furthermore, the invention is directed to the use of C3a as a biomarker for a detection of colorectal adenoma and/or colorectal carcinoma in an individual. Further, the invention is directed to method for determining whether a compound is effective in the treatment colorectal adenoma and/or colorectal carcinoma. |
| US07883838B2 |
Organometallic composition for forming a metal alloy pattern and a method of forming such a pattern using the composition
An organometallic composition containing an organometallic compound (I) containing Ag, an organometallic compound (II) containing Au, Pd, or Ru, and an organometallic compound (III) containing Ti, Ta, Cr, Mo, Ru, Ni, Pd, Cu, Au, or Al, wherein the metal components of organometallic compounds (II) and (III), respectively, are present in an amount of 0.01˜10 mol % based on the amount of Ag in the organometallic compound (I), and a method of forming a metal alloy pattern using the same. Silver alloy patterns can be obtained through a simplified manufacturing process, which patterns have enhanced heat resistance, adhesiveness and chemical stability. The method may be applied to making a reflective film for LCD and metal wiring (gate, source, drain electrode) for flexible displays or flat panel displays, and further to CMP-free damascene processing and PR-free ITO film deposition. |
| US07883836B2 |
Method for forming fine pattern with a double exposure technology
The method for forming a fine pattern of a semiconductor device includes depositing a photoresist film over a semiconductor substrate having an underlying layer, performing a first exposure process using a first exposure mask to form a first photoresist pattern, the first exposure mask defining a first and a second exposure patterns, the first exposure pattern finer than the second exposure pattern, depositing a photoresist film over an entire surface of the resultant including the first photoresist pattern, performing a second exposure process using a second exposure mask to form a second photoresist pattern, the second exposure mask defining a third and a fourth exposure patterns, the third exposure pattern finer than the fourth exposure pattern and disposed between the first exposure patterns, the fourth exposure pattern overlapped with a portion of the second exposure pattern, and patterning the underlying layer using the first and the second photoresist patterns. |
| US07883834B2 |
Method for forming pattern
In an exposure step, a combination of a first photomask and a second mask is used. The first mask has a real pattern corresponding to the pattern actually formed on the film to be processed, and a dummy pattern added for controlling pattern pitch in the first photomask within a prescribed range; and the second photomask has a pattern isolating a real-pattern-formed region from a dummy-pattern-formed region. In forming the pattern, after forming a film to be processed on a substrate, a first mask is formed on the film to be processed, by lithography, using the first photomask, and a second mask is formed on the film to be processed, by lithography, using the second photomask. Thereafter, the film to be processed is etched and removed using the first and second masks as masks to form the pattern. |
| US07883820B2 |
Ion conductive composite membrane using inorganic conductor and method of manufacturing the same
An ion-conductive composite membrane and a method of manufacturing the same, the membrane including phosphate platelets, a silicon compound, and a Keggin-type oxometalate and/or Keggin-type heteropoly acid, wherein the phosphate platelets are three-dimensionally connected to each other via the silicon compound. An electrolyte membrane having an ion-conductive inorganic membrane or an ion-conductive organic/inorganic composite membrane effectively prevents crossover of liquid fuel without the reduction of ion conductivity in a liquid fuel cell, thereby allowing for the production of fuel cells having excellent performance. |
| US07883817B2 |
Method for producing gas diffusion electrode and method for producing polymer electrolyte fuel cell, and gas diffusion electrode and polymer electrolyte fuel cell
The present invention provides a gas diffusion electrode capable of sufficiently preventing not only degradation of MEA during storage but also degradation of initial characteristics and durability during the time period from production to initial use, and a polymer electrolyte fuel cell including the gas diffusion electrode. The gas diffusion electrode includes a catalyst layer in which A1 representing a total mass of organic substance comprising alcohol, a partial oxide of the alcohol, a product of intramolecular dehydrogenation reaction of the alcohol, a product of intermolecular condensation reaction of the alcohol, a product of intermolecular condensation reaction between the alcohol and the partial oxide and a product of intermolecular condensation reaction of the partial oxide, E1 representing a total mass of carbon powder and G1 representing a total mass of cation exchange resin are controlled to satisfy {100×A1/(E1+G1)}≦0.05. |
| US07883816B2 |
Solid oxide fuel cell device and system, method of using and method of making
A fuel cell device includes an elongate substrate having a cold zone adjacent a first end and a reaction zone adjacent a second end configured to be heated to an operating reaction temperature while the cold zone is configured to be shielded from the heat source to remain at a low temperature below the operating reaction temperature. Fuel and air inlets positioned in the cold zone are coupled to respective elongate fuel and oxidizer passages that extend within an interior solid ceramic support structure through the reaction zone in parallel and opposing relation to respective outlets adjacent the second end. Electrodes positioned adjacent the passages in the reaction zone are each electrically coupled from the interior structure to respective exterior contact surfaces in the cold zone. A solid electrolyte monolithic with the ceramic support structure is positioned between electrodes, and electrical connections are made to the exterior contact surfaces. |
| US07883812B2 |
Fuel cell system and transportation equipment including the same
A fuel cell system is capable of shifting to a normal operation quickly, and can be provided in transportation equipment such as a motorbike. The fuel cell system includes a cell stack which has a plurality of fuel cells; an aqueous solution tank which holds aqueous methanol solution to be supplied to the cell stack; a water pump which supplies water to the aqueous solution tank; an electric current detection circuit which detects an electric current value of the cell stack; and CPU which controls the fuel cell system. The CPU drives the water pump, and thereby starts a liquid amount adjustment if the electric current value detected by the electric current detection circuit becomes not lower than a predetermined value after power generation of the cell stack is started. |
| US07883810B2 |
Slow purge for improved water removal, freeze durability, purge energy efficiency and voltage degradation due to shutdown/startup cycling
A system for the slow purge of a fuel cell stack. A pump can be used to keep the coolant circulating, so that the stack, an associated radiator, and coolant plumbing therebetween are maintained at the same temperature. The heat from the stack, liquid coolant, and radiator can be used to provide the heat of vaporization of the liquid in the stack, and the liquid water can be removed from the stack as water vapor. Because the air flow rate is relatively low, there is sufficient time for the water to vaporize and for the air to come to the same temperature as the stack, which is also facilitated by high surface area for heat transfer. Purge air can be drawn into the stack through the radiator, via a purge air blower, which preheats the air to help avoid frigid air contacting the stack. |
| US07883796B2 |
Electrochemical cell
An electrochemical cell has a container having a main surface and a cavity containing therein a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a separator separating the positive and negative electrodes from one another, and an electrolyte. A sealing plate that seals the cavity of the container is bonded to the main surface of the container with an unoxidized weld. |
| US07883791B2 |
Fuel cell electrolyte, membrane electrode assembly, and method of manufacturing fuel cell electrolyte
A fuel cell electrolyte according to one aspect of the invention contains a basic polymer and a phosphate compound expressed by the following general formula (1): where R represents an alkyl or alkoxyalkyl group, and n is 1 or 2. |
| US07883790B2 |
Method of preventing over-discharge of battery
A medical device includes a rechargeable lithium-ion battery for providing power to the medical device. The lithium-ion battery includes a positive electrode including a current collector and a first active material, a negative electrode including a current collector and a second active material, and an auxiliary electrode including a current collector and a third active material. The auxiliary electrode is configured for selective electrical connection to one of the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The first active material, second active material, and third active material are configured to allow doping and undoping of lithium ions. The third active material exhibits charging and discharging capacity below a corrosion potential of the current collector of the negative electrode and above a decomposition potential of the first active material. |
| US07883788B2 |
Light emitting element, light emitting device, and electronic device
It is an object of the present invention to provide a functional layer for protecting a light emitting element from being deteriorated by a physical or chemical influence when the light emitting element is manufactured or driven, and to attain extension of lifetime of an element and improvement of element characteristics without increasing a drive voltage and degrading transmittance and color purity by providing such a functional layer. One feature of the present invention is to provide a buffer layer made of a composite material for a light emitting element including aromatic hydrocarbon containing at least one vinyl skeleton and metal oxide in part of a light emitting substance containing layer, in the light emitting element fowled by interposing the light emitting substance containing layer between a pair of electrodes. The composite material for a light emitting element for forming the buffer layer of the present invention has high conductivity and is superior in transparency. |
| US07883782B2 |
Three components linked to each other by means of a welded connection
A pore-free weld connection and a method for manufacturing such a weld connection between first, second and third components (1, 3, 5, 13, 15, 17), which are connected together by means of a closed weld seam (7, 18), and of which one component (5, 17) has, at a start- and end-point (9, 11, 21, 23) of the weld seam (7, 18), a cavity (6, 19) serving for a root-side degassing of a weld puddle. |
| US07883779B2 |
Vacuum apparatus including a particle monitoring unit, particle monitoring method and program, and window member for use in the particle monitoring
A semiconductor manufacturing apparatus includes a processing chamber for performing a manufacturing processing on a wafer. A gas supply line for introducing a purge gas is connected to an upper portion of the processing chamber, a valve being installed on the gas supply line. A rough pumping line with a valve a is connected to a lower portion of the processing chamber. Installed on the rough pumping line are a dry pump for exhausting a gas in the processing chamber and a particle monitoring unit for monitoring particles between the valve a and the dry pump. In the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus, after the valve is opened, the purge gas is supplied to apply physical vibration due to shock wave in the processing chamber 100 so that deposits are detached therefrom to be monitored as particles. |
| US07883778B2 |
Sheet glass and method for manufacturing sheet glass
A sheet glass that has a side surface with an average surface roughness equal to or less than 0.2 μm is provided. Furthermore, a method of manufacturing a sheet glass is provided that includes processing a base-material glass sheet to obtain a sheet glass that has a side surface with an average surface roughness equal to or less than 0.2 μm. Moreover, a method of manufacturing a sheet glass is provided that includes processing a base-material glass sheet so that an average surface roughness of a side surface becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value according to a section modulus of the sheet glass that is to be manufactured. |
| US07883777B2 |
Solar energy shielding window film laminates
The invention relates to solar energy shielding window film laminates exhibiting visual light transmittance in the range of 5 to 80% with minimum progressive fading or degradation of reflective quality wherein base polyester films have a layer of adhesive sandwiched there between, the adhesive layer containing dispersed mixed metal oxides as solar-energy-screen particles optionally in combination with rare earth hexaborides, antimony containing metal oxide, indium containing metal oxide, titanium nitride, or carbon particles either singly or in combinations thereof. The process for preparation of these laminates involves steps of selecting a polyester (PET) substrate; coating it with an adhesive formulation containing the dispersed mixed metal oxides as solar-energy-screen particles and other additives followed by lamination with a second PET film; applying a UV hard coat layer on one side of the PET film laminate and applying pressure sensitive adhesive on a side opposite the UV hard coat layer of the laminate followed by lamination with a release sheet. |
| US07883776B2 |
Protective layers for optical coatings
An optical coating on a transparent substrate is provided with a temporary layer of carbon as protection during manufacturing against scratches and corrosive environments. When the optical coating and/or substrate are tempered in an atmosphere reactive to carbon, such as air, the layer of carbon is removed as a carbon-containing gas. For an optical coating with a brittle, glassy, outermost layer furthest from the substrate, additional protection is provided by a scratch propagation blocker layer between the outermost layer and the carbon protective layer. |
| US07883775B2 |
Diamond film coated tool and process for producing the same
The invention provides a diamond coated tool having an excellent cutting performance, wear resistance, adhesion resistance and work surface roughness in combination and a method of producing such a tool.A diamond coated tool comprising a substrate and a diamond coating formed on the surface of the substrate, wherein said substrate is made of a cemented carbide or a cermet, diamond grains constituting a growth surface of said diamond coating has an average grain size of about 1.5 micrometers or below, said diamond coating has a thickness ranging from about 0.1 micrometer to 20 micrometers, and said diamond coating has an average surface roughness Ra ranging from about 0.01 micrometer to 0.2 micrometer. Such a diamond coated tool can be obtained by carburizing the substrate consisting of a cemented carbide or a cermet, and growing up a diamond coating thereon. |
| US07883773B2 |
Composition and method for making a proppant
The present invention relates to proppants which can be used to prop open subterranean formation fractions. Proppant formulations are further disclosed which use one or more proppants of the present invention. Methods to prop open subterranean formation fractions are further disclosed. In addition, other uses for the proppants of the present invention are further disclosed, as well as methods of making the proppants. |
| US07883765B2 |
Multilayer ceramic substrate, method for producing same, and electronic component
A multilayer ceramic substrate having high transverse strength, minimized warpage, and no delamination, has a laminated structure including an inner layer portion and surface layer portions, in which the thermal expansion coefficient of the surface layer portions is lower than the thermal expansion coefficient of the inner layer portion, the difference in thermal expansion coefficient between the surface layer portions and the inner layer portion is about 1.0 ppmK−1 or more, and the weight content of a component common to both a material constituting the surface layer portions and a material constituting the inner layer portion is about 75% by weight or more. |
| US07883763B2 |
Acoustical sound proofing material with controlled water-vapor permeability and methods for manufacturing same
A laminated structure appropriate for use in constructing walls, floors, ceilings or doors, has a selected area and in one embodiment comprises two external layers of one or more materials such as, but not limited to, gypsum, at least one internal constraining layer having less than said selected area, and two or more internal layers of a viscoelastic glue separated by said at least one internal constraining layer, wherein each of said layers of viscoelastic glue is patterned to cover a selected percentage, but not all, of said area of said laminated structure thereby to allow moisture to pass through said structure. |
| US07883762B2 |
Double sided printed security document
The invention concerns a security document comprising, as security element against recto/verso copying, indicia present on both sides and capable of being viewed under reflected lighting and forming an image capable of being viewed under transmitted light. The invention is characterized in that said indicia comprise lines and form said image with 3D effect. |
| US07883760B2 |
Repair of composite sandwich structures with uneven bond surfaces
A method of restoring a section of a component having a honeycomb bonded to a skin includes the steps of separating a first honeycomb from the skin, wherein the honeycomb includes an uneven surface. At least a portion of the uneven surface is removed to form a bonding surface on the skin. A conformable layer is bonded to the uneven surface. Then a replacement honeycomb is then bonded to the conformable layer. |
| US07883758B2 |
Promotional scarf
A fabric article made of at least four layers of fabric-such as fleece-with each of the fabric layers being a solid color selected from a combination of more than one color. The length portion of each fabric layer being greater than the width portion, e.g., five times longer than wide, and each fabric layer having fringes cut from a width portion into a center portion of the fabric layer. All of the layers of fabric being attached together along center portions of the layers of fabric with the length portions of the layers of fabric being parallel to each other. |
| US07883755B2 |
Die cut sheet product for forming separable, interlocking napkin bands
A product is provided for forming separable interlocking napkin bands. The product includes a sheet having a plurality of die cut lines extending along a length and a width of the sheet, and a plurality of slits extending from certain of the die cut lines. The die cut lines define a plurality of separable napkin bands that can be separated from one another along the die cut lines, and individually secured into a cylindrical formation by interlocking the slits together. The sheet is adapted to be passed through a printer and desired information is printed on the napkin bands, after which the napkin bands can be separated from one another. |
| US07883751B2 |
Liquid crystal display and method for manufacturing the same
Disclosed herein are a liquid crystal display (LCD) device and a method for manufacturing the same, wherein ball spacers are fixedly used to reduce touch and press defects and the content of a solid mixed with balls is increased to partially widen an area of the upper surface of the spacer to thereby prevent damage of the substrate that faces the spacer or of the structure provided on the same. The liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate and a second substrate facing each other, a gate line and a data line formed on the first substrate such that the gate line and the data line intersect each other to define a pixel region, a black matrix layer formed on the second substrate in a portion corresponding to the gate line and the data line, a spacer formed on the first substrate or the second substrate in a predetermined portion provided within the black matrix layer, the spacer comprising a plurality of balls and a solid to aggregate the balls together and cover the surfaces of the balls, and a liquid crystal layer filled between the first substrate and the second substrate. |
| US07883750B2 |
Thin films and a method for producing the same
An object of the present invention is to provide a method of forming a thin film of excellent quality by generating discharge plasma using gaseous raw material including a carbon source under an atmosphere of a relatively high pressure of 100 Torr or higher. A substrate 6 is mounted on at least one of opposing electrodes 4 and 5. A pulse voltage is applied on the opposing electrodes 4 and 5 under a pressure of 100 to 1600 Torr in an atmosphere containing gaseous raw material “A” including a carbon source to generate discharge plasma. A thin film 7 is thus formed on the substrate 6. The pulse voltage has a pulse duration of 10 to 1000 nsec. |
| US07883747B2 |
Method for manufacturing sharp spine-shaped projections on ceramic
A method for manufacturing sharp spine-shaped projections on ceramic includes forming projections by applying a first soil water on the outside of the half-dried ceramic, forming projection roots; and growing projections by applying a second soil water on a plurality of the projection roots fifty to one hundred times using the brush and letting the projections dry at 15˜20° C., and 60˜70% of relative humidity for 15˜25 minutes in the shade after the application. Bright and mysterious various ceramic patterns are achieved by controlling water content of a first soil water to control projections density, controlling the number of a second soil water applications to control projections' size, selecting the direction of applications to form projections bent toward various directions and mixing pigments with soil water at proper time with proper mixing ratios to form projections with various colors. |
| US07883746B2 |
Insulating film formation method which exhibits improved thickness uniformity and improved composition uniformity
In an insulating film formation method, a cycle A in which O3 at a low flow rate is supplied onto a substrate and then O3 supplied is allowed to react with Hf on the substrate in a non-equilibrium state to form a hafnium oxide film is carried out M times (M≧1), and a cycle B in which O3 at a high flow rate is supplied onto the substrate and then O3 supplied is allowed to react with Hf on the substrate in an equilibrium state to form a hafnium oxide film is carried out N times (N≧1). These insulating film formation cycles are defined as one sequence. This sequence is repeated until a desired thickness is obtained, thereby forming a target insulating film. |
| US07883743B2 |
Sacrificial coating for fluoride ion cleaning
A method of repairing a defect in a gas turbine engine component includes exposing the defect to a chemically reducing gas to clean the defect surface of undesired particles and oxidation. Before the cleaning, a protective coating is applied to the defect surface to resist inter-granular attack during the cleaning process. |
| US07883742B2 |
Porous materials derived from polymer composites
This disclosure relates generally to networks of polymers in fullerene compounds and polymers, to methods of preparing precursors for such networks, and to their subsequent use as low dielectric constant materials in microelectronic devices. |
| US07883733B2 |
Method of making a beverage from powdered material in a sealed capsule
In a process employing a coffee machine, a sealed capsule is fed with a certain amount of axial clearance into a cup aligned along a horizontal axis with a pressurized-hot-water sprinkler, and is moved towards the sprinkler to press an annular flange of the sealed capsule in fluidtight manner against the sprinkler, to pierce a front sealing wall of the sealed capsule by means of a first piercing device, to feed pressurized hot water through the sealing wall to expand the sealed capsule axially and eliminate the axial clearance, and to bring an end wall of the sealed capsule into fluidtight contact with a second piercing device, and pierce the end wall against the second piercing device, so that coffee flows out through the second piercing device. |
| US07883732B2 |
Antimicrobial salt solutions for cheese processing applications
Antimicrobial formulations and solutions for food safety and quality applications are disclosed. Because some of these formulations and solutions contain a substantial concentration of salt, they are adaptable to a variety of food-processing applications, such as for chilling brine applications, disinfecting meat baths/rinses, beef injection brines, poultry chill tanks, brines used in cheese manufacture, as a wash to kill salmonella and other bacteria on hard-boiled eggs or egg shells, and as a wash to disinfect produce, which can become contaminated with salmonella and other pathogenic bacteria in the field. These uses of concentrated salt solutions that depress the freezing point of the solution provide a low temperature bath or shower in which food products can be cooled. One embodiment comprises between 25 ppm and 100,000 ppm surfactant and between 72% and 99.99% salt. This blend can then be dissolved in water to make a solution of between about 1% total solids by weight up to the saturation point, which can be used as an antimicrobial solution for food safety applications. |
| US07883731B2 |
Natural coloring products
A red colorant is formed of 500 to 3000 ppm of crystalline lycopene mainly encapsulated by chromoplasts, and having a soluble solid concentration below 5° Bx. |
| US07883726B2 |
Skin care compositions with botanic seed oils
A topical skin care composition with a base skin care composition suitable for application to skin, and blends of botanic seed oils, prepared according to a cold press method. The base skin care composition uses a multivesicular emulsion skin care delivery system as a base skin care composition. A micelle skin care delivery system is another base skin care composition used in the topical composition. The selected base skin care composition has a range of about 99.9% (% w/w) to 98% (% w/w) of the topical skin care composition, and range of about 0.1 (% w/w) to 2% (% w/w) of blends of botanic seed oil having red raspberry seed oil, and plurality of botanic oils selected from the group consisting of the following seed oils: pumpkin seed oil, chardonnay grape seed oil, carrot seed oil, blueberry seed oil, cranberry seed oil, pomegranate seed oil, black cumin seed oil, and black raspberry seed oil. |
| US07883725B2 |
Citrate-based dialysate chemical formulations
The present invention constitutes dialysate formulations that are suitable for use in preparing dialysate solutions for use in batch and/or proportioning systems and for improving dialysis efficiency by reducing or preventing clotting of the dialysis flow paths. The dialysate chemical formulations for one batch of dialysate comprise an acid concentrate stored in a first vessel, and a citrate-containing bicarbonate concentrate stored in a second vessel. The contents of the first and second vessels are emptied into a dialysate preparation tank and mixed with water to form a batch quantity of dialysate solution. Alternately, a dry acid and/or a dry citrate-containing base concentrates are dissolved separately in measured quantities of water to form liquid concentrates which are then used in conjunction with a proportioning machine to generate on-line a final dialysis solution stream. |
| US07883723B2 |
Water soluble chitosan nanoparticle for delivering an anticancer agent and preparing method thereof
The present invention relates to a water soluble chitosan nanoparticle (WSC-NP) for delivering an anticancer agent and a preparing method thereof, more precisely, a water soluble chitosan nanoparticle for delivering an anticancer agent which has function of targeting on a wanted area by introducing a functional group in the location of highly reactive amine group and becomes an excellent gene carrier with the use of water soluble chitosan since the water soluble chitosan itself can combined with DNA having a negative electric charge(−) owing to the very strong positive electric charge(+) of its amine group, and a preparing method thereof. Therefore, a water-soluble chitosan nanoparticle for delivering an anticancer agent of the present invention can effectively envelope paclitaxel by introducing hydrophilic and hydrophobic groups in the position of highly reactive amine group of the water-soluble chitosan. A water soluble chitosan nanopaclitaxel prepared as the above has an excellent re-dispersion force, after freeze-drying, in distilled water and has an outstanding anticancer effect with its accumulation in tumor cells greater than that of the other anticancer agent carriers. |
| US07883720B2 |
Charge-dynamic polymers and delivery of anionic compounds
The present invention provides dynamic charge state cationic polymers that are useful for delivery of anionic molecules. The dynamic charge state cationic polymers are designed to have cationic charge densities that decrease by removal of removable functional groups from the polymers. The present invention also provides interpolyelectrolyte complexes containing the polymers complexed to a polyanion. Methods for using the interpolyelectrolyte complexes to deliver anionic compounds are also provided. |
| US07883719B2 |
Pasting agent
A patch comprising a backing layer and an adhesive layer disposed on the backing layer and compounded with an adhesive agent and oxybutynin and/or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein the adhesive agent comprises an acrylic polymer substantially free of both carboxyl group and hydroxyl group and a rubber polymer, in which weight ratio of content of the acrylic polymer to content of the rubber polymer is from 1:4 to 1:19. |
| US07883715B2 |
Pesticide compositions containing dicarboxylic acids
Solid and liquid pesticidal concentrate and spray compositions are described which exhibit enhanced efficacy due to the addition thereto of a compound which increases EPSPS enzyme inhibition by the pesticide, cell membrane permeability, or expression of hydroxyproline-rich glycoproteins. |
| US07883702B2 |
Use of anti-mortalin 2 antibody and functional nucleic acid for cancer therapies
The present invention relates to cancer therapies using an antibody that binds to mortalin 2 and a functional nucleic acid. Mortalin expression was found to be upregulated in immortalized cells and tumor tissues. Immortalized human cells highly expressing mortalin showed anchorage-independent growth. When the K antibody, which is a specific anti-mortalin antibody, was injected into a tumor of a nude mouse, tumor growth was suppressed or the tumor shrank compared with the case of a control. In accordance with the present invention, the use of a specific anti-mortalin antibody (K antibody) for tumor therapies and the use of such antibody as a carrier molecule for transportation of immunotoxicin and the like into cells are provided. It has been shown that mortalin can be a target for cancer therapies. In accordance with the present invention, a novel and effective anticancer agent is provided. In addition, an anti-mortalin antibody that is internalized by cells is developed. Thus, various applications using such antibody are provided. |
| US07883700B2 |
Anti-human IL-21 monoclonal antibodies
Human anti-human IL-21 monoclonal antibodies and the hybridomas that produce them are presented. Certain of these antibodies have the ability to bind native human IL-21, a mutant recombinant IL-21 protein and/or peptide regions of human IL-21. These human anti-IL-21 antibodies are useful in therapeutic treatment of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, particularly diseases mediated by T follicular helper cells, B cells TH cells or TH17 cells. |
| US07883698B2 |
Isolation and preservation of fetal hematopoietic and mesencymal system cells from non-controversial materials and/or tissues resulting from miscarriages and methods of therapeutic use
The present invention is directed to compositions of fetal hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells and stromal (mesencymal) cells derived from second trimester (16-20 weeks gestation) miscarriages, that are isolated, processed and cryopreserved, and the therapeutic uses of such stem and progenitor cells upon application. Such compositions may be useful for hematopoietic reconstitution and/or replacement in patients with various diseases and metabolic disorders. The invention also relates to methods for collecting, isolating, processing and cryopreserving of the fetal stem and progenitor cells of the invention. Importantly, the invention meets an urgent need in regenerative medicine while at the same time ensures utility of the product compositions because it utilizes fetal materials from second trimester (16-20 weeks of gestation) spontaneously lost pregnancies which are free of moral or ethical burdens. |
| US07883694B2 |
Method for preventing the formation of adhesions following surgery or injury
Provided are crosslinked polymer compositions that include a first synthetic polymer containing multiple nucleophilic groups covalently bound to a second synthetic polymer containing multiple electrophilic groups. The first synthetic polymer is preferably a synthetic polypeptide or a polyethylene glycol that has been modified to contain multiple nucleophilic groups, such as primary amino (—NH2) or thiol (—SH) groups. The second synthetic polymer may be a hydrophilic or hydrophobic synthetic polymer, which contains or has been derivatized to contain, two or more electrophilic groups, such as succinimidyl groups. The compositions may further include other components, such as naturally occurring polysaccharides or proteins (such as glycosaminoglycans or collagen) and/or biologically active agents. Also disclosed are methods for using the crosslinked polymer compositions to effect adhesion between a first surface and a second surface; to effect tissue augmentation; to prevent the formation of surgical adhesions; and to coat a surface of a synthetic implant. |
| US07883683B2 |
Carbon foam and high density carbon foam assembly
An assembly comprising carbon foam and high density carbon foam is described. In some embodiments, such an assembly may be a composite or composite assembly. One or more pieces of carbon foam and high density carbon foam may comprise the assembly. The assembly may comprise other materials in addition to the carbon foam and high density carbon foam. One or more of any given type of other material may be incorporated into the composite. Additionally, a given other material may be incorporated in more than one volume or location on or in the assembly. The other materials may provide for bonding of the elements of the assembly together, strengthening of the assembly, increased assembly oxidation and weathering resistance, modification of the electrical, thermal, or fluid transport properties of the assembly, and any of a number of other purposes. |
| US07883677B2 |
Deer lure
This deer lure with scent dispenser has an outer casing with an interior plenum, a lower end and an upper end, with air inlet holes adjacent the lower end, a base adapted to fit into the lower end and extend into the plenum, and a scent dispenser assembly with a reservoir adapted to fit into the upper end with its exterior extending into the plenum. The base is adapted to serve as a pedestal for a candle and to hold the candle above the air inlet holes. The base also allows air for the candle to enter the plenum from the air inlet holes and reach a flame of the candle. The reservoir has an interior in communication with air exterior to the casing for holding a volatile scented liquid, and the invention allows hot gases produced by the candle to escape from the plenum into air exterior to the plenum around and/or through the reservoir, volatilizing the scented liquid in the reservoir. The aforesaid elements may be packed into the interior plenum and caps are provided to cap both ends so as to form a compact easily portable carrying configuration. |
| US07883675B2 |
Fuel treatment device
The present invention provides a fuel treatment device which can realize easy separation and collection of a catalyst contained in the device. In a fuel treatment device (21) of the present invention a fuel gas is supplied to a catalyst, which fills a catalyst filling space (24) surrounded by a cylindrical inner circumferential wall and a cylindrical outer circumferential wall, to produce a reformed gas. The fuel treatment device (21) has a removal section indicator indicating a catalyst removal section (29) on the outer circumferential surface of the outer circumferential wall of the cylindrical catalyst filling space (24) and an opening formation assister assisting the formation of a catalyst removal opening for removing the catalyst. The removal section indicator and the opening formation assister are, for example, an oval annular shallow groove (30) formed at the outer circumferential wall of the catalyst filling space (24) over substantially the entire length in the axial direction of the catalyst filling space (24). When a catalyst (25) is collected from the fuel treatment device (21) after a lapse of a period of use, the catalyst removal opening (29) surrounded by the annular shallow groove (30) is cut off, and a catalyst removal opening (40) is formed. |
| US07883671B2 |
Process and apparatus for manufacturing a styrene polymer in a mechanically stirred reactor
Process and apparatus for the (co) polymerization of styrene. The process is carried out by employing a liquid polymerization reaction mixture that includes styrene, in a mechanically stirred reactor in the form of a vessel comprising a side wall having the shape of a cylinder of revolution with a vertical axis (A), a bottom head and a top head that are joined to the side wall. The vessel is provided with a mechanical stirring device comprising (i) a central shaft of vertical axis coincident with the axis (A), connected to a drive system comprising a motor for rotating the central shaft, (ii) at least one baffle attached to the vessel. The baffle is away from the side wall of the vessel and takes the form of a cylinder of vertical axis and of rhomboidal cross section. |
| US07883670B2 |
Methods of making devices by stacking sheets and processes of conducting unit operations using such devices
New designs, methods and processes are described that in which laminated devices and configured in a style named the “ortho” style. To form a device in the ortho style, plates or sheets are machined to have apertures and then stacked together such that the apertures connect and fluid can flow through the device in a direction that is substantially parallel to the direction of sheet thickness. Various laminated devices and processes using them are also described. For example, devices in which non-rectangular microchannels conform around reaction chambers or other bodies that need to be heated or cooled, are described. Features that separate or trip boundary layer and enhance heat transfer are also described. |
| US07883667B2 |
Methods and apparatus for efficiently using fluids in a slide stainer
Apparatus and methods for applying fluid to slides are disclosed. The apparatus includes a partitioned vessel having a cavity and a sub-cavity that receives fluid, a slide carrier that receives at least one slide in an area corresponding to the sub-cavity, and a transport that positions the slide carrier to position the at least one slide at least partially within the sub-cavity of the partitioned vessel. Fluid is applied to the slides by partitioning the vessel to include a sub-cavity, filling the sub-cavity with fluid, and positioning the at least one slide into fluid filled sub-cavity. |
| US07883664B2 |
Microwave drying process for vitrification of biologics
The present invention relates to a biological composition which is storable above cryogenic temperature which is comprised of a vitrification solution in a glassy state. The vitrification solution is comprised of a biological material and a vitrification agent. |
| US07883661B2 |
Method for forming porous metal implants
A method for providing a porous metal implant. A mixture of a biocompatible metal, a spacing agent, and a binder is provided. The mixture is formed into a shaped the spacing agent is removed to form a plurality of pores in the implant. A shaped porous metal implant is also provided. |
| US07883658B2 |
Simplified shoe construction with midsole having overmolded insert
A shoe construction employs a midsole molded of flexible, resilient material around a rigid plate, where the midsole and encapsulated plate are insertable into a separately constructed outsole and shoe upper. |
| US07883656B2 |
Wound in-situ moulded magnet end coil and method for production thereof
A method for manufacturing a solenoidal magnet having one or more coils wound onto a cylindrical former, and an annular end coil (20), mounted onto an end of the former such that no part of the former is present on the radially inner (A1) or axially outer (B2) sides of the end coil. The method comprises the steps of: (a) locating a temporary annular mold (22) on the end of the former; (b) retaining (32, 34, 36, 38) the temporary mould in position on the end of the former; (c) providing an interface release material (42) on an end surface of the former, exposed to the interior of the temporary mold; (d) winding wire to form the end coil into the cavity formed by the interior of the mold and the an interface release material (42) on the end surface of the former; (e) providing a step feature (46) over an axially inner part of a radially outer surface of the end coil; (f) providing a retaining strip (48), extending from the former over a radially outer surface of the step feature, and at least partially over an axially outer surface of the step feature, said retaining strip being held onto the former by retaining means (50), so as to retain the step feature in axial compression; (g) impregnating the end coil and the step feature with a hardening liquid impregnating material; and (h) once the impregnating material has hardened, removing the temporary annular mold. |
| US07883655B2 |
Molding apparatus for manufacturing a semiconductor device and method using the same
A molding apparatus including an upper half having a substrate mounting plate; and a lower half coupled with the upper half to form a cavity there between, wherein the substrate mounting plate faces the cavity, wherein the lower half includes a projecting part which has a top surface which faces the cavity and which projects from the bottom surface of the lower half toward a substantial center point of the substrate mounting plate, wherein the substrate mounting plate is adjustably mounted on the upper half and movable toward the lower half, and wherein the upper half includes a clamp mounted thereon which surrounds the projecting part when the upper and lower halves are coupled with each other. |
| US07883654B2 |
Method for fabricating membrane electrode assembly
Two catalyst electrode layers (CEL) are separately formed on two surfaces of a proton exchange membrane (PEM). The structure and processes are simple in the present invention for obtaining a membrane exchange assembly (MEA) with its thickness controllable. The MEA obtained can have a structure of CEL+PEM+CEL′. If a gas diffusion layer (GDL) is added before obtaining the CEL, a MEA having a structure of GDL+CEL+PEM+CEL′+GDL′ is obtained. |
| US07883653B2 |
Method of making an implantable orthopaedic bearing
An method of making an orthopaedic bearing includes securing polymer composite to a metallic component. An orthopaedic bearing is also disclosed. |
| US07883651B1 |
Lignoellulosic, borate filled, thermoplastic composites
The incorporation of borates during the manufacture of lignocellulosic based thermoplastic materials containing about 25 to 75 percent by weight of the thermoplastic material will increase their resistance to surface impairment caused by mold as well as increase their resistance to fungal decay. For resistance to surface impairment, the preferred amount is 3 to 5 percent of the boron containing fungicide. When fungal decay resistance is needed the preferred amount is about 0.3 to 2 percent of the boron containing fungicide. |
| US07883650B2 |
Fabrication of carbon nanotubes reinforced polymer composite bipolar plates for fuel cell
A composite bipolar plate for a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is prepared as follows: a) compounding vinyl ester and graphite powder to form bulk molding compound (BMC) material, the graphite powder content ranging from 60 wt % to 95 wt % based on the total weight of the graphite powder and vinyl ester, wherein carbon nanotubes together with a polyether amine dispersant or modified carbon nanotubes 0.05-10 wt %, based on the weight of the vinyl ester resin, are added during the compounding; b) molding the BMC material from step a) to form a bipolar plates having a desired shaped at 80-200° C. and 500-4000 psi. |
| US07883648B2 |
Lipobeads and their production
Lipobeads (liposome-encapsulated hydrogels) combine properties of hydrogels and liposomes to create systems that are sensitive to environmental conditions and respond to changes in those conditions in a fast time scale. Lipobeads may be produced by polymerizing anchored or unanchored hydrogels within liposomes or by mixing anchored or unanchored hydrogels with liposomes. Giant lipobeads may be produced by shrinking unanchored nanogels in lipobeads and fusing the resulting lipobead aggregates, long-term aging of anchored or unanchored lipobeads, or mixing anchored or unanchored aggregated nanogels with liposomes. Poly(acrylamide), poly(N-isopropylacrylamide), and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-1-vinylimidazole) lipobeads were produced and characterized. |
| US07883645B2 |
Method for increasing the conversion of group III metals to group III nitrides in a fused metal containing group III elements
The present invention relates to a method for increasing the conversion of group III metal to group III nitride in a fused metal containing group III elements, with the introduction of nitrogen into the fused metal containing group III, at temperatures≦1100° C. and at pressures of below 1×108 Pa, wherein a solvent adjunct is added to the fused metal containing group III elements, which is at least one element of the following elements C, Si, Ge, Fe, and/or at least one element of the rare earths, or an alloy or a compound of these elements, in particular their nitrides. |
| US07883644B2 |
Stoichiometric lithium cobalt oxide and method for preparation of the same
A LiCoO2-containing powder. and a method for preparing a LiCoO2-containing powder, includes LiCoO2 having a stoichiometric composition via heat treatment of a lithium cobalt oxide and a lithium buffer material to make an equilibrium of a lithium chemical potential therebetween; the lithium buffer material which acts as a Li acceptor or a Li donor to remove or supplement a Li-excess or a Li-deficiency, the lithium buffer material coexisting with the stoichiometric lithium metal oxide. Also an electrode includes the LiCoO2-containing powder as an active material, and a rechargeable battery includes the electrode. |
| US07883641B2 |
Metal oxide phosphor microparticle and process for producing the same; utilizing the same, dispersion liquid, fluorescence conversion membrane, method of separating metal oxide phosphor microparticle, fluorescent liquid, fluorescent paste, phosphor and process for producing the same; and fluorescence converter
In accordance with the present invention, there are provided metal oxide-based phosphor microfine particles comprising a matrix crystal made of a metal oxide and a metal element doped as an emission center into the matrix crystal, wherein the microfine particles are provided with an organic group coordinated to a surface thereof, have a small particle size as well as a high affinity to and a high dispersibility in light-transmittable resins, and are inhibited from scattering light emitted from a light source; a process for producing the metal oxide-based phosphor microfine particles; a dispersion of the metal oxide-based phosphor microfine particles; a fluorescent conversion film; a method of separating the metal oxide-based phosphor microfine particles; a fluorescent liquid; a fluorescent paste; a phosphor; a process for producing the phosphor; and a fluorescent converter. |
| US07883639B2 |
Additives to prevent degradation of cyclic alkene derivatives
A stabilized cyclic alkene composition comprising one or more cyclic alkenes, and at least one antioxidant compound having the formula (I), wherein R1 through R5 can each independently be H, OH, C1-C8 linear, branched, or cyclic alkyl, C1-C8 linear, branched, or cyclic alkoxy or substituted or unsubstituted aryl, and wherein the antioxidant compound is present in an amount between 1 ppm and 200 ppm, and wherein said composition is purged with at least one inert gas after said composition is introduced to a container intended for storage or shipping of said composition. A method for forming a layer of carbon-doped silicon oxide on a substrate, which uses the stabilized alkene composition and a silicon containing compound. |
| US07883622B1 |
Water treatment methods and systems using combinations of ozone and chlorine generators
Methods and apparatus for efficient implementation and control of water treatment bypass loops combining ozone and chlorine injection are disclosed. Combined use of ozone and chlorine exploits high oxidation potential of ozone while retaining longer lived residual effectiveness of chlorine for high efficacy against contaminants, particularly biological and organic. Embodiments including automated monitoring and control of chlorine concentrations in presence of high oxidation potentials from ozone are disclosed, as is an inexpensive circuit for using a signal from a redox sensor for controlling output from an electrolysis cell. Also disclosed is a multipurpose enclosure that may be used, with different inserts, to implement an electrolysis cell, an ultraviolet ozone generator, an advanced oxidation unit, or an erosion feeder for adding dissolved salt to water for use in an electrolysis cell. The multipurpose enclosure helps reduce cost associated with maintaining inventories of different components used in water purification systems. |
| US07883616B2 |
Metal oxide and/or metal hydroxide coated metal materials and method for their production
A method for production of a metal oxide and/or metal hydroxide coated metal material comprises immersing a metal material or electrolyzing a conductive material in an aqueous treatment solution at pH 2-7 containing metal ion and fluorine ion in a 4-fold or more molar ratio with respect to the metal ion, and/or containing a complex ion comprising at least a metal and fluorine in a 4-fold or more molar ratio with respect to the metal, to form on the surface of the metal material a metal oxide and/or metal hydroxide coating containing the metal ion and/or the metal, as well as a metal oxide and/or metal hydroxide coated metal material having a metal oxide and/or metal hydroxide coating produced by the method. |
| US07883608B2 |
Cathodic protection systems
A cathodic protection system wherein a metal structure is electrically connected to a sacrificial anode through a self encapsulating wire connector that can be assembled by unskilled persons and can be maintained in a protective condition around an electrical junction to enable the electrical junction to protected from an underground environment. |
| US07883607B2 |
Methods of ion milling for magnetic heads and systems formed thereby
A method according to one embodiment includes ion milling at a first angle of greater than about 25 degrees from normal relative to a media facing side of a thin film region of a magnetic head or component thereof for recessing the thin film region at about a constant rate for films of interest of the thin film region, planes of deposition of the films being oriented about perpendicular to the media facing side; and ion milling or plasma sputtering at a second angle of less than about 25 degrees from normal relative to the media facing side of the thin film region for recessing magnetic films therein faster than insulating films therein, the second angle being smaller than the first angle. |
| US07883601B2 |
Apparatus and method for controlling relative particle speeds in a plasma
An apparatus for controlling a plasma etching process includes plasma control structure that can vary a size of a plasma flow passage, vary a speed of plasma flowing through the plasma flow passage, vary plasma concentration flowing through the plasma flow passage, or a combination thereof. |
| US07883596B2 |
Process and system for making noise absorber carpet and a noise absorber carpet made therefrom
A noise absorber carpet comprised of a fabric layer portion and a resinous backing layer portion is provided. The fabric layer portion and the resinous backing layer portion are heat bonded with a press into the noise absorber carpet, and the press includes perforation pins and a cooling medium. The resinous backing layer portion is provided with noise absorbing perforations formed by contact with the perforation pins of the press and cooled by the cooling medium. The perforations having been cooled by the cooling medium with the press simultaneously with the bonding of the resinous backing layer portion with the fabric layer portion and the cooling of the press by the cooling medium, thereby providing for instant curing and fixation of the shape of the perforations. |
| US07883595B2 |
Tire manufacturing method
A tire manufacturing method includes the steps of, when a green tire is molded, moving a toroidally expandable toroidal molding drum through a distance between a plurality of working stations at a specified tact time, disposing a carcass band and both bead cores on the drum in any working station and locking the bead cores, increasing the diameter of the molding drum, toroidally extending the carcass band between both bead cores, and rolling up the side portion of the carcass band around the bead cores in the outer radial direction, assembling tire component members with the bead cores locked to the toroidal molding drum and molding the green tire, and reducing the diameter of the molding drum, unlocking the bead cores, and removing the green tire from the molding drum, whereby the tires of a plurality of sizes can be sequentially molded, a conventional tire structure must not be largely changed, and an energy and time can be prevented from being wastefully consumed. |
| US07883593B1 |
Non-toxic pyrotechnic delay compositions
A novel pyrotechnic delay composition for use in metal delay fuse cartridges, including as its primary constituent Si—Al—Fe3O4 prepared from powdered form. The delay composition yields a progressive burning zone and burns substantially gas-free, is safe to handle, is resistant to moisture and degradation over time, can be incorporated within the confines of existing detonator shells, and poses no environmental hazards. |
| US07883588B2 |
Pb-free bearing used for fuel-injection pump
In a Cu—Bi based sintered alloy, to which hard particles, such as Fe3P, are added, the main constituent components of the microstructure are a Cu matrix, Bi phase and the hard particles. In the sintering method of the present invention, the flow of the Bi phase is suppressed to as low level as possible. The novel structure is that the contact between the Bi phase and hard particles is kept to a low ratio. A lead-free bearing used for a fuel injection pump according to the present invention contains from 1 to 30 mass % of Bi and from 0.1 to 10 mass % of hard particles having from 10 to 50 μm of the average particle diameter, the balance being Cu and unavoidable impurities. The properties of the main component phases are utilized at a high level such that the sliding properties are equivalent to those of a Pb containing Cu-based sintered alloy. |
| US07883581B2 |
Substrate processing apparatus and method of manufacturing semiconductor device
Provided are a substrate processing apparatus and a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device. The substrate processing apparatus includes a reaction vessel configured to process a substrate, a heater configured to heat an inside of the reaction vessel, a gas supply line configured to supply gas into the reaction vessel, a first valve installed at the gas supply line, a flow rate controller installed at the gas supply line, a main exhaust line configured to exhaust the inside of the reaction vessel, a second valve installed at the main exhaust line, a slow exhaust line installed at the main exhaust line, a third valve installed at the slow exhaust line, a throttle part installed at the slow exhaust line, a vacuum pump installed at the main exhaust line, and a controller configured to control the valves and the flow rate controller. |
| US07883578B2 |
Process for preparing CaF2 lens blanks especially for 193 nm and 157 nm lithography with minimized deffects
Homogeneity residuals of the refractive index have a strong influence on the performance of lithography tools for both 193 and 157 nm application wavelengths. By systematic investigations of various defects in the real structure of CaF2 crystals, the origin of homogeneity residuals can be shown. Based on a quantitative analysis we define limiting values for the individual defects which can be either tolerated or controlled by optimized process steps, e.g. annealing. These correlations were carried out for all three relevant main crystal lattice orientations of CaF2 blanks. In conclusion we achieved a strong improvement of the critical parameters of both refractive index homogeneity and striae for large size lens blanks up to 270 mm diameter. |
| US07883577B2 |
Rheology stabilizer for cementitious compositions
An admixture formulation of at least one polycarboxylate dispersant and at least one naphthalene dispersant is provided. When the polycarboxylate dispersant and the naphthalene dispersant of the admixture formulation are combined at various ratios the admixture formulation reduces the tendency for bleed and segregation in cementitious mixtures without increasing water demand, retarding setting, increasing water sensitivity, promoting high viscosity, or reducing flow retention. |
| US07883576B2 |
Binder composition for waste materials
An inorganic binder composition has a first constituent which is a poly(sialate) or a poly(sialate-siloxo) admixed with a second constituent which has one or more of: fly ash F, fly ash C, fumed silica, Al2O3, pozzolan, ground slag, nepheline syenite, anhydrous aluminum silicate, hydrous aluminum silicate, hydrous sodium hydroxide, silicic acid, potassium salt, and sodium salt. The binder is used to recycle and reuse revert materials from metal smelting operations. |
| US07883573B2 |
Method for preparing a source material for ion implantation
The present invention provides, for use in a semiconductor manufacturing process, a method (100) of preparing an ion-implantation source material. The method includes providing (110) a deliquescent ion implantation source material and mixing (110) the deliquescent ion implantation source material with an organic liquid to form a paste. |
| US07883572B2 |
Cleanable dust filter comprising a zigzag pleated filter pack
A cleanable filter for particulate material, includes a zigzag pleated filter pack, spacers disposed between the pleats in the filter pack and a frame having an upper and lower part covering the respective upper and lower side of the filter pack that contains the ends of the fold lines and two lateral parts covering the opposite sides of the filter pack that contains the ends of the filter medium zigzag folded into a filter pack, the frame thereby leaving the opposite sides of the filter pack that contains alternate fold lines of the pleated filter pack, free for the passage of air. The filter medium in the filter pack includes a pleated sheet of polytetrafluorethylene and the spacers between the pleats consist of corrugated aluminum foils. An earthing element furthermore electrically connects the aluminum foils to each other and to an earth connection on the outside of the filter frame. |
| US07883571B1 |
Purification method and junction for related apparatus
Purification method and apparatus for purifying a gas stream by oxygen removal. The apparatus includes primary and secondary oxygen separation zones and tubular electrically driven oxygen separation elements. There are more elements in the primary zone than the secondary zone so that low concentrations of oxygen can be obtained in a purified stream and turbulent flow conditions can also be obtained that will permit purification to very low levels. In addition, a junction is provided to connect the tubular separation elements to metallic elements such as manifolds. |
| US07883569B2 |
Natural gas processing system
Produced natural gas containing carbon dioxide is dehydrated and chilled to liquefy the carbon dioxide and then fractionated to produce a waste stream of liquid carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide. Natural gas liquids may be first separated and removed before fractionation. After fractionation, the waste stream is pressurized and transmitted to a remote injection well for injection either for disposal of the waste stream and preferably to urge hydrocarbons toward the producing well. A hydrocarbon stream proceeds from fractionation to a methanol absorber system which removes carbon dioxide gas. The hydrocarbon stream is thereafter separated into at least hydrocarbon gas, nitrogen and helium. Some of the nitrogen is reintroduced into a fractionation tower to enhance the recovery of hydrocarbons. A methanol recovery system is provided to recover and reuse the methanol. The hydrocarbons are sold as natural gas; and the helium is recovered and sold. Excess nitrogen is vented. |
| US07883559B2 |
System for gas cleaning
A system for gas cleaning has at least one casing (1) with a first chamber (31) into which the gas to be cleaned can be flowed and with a second chamber (33) from which the cleaned gas exits. A filter device (35) can have the gas flow through it and can be arranged between the chambers. The filter device has filter media both for the separation of solid particles and for dehumidifying the gas by separating out coalesced liquid. The system has, upstream of the filter device (35), an arrangement (11, 37) for preliminary dehumidification of the gas. |
| US07883552B2 |
Calcium carbonate granulation
Highly compactable granulations and methods for preparing highly compactable granulations are disclosed. More particularly, highly compactable calcium carbonate granulations are disclosed. The granulations comprise powdered materials such as calcium carbonate that have small median particle sizes. The disclosed granulations are useful in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical tableting and provide smaller tablet sizes upon compression than previously available. |
| US07883549B2 |
Graying-inhibiting liquid washing composition
An aqueous liquid laundry detergent containing methylcarboxymethyl cellulose having a degree of methylation in the range from 0.01 to 0.3, surfactant, and at least one typical ingredient of laundry detergents. The detergent inhibits graying of textile fabrics during the washing of the fabrics. |
| US07883548B2 |
Prosthetic knee joint mechanism
A prosthetic knee joint mechanism has an hydraulic load-activated knee-stabilizing device for resisting joint flexion. A rotary piston (34) connected to one part of the mechanism is rotatable within a fluid-filled fluid displacement chamber (18) associated with another part of the mechanism to drive fluid through a fluid passage which contains a main valve (38) which restricts or allows joint flexion according to the position of a valve member within the valve. The valve member is movable towards an open position in response to fluid pressure in the fluid passage upstream of the valve member caused by application of a flexion torque to the knee joint mechanism, movement of the valve member in the direction of the open position being at least resisted by a valve control arrangement actuated by application of the wearer's weight. The weight-responsive valve control arrangement is preferably a weight-responsive pilot valve (32) for hydraulically resisting movement of the valve member of the main valve. |
| US07883537B2 |
Methods for configuring expandable devices
A balloon having one or more stiffeners is used to configure an expandable device. Methods of configuring and reconfiguring an expandable device with a balloon having a stiffener attached at its perimeter by orienting the stiffener with the expandable device and expanding the balloon to cause the stiffener to exert radial force against the expandable device are provided. Methods of delivering an expandable device carried on a balloon having a stiffener attached are also provided. Reference to radio-opaque portions of the stiffener facilitate orientation of the stiffener with the expandable device. |
| US07883530B2 |
Expanding nipple appliance
A nipple appliance having a base portion, a bulb portion having an integrated internal mechanical device that expands as the child sucks on the bulb, and a neck portion connecting the base portion and bulb portion. A sucking force by a child activates the mechanical device by compression of a front of the nipple to redirect force outward and upward by expansion of lateral walls of the bulb, thereby conveying pressure against the palate, alveolar ridge, and/or the teeth. |
| US07883528B2 |
Fully threaded suture anchor with insert-molded suture
A fully threaded, bioabsorbable suture anchor with a suture loop that is disposed internally within the suture anchor. The suture loop is insert-molded into the anchor. The fully threaded design provides improved fixation, while the insert-molded internal suture loop serves as a recessed eyelet for a second (knot-tying) suture. |
| US07883525B2 |
Intragastric catheter
An intragastric catheter provides satiety due to its presence in the stomach cavity. Efficacy is improved by the tactile sensation provided by a plurality of fingers that extend from the device. Normal peristaltic action upon the device moves the fingers relative to the stomach. The structure of the intragastric catheter reduces the level of precision required in placement of the device, and blockage of conduits to and from the stomach by the device is unlikely. |
| US07883519B2 |
Suture manipulating instrument particularly useful with endoscopes
A suture manipulating instrument, includes: first and second handles manually movable relative to each other to open and closed positions; an elongated shaft having a proximal end fixed to the first handle, and a distal end defining a first jaw engageable with a suture to be manipulated; a second jaw movably mounted to the distal end of the elongated shaft to open and closed positions with respect to the first jaw; and a coupling between the second handle and the second jaw for moving the second jaw to its open and closed positions with respect to the first jaw upon movement of the second handle to open and closed positions with respect to the first handle. The first and second jaws are formed with confronting surfaces configured to firmly grasp a suture between them in the closed position of the second jaw with respect to the first jaw. The distal end of the first jaw is outwardly curved away from the axis of the shaft and is tapered towards its distal tip such as to define a piercing tip for piercing tissue by rotating the elongated shaft about its axis. |
| US07883513B2 |
Polyaxial drill guide
A polyaxial drill guide includes a body, a collet and a stem. The collet includes a collet shaft having distal and proximal ends and a longitudinal bore. The body includes a conical bore having narrow and wide ends. The distal end of the collet shaft rotatably mounts within the narrow end of the conical bore, with the collet shaft extending toward the wide end of the conical bore, such that the collet shaft (and consequently the longitudinal bore) can be angled within the conical bore at a plurality of angles. The stem includes a shaft having distal and proximal ends and a longitudinal bore. The distal end of the stem shaft mounts to the proximal end of the collet shaft such that the longitudinal bores are co-linear and a drill bit can be inserted into and rotated within the longitudinal bores during a drilling procedure. |
| US07883505B2 |
Integrated surgical microscope and wavefront sensor
A wavefront sensor is integrated with a surgical microscope for allowing a doctor to make repeated wavefront measurements of a patient's eye while the patient remains on an operating table in the surgical position. The device includes a wavefront sensor optically aligned with a surgical microscope such that their fields of view at least partially overlap. The inclusion of lightweight, compact diffractive optical components in the wavefront sensor allows the integrated device to be supported on a balancing mechanism above a patient's head during a surgical procedure. As a result, the need to reposition the device and/or the patient between measuring optical properties of the eye and performing surgical procedures on the eye is eliminated. Many surgical procedures may be improved or enhanced using the integrated device, including but not limited to cataract surgery, Conductive Keratoplasty, Lasik surgery, and corneal corrective surgery. |
| US07883503B2 |
Illuminating balloon catheter and method for using the catheter
A directionally limited illuminating balloon catheter includes a multi-lumen shaft having a distal end and a hollow balloon portion disposed at the distal end and inflated through the shaft, the balloon portion having a light source illuminating only a portion of the environment outside the balloon portion. The balloon portion can be have a directionally limited light source directing substantially all illumination towards the shaft. Also provided is a directionally illuminating balloon catheter kit including a set of illuminating catheters each having the light source with different sized illuminating areas to illuminate a different sized partial portion of the environment outside the balloon portion. |
| US07883500B2 |
Method and system to treat and prevent myocardial infarct expansion
A method and apparatus for prevention and reduction of myocardial infarct expansion and heart remodeling by infusion of fluid into the pericardial space of the heart to created a hydraulic heart constraint. As a result of the constraint ventricular stress and dilation is reduced. Pressure in the pericardial sac is maintained at a safe level for the duration of treatment. Apparatus consists of a catheter and a fluid infusion system. |
| US07883497B2 |
Absorbent article including an absorbent structure
An absorbent article includes an absorbent structure. The edge portions in the absorbent structure's middle portion have a first mean pore size, and the central portion in the middle portion of the absorbent structure has a second mean pore size, the first mean pore size being greater than the second mean pore size. The absorbent article can be folded along the longitudinal centre axis so that a part of the article on one side of the longitudinal centre line and a corresponding part of the article on the other side of the longitudinal centre line are brought together to lie against one another at a plane of the longitudinal centre line on the upper surface of the article. The edge portions which have the greater, first mean pore size thereby form an area of the absorbent article that is first wetted during use. |
| US07883494B2 |
Simultaneous aspirate and irrigate and scaffold
An apparatus for cleansing wounds in which irrigant fluid from a reservoir connected to a conformable wound dressing and wound exudate from the dressing are moved by a device (which may be a single pump or two pumps) for moving fluid through a flow path which passes through the dressing and over a biodegradable scaffold in contact with the wound bed (which encourages healing tissue growth from the wound bed). The apparatus has means (which includes the device(s)) for providing simultaneous aspiration and irrigation of the wound. A dressing assembly including the dressing and the scaffold, and the dressing and a method of treatment using the apparatus. |
| US07883486B2 |
Protective pad for use with an orthopedic brace
A conformable pad (100) for use under an orthopedic brace includes an upper edge (101) having a straight dimension and a lower edge (108) having an uneven dimension with at least one wide section (101) and at least one narrow section (115). The pad (100) further includes a first edge (117) having a straight dimension and positioned adjacent to the at least one wide section (101) and a second edge (119) also having a straight dimension and positioned adjacent to the at least one narrow section (115) such that the first edge (117) is longer than the second edge (119). The invention is advantageous for use with orthopedic braces in order to prevent friction and irritation created by the brace against the user's skin. |
| US07883485B2 |
Restraint device and method of use
A restraint device includes first and second restraint and/or support portions adapted to extend around part of a person. First and second connector portions are used to secure the first and second restraint and/or support portions to the person. In one aspect, a lock member is used to selectively prevent disconnection of the first and second connector portions. A removable tag or other information element may be carried on at least one of the first and second restraint and/or support portions and may indicate the individual or individuals that placed the restraint device on the person or that removed the restraint device from the person, and/or what time the restraint device was placed or removed. A plurality of removable tags or other elements may be carried on at least one of the first and second restraint and/or support portions and may have a unique identifier to indicate whether or not the restraint device had been previously removed from the person after an initial placement. |
| US07883483B2 |
Control device and control program of walking assisting device
A control device and a control program of a walking assisting device, wherein a desired assist ratio, which is a desired value of the ratio of a force to be supplied by a walking assisting device (1) in a total tread force of a user (A) relative to the total tread forces is set, the shares of a lifting force to be applied to the user (A) from a seating part (2) which are to be borne by the leg links (3L, 3R) are determined from the desire assist ratio and the tread forces of the legs of the user (A) measured on the basis of outputs of force sensors (38, 38, 39, 39), and actuators (27, 27) of the leg links (3L, 3R) are controlled such that the determined shares of the lifting force are generated from the leg links (3L, 3R). Thus, a force required for the user (A) to support himself/herself by his/her legs on a floor can be reduced while reducing the number of parts to be attached to each leg of the user (A), and an assisting force for achieving such reductions can be properly shared between the leg links (3L, 3R) corresponding to the legs of the user (A). |
| US07883480B2 |
Motion monitoring apparatus
A motion monitoring apparatus and method for monitoring a patient under medical care. A sensor arrangement is provided in the form of a pad which the patient lies on. The sensor arrangement provides a signal which can be monitored to observe motion of the patient and provide an alarm should the motion meet certain predetermined conditions. The invention is particularly applicable for monitoring patients under sedation, recovering from anaesthesia, or in intensive care. The device is particularly useful for veterinary patients. |
| US07883477B2 |
Human body backbone measuring/displaying system
A human spinal column measuring and displaying system includes a spinal column measuring apparatus capable of measuring bending or a circumflex (twist) angle of the spinal column of the human body as a detaching amount measuring data from a reference value, an input apparatus for inputting gender, height data of the measurement subject, an image processing apparatus for inputting the detaching amount measuring data from the spinal column measuring apparatus and data from the input apparatus and generating a three-dimensional spinal column image of the measurement subject based on the detaching amount measuring data and the gender, height data of the measurement subject, and a display apparatus for displaying an image data from the image processing apparatus. The system can calculate a measured data of three-dimensional coordinates and a circumflex angle of the spinal column by scanning a predetermined probe along the spinal column, and simulate a shape of the spinal column from the measured data to be able to display a three-dimensional pseudonymous spinal column image by utilizing computer graphics. |
| US07883470B2 |
Apparatus and method for outputting heart sounds
An apparatus for outputting heart sounds includes an implantable system and an external system. The implantable system includes a sensor for generating sensed signals representing detected heart sounds, an interface circuit and a control circuit for receiving the sensed signals, generating data representing the heart sounds therefrom, and transmitting the data to the external system via the interface circuit. The external system includes an interface circuit for communicating with the implantable system, and a control circuit for receiving the data representing the heart sounds and for generating control signals that cause an output device to generate outputs representing the sounds. The implantable system may also include a sensor(s) for detecting cardiac electrical signals. In this case, outputs representing the cardiac electrical signals are also output. |
| US07883461B2 |
Wound retractor with gel cap
An incrementally adjustable wound retractor, which provides access to a body cavity, includes an inner ring having a diameter greater than the desired diameter of the wound incision, an outer ring having an annular axis and a diameter greater than the desired diameter of the wound incision, and a flexible sleeve disposed in a generally cylindrical form between the inner and outer rings. The outer ring includes first and second circular tubes spaced apart axially with each including a lumen having a rigid, noncompliant split hoop positioned therein. The outer ring may be rolled over itself and around the annular axis to retract the sleeve with sufficient force to stretch the incision to the desired diameter. A gel cap seal may be coupled to the outer ring outside of the biological body to seal the opening produced by the wound retractor between the body cavity and outside the body cavity. |
| US07883458B2 |
System for remotely controlling two or more medical devices
A system for remotely controlling multiple medical devices. Included in the system are at least a first medical device and a second medical device, each of which are capable of performing one or more functions. Also included is a remote control unit having at least a first switch and a second switch. Connected to each of the medical devices is a controller that can simultaneously dispatch one or more device command signals to each of the medical devices in response to receiving one or more remote command signals from the remote control unit, thereby allowing a user to remotely and simultaneously control one or more functions associated with each of the medical devices. |
| US07883455B2 |
Folding device with a folding blade cylinder and a folding jaw cylinder
A folding device includes a folding blade cylinder and a cooperating folding jaw cylinder, each of which has several circumferentially arranged holding devices. These holding devices can be moved between a disengaged position, where the leading end of a product can be inserted or released, and a holding position in which the product leading edge is held in the holding device. The folding blade cylinder and the folding jaw cylinder each have a number of holding devices equal to the respective number of folding blades and folding jaws. Each of the folding blades presses a product to be folded, and which is held by one of the holding devices on the folding blade cylinder, into a cooperating folding jaw on the folding jaw cylinder. This is accomplished during the passage of the product through a transfer slot between the folding blade cylinder and the folding jaw cylinder. An offset between each folding blade and its associated holding device is adjustable. The location of a holding device, and a subsequent folding blade is fixed. The offset between one of the holding devices of the folding blade cylinder and one of the folding blades that follows that holding device is less than a maximum offset between one of the holding devices and the folding blade that follows behind the folding device. |
| US07883451B2 |
Methods of applying treadle stimulus
A treadle motion therapeutic device and a method of providing treadle motion therapy to a user which may be used as part of therapeutic modalities. The treadle motion therapy device adapted to receive at least one foot of a user in contact with a treadle such that the treadle pivots between a heel of the foot and a front portion of the foot to allow the user to move the treadle by using the front portion of the foot or by using the heel of the foot. The treadle motion therapy device having a capacity to store kinetic energy to assist in maintaining the treadling motion during a treadling session. Variations for other devices and methods are suggested. |
| US07883439B2 |
Oil baffle for gas turbine fan drive gear system
A gas turbine engine includes an epicyclic gear train that drives a turbo fan. The epicyclic gear train employs a one-piece carrier in which the spaced side walls are interconnected with circumferentially spaced apart mounts to form a unitary structure. Baffles are secured to the carrier near the mounts and provide lubrication passages that spray oil onto the sun gear and/or intermediate gears arranged between the baffles. The baffles can be constructed from a different material than the carrier since the baffles are not structural components in the gear train. |
| US07883438B2 |
Lubrication of windmilling journal bearings
A support shaft provides lubrication to a journal bearing during windmilling operation of a gear set. A primary oil pump provides oil from an oil supply during driven operation of the fan, and a secondary oil pump provides oil from an internal sump during windmilling operation of the fan. During driven operation of the fan, oil is pumped with the primary oil pump through a primary oil flow path to an outer surface of the support shaft. During windmilling fan operation, oil is pumped from an internal sump with a secondary oil pump through the secondary oil flow path. The secondary oil flow path has a smaller flow capacity, and the secondary oil pump is a smaller capacity pump. |
| US07883436B2 |
Bi-directional tensioner
An assembly for maintaining tension in a drive belt features a housing mounted on a base. The housing contains a biasing element that exerts torque on the housing to bias the housing in a radial direction. A lever arm is connected to the housing and rotates with the housing in response to the bias of the biasing element. A pulley is connected to the lever arm and engages a drive belt in response to the bias force of the biasing element on the lever arm. The pulley deflects the shape of the belt to provide tension in the belt. In one embodiment, the apparatus allows the user to switch the position of the biasing element and alter the direction of torque on the lever arm. In another embodiment, the lever arm and pulley are removable from the housing and replaceable with other arms and pulleys having different configurations. |
| US07883435B2 |
Tunable broadhead
A tunable broadhead is disclosed for rotating an elongated body of a broadhead relative to an extension member. The tunable broadhead enables the blades of a broadhead to be rotated relative to an arrow shaft into which the tunable broadhead may be attached to tune arrow flight from a bow. In particular, the tunable broadhead may include an extension member rotatably attached to a generally elongated broadhead body, wherein the extension member may be releasably affixed in position with a releasable locking device so that the broadhead may be tuned by rotating the broadhead relative to an arrow and locking the broadhead in position. |
| US07883434B2 |
Composite bat having a multiple tube structure
A structure for a bat is described by using multiple composite tubes bonded to one another, wherein apertures, or “ports,” are molded between the tubes to improve the stiffness, strength, aerodynamics and comfort of the bat. |
| US07883431B2 |
Golf club head
There is provided a golf club head capable of increasing carry on average even if being used by an amateur golfer who is prone to hit a ball with various hit points across the clubface. A golf club head 1 has a face part 2, a crown part 3, a sole part 4, a side part 5, and a hosel part 6, which are formed of titanium or a titanium alloy. The golf club head 1 is formed by integrating a head body 10 and a face plate 30 with each other by welding such as laser welding or plasma welding. A thick part 20 is provided only in the central portion in the toe-heel direction of the cross corner portion between the face part 2 and the sole part 4. The width in the toe-heel direction of the thick part 20 is 20 mm or narrower. |
| US07883422B2 |
Shaft-drive-type power transmission device of a vehicle
To realize the reduction of weight of a power transmission device by overcoming a drawback that an excessively large rotational torque is transmitted to a power transmission path and to sufficiently suppress the generation of a change of a rotational speed by overcoming a drawback that phases between one universal joint and another universal joint are displaced from each other. A damper mechanism is provide in the course of a power transmission path from an engine to a final reduction gear. The damper mechanism transmits a torque from the engine until the torque arrives at a predetermined value and prevents the transmission of a torque that exceeds the predetermined value. |
| US07883421B2 |
Gaming apparatus having a display with a conductive coating
A gaming apparatus comprising a housing, a transparent panel with a first and second surface, and a conductive coating disposed proximate to the second surface, wherein the coating has a high visible light transmittance and a low electrical surface resistance. The gaming apparatus also comprises a grounded metallic strip coupled to the coating and located at a perimeter of the coating, a value input device, and a mechanically rotatable reel that is disposed in the housing so that the mechanically rotatable reel is visible to a player of the gaming apparatus through the transparent panel and the coating. Also included is a controller that comprises a processor and a memory coupled to the processor. The controller is programmed to allow a person to make a wager and to determine a value payout associated with an outcome of a game incorporating the mechanically rotatable reel. |
| US07883418B2 |
Network game terminal, game server, method for handling network games, and recording medium
For reducing the load on a server as much as possible during transfer of data from the server to a terminal, each terminal is capable of playing out a network game in cooperation with a local network game terminal. To this end, the local network game terminal and one or more other network game terminals are grouped in the local network game terminal. Additionally, group information is generated with which the game server 1 can recognize the grouped terminals as one user group, and representative terminal information is also generated with which other network game terminals in the same user group can recognize that the local network game terminal is the representative terminal. Bi-directional communications, including transfer of the data received from the game server 1 and the representative terminal information, are made with other network game terminal(s) in the user group. |
| US07883417B2 |
Gaming machine communicating system
A disclosed gaming system allows game configuration of gaming machines in the gaming system via wireless transmissions from a hand-held device. For instance, via the hand-held device, a user can configure a plurality of gaming machines in range of the device with different games or hardware settings. Further, via the hand-held device, a user can gather information from a number of gaming machines in range of the device. |
| US07883412B2 |
Collusion detection and control
A system for detecting and controlling collusion in a game with a plurality of participating players includes a gaming server and a number of portals in the form of websites on the World Wide Web in the Internet. Each of the portal websites is an online casino website hosted on a corresponding casino web server (not shown). Each of the casino websites is accessible by one or more would-be poker players. Each player accesses the website using a computer with a display and an associated pointing device. The system further includes an administration facility, which communicates with the gaming server along a communication channel, and a collusion detection server in communication with the gaming server via the communication channel. |
| US07883411B2 |
Methods and systems for conducting parimutuel wagers
The present invention contemplates methods and systems of conducting wagers, such as parimutuel wagers. In one exemplary embodiment an event, such as a horse race, dog race, a combination of races, etc., is identified for which a plurality of bettors may each place at least one wager. Each bettor of the plurality is enabled to provide input regarding at least one portion of their respective at least one wager prior to the event. At least one other portion of each bettor's at least one wager is randomized prior to the event. The wager then comprises the combination of the bettor-selected portion and randomized portion. In one exemplary embodiment, the player-selected portion may include selecting bettor-preferred participants of the event while the randomly selected portion may include randomly assigning a finishing order to the player-selected participants. |
| US07883409B2 |
Ticket drawing games having escalating discrete prize levels
Ticket drawings having escalating discrete prize levels within a gaming environment are provided. A gaming system having an automated random ticket drawing game module provides ticket drawing bonus games in conjunction with primary wager based games. Ticket drawings can include base, intermediate and ultimate prize levels, with each level corresponding to a specific prize and range of ticket entries. The prize level escalates as more ticket entries are granted. Ticket entries can be awarded for various events, such as a 3-of-a-kind at a primary wager based game. Drawings include a time period for the acceptance of ticket entries, including a predefined start and end. Award and drawing mechanisms and multiple display devices facilitate each drawing. Multiple drawings can occur simultaneously, such as an hourly and daily drawing. Drawings may also be part of an ongoing series of continuous ticket drawings, such as 24 hourly drawings in a given day. |
| US07883406B2 |
Gaming machines with bonusing
A method is set forth for playing a bonus game in a secondary slot machine adjacent a primary slot machine. The primary slot machine issues a bonus qualifying signal to the secondary slot machine to start play of a bonus game when a bonus qualifying event occurs. The reels of the bonus game include value symbols, null symbols, and end game symbols which may be of two basic types: a lose game symbol and a stop game symbol. After the random spin, the values of any value symbols displayed on the payline of the secondary slot machine are accumulated into an accumulated winning value. The value symbols could include positive integer values, negative integer values, and multiples. The random spinning, determination of values of any value symbol and the accumulation of a winning value is repeatedly continued until an end of the bonus game occurs. |
| US07883402B2 |
Golf game having collateral military ranking system
A golf game operable by data processing apparatus by one or more players comprising a video golf game having various scoring features emulating a corresponding feature of a golf game played on an actual golf course; a rank-assigning element for responsively assigning a virtual military ranking for each of the one or more players for each scoring feature of the video golf game as playing of the video golf game progresses; and an interface element interconnecting the rank-assigning element in communication with the video golf game. The virtual military ranking of each of the one or more players playing the video golf game is promoted or demoted based on his golfing scores as playing of the video golf game progresses. |
| US07883401B1 |
Coin plate with diverter finger
The coin plate of a coin processing or sorting machine having one or more coin slots includes a stationary diverter finger that is attached to the surface of the plate. The finger is located radially inwardly of the coin slot or coin slots and extends downstream to preferably the most downstream slot. A coin that is located radially inwardly from the intended, correct position with respect to the coin slots engages the diverter finger and is directed along the diverter finger radially outwardly and towards the last downstream coin slot so that the coin passes through the slot and is removed from the plate. |
| US07883400B2 |
Pin bone removal apparatus
A pin bone removal device that provides a plurality of fixed members arranged substantially in side-by-side orientation. The invention also comprises a plurality of moveable members also substantially arranged in a side-by-side orientation. In one aspect, the fixed members and moveable members collectively form a stack of members in which a moveable member is positioned adjacent each fixed member. In this aspect, a linear drive is operatively connected to each of the moveable members and is configured to cause oscillating movement of each moveable member to cause the moveable members to contact the adjacent fixed member. This movement causes pinch points to be created and released between the fixed and moveable members. As the fillet of fish is moved along the stack of members, the pin bones are caught at each pinch point and then released. |
| US07883399B2 |
Method for producing a netted casing
Methods for combining a tubular net with a carrier casing are disclosed. Air is blown into a carrier casing so that it is inflated to have a circular diameter. The inflated carrier casing is pulled in the direction of a tubular net toward a pleating head. The tubular net has holes and an open end of the tubular net is attached to a clamp. The inflated carrier casing is fed into the tubular net while pulling the net inside out over itself. The inflated carrier casing covered by the tubular net is pulled through the pleating head (which constricts the carrier casing) toward a shirring machine that includes the shirring mandrel. Air is blown from inside the shirring mandrel at a pressure that forces at least some areas of the carrier casing between the holes of the net to form protruding bulges, and the net/carrier casing combination is shined. |
| US07883398B2 |
Abrasive tool
An abrasive tool, suitable for cutting, slotting, grinding and polishing hard materials, such as ceramics, metals, and composites thereof, and methods for making same. The tool includes a plurality of pores positioned in an abrasive region adjacent an outer circumference of the disk. The pores have any predetermined shape, size and position relative to one another. |
| US07883392B2 |
Toy helicopter
A toy helicopter, in accordance with the present disclosure, includes a body having a longitudinal length and a main rotor. There is an element movable along the longitudinal length. The element allows a user to selectively adjust the location of the center of gravity of a toy helicopter by moving the element along the longitudinal length, thereby changing the velocity of the helicopter. |
| US07883389B2 |
Apparatus and method for rapid sealing of a flat panel display
A method and apparatus is disclosed for rapidly joining a first glass substrate to a second glass substrate. The first glass substrate and second glass substrates are separated by a peripheral glass spacer or frame. The glass frame is sandwiched between the first and second substrates. A layer of glass frit is placed on the top and bottom surfaces of the frame or about the top and bottom peripheral edges of the substrates in contact with the frame. Heat is then applied substantially solely to the periphery of the substrates about the frame to cause the frit to melt thereby securing the top substrate to the bottom substrate. |
| US07883386B2 |
OLED pixel structure and method for manufacturing the same
An organic light emitting display (OLED) pixel structure and a method for manufacturing the same, which can be applied for improving the resolution of an OLED without significantly changing the current OLED manufacturing process. With a novel pixel arrangement and circuit layout, an organic light emitting material is evaporated onto a substrate through a mask and thus a plurality of sub-pixels are formed simultaneously while enabling each sub-pixel to correspond to different pixels. Thereby, the area of each sub-pixel is reduced and the resolution of a display is increased. |
| US07883385B2 |
Outboard motor
An outboard motor having an engine cover formed from a lower cover fixed to a casing and an upper cover joined to the lower cover at a first mating surface. A linear member lead-out part is formed from a case part integrally connected to the lower cover. The linear member lead-out part is closer to one side wall and projects forward from a front wall of the lower cover. A lid member is joined to the case part by a second mating surface disposed below the first mating surface. A water entrance chamber is formed in the lower cover and has front and rear walls defined by a pair of wall portions integrally provided with the lower cover while being spaced in a fore-and-aft direction. The water entrance chamber is disposed on the side on which a small gap is formed between the lid member and the lower cover. |
| US07883384B1 |
Self-contained hydraulic thruster for vessel
A self-contained hydraulic thruster for vessel. The hydraulic thruster incorporates a lower unit housing tiltably attached to a lower unit mounting tube attached to a base, a tube whose upper end is attached through the lower unit housing, and a shaft slidably disposed within the tube. A substantial length of tube extends downwards from the lower unit housing, thus providing support for the shaft. An actuator is disclosed which extends and retracts the shaft relative to the tube. A steering clamp is releasably attached to an end of the shaft which protrudes through the top of the lower unit housing. A steering clamp key traveling in a shaft keyway, or a shaft key in combination with a steering clamp keyway, help maintain constant the angular orientation between the steering clamp and the shaft. A steering gear meshing with a steering assembly, or an actuator driving a tie rod, provide steering. |
| US07883381B2 |
Electrical cable connector
A wedge connector for mechanically securing two electrical cables and making them electrically common is disclosed. The wedge connector has a C-shaped body member and a wedge. The body member has sides that converge toward a first body member end from a second body member end. The body member has edges that are formed to define a pair of inwardly facing channels connected by a web extending between the channels. The wedge also has converging sides to be conformably received in the C-shaped body member. The wedge has concave, outwardly facing surfaces on each side connected by a web extending between the sides. It also has a spring rib formed in the web that extends continuously from a first wedge end toward a second wedge end. |
| US07883377B2 |
Cable assembly with improved housing
An electric connector includes a housing with a plurality of receiving grooves separated by a plurality of ribs, and a plurality of terminals which each has a rear edge received in one of the receiving grooves. Each of the rib includes a pair of wings formed by hot melting a protrusion defined on a tail of the rib. Each two wings received in the same receiving groove block one rear edge of the terminals. |
| US07883373B2 |
Plug component for an electrical control unit
A plug component for an electrical control unit has a contact section formed with one or more compartments, in which a number of contact pins extend perpendicular to a first reference plane. The plug component can be contacted mechanically and electrically with a plug via the contact section. An attachment section extends along the first reference plane and comprises a number of sealing sections, which are provided for resting against corresponding sealing sections of at least one housing component of the control unit. A first of the sealing sections runs in parallel to the first reference plane. Second sealing sections curve away from opposing free ends of the first sealing section and extend in a second reference plane which is arranged perpendicular to the first reference plane. |
| US07883371B1 |
Electrical connector with improved contact footprints
An electrical connector includes a housing member and a number of contacts attached to the housing member. The contacts include a number of first contacts and second contacts arranged side by side along a transverse direction, respectively. The second contacts include a first pair of differential contacts, a second pair of differential contacts and a grounding contact disposed therebetween. At the mounting end of the electrical connector, a space between the grounding contact and the differential contact of each pair most adjacent to the grounding contact is much bigger than any internal space between the differential contacts of each the first or the second pair. As a result, a rear wall of the housing member can provide adequate area for easily mounting a fiber optical lens. |
| US07883368B2 |
Hook end folding electromagnetic compatibilty gasket
An electromagnetic compatibility (“EMC”) gasket includes a first conductive portion moveable to a plurality of positions. A secondary conductive portion is connected to the first conductive portion at an adjacent edge. A third conductive portion is opposite the secondary conductive portion such that the first portion is between the second and third portions. The third conductive portion is connected to the first conductive portion at an adjacent edge. The third conductive portion is curved creating a hook structure such that when in a housing the third conductive portion engages a portion of the housing. This engagement causes the first conductive portion of the EMC gasket to fold and/or flex as an electronic card is moved within the housing in a lateral direction while the housing is disposed stationary in a chassis to mate a connector on the electronic card with a connector in the chassis. |
| US07883366B2 |
High density connector assembly
A connector assembly includes an array of signal contacts having mating portions configured for mating engagement with corresponding signal contacts of a mating connector assembly. The assembly also includes a housing holding the array of signal contacts in rows and columns. The signal contacts are arranged along axes of the rows and columns, and the mating portions of the signal contacts are oriented at a non-orthogonal angle relative to the axes of the rows and columns. |
| US07883362B2 |
Joint connector, joint terminal and a wiring harness with a joint connector
A joint connector has a housing (10) with cavities (11) capable of accommodating mating terminals (30) and a joint terminal (40) with a strip-like base (41) and terminal portions (42) projecting at specified intervals from the strip-like base (41). Insertion openings (18) are formed in a part of the housing (10) before the cavities (11) and communicate with the cavities (11). The joint terminal (40) is mounted into the housing (10) from the front with the terminal portions (42) in the lead. The strip-like base (41) has engaging holes (43) located between the terminal portions (42). Engaging projections (19A) project from a resilient wall (19) continuous with left and right side wall portions (12D) of the housing (10) and engage with the engaging holes (43). |
| US07883360B2 |
Battery pack
A battery pack for an electric appliance has a base body, a locking device for locking the base body to the electric appliance, at least one contact element for producing an electrical contact with the electric appliance, and a contact holding unit for holding the contact element. The locking device and the contact holding unit are fastened to the base body by a shared fastening module. |
| US07883359B2 |
Waterproof connector for flexible substrate
A waterproof connector for a flexible substrate includes: a flexible substrate which includes an insulating film with a conductive pattern formed thereon; a connection terminal joined to the conductive pattern at a terminal section of the flexible substrate; a housing which accommodates the connection terminal; a retainer which includes a vertically assembled pair of members, a forward end thereof holding the connecting section of the conductive pattern and the connection terminal and a rear end thereof surrounding the flexible substrate; a hot-melt adhesive provided on an inner circumference of the retainer at non-joint areas with the flexible substrate and provided on an outer circumference of the retainer so as to make the flexible substrate and the retainer adhere closely to each other; engaging member provided in the outer circumference of the retainer; and receiving member provided in the housing. The engaging member and the receiving member are engaged together to fix the retainer and the housing. |
| US07883347B1 |
Power connection apparatus
There is disclosed a power connection apparatus which can secure connection between a power socket and a power plug and which can simplify the connecting operation properties thereof. A handle rotatably attached to the power plug having terminals includes engaging claw disengageably engaged with engagement portion of the power socket having an electrode portion, an abutment portion which abuts on the power socket, and a grip portion. The rotation of the grip portion in such a direction as to come away from the power socket is limited by the angle of the rotation of the handle in a direction in which the grip portion comes close to the power socket. |
| US07883346B2 |
Supply hub safety shield
A supply hub safety shield device for a power socket comprises left and fight slide blocks comprising sloped shields and platform shields. A slide platform is configured to house the left and right slide blocks such that the left and right slide blocks slide along a surface of the slide platform. The slide platform comprises first and second perforations configured to receive a hot blade and a neutral blade of an attaching plug. First and second elastic components push against the left and right slide blocks. Position blocks in a middle position of the slide platform, are configured to receive surfaces of the elastic components and are further configured to limit sliding distances of the left and fight slide blocks. First and second perforations are under the sloped shields when the sloped shields are in initial positions. |
| US07883343B1 |
Method of manufacturing solar cell
A solar cell that is readily manufactured using processing techniques which are less expensive than microelectronic circuit processing. In preferred embodiments, printing techniques are utilized in selectively forming masks for use in etching of silicon oxide and diffusing dopants and in forming metal contacts to diffused regions. In a preferred embodiment, p-doped regions and n-doped regions are alternately formed in a surface of the wafer through use of masking and etching techniques. Metal contacts are made to the p-regions and n-regions by first forming a seed layer stack that comprises a first layer such as aluminum that contacts silicon and functions as an infrared reflector, second layer such titanium tungsten that acts as diffusion barrier, and a third layer functions as a plating base. A thick conductive layer such as copper is then plated over the seed layer, and the seed layer between plated lines is removed. A front surface of the wafer is preferably textured by etching or mechanical abrasion with an IR reflection layer provided over the textured surface. A field layer can be provided in the textured surface with the combined effect being a very low surface recombination velocity. |
| US07883331B2 |
Containment system for continuous flow hydrolizers
A material handling system for a hydrolyzer, comprising a material injection assembly further comprising a ram, a cylinder having a cylinder shaft for reciprocating the ram upon actuation of the cylinder shaft, a sleeve having an interior in which the ram reciprocates during use; a gate having a gate plate operable from between an open and a closed position; the gate plate has an aperture formed therethrough and the aperture is sized to enable a plug of compressed municipal solid waste to pass through it when the gate plate is in the open position; and a material exit assembly. The preferred material handling system further comprises a gate plate is interpositioned between the pair of space apart end plates and reciprocates freely therebetween. The end plates are configured to allow a plug of municipal solid waste to pass therethrough. The material exit assembly further comprises a processed material handling apparatus including a processed material compaction chamber; and a plunger assembly attached to the compaction chamber and further including a working cylinder having a cylinder shaft and a ram operably connected to the shaft enabling the ram to compact the processed material within the compaction chamber upon actuation of the cylinder and the extension of the shaft therefrom. |
| US07883328B2 |
Extrusion apparatus for spiral stripping electrical wire
An extrusion device for making spiral stripping electrical wires is disclosed to include a fixed mold member, which has a main flow path and a supplementary flow path for the passing of a first insulative material and a second insulative material, and a rotating mold member, which is rotatably supported on the front end of the fixed mold, having a mold hole axially connected to the outlet of the main flow path and one or multiple flow paths, each flow path of the rotating mold member having an outlet in communication with the mold hole and a common annular inlet disposed in communication with the outlet of the supplementary flow path for guiding the second plastic material spirally into the first plastic material to form a spiral strip in the insulator during extrusion of the two plastic materials with a conductor through the mold hole. |
| US07883322B2 |
Cone connected torque converter
The present invention broadly comprises a cone connection assembly for a torque converter, including: a first surface operatively arranged for connection to a crankshaft and a second surface on a cover of the torque converter. The first and second surfaces are arranged to be engaged and the first surface is arranged to transfer torque to the second surface via the engagement of the first and second surfaces. In some aspects, the crankshaft comprises a longitudinal axis, the first surface is disposed about the longitudinal axis, the cover comprises an outside surface, and the outside surface comprises the second surface. In some aspects, the first and second surfaces are arranged to be frictionally engaged or the first and second surfaces have complementary surface features and the first and second surface features are arranged to interlockingly engage. |
| US07883321B2 |
Wind turbine rotor blade and method of manufacturing such rotor blade
The invention relates to a wind turbine rotor blade comprising a blade tip and a lightning protection system. The blade includes at least one metallic lightning receptor at the surface of the blade in proximity of the distal end of the blade tip. The blade comprises a blade shell configured partly by a fibre-reinforced laminate, and the blade also comprises an electrically down-conducting element in the form of a metallic mesh. The electrically down-conducting element extends only to a certain distance from the distal end of the tip of the blade, said distance being larger than a distance between the position of the lightning receptor and the distal end of the tip of the blade. It is hereby ensured that a stroke of lightning will strike the receptor more likely than the electrically down-conducting element. |
| US07883315B2 |
Seal assembly for a fan rotor of a tip turbine engine
A seal assembly (118) mounted within a nonrotatable static inner support structure (16) for engagement with an axial seal face surface (114) and a radial seal face surface (116). The radial seal (120) engages the axial seal face surface and the axial seal (122) engages the radial seal face surface. The seal assembly provides minimal leakage of core airflow to increase the tip turbine engine operating efficiency. |
| US07883314B2 |
Seal assembly for a fan-turbine rotor of a tip turbine engine
A seal assembly (116) mounted within a rotationally fixed static outer support structure (14) for engagement with an annular seal face surface (172) located upon a fan-turbine rotor assembly. The seal assembly provides minimal leakage of core airflow when the airflow is turned and diffused by the diffuser section (74) to increase the engine operating efficiency. |
| US07883312B2 |
Centrifugal blower
A centrifugal blower has: an impeller; and a casing that houses the impeller. The impeller has: a bottom plate; blades provided on a same circumference of the bottom plate; and a shroud that has the blades interposed between it and the bottom plate, disposed concentric with the bottom plate, and connects end sections of the respective blades. The shroud has: an inclined section that comes closer to the bottom plate moving from a radial direction inside to a radial direction outside; and a shroud side barrier that rises from a position on the radial direction outside of the inclined section towards a side opposite to the bottom plate. The casing has a bell-mouth that opens from a radial direction inside of the shroud to a radial direction outside, and a casing side barrier that projects to an area between the inner periphery of the shroud and the shroud side barrier. |
| US07883310B2 |
Roll-off truck bed adapter for use with standard front load containers
An adapter device to be used with a standard roll-off truck to allow said truck to lift and transport standard front-load containers; said adapter device comprising a rigid support structure adapted to engage with the bed of the roll-off truck; an engagement structure integrated with the support structure and adapted to be engaged by a hoist mechanism of the roll-off truck; and a lift structure integrated with the support structure and comprising a pair of parallel forks adapted to engage with the standard lift fittings of the front-load container. |
| US07883308B2 |
Slotted set screw
A slotted set screw includes a slot in an upper end surface and a cut metal waste storing recess respectively formed at two ends of the slot. The cut metal waste storing recess is defined by a vertical wall and a flat bottom wall to have a large opening, separated from the slot for a little distance. The opening of the cut metal waste storing recess communicates with the outside of the threads of the set screw. Thus, cut metal waste may be stored in the cut metal waste storing recesses during cutting threads of the set screw and cannot fall into and remain in the slot to result in extra cleaning work for the waste in the slot. |
| US07883306B2 |
Attachment bolt and tensioned support system using same
Attachment bolts and tensioned support systems (e.g., aircraft access systems) are set forth herein. According to one embodiment, an attachment bolt for use in a tensioned support system includes a head portion and a shaft portion extending from the head portion. The head portion has an end face, and the shaft portion has at least one thread and a tip distal to the head portion. A cavity extends entirely through the head and shaft portions and has a linearly extruded segment, an extended diameter at the end face, and an enlarged diameter at the tip. The extended diameter is larger than a diameter of the linearly extruded segment, and the enlarged diameter is larger than the diameter of the linearly extruded segment. |
| US07883305B2 |
Removable twistlock
A device for securing a container to a trailer has a base with at least one leg for bolting to the trailer and a twistlock coupled to the base. The twistlock, when actuated, engages an opening in a corner fitting of the container such that the container is securely attached to the trailer. |
| US07883294B1 |
Monolithic dock and method for making
An apparatus for providing a floating type of a boat dock or platform includes a plurality of synthetic material decking members that are disposed along the sides and top of the dock. Urethane foam is applied to an interior of the apparatus and it expands to fill the interior voids while simultaneously securing the decking members proximate one-another by securing them to the urethane foam. Accordingly, a monolithic structure is provided without the use of fasteners. Corner members are used that extend around an upper perimeter of the dock. Side members are used to form the sides, ends, and the decking material that forms an upper surface. An optional rounded member is preferably used at the bottom along a perimeter of the apparatus. Optional features, including elastomeric coating, filler blocks, utility conduits, sunken vaults, cleats, upper decking surface and waterline heating are also described. |
| US07883284B2 |
Image recording apparatus
An image recording apparatus, including a sheet-supply tray device which accommodates and holds a plurality of recording sheets and which supplies the recording sheets, one by one, in a sheet-supply direction; and an image recording device which records an image on each of the recording sheets supplied from the sheet-supply tray device. The sheet-supply tray device includes a first tray which accommodates and holds at least one first sheet of the plurality of recording sheets; a second tray which accommodates at least one second sheet of the plurality of recording sheets, and which selectively takes a stacked posture thereof in which the second tray is stacked on the first tray, and an opening posture thereof in which at least a portion of the second tray opens at least a portion of the first tray; and at least one dropping preventing cover which prevents the at least one second sheet from dropping out of the second tray in a state in which the second tray takes the opening posture thereof. |
| US07883276B2 |
Optical transmission coupling
The present invention is directed to systems and methods that couple together optical devices in a manner that prevents damaging light from escaping the coupling except through the devices. In order to prevent damaging light from coming into contact with the user, the present invention obscures the source optical device by using at least one moveable gate to prevent damaging light from being transmitted outside of the coupling until such time as the target optical device is fully inserted into the coupling, thereby preventing light that could potentially damage a person from escaping the system except through the optical device. |
| US07883275B2 |
Fiber guiding platform for mechanical splicer, optical connectors, fiber holder and methods
A three rod bundle confined inside a sleeve is constructed as a light guiding fiber mechanical splicing device which is stiff, strong and precise, with no moving parts. The design also applies to splicing fibers to pre-polished optical connectors through a built-in model of this innovative mechanical splicer. Applying the Soddy circles formula and using a bin approach assists in deriving the exact rod sizes needed and sleeve bore size to accommodate the three-rod bundle, so that this apparatus can be properly designed to guide any size of light guide fibers and studs with minimum clearance. Rods of varying diameters are sorted into bins and chosen based upon the aperture desired, thus eliminating the need for tight tolerance of the diameters of the three rods. This unique design allows for construction of a precision virtual hole of very long depth, which enables two optical fiber studs to butt against each other with a core to core misalignment of less than 1 um for single mode fiber optics cables. Unlike prior arts, the sleeve holding the rods eliminates the need for any clamping mechanism to tighten a loose bundle, which induces undesirable mechanical strain. It also eliminates the need to use a fiber clamp to force the fiber studs against dimensionally unstable V or U groove alignment features which also induce undesirable mechanical strain. A fiber holder is also presented to depict the usefulness of this invention on hold fiber in position. |
| US07883273B2 |
Cage for roller bearing
An end portion of a pin 2 rotatably supporting a rolling body 1 is fitted in a pin-receiving hole 4 formed in an annular side plate 3. The pin-receiving hole 4 has interference in a range from 5 to 40 μm between itself and the outer diameter of the pin 2. The end portion of the pin 2 pressed in the pin-receiving hole 4 with 5-40 μm interference is welded to the annular side plate 3. |
| US07883270B2 |
Hydrodynamic bearing type rotary device and recording and reproducing apparatus including the same
A hydrodynamic bearing type rotary device is configured to prevent air from being trapped inside a bearing and causing the bearing to have oil film rupture and NPPR to deteriorate. In the device, a flange having a shape substantially like a disc is provided integrally with a shaft near its lower portion. A sleeve having a bearing hole is fitted to the shaft so as to be relatively rotatable. Hydrodynamic grooves are provided on at least one of an outer periphery of the shaft and an inner periphery of the sleeve. The flange forms a thrust bearing surface with a lower end surface of the sleeve. Hydrodynamic grooves are provided on at least one of the lower surface of the sleeve and an upper surface of the flange. During rotation of the bearing, the hydrodynamic grooves circulate the lubricant. Capillary pressures at respective portions in the lubricant circulation path have different magnitudes. The principle that air tends to move toward the portion having a smaller capillary pressure is utilized to make it difficult for the air to be trapped inside the bearing and to smoothly discharge the air. |
| US07883267B2 |
Food thermometer sleeve
A protective sleeve for a food thermometer having a probe for insertion into a food is disclosed. The sleeve includes a first body and a second body rotatably positioned within the first body. Each body includes opposing open ends and a sidewall there between, with the second body having indicia displayed thereon. An opening within the sidewall of the first body allows the indicia, which are preferably related to cooking instructions, on the sidewall of the second body to be read. |
| US07883266B2 |
Method and apparatus for defect detection in a cold plate
Method and apparatus are provided for detecting a defect in a cold plate, configured for cooling an electronics component. The method includes: establishing a first fluid flow through the cold plate, the first fluid flow being at a first temperature; impinging a second fluid flow onto the interface surface, the second fluid flow being at a second temperature, the first temperature and the second temperature being different temperatures; obtaining an isotherm mapping of the interface surface of the cold plate while the first fluid flow passes through the cold plate and the second fluid flow impinges onto the interface surface; and using the isotherm mapping to determine whether the cold plate has a defect. In one embodiment, an infrared-transparent manifold is employed in impinging the second fluid flow onto the interface surface, and the isotherm mapping of the interface surface is obtained through the infrared-transparent manifold. |
| US07883263B1 |
Preconditioner for extrusion systems
Improved preconditioners (10) are provided for partial moisturization of human food or animal feed ingredients prior to downstream final processing thereof in an extruder (56) or pellet mill. The preconditioner (10) preferably includes an elongated housing (12) having a wall (14) with an inlet (20) and an opposed outlet (22). The housing (12) also has a larger diameter end wall (16) proximal to the inlet (20), a smaller diameter end wall (18) proximal to outlet (22), and a progressively converging housing wall (14) with a taper angle of from about 2-9°. A shaft (36) extends along the length of housing (14) and supports a plurality of outwardly extending mixing elements (46) positioned in axially and circumferentially spaced relationship along the length of the shaft (36). The outer margins (54) of the mixing elements (46) cooperatively define a taper along the length of the housing wall (14). The shaft (36) is designed to operate at high rotational speeds, and the mixing elements (46) may be selectively angularly oriented to retard or increase the flow rate of materials through the preconditioner (10). The simplified preconditioner (10) is operable to provide high degrees of moisturization and precooking. |
| US07883261B2 |
Water-resistant and replaceable LED lamps
Disclosed is waterproof lamp assembly that allows easy assembly and disassembly. LED elements can be quickly and easily replaced if an LED element is defective or burns out. Extended connectors are used that extend beyond an overmolded lamp holder so that the lamp holder can be easily molded without covering the connectors with molding material. The connectors are made from a malleable metal so that the connectors can be folded into a central opening in the lamp holder. |
| US07883259B2 |
Backlight module
A holder is disposed at a side of a back light module adjacent to a light incident side of a light guide plate (LGP). A light source module is fixed on a wall of the holder that faces the light incident side. A holder engager on a side wall of the LGP engages with an LGP retainer of the holder. When the LGP expands or contracts due to changes of temperature, the holder and the light source module move with the side of the LGP, thereby a gap between the light source module and the light incident side is maintained and the luminance of the backlight module is stabilized. |
| US07883257B2 |
Optical film and display device having the same
An optical film and a display device having the same are disclosed. The display device comprises a display panel including a plurality of subpixels and an optical film disposed at one side of the display panel, the optical film includes a base film and a plurality of prisms, wherein a bias angle between a long axis direction of the subpixels and a longitudinal direction of the prisms is substantially 2 to 88 degrees. |
| US07883255B2 |
Electronic device including optical guide provided with sequentially illuminated optical extractors
There is disclosed a timepiece (40) including optical means for forming a decorative pattern, in the form of a figurative image, in response to an action by the user. The optical means forming a figurative image include an optical guide (1, 51) having two large faces (10, 11) and at least one lateral face (12). Optical extractors (19) each having at least one light reflective surface (20) are arranged in at least one of the large faces (11). A light source (8, 8a, 8b, 8c) is arranged so as to emit light in the direction of the reflective surfaces (20), via the lateral face (12) of the optical guide. Thus, each of the reflective surfaces causes a reflected light beam to form in a well defined direction, the set of light beams forming a figurative image in that direction, which can typically be selected as the normal with respect to the mid-plane of the watch. |
| US07883252B2 |
Display device
A wall-mounted display device, which uses a light guiding panel for an LED light source includes display body 1 with an optical panel 11 housed in a box-like optical diffusion case 15 with flanges 14 formed on the periphery of a substrate 13. A reflection case 12 fits in the optical diffusion case 15, which has a U-shaped cross section and flanges 14 formed on the upper and lower ends of the substrate 16. LED light sources 18 are respectively disposed on the right and left flanges 14 of the reflection case 12 to supply incident light into the light guiding panel 11. Frame members 22, each having a U-shaped cross section, fit in the upper and lower ends of the display body 1, respectively. Each U-shaped frame member is securely fixed with a screw 21 inserted through the rear surface of the frame member, in such a way that the screw 21 is not exposed from the front side of the display body. Frame members 20, each having an L-shaped cross section, are respectively fixed on the right and left ends of the display body 1, with a magnet 23. A transparent cover panel 3 is disposed detachably between the frame member 20 and the optical diffusion case 15. Brackets 4 are fastened on the U-shaped frame members with screws 21 to allow wall mounting. |
| US07883249B2 |
Lighting device for vehicle
A lighting device for a vehicle includes: a light source; a light guide member that has a light-introducing part provided in a back surface side through which the light of the light source is introduced and finally emits the light from a front surface side; a part near the light-introducing part being thicker than an edge part of the light guide member, a plurality of reflecting parts and connecting parts being alternately formed continuously toward a direction separate from the light-introducing part in the back surface side, the reflecting parts respectively reflecting on interfaces the introduced light reaching there to form the light in the direction of the front surface of the light guide member; and a housing that is connected to a position between the edge part of the back surface of the light guide member and the light-introducing part and attached to the back surface side of the light guide member to house the light source. |
| US07883248B2 |
Bicycle illumination apparatus
A bicycle illumination apparatus is provided with a plurality of light sources and a controller. The light sources include at least one light-emitting diode that emits light in accordance with an electrical output of a generator. The controller is configured to selectively control an electrical connection between the power generator and the light sources in accordance with a rotating state of the generator. |
| US07883243B2 |
LED flashlight and heat sink arrangement
An LED light may comprise a light emitting diode selectively energizable for producing light; an electronic circuit for selectively energizing the light emitting diode; and a heat sink of a thermally conductive material, wherein the light emitting diode is thermally bonded to the heat sink; and wherein the electronic circuit is attached to the heat sink. The light may have a pair of contact springs extending from the heat sink and the electronic circuit may include thermal conductivity enhancing features. |
| US07883241B2 |
Electronic device and heat dissipation unit thereof
A heat dissipation unit is provided. The heat dissipation unit includes a fan, a heat sink and a light source. The heat sink includes a plurality of heat dissipating fins, a light transmitting plate, an air inlet and an air outlet, wherein the heat dissipating fins are disposed in the heat sink, and the light transmitting plate is disposed on a surface of the heat sink. The light source corresponds to the light transmitting plate, wherein the light source provides a light beam, the light beam passes the light transmitting plate and introduces into the heat sink, and introduces out the heat sink through the air outlet. |
| US07883239B2 |
Precise repeatable setting of color characteristics for lighting applications
A desired color of illumination of a subject is achieved by determining settings for color inputs and applying those setting to one or more systems that generate and mix colors of light, so as to provide combined light of the desired character. In the examples of appropriate systems, an optical integrating cavity diffusely reflects light of three or more colors, and combined light emerging from an aperture of the cavity illuminates the subject. System settings for amounts of the different colors of the input lights are easily recorded for reuse or for transfer and use in other systems. |
| US07883236B2 |
Light fixture and reflector assembly for same
A light fixture useful in the lighting of parking garages, including a base, a reflector element and at least one light-emitting lamp. The reflector element includes a reflector portion that extends vertical from the base to a distal edge that extends beyond the lamp. The extending reflector portions include a plurality of planer panels positioned in a plane at an angle that faces toward the lamp. A portion of the emitted light is reflected by the extending reflector portion in the opposed horizontal direction away from the fixture at a reflected angle from nadir that is greater than the emitted angle. The light fixture provides a uniform lighting pattern that allows for using fewer of the light fixtures, by projecting or reflecting emitted light horizontally at very high angles from nadir, and delivering more light to areas laterally remote from the fixture, and potentially using less energy. |
| US07883234B2 |
Embeddable lighting systems
A modular in-road lighting system is easily installed in the road and is convenient for repair, replacement and maintenance. The lighting system includes at least one modular light, at least one modular cable and a control unit. The top surface of the modular light is flush with a road surface so as to avoid abrasion by passing items. The modular light includes an illumination source and a control circuitry. The illumination source and the control circuitry are configured to emit light in selected direction(s). |
| US07883231B2 |
Backlight assembly
Provided is a backlight assembly which includes integral power supply sockets and ground sockets, in which the number of parts is reduced in addition to the manufacturing cost. The backlight assembly includes a lamp including a lamp tube and an electrode that protrudes beyond either end of the lamp tube, a power supply socket including a first plate that has a first guide groove through which the electrode is inserted and a plate spring that is disposed on one side of the first plate and fixes the electrode in the first guide groove by pressurizing the electrode, and a bottom chassis containing the lamp and the power supply socket therein, in which the first plate and the plate spring are formed of a conductive material. |
| US07883225B2 |
Mirror stabilizer arm connector assembly
A connector assembly for releasably attaching a stabilizer arm to a support arm of a vehicle exterior rearview mirror. The assembly includes a connector head carried by the stabilizer arm and a connector receiver is carried by the other of said stabilizer arm and support arm. A retention slot is included in said connector receiver for receiving said connector head. A biasing element is carried in said retention slot for biasing against said connector head when received in said retention slot. A catch tongue projects from one of said connector head and said biasing element. A catch recess is carried by the other of said connector head and said biasing element which is complementary to said catch tongue for interlocking said connector head with said biasing element in said retention slot to provide an increased surface area of engagement. |
| US07883224B2 |
Vehicle outside mirror device
A rotation range control mechanism includes a clutch holder provided around a shaft, a washer fixed to a casing, a control convex portion arranged on the clutch holder, and contact portions arranged on the washer. |
| US07883221B2 |
Electronic device
A portable telephone device with incorporated projector 10 displays the contents of a received email upon a main liquid crystal display device 204 This portable telephone device with incorporated projector 10 projects the contents of the received email after having changed its vertical-horizontal ratio (its row-column ratio) so that the number of characters in the horizontal direction becomes greater, as compared to the display screen of the main liquid crystal display device 204, upon which the numbers of characters being displayed vertically and horizontally are equal. |
| US07883220B2 |
Projection apparatus
A projection apparatus includes an optical engine (10) that projects an image on a screen from a rear side, an engine supporting plate (100) on which the optical engine (10) is placed, an adjusting member (500) of a substantially wedge-shape inserted into between a base portion (11) and a lower surface of the engine supporting plate (100) so that front or rear end of the engine supporting plate (100) is vertically rotatable, a front-to-rear position adjusting unit (56) capable of moving the adjusting member (500) in front-to-rear direction, a slope portion (108) having a slope surface (109) that gradually increases or decreases an angle of a surface of the adjusting member (500) contacting the engine supporting plate (100) in accordance with a movement of the adjusting member (500), and a fixing unit (551, 552) that fixes the engine supporting plate (100) to an adjusted position. |
| US07883215B2 |
Projector and projector circuit board thereof
One embodiment of the invention discloses projector circuit boards comprising an image receiving terminal, a central processing unit, a motor driving module, a DMD and a DMD control module. The image receiving terminal receives an image signal and transmits the received image signal to the central processing unit. The central processing unit processes the received image signal. The motor driving module drives a motor on the basis of the processed image signal to rotate a color wheel to generate a colored beam. The DMD, comprising a plurality of micro-mirrors, is used in reflecting the colored beam, transforming the colored beam into an image beam, and transmitting the image beam to a projection lens to project an image. The rotation angles of the micro-mirrors are controlled by the DMD control module coupled between the central processing unit and the DMD. The projector circuit board is perpendicular to a light path of the projection lens. |
| US07883214B2 |
Compact image projection arrangement with correction for laser beam angular misalignment
A lightweight, compact image projection module has a laser package having a common exit port, and a plurality of lasers mounted in the package and operative for emitting a plurality of laser beams of different wavelengths through the common exit port. An optical assembly focuses the laser beams exiting the common exit port, and includes a common focusing lens through which the laser beams pass along respective paths that are in angular misalignment. An optical corrector element in at least one of the paths corrects the misalignment to produce aligned beams. A scanner sweeps the aligned beams in a pattern of scan lines, each scan line having a number of pixels. A controller causes selected pixels to be illuminated, and rendered visible, by the aligned beams to produce the image. |
| US07883212B2 |
Projection apparatus and method for pepper's ghost illusion
An image projection apparatus (100) comprises a projector (106), a frame (108), and a partially transparent screen (110). The frame (108) retains the screen (110) under tension, such that the screen (110) is inclined at an angle with respect to a plane of emission of light from the projector (106). The screen (110) has a front surface arranged such that light emitted from the projector (106) is reflected therefrom. The projector (106) projects an image such that light forming the image impinges upon the screen (11) such that a virtual image is created from light reflected from the screen (110), the virtual image appearing to be located behind the screen (110). |
| US07883211B2 |
Vision testing system
A subjective vision testing system is used for visual function tests for examinees. The subjective vision testing system is provided with an optometric apparatus which selectively sets optical elements in front of both eyes of an examinee, an optotype presenting apparatus for displaying optotypes to the examinee, and a controller. The optotype presenting apparatus, based on a command signal for implementation of a binocular balance test, displays optotypes used for binocular balance tests. The optometric apparatus, based on a command signal for implementation of a binocular balance test, sets a first prism in front of the examinee's right eye and a second prism in front of the examinee's left eye. The second prism has a base direction vertically opposite to the first prism and the same prism power as the first prism. |
| US07883209B2 |
Apparatus for measuring a distance between eye components
An apparatus for measuring a distance between eye components includes an interference optical system including a light source, a beam splitter splitting light into first and second light, a projection optical system projecting the first and/or second light onto the eye, a photo-receiving optical system synthesizing the first light reflected from the eye and the second light, and an optical-path-length varying optical member disposed on one of light optical paths to be movable in an optical axis direction and adjusting a relationship between light optical path lengths, a mechanism obtaining a travel position of the member, and a unit controlling a driving unit to move the member toward one direction of the axis direction and toward the reverse direction, obtaining interference signals respectively while moving the optical member toward the directions, and calculating distances between the components based on the travel position where the signals are obtained. |
| US07883206B2 |
Multifocal lens having a progressive optical power region and a discontinuity
Embodiments of the present invention relate to a multifocal lens having a mostly spherical power region and a progressive optical power region. Embodiments of the present invention provide for the proper alignment and positioning of each of these regions, the amount of optical power provided by each of the regions, the optical design of the progressive optical power region, and the size and shape of each of the regions. The combination of these design parameters allows for an optical design having less unwanted astigmatism and distortion as well as both a wider channel width and a shorter channel length compared to conventional PALs. Embodiments of the present invention may also provide a new, inventive far-intermediate distance zone and may further provide for increased vertical stability of vision within a zone of the lens. |
| US07883203B2 |
Device for printing image and character on a candle
A printer, especially a device for printing images and characters on a candle includes an inkjet-printing unit. The printing unit comprises a printing bracket on which a printing head is provided. The printing head may reciprocate linearly relative to the printing bracket. Two rotating shafts parallel with each other are arranged below the inkjet-printing unit. At least one of the rotating shafts connects with a driving device. The driving device and the inkjet-printing unit connect with a circuit broad. The device may be used to print golden, silvery, white, and color images and characters on a waxen surface, or used in combination with a computer having a strong image processing functionality to print color images and characters on the candle, meeting an individuation need of a person. The image may be online updated or self defined at all hours according to fashion and vogue. |
| US07883202B2 |
Image-forming device
An image-forming device has a carriage, a conveying unit, a controller, and a detector. The carriage has recording elements to form dots on a sheet having an edge extending in the subscanning direction. The carriage is movable in a main scanning direction orthogonal to the subscanning direction. The conveying unit conveys the sheet in the subscanning direction by a predetermined distance when the recording unit moves in the subscanning direction. The controller sequentially selects a first distance n times (n: a natural number) as the predetermined distance, and selects a second distance as the predetermined distance after the n times of selection of the first distance. The second distance is longer than the first distance. The detector detects the edge of the sheet only after the sheet is conveyed by the second distance. |
| US07883201B2 |
Image forming apparatus and image forming method
An image forming apparatus includes: a conveyance device which conveys an ejection receiving medium; and an ejection head which ejects and deposits droplets of liquid on the ejection receiving medium conveyed by the conveyance device, the deposited droplets of the liquid constituting an image on the ejection receiving medium, wherein the following conditions are satisfied: γS≧γL; and d≧√{square root over (2)}×l, where γS is a surface energy of the ejection receiving medium, γL is a surface energy of the liquid, d is a diameter of each of the droplets of the liquid deposited on the ejection receiving medium, and l is a maximum of a resolution pitch of the image. |
| US07883200B2 |
Recording sheet and image recording method using the same
A recording sheet including base paper including pulp fiber and filler, wherein the recording sheet further includes carboxylic acid. An ink jet recording method and an electrophotographic image recording method using the recording sheet. |
| US07883196B2 |
System for delivering solid ink through a feed channel having non-linear sections
A system facilitates transport of solid ink by a motorized feed drive through a feed channel in a solid ink printer. The system includes a feed channel, a motorized feed drive in at least a portion of the feed channel, a meltable ink body having a drive coupler that is offset from a surface of the meltable ink body, the drive coupler having an opening to receive a portion of the motorized feed drive to enable the motorized feed drive to urge the meltable ink body along the feed channel. |
| US07883191B2 |
Ink cartridge
An ink cartridge is detachably mounted on a cartridge holder. At least one first reflector is provided in the cartridge holder. A reflective-type optical sensor includes a light emitter and a light receiver. The optical sensor is operable to form an optical path originated from the light emitter to the light receiver via the first reflector. A shading member is provided in the ink cartridge operable to shade the optical path when the ink cartridge is mounted on the cartridge holder. A second reflector is provided in the ink cartridge. The second reflector reflects light emitted from the light emitter and varies an intensity thereof in accordance with an ink amount remaining in the ink cartridge. |
| US07883190B2 |
Droplet discharge apparatus
A droplet discharge apparatus includes: a tank for storing a function liquid; a first supply tube for supplying the function liquid; a plurality of pressure control valves for controlling a pressure of the function liquid supplied from the tank via the first supply tube, to a predetermined pressure and then letting out the function liquid; a plurality of droplet discharge heads for discharging the function liquid let out from the pressure control valves in the form of droplets; and a plurality of second supply tubes for connecting outlets of the pressure control valves and inlets of the droplet discharge heads so that the function liquid let out from the pressure control valves is supplied to the droplet discharge heads. Distances between the outlets and the corresponding inlets are different from one another, and lengths of the second supply tubes are equalized so that resistances of flow paths between the outlets and the corresponding inlets are equalized. |
| US07883189B2 |
Pressure-regulating chamber for gravity control of hydrostatic ink pressure and recycling ink supply system
A pressure-regulating chamber for maintaining ink contained in the chamber at a predetermined first level relative to a printhead. The chamber comprises: an inlet port for connection to an ink reservoir via an ink supply line; an outlet port for connection to an ink inlet of the printhead via an upstream ink line; a return port for connection to an ink outlet of the printhead via a downstream ink line; a snorkel extending from the return port and terminating at a snorkel outlet positioned above the first level of ink; an air vent open to atmosphere; and a float valve for maintaining the predetermined first level of ink by controlling a flow of ink into the inlet port. |
| US07883188B2 |
Inkjet cartridge refilling system
A computer-controlled, semi-automatic, refill system for inkjet cartridges includes a touch screen and audio system for providing on-screen graphic and auditory instructions. The system also includes a plurality of exhausting units, a plurality of refilling units, a weighing unit and a plurality of test printers. The system is adapted to refill a plurality of black, color and color photo inkjet cartridge models from a plurality of manufacturers. |