| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US07906198B2 |
Document containing security images
A document containing security images which enable original documents to be distinguished from copies of the originals. The document 60 bears an image 63 containing a latent image 68. Latent image 68 may be formed from two or more images 65 and 66. The first image 65 is preferably formed at a high line frequency and at a first angle in one or more colors. The second image 66 is preferably formed at a lower line frequency at the same angle as first image 65 and in one or more colors. The colors in the first image 65 and the second image 66 are preferably chosen so that latent image 68 has substantially the same color as image 63. |
| US07906196B2 |
Blocking strip for die storage media
A die storage method and apparatus comprising a cover tape and a strip coupled to the cover tape wherein the strip comprises a material that is: flexible or compressible, or combinations thereof. |
| US07906193B2 |
Retroreflective sheet
An original sheet of a retroreflective sheet includes plural glass beads with a metal reflective layer provided on lower hemisphere surfaces thereof, a resin support sheet for supporting the glass beads, and a transparent cover film disposed on a surface side of the resin support sheet, wherein the resin support sheet and the cover film are connected to each other by heat press emboss forming from a rear face of the resin support sheet so as to form the original sheet of the retroreflective sheet, and a retroreflective sheet laminate includes a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer and a resin release film for covering the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer on a rear side of the original sheet of the retroreflective sheet. An embossed groove by heat press emboss forming was filled with a part of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, a residual rate of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer ranges between 10% and 50% inclusive, and a fall time of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer ranges between 10 hours and 150 hours inclusive. |
| US07906190B2 |
Flexible packaging materials and methods of making and using same
The present invention relates generally to packaging materials for packaging articles. The packaging materials may include a substratum with a printed pattern disposed thereon that provides a grass-like appearance, and/or the packaging materials may include a plurality of individual strips, strands, or units of material bondably connected thereto. |
| US07906187B2 |
Ink jet recording sheet with photoparity
An ink jet recording sheet is provided that delivers a photoparity image when printed with ink jet printer. The recording sheet comprises a two-layer coating. The bottom layer comprises amorphous silica and the top layer comprises spherical colloidal silica. Both silicas are rendered cationic. The recording sheet provides fast dry time, excellent image quality and superior water resistance and handle ability. |
| US07906183B2 |
Process for manufacturing a flexible support for an electrophoretic medium
A process for making a support for an electrophoretic medium comprising the steps of: applying an agarose coating to a corona treated polymeric film by transferring a layer of agarose solution onto a surface of the corona treated polymeric film. The pH of the agarose solution can be generally maintained between about 8 and about 11 and the concentration of the agarose solution can be generally maintained between about 0.1 and about 0.4% agarose by weight. The agarose powder used to make the agarose solution can be pre-treated by introducing a fresh reducing atmosphere above the agarose powder and exposing the agarose powder to a reducing atmosphere. The reducing atmosphere treatment may be repeated at least three times. |
| US07906182B1 |
Method of thin film electrospray deposition
A method of forming a smooth thin film on a substrate within a short deposition time, the method comprising introducing ionic substances (salts, acids, bases) to a polymeric solution to be sprayed. These ions attach to the polymer strands in solution, increasing their charge to mass ratio. This results in mutual repulsion of the strands during the spray process and produces a smooth film, even at relatively high polymeric solution concentrations. A side effect of this process is the introduction of impurities (the added ions) to the polymer thin film. The proper choice of ionic compound allows a dissolution step to be used to “clean” the polymer film after deposition, using the solubility characteristics of the thin film versus the ionic compound. |
| US07906173B2 |
Resist coating method and resist coating apparatus
A resist coating method supplies a resist solution to substantially the center of a target substrate to be processed while rotating the target substrate at a first rotational speed, then reduces a rotational speed of the target substrate to a second rotational speed lower than the first rotational speed, reduces the rotational speed of the target substrate to a third rotational speed lower than the second rotational speed or until rotational halt to adjust the film thickness of the resist solution, and accelerates the rotation of the target substrate to a fourth rotational speed higher than the third rotational speed to spin off a residue of the resist solution. |
| US07906172B2 |
Method for coating surfaces and suitable particles therefor
A process for coating a surface comprises said surface being coated with particles (A) comprising a core (a) and at least one envelope (b) other than said core (a), and optionally with at least one hydrophobicizing agent (B) and thereafter thermally treated. |
| US07906171B2 |
Method for production of a layer having nanoparticles, on a substrate
The invention relates to a method for producing a layer (110) having nanoparticles (40), on a substrate (100). The invention is based on the object of specifying a method for producing a layer containing nanoparticles, which method can be carried out particularly easily and nevertheless offers a very wide degree of freedom for the configuration and the composition of the layer to be produced. According to the invention, this object is achieved in that nanoparticles (40) are released and a nanoparticle stream (50) is produced in a first process chamber (10), the nanoparticle stream (50) is passed into a second process chamber (80), and the nanoparticles (40) are deposited on the substrate (100) in the second process chamber (80). |
| US07906162B2 |
Adherence of temperature-sensitive inclusions on edible lightweight cores
Temperature-sensitive inclusions are adhered to edible lightweight cores using an ambient temperature process. |
| US07906160B2 |
Protein beverage and method of making the same
An improved protein beverage/drink composition, is disclosed and provides a relatively high protein content, ranging from about 0.01% by weight to about 15% by weight, while optionally employing a carbonation concentration between about 0.1 volumes of carbonation (per volume of liquid drink solution or liquid drink suspension) to about 6 volumes of carbonation which is used to provide taste and mouth feel for the drink and which is also used to inactivate pathogenic microbes. Preferably the protein is a protein, such preferably as whey protein, or others. The protein beverage may contain an additive which provides energy generation enhancement. High pressure processing may also be used to inactivate microbes. The high pressure processing may be carried out prior to or after carbonation, and prior to or after packaging. |
| US07906154B2 |
Compositions and methods for the induction and maintenance of quality sleep
Supplemental compositions, and methods for administering same to a user, are provided for promoting a restful night's sleep by speedily inducing a person to fall asleep and to maintain sleep, as well as alleviating minor aches and pains so as to further improve the quality of a person sleep. The supplemental composition may include at least an extract of Valerian Root, an extract of Willow Bark and Melatonin or a derivative thereof. The supplemental composition may be provided for consumption at least one time daily, e.g., prior to sleep. |
| US07906150B2 |
Preparation derived from shark cartilage for treatment of diseases related to excessive PHF or excessive intracellular calcium
Shark cartilage extract has been shown to be an antagonist of parathyroid hypertensive factor (PHF). In view of this, shark cartilage extract can be used to treat conditions related to excessive PHF activity. Such diseases include hypertension and some other diseases related to intracellular calcium elevation. Methods for producing the shark cartilage extract and methods for administering the extract are disclosed. |
| US07906149B2 |
Method for treating allergic dermatitis
A method for treating oleoresin induced allergic dermatitis by topically contacting an affected area with a therapeutically effective amount of one or more biopolymers for a sufficient amount of time to enable the one or more biopolymers to have an effect and removing the one or more biopolymers from the affected area. The oleoresin can be urushiol, isosolenopsin A, or a combination thereof. The one or more biopolymer can be albumin. The one or more biopolymers can provide a localized anti-inflammatory effect. |
| US07906143B1 |
Controlled release pharmaceutical delivery device and process for preparation thereof
The present invention relates to a controlled release pharmaceutical delivery device which provides sustained or pulsatile delivery of a selected pharmaceutically active substance for a predetermined period of time. The device comprises about 1 to 80% by weight covalently crosslinked water insoluble, water-swellable polymers and about 1 to 75% by weight uncrosslinked, linear water soluble polymers.The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions and methods for making such compositions in which a pharmaceutically active agent is incorporated into the delivery device. |
| US07906142B2 |
Agropolymer material for use in water purification and a method of producing the same
The present invention relates to novel agropolymers, which comprise a carbohydrate and/or silica matrix substantially devoid of proteins, tannins and polyphenols and which comprise metal binding reactive sites. A method of producing the agropolymers is also disclosed wherein the agropolymers are derived from plant materials such as seed coats, seed covers, husks, or hulls of various agricultural crops. The agricultural crops typically used to produce the agropolymers include Oryza sativa, Panicum miliaceum, Setaria italica, Cajanus cajan, Vigna mungo, Vigna radiata, Triticum sp., Ricinus communis, Helianthus annus, Gossypium sp., and Arachis sp. The agropolymers of the present invention are capable of purifying aqueous solutions polluted or contaminated with metals and/or ions. Thus, the present invention also discloses a method whereby agropolymers are used in the purification of contaminated water and other aqueous solutions. The agropolymers disclosed herein are useful in several industrial applications including purifying polluted drinking water or ground water. |
| US07906140B2 |
Compositions for mucosal delivery of agents
Compositions and methods for mucosal delivery of agents are provided. The compositions are intended for administration to mucosal surface, such as oral and nasal mucosa. The compositions provided contain one or more mucoadhesive proteins and an agent to be delivered. Methods for delivery of agents using the compositions provided herein are also provided. |
| US07906139B2 |
Compositions and methods of using lamellar bodies for therapeutic purposes
Compositions comprising lamellar bodies for removal of extra and intra-vascular fibrin for therapeutic purposes are disclosed. These lamellar compositions are also useful in surgical procedures wherein formation of post-surgical adhesions are likely. Methods of preventing and/or modifying fibrin clots and treating and/or preventing adhesions by administering a therapeutically effective amount of a composition to a patient requiring such treatment are also disclosed. |
| US07906138B2 |
Intra-mammary teat sealant formulation and method of using same to reduce or eliminate visual defects in aged cheeses
Described is an intra-mammary teat sealant and a corresponding method of forming a physical barrier in the teat canal of a non-human animal for prophylactic treatment of mammary disorders during the animal's dry period. The method includes the step of infusing a bismuth-free teat seal formulation into the teat canal of the animal. The method also prevents the formation of black spot defect in dairy products, especially cheddar cheese, made from the milk of animals so treated. |
| US07906136B2 |
Conveniently implantable sustained release drug compositions
This invention provides for biocompatible and biodegradable syringeable liquid, implantable solid, and injectable gel pharmaceutical formulations useful for the treatment of systemic and local disease states. |
| US07906133B2 |
Optimized dosing for drug coated stents
The inventors have found that both the drug dose and drug release profiles are significant factors for the safety and efficacy of drug coated stents. The inventors have identified optimum dosing and release kinetics for drug coated stents. In particular, the inventors have determined dosing and release kinetics that permit the delivery of the lowest effective drug dosage, thus enhancing patient safety and minimizing any side effects from the drug. |
| US07906132B2 |
Anti-infectious, biocompatible titanium coating for implants, and method for the production thereof
The present invention relates to a method for the preparation of a biocompatible metal ion-containing titanium oxide coating on an implant wherein the metal ions can be eluted under physiological conditions and are homogeneously dispersed within the coating, as well as to an implant which can be prepared according to the method of the present invention. |
| US07906128B2 |
Use of neuronal sodium channel antagonists for the control of ectoparasites in homeothermic animals
The present invention provides an effective method and composition for the prevention, amelioration or control of external parasites on a human or animal via the administration of a prophylactically, therapeutically or pharmaceutically effective amount of a neuronal sodium channel antagonist to a human or animal in need thereof. |
| US07906125B2 |
Solid or semi-solid therapeutic formulations
An injectable or insertable dosage form comprising a biodisintegrable binder and an ablation agent in a concentration effective to cause tissue necrosis. The injectable dosage form is a solid or semi-solid dosage form. Due to the solid or semi-solid nature of the dosage form, retention at the site of injection or insertion is improved, thereby improving delivery efficiency of the ablation agents within the dosage form and/or reducing the nonspecific tissue damage associated with the dosage form. |
| US07906121B2 |
Methods and compositions for generating bioactive assemblies of increased complexity and uses
The present invention concerns methods and compositions for making and using bioactive assemblies of defined compositions, which may have multiple functionalities and/or binding specificities. In particular embodiments, the bioactive assembly is formed using dock-and-lock (DNL) methodology, which takes advantage of the specific binding interaction between dimerization and docking domains (DDD) and anchoring domains (AD) to form the assembly. In various embodiments, one or more effectors may be attached to a DDD or AD sequence. Complementary AD or DDD sequences may be attached to an adaptor module that forms the core of the bioactive assembly, allowing formation of the assembly through the specific DDD/AD binding interactions. Such assemblies may be attached to a wide variety of effector moieties for treatment, detection and/or diagnosis of a disease, pathogen infection or other medical or veterinary condition. |
| US07906119B1 |
Antibodies against protective antigen
The present invention relates to antibodies and related molecules that specifically bind to protective antigen of Bacillus anthracis (PA). Such antibodies have uses, for example, in the prevention and treatment of anthrax and anthrax toxin poisoning. The invention also relates to nucleic acid molecules encoding anti-PA antibodies, vectors and host cells containing these nucleic acids, and methods for producing the same. |
| US07906117B2 |
Antagonists of IL-6 to prevent or treat cachexia, weakness, fatigue, and/or fever
The present invention is directed to therapeutic methods using antibodies and fragments thereof having binding specificity for IL-6 to prevent or treat cachexia, fever, weakness and/or fatigue in a patient in need thereof. In preferred embodiments these patients will comprise those exhibiting (or at risk of developing) an elevated serum C-reactive protein level. In another preferred embodiment, the patient's survivability or quality of life will preferably be improved. |
| US07906114B2 |
Compositions for promoting wound healing and treating psoriasis
The present invention relates to compositions and methods for promoting healing of cutaneous, mucosal and/or mucocutaneous lesions associated with the presence of a mycoplasma and one or more non-mycoplasma microorganisms. The compositions and methods of the invention also relate to the reduction of joint pain, column pain, and/or skeletal muscle pain. |
| US07906111B2 |
Adeno-associated virus (AAV) clades, sequences, vectors containing same, and uses therefor
Sequences of novel adeno-associated virus capsids and vectors and host cells containing these sequences are provided. Also described are methods of using such host cells and vectors in production of rAAV particles. AAV-mediated delivery of therapeutic and immunogenic genes using the vectors of the invention is also provided. |
| US07906105B1 |
Zinc-activated contrast agents
The present invention relates to contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In particular, the present invention relates to MRI contrast agents that are activated in the presence of zinc(II) (e.g., resulting in a brighter image). |
| US07906102B2 |
Ligands to radiation-induced molecules
A method for identifying a molecule that binds an irradiated tumor in a subject and molecules identified thereby. In some embodiments, the method includes the steps of (a) exposing a tumor to ionizing radiation; (b) administering to a subject a library of diverse molecules; and (c) isolating from the tumor one or more molecules of the library of diverse molecules, whereby a molecule that binds an irradiated tumor is identified. Also provided are targeting ligands that bind an irradiated tumor and therapeutic and diagnostic methods that employ the disclosed targeting ligands. |
| US07906100B2 |
Method for making molecular sieve SSZ-79
The present invention is directed to a method for making new crystalline molecular sieve designated SSZ-79 using 1,8-dimethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane or 1,4,8,11-tetramethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane as a structure directing agent. |
| US07906097B2 |
Processes for treating aluminium dross residues
There is provided a process for preparing aluminium chloride comprising leaching aluminium dross residues with H2SO4 so as to obtain a leachate; and hydrochlorinating the leachate so as to obtain aluminium chloride. If desired, aluminium chloride can then be converted into alumina. |
| US07906094B2 |
Method for producing a high purity trisilane product from the pyrolysis of disilane
Methods for the production of trisilane from the pyrolysis of disilane in a single reactor. |
| US07906091B2 |
Removal of laughing gas in nitric acid production
A method and device for removal of N2O in nitric acid production are disclosed. The device is arranged after a heat exchanger, post ammonia burning, before the absorption tower and contains a catalyst, which essentially comprises one or several iron loaded zeolites. |
| US07906090B2 |
Mercury reduction system and mercury reduction method of flue gas containing mercury
A mercury reduction system according to the present embodiment is a mercury reduction system that reduces NOx and Hg in flue gas discharged from a boiler, and includes an NH4Cl solution spraying unit that sprays an NH4Cl solution into a flue of the boiler in a liquid state, a mixed gas spraying unit that is provided downstream of the NH4Cl solution spraying unit and sprays mixed gas containing NH3 gas and HCl gas into the flue, a reduction denitration apparatus that includes a denitration catalyst reducing NOx in the flue gas with NH3 and oxidizing Hg in the presence of HCl, and a wet desulfurization apparatus that reduces Hg oxidized in the reduction denitration apparatus with a limestone-gypsum slurry. |
| US07906088B2 |
Method of removing impurities from gas or liquid streams using copper oxide and halide salt
Mixing small amounts of an inorganic halide, such as NaCl, to basic copper carbonate followed by calcination at a temperature sufficient to decompose the carbonate results in a significant improvement in resistance to reduction of the resulting copper oxide. The introduction of the halide can be also achieved during the precipitation of the carbonate precursor. These reduction resistant copper oxides can be in the form of composites with alumina and are especially useful for purification of gas or liquid streams containing hydrogen or other reducing agents. These reduction resistant copper oxides can function at near ambient temperatures. |
| US07906086B2 |
Carbon dioxide sequestration materials and processes
The disclosure provides methods and systems for sequestering and/or reducing carbon dioxide present in an industrial effluent fluid stream containing carbon dioxide. A scrubbing material comprising a first component, a second component (distinct from the first component), and preferably water, is contacted with the effluent fluid stream. The first component comprises a source of calcium oxide and a source of alkali metal ions. The second component comprises a slag having one or more reactive silicate compounds. Methods of reducing carbon dioxide from exhaust generated by combustion sources, lime and/or cement kilns, iron and/or steel furnaces, and the like are provided. Carbon dioxide emission abatement systems are also disclosed. Methods of recycling industrial byproducts are further provided. |
| US07906082B2 |
Method and apparatus for refining biodiesel
Method and apparatus for producing biodiesel fuel, i.e., alkyl ester, from vegetable and/or animal oil. A transesterification catalyst is prepared in a base catalyst tank by spraying alkyl alcohol under pressure through jets at metal hydroxide pellets until the pellets have fully reacted with the alcohol. The oil is heated and transesterified in the presence of alkyl alcohol and the transesterification catalyst in a closed, recirculating transesterification flow system under slight cavitation to yield product alkyl ester and product glycerol. Cavitation is achieved by permitting air to enter the transesterification flow system through an adjustable air inlet valve. When permitted to stand, product alkyl ester forms an upper layer that is decanted and subjected to purification steps, to remove particulates and alkyl alcohol from the product alkyl ester, and a lower layer of product glycerol is drained away. Purification of the product alkyl ester preferably includes subjecting the product alkyl ester to an overhead water mist in a wash tank with simultaneous infusion of a stream of air bubbles. Alcohol vapor is reclaimed as liquid alcohol within an alcohol condenser and stored for reuse. If the oil contains free fatty acids, prior to transesterification, the oil is heated and the free fatty acids are esterified in the presence of an esterification catalyst and alkyl alcohol. For safety, baffles and explosion damper/flame arrestors are provided in locations where flammable vapors pose a risk. |
| US07906076B2 |
Method and apparatus for biopsy sample processing
A container for use in processing a biopsy sample. Biopsy sample and materials are received within a sample processing area of the container. A semi-permeable barrier is positioned at a downstream portion of the sample processing area and prevents the prevent passage of the biopsy sample. A cap is positioned at the downstream side of the barrier, and holds fluids within the container. |
| US07906075B2 |
Pipette tip rack and pipette tip assembly
The pipette tip rack for detachably housing a plurality of pipette tips used in a liquid dispensing apparatus for dispensing liquid comprises a rack body comprising a pipette tip supporting portion for detachably supporting the pipette tips, and a pipette tip housing portion disposed below the pipette tip supporting portion having a plurality of pipette tip inserting holes, and a lid member detachably attached to the rack body for covering a root portion of the pipette tip inserted into the hole. The rack body includes a grasping portion grasped by a user when the pipette tip rack is set to the liquid dispensing apparatus in a state in which the lid member is attached to the rack body. |
| US07906069B2 |
Method for sterilizing a plastic bottle
A method for sterilizing a plastic bottle in an aseptic filling system according to which at least an inner surface or an outer surface of a bottle is sterilized by injecting a heated sterilizing fluid at 65° C.-90° C. while maintaining internal pressure of the bottle at 1 kPa-20 kPa. |
| US07906062B2 |
Process for the production of hollow bodies of thermoplastic material by extrusion blow molding
The invention concerns a process for the production of hollow bodies of thermoplastic material by extrusion blow molding. In the process according to the invention continuous extrusion of at least two preforms in web form of plasticized material is effected by means of a plurality of extrusion devices. The preforms are jointly shaped to form a hollow body in the still plastic condition, that is to say in the first heat, within a multi-part tool forming a mold cavity. In that case a wall thickness profile is imparted to at least one preform during the extrusion operation independently of the respective other preform by continuous nozzle gap adjustment during the extrusion operation. |
| US07906061B2 |
Bubble-free cross-sections for use in solid imaging
A solid imaging apparatus and method employing build material transfer means effective to transfer solidifiable liquid build material from a first side of a radiation transparent build material carrier to a receiving substrate without entrapping air bubbles in layers of transferred solidifiable liquid build material and to cleanly separate the solidified build material from the radiation transparent build material carrier as each layer is formed during the layerwise building of a three-dimensional object.An expandable membrane forming an arcuate dome and a reciprocatible flexible film are employed to effect transfer of the solidifiable liquid build material. |
| US07906060B2 |
Compositions for dark-field polymerization and method of using the same for imprint lithography processes
The present invention provides a composition and a method of using the same to form a pattern on a substrate using imprint lithography employing dark-field polymerization. To that end, the composition includes a bis vinyl ether component, and an initiator component that produces an acid in response to radiation. The bis vinyl ether component is reactive to the acid and polymerizes in response thereto. |
| US07906054B2 |
Decorated injection-moulded article, method for producing one such article, and transfer film for using in one such method
The invention concerns a decorated injection molded article and a process for the production of a decorated injection molded article by means of inmold technology, wherein inter alia an IMD-capable transfer film with a release layer of highly cross-linked plastic material is used. The decorated injection molded article formed has a high level of optical quality based on double-sided coating of a decorative element which is optionally joined to an auxiliary film web which is formed by a transfer layer of a transfer film and provides a decoration for the injection molded article, by means of injection molding. |
| US07906053B1 |
Polymer-graphite nanocomposites via solid-state shear pulverization
Polymer-graphite compositions and related methods of using solid-state shear pulverization as can be used to affect one or more physical properties thereof. |
| US07906052B2 |
Reinforced ion-conductive membranes
An ion-conductive membrane that includes a first layer comprising a first ionomer, and a porous polymer substrate, where at least a portion of the first ionomer is interpenetrated within the porous polymer substrate by ionomer-induced phase separation. |
| US07906048B2 |
Injection molding method and apparatus
A thermoplastic injection molding system and method of use is described for molding parts from heated plastics and other organic resins. The machine uses heat sources located along the barrel to heat the source material while an auger screw transports the source material in the barrel. This transport step does not shear the source material, nor does it use friction to produce the heat necessary to melt the source material. The material becomes substantially liquid or melted during the heating process, and the melted material is forced, by the auger screw, into a chamber whereupon a plunger, situated concentrically with the auger screw, injects the material from the chamber into a mold. Sensors located along the barrel and in the chamber ensure consistency between mold cycles. The controller dynamically adjusts the injection molding process to achieve more consistent and reliable molded parts. |
| US07906047B2 |
Injection molding a lens onto a coated ophthalmic wafer
A method of in-mold coating utilizing an injection molding machine oriented to a horizontal parting line. At the beginning of the cycle the mold opens and a charge of liquid coating solution is deposited onto the lower mold insert. A ophthalmic wafer is deposited on the coating to spread it across the insert surface. The mold is closed and a pre-cure phase elapses before the thermoplastic resin is injected into the mold cavity above the wafer. The process provides coated and functionally enhanced lenses upon ejection from the molding machine. |
| US07906046B2 |
Antioxidant joint compound and method for forming an electrical connection
A joint compound for electrical connections is disclosed which includes an antioxidant base material and a quantity of stainless steel grit mixed with the antioxidant base material to provide improved mechanical pullout strength. The joint compound has a weight ratio of antioxidant to stainless steel grit in the range of from about 30:70 to about 90:10, preferably, from about 40:60 to about 70:30, and more preferably about 50:50. The stainless steel grit is cut wire having a diameter within the range of from about 0.012 inches to about 0.125 inches, with a preferred diameter within the range of from about 0.012 inches to about 0.030 inches, and 0.017 inches being a more preferred stainless steel grit diameter. |
| US07906045B2 |
Method of manufacture of semiconductor device and conductive compositions used therein
The present invention is directed to a thick film conductive composition comprising: (a) electrically conductive silver powder; (b) Zn-containing additive wherein the particle size of said zinc-containing additive is in the range of 7 nanometers to less than 100 nanometers; (c) glass frit wherein said glass frit has a softening point in the range of 300 to 600° C.; dispersed in (d) organic medium. The present invention is further directed to a semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device from a structural element composed of a semiconductor having a p-n junction and an insulating film formed on a main surface of the semiconductor comprising the steps of (a) applying onto said insulating film the thick film composition as describe above; and (b) firing said semiconductor, insulating film and thick film composition to form an electrode. |
| US07906043B2 |
Electrically conductive, optically transparent polymer/carbon nanotube composites and process for preparation thereof
The present invention is directed to the effective dispersion of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) into polymer matrices. The nanocomposites are prepared using polymer matrices and exhibit a unique combination of properties, most notably, high retention of optical transparency in the visible range (i.e., 400-800 nm), electrical conductivity, and high thermal stability. By appropriate selection of the matrix resin, additional properties such as vacuum ultraviolet radiation resistance, atomic oxygen resistance, high glass transition (Tg) temperatures, and excellent toughness can be attained. The resulting nanocomposites can be used to fabricate or formulate a variety of articles such as coatings on a variety of substrates, films, foams, fibers, threads, adhesives and fiber coated prepreg. The properties of the nanocomposites can be adjusted by selection of the polymer matrix and CNT to fabricate articles that possess high optical transparency and antistatic behavior. |
| US07906042B2 |
Branched surfactant having fluoroalkyl group and hydrocarbon group
The present invention relates to a surfactant represented by Formula (I): wherein Rf represents a fluoroalkyl group which may have an ether bond; Rh represents an alkyl group; r represents 1 or 0; when r=0, Z1 and Z2 represent (CH2)n1—(X1)p1— and —(X2)q1—, respectively; and when r=1, Z1 and Z2 represent (CH2Y)p2—CH2— and —(CH2Y)q2—, respectively, wherein X1 and X2 may be the same or different and each represents a divalent linking group, p1 represents 0 or 1, q1 represents 0 or 1, n1 represents an integer of 1-10; Y represents O, S or NR, wherein R represents a hydrogen atom, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, or t-butyl; p2 and q2 each represent 0 or 1 but are not 0 at the same time; and M represents a hydrogen atom, alkali metal, ½ alkaline earth metal or ammonium. |
| US07906041B2 |
Silicate-based green phosphors in red-green-blue (RGB) backlighting and white illumination systems
Novel green phosphors are disclosed having the comprise silicate-based compounds having the formula (Sr,A1)x(Si,A2)(O,A3)2+x:Eu2+, where A1 is at least one divalent cation (a 2+ ion) including Mg, Ca, Ba, or Zn, or a combination of 1+ and 3+ cations; A2 is a 3+, 4+, or 5+ cation, including at least one of B, Al, Ga, C, Ge, N, and P; A3 is a 1−, 2−, or 3− anion, including F, Cl, Br, and S; and x is any value between 1.5 and 2.5, both inclusive. The formula is written to indicate that the A1 cation replaces Sr; the A2 cation replaces Si, and the A3 anion replaces O. These green phosphors are configured to emit visible light having a peak emission wavelength greater than about 480 nm. They have applications in green illumination systems, red-green-blue backlighting systems, white LEDs, and plasma display panels (PDPs). |
| US07906040B2 |
α-Sialon, α-sialon phosphor and method for producing the same
An α-sialon is offered which is represented by general formula: (M1)X(M2)Y(Si, Al)12(O, N)16 (wherein M1 represents one or more elements selected from the group which consists of Li, Mg, Ca, Y and lanthanoid (except La and Ce) and M2 represents one or more elements selected from the group which consists of Ce, Pr, Eu, Tb, Yb and Er and wherein 0.3 |
| US07906035B2 |
Emulsion composition
The present invention provides an emulsion composition which has been increased in sulfonic group content, yet has sufficient water resistance and has been enhanced in properties such as small resistance, film-forming property, etc. The emulsion composition contains (A) a water-based solvent, (B) an organic solvent, (C) a sulfonic group-containing polymer soluble in the component (A), and (D) a polymer soluble in the component (B) but insoluble in water. This emulsion composition is enhanced in small resistance and yet has sufficient water resistance and film-forming property. |
| US07906033B2 |
Plasma etching method and apparatus
A plasma etching apparatus for etching semiconductor wafers. The plasma etching apparatus has a reaction tube made of a dielectric material and a high frequency antenna located around the reaction tube for generating a plasma inside the reaction tube. The high frequency antenna has a sloped segment that produces a relatively large capacitive coupling with the reaction tube. The high frequency antenna is moved by a driver around the reaction tube in a horizontal plane. |
| US07906024B2 |
Shear protectants in harvest microfiltration
The addition of buffer to a harvest stream during diafiltration can cause increased turbidity and have other undesirable effects including limiting product recovery. Methods and compositions related to the use of a non-ionic surfactant are provided for improving diafiltration. |
| US07906020B2 |
Cooling medium flow path
The present invention provides a cooling medium flow path for improving cooling efficiency of a cooling medium used for liquid-cooling systems for motors, radiators and the like. The cooling medium flow path according to the present invention is capable of increasing cooling efficiency of a cooling medium by providing magnetic members for generating a magnetic force in a direction substantially perpendicular to the flow direction of the cooling medium so that clusters of a liquid, such as cooling water, antifreeze liquid or the like flowing through the flow path may be finely divided or activated. |
| US07906018B2 |
System for treating wastewater
A method and apparatus for treating wastewater. The apparatus comprises a reactor having a flow channel generally centrally located in a reactor and immersed in the water or wastewater in the reactor. An agitator is disposed within the flow channel and induces water or wastewater to enter the open upper end thereof and to move downwardly through the flow channel where the water or wastewater is discharged via a flow divider. A reagent is injected into the water or wastewater and the agitator within the flow channel serves to mix the reagent with the water or wastewater passing therethrough and in the process causes at least a slightly turbulent and downward axial flow through the flow channel. |
| US07906016B2 |
Chemical reactors
A system includes a first source including a first reactant; a second source including a second reactant capable of reacting with the first reactant to form a first product; and a reactor. The reactor includes a first element having a wall connecting a first point and a second point, the wall extending more than 180° around the first point; and a second element movably engaged with the first element to define a reconfigurable reaction chamber capable of being in fluid communication with the first and second reactants. |
| US07906014B2 |
Methods of recovering hydrocarbons from hydrocarbonaceous material with reduced non-carbonaceous leachate and CO2 and associated systems
A method of recovering hydrocarbons from hydrocarbonaceous materials can include forming a stationary permeability control infrastructure. This constructed infrastructure defines a substantially encapsulated volume. A comminuted hydrocarbonaceous material can be introduced into the control infrastructure to form a permeable body of hydrocarbonaceous material. The permeable body can be heated sufficient to remove hydrocarbons therefrom within a temperature range which is sufficient to substantially avoid formation of carbon dioxide or non-hydrocarbon leachates. During heating the hydrocarbonaceous material is substantially stationary as the constructed infrastructure is a fixed structure. Removed hydrocarbons can be collected for further processing, use in the process, and/or use as recovered. |
| US07906011B2 |
Methods and systems for manufacturing modified asphalts
Methods and systems for efficiently manufacturing modified asphalt materials include agitating a base asphalt at a high shear rate using an in-line mixer equipped with a rotor-stator mixing tool while simultaneously exposing the asphalt to oxygen by blowing an oxygen-containing gas at a high gas flow rate through openings in the rotor-stator mixing tool and heating the asphalt at an elevated temperature. |
| US07906010B2 |
Use of steam cracked tar
The invention relates to the use of steam cracked tar with the bottoms product of a flash drum integrated with a pyrolysis furnace. In embodiments, the steam cracked tar is added to fuel oil. |
| US07906006B2 |
Steam electrolysis
The present invention relates to a method of producing hydrogen comprising: contacting steam (20) with a proton conducting membrane (7) supported on a porous redox stable substrate (8), through said substrate (8). The membrane (7) is non-permeable to molecular gas and to oxide ions. A DC voltage is applied across an anode (15) coupled to the substrate side of the membrane and a cathode (9, 11) coupled to its other side so as to dissociate at least part of the steam (20), into protonic hydrogen and oxygen at said anode (15). The protonic hydrogen passes through the membrane and forms molecular hydrogen (23) at the cathode (9, 11). |
| US07906003B2 |
Subsea production system
A well fluid processing system has a separator for separating heavier and lighter components of well fluid flowing from a subsea well and directing the lighter components to flow to a surface processing facility. The separator has a cylindrical chamber having a length at least ten times its diameter. A coalescing unit located in the chamber causes water droplets in the well fluid flowing through the tubes to coalesce into larger droplets. A dielectrophoresis unit having undulating sheets spaced close to each other is also located in the chamber. The sheets of the unit are supplied with an electrical potential to force the water droplets into predetermined passage portions to form high water content sections of liquid. Bypass valves allow backflushing of one of the separators while others continue to operate. |
| US07906001B2 |
Method for separating proteins by capillary electrophoresis and buffer compositions for capillary electrophoresis
The invention concerns a free solution capillary electrophoresis method at alkaline pH for the analysis of samples comprising protein constituents including a lipoprotein constituent or constituents, characterized in that it comprises at least one step in which the sample is introduced into a capillary tube containing an analysis buffer, said analysis buffer further comprising at least one anionic surfactant type additive that is capable of hydrophobic interaction with the lipoprotein constituent(s) and of modifying the electrophoretic mobility. The invention also concerns a composition for capillary electrophoresis and a kit for analyzing protein constituents. |
| US07906000B2 |
Analyzer and method of manufacturing the same
The present invention relates to an analytical tool (X1) including a first and a second plate elements (1, 3), a flow path (4) defined between the plate elements (1, 3) and an exhaust port (31) for discharging gas from the flow path (4). The exhaust port (31) is provided at the first plate element (3) and includes a portion which is offset in a thickness direction of the first plate element (3) from the main body (3A) of the first plate element (3). Preferably, the first plate element (3) includes a projection (51) integrally formed on the first plate element (3) and defining the exhaust port (31). |
| US07905999B2 |
Biosensor strips and methods of preparing same
A biosensor strip having a low profile for reducing the volume of liquid sample needed to perform an assay. In one embodiment, the biosensor strip comprises an electrode support; an electrode arrangement on said electrode support; a cover; a sample flow channel; and an incompressible element placed between said cover and said electrode support, the incompressible element providing an opening in at least one side or in the distal end of said sample flow channel to provide at least one vent in said sample flow channel. In another embodiment, the biosensor strip comprises an electrode support; an electrode arrangement on said electrode support; a cover; and a sample flow channel, the cover having a plurality of openings formed therein, at least one of the openings in register with said sample flow channel. The invention further includes methods for preparing such a biosensor strips in a continuous manner. |
| US07905995B2 |
Alternating current rotatable sputter cathode
The present invention is an alternating current rotary sputter cathode in a vacuum chamber. The apparatus includes a housing containing a vacuum and a cathode disposed therein. A drive shaft is rotatably mounted in the bearing housing. A rotary vacuum seal is located in the bearing housing for sealing the drive shaft to the housing. An at least one electrical contact is disposed between a power source and the cathode for transmittal of an oscillating or fluctuating current to the cathode. The electrical contact between the power source and the cathode is disposed inside of the vacuum chamber, greatly reducing, and almost eliminating, the current induced heating of various bearing, seals, and other parts of the rotatably sputter cathode assembly. |
| US07905986B2 |
Paper with photo-feel backcoat
A method of treating paper to have a photo-feel backcoating includes preparing a mixture of a binder and polyethylene particles wherein the polyethylene particles have first and second sizes, and coating the mixture onto a surface of a sheet of paper which is opposite the surface of the sheet which is configured to receive printing thereon. |
| US07905984B2 |
Process and apparatus for producing a fibrous web
Process and apparatus for producing a fibrous web in an apparatus that includes at least one nip formed between a smooth roll and at least one opposing element, a felt and an embossing belt. The process includes guiding the fibrous web and the felt through the at least one press nip formed between the smooth roll and the at least one opposing element, and passing the fiber web, in an unsupported manner, over a free draw from the smooth roll onto an embossing belt. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way. |
| US07905980B2 |
Method of manufacturing paint roller covers from a tubular fabric sleeve
A method of manufacturing paint roller covers is disclosed in which the paint roller covers are manufactured from a seamless, tubular knitted pile fabric sleeve that is installed onto a core member. To facilitate the manufacture of the paint roller covers, the knitted pile fabric sleeve is initially placed upon the outside of a thin hollow cylindrical mounting tube, and the core member with an adhesive bonding material provided on the exterior surface thereof is inserted into the interior of the mounting tube. The knitted pile fabric sleeve is installed onto the exterior surface of the core member by withdrawing the mounting tube from the knitted pile fabric sleeve while maintaining the respective positions of the knitted pile fabric sleeve and the core member, with the knitted pile fabric sleeve being retained on the core member by the adhesive bonding material. The pile fabric covered core member may be finished into paint roller covers by cutting it to a desired size, combing and shearing the pile fabric to a desired length, beveling the edges of the paint roller covers, and vacuuming stray fibers from the paint roller covers. |
| US07905974B2 |
Method of making a marine gas turbine filter
A method for making a pocket filter assembly is provided. Two side and two end header elements each having a pair of longitudinally extending side walls and a longitudinally extending bottom wall forming a longitudinally extending channel are joined at ends forming a rectangular header with two opposing sides and two opposing ends. The bottom wall and side walls of each of the opposing sides and the bottom walls and said side walls of each of said opposing ends become adjacent forming a rectangular header with a continuous bottom wall and continuous inner and outer side wall having a continuous channel therein. An upstream perimeter portion of a pocket filter element is inserted in the continuous channel and a liquid polymeric material is placed therein. The polymeric material is solidified forming a header frame having the upstream perimeter portion of the filter element unitary therewith. |
| US07905973B2 |
Molded monocomponent monolayer respirator
A molded respirator is made from a monocomponent monolayer nonwoven web of continuous charged monocomponent meltspun partially crystalline and partially amorphous oriented fibers of the same polymeric composition that have been bonded to form a coherent and handleable web which further may be softened while retaining orientation and fiber structure. The respirator is a cup-shaped porous monocomponent monolayer matrix whose matrix fibers are bonded to one another at least some points of fiber intersection. The matrix has a King Stiffness greater than 1 N. The respirator may be formed without requiring stiffening layers, bicomponent fibers, or other reinforcement in the filter media layer. |
| US07905972B2 |
Methods for making substantially cylindrical articles and fan casings
Methods for making articles having a substantially cylindrical body including providing a substantially cylindrical tool, providing at least one ply of a material, the material being a weave fabric, a non-crimp fabric, or a combination thereof, wrapping the at least one ply of material about the tool to produce an article preform having a plurality of circumferential layers, applying a resin to the article preform, and curing the article preform to produce an article having a substantially cylindrical body. |
| US07905968B2 |
Method of heat treating cultivating disc, coulter, and seed drill blades made from heat quenched boron steels, such that they can be roller re-edged and re-sharpened, and yet retain excellent toughness, hardness and wear characteristics, and are especially useful in dry sandy soils such as found in certain wheat growing regions
Method of heat treating cultivating disc, coulter or grain drill blades made from heat quenched boron steels, such that they can be re-edged and re-sharpened using rollers, and yet retain excellent toughness, hardness and wear characteristics. The invention also includes the cultivating disc, coulter or grain drill blades made from boron steel, which have been heat treated according to the inventive method, such that can be re-edged or sharpened using pinch rollers. The cultivating blades are especially useful in the dry, sandy soils such as found in the wheat growing regions extending from central Kansas down into Texas. |
| US07905967B2 |
Method of manufacturing martensitic stainless steel
The occurrence of delayed fracture which is found in a hot worked martensitic stainless steel is prevented by subjecting the steel, after hot working and prior to heat treatment for hardening by quenching from a temperature of at least Ac1 point of the steel, to preliminary softening heat treatment under such conditions that the softening parameter P defined below is at least 15,400 and the softening temperature T is lower than the Ac1 point: P(softening parameter):P=T(20+log t) T: softening temperature [K] t: duration of softening treatment [Hr]. The present invention is particularly effective for a martensitic stainless steel having a steel composition in which the amount of effective dissolved C and N (=[C*+10N*]) where C* and N* are calculated by the following formulas is larger than 0.45: C*=C−[12{(Cr/52)×(6/23)}/10, and N*=N−[14{(V/51)+(Nb/93)}/10]−[14{(Ti/48)+(B/11)+(Al/27)}/10]. |
| US07905965B2 |
Method for making soft magnetic material having fine grain structure
A method of making a soft magnetic material with fine grain structure is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a soft magnetic starting material; heating the soft magnetic starting material to a temperature at which the material has a microstructure comprising at least two solid phases; and deforming the soft magnetic starting material. An electrical device comprising a magnetic component is provided. The magnetic component comprises a soft magnetic material having a grain size less than about 3 micrometers. The material has a composition that comprises at least two solid phases at temperatures greater than about 500° C. |
| US07905962B1 |
Apparatus and method for cleaning, drying and sanitizing produce
A produce cleaning machine provides baskets for holding large and small produce items and water sprayers for directing water jets onto the produce from above and below. One basket is motorized to rotate to more evenly clean the produce, while a further basket can be rolled in and out of the machine to make loading and unloading easier. The force of the spray is adjustable and the rotational speed of the motor is as well to provide for special handling of the produce. Rotation after cleaning is used to help dry the produce, and ultraviolet emission is used to sanitize the produce. |
| US07905955B2 |
Aqueous pigment preparations
The invention relates to aqueous pigment preparations containing (A) at least one organic and/or inorganic pigment, (B) a dispersant of formula (I) or (II), or mixtures of the dispersants of formulas (I) and (II), (C) optionally wetting agents, (D) optionally other surfactants and/or dispersants, (E) optionally one or more organic solvents or one or more hydrotropic substances, (F) optionally other additives used conventionally for the production of aqueous pigment dispersions and (G) water. |
| US07905954B2 |
Nanosized particles of benzimidazolone pigments
A nanoscale pigment particle composition includes an organic benzimidazolone pigment, and a sterically bulky stabilizer compound, wherein the benzimidazolone pigment associates non-covalently with the sterically bulky stabilizer compound that is an alkylated derivative of an aromatic acid; and the presence of the associated stabilizer limits the extent of particle growth and aggregation, to afford nanoscale pigment particles. |
| US07905946B1 |
Systems and methods for separating a multiphase fluid
Apparatus and methods for separating a fluid are provided. The apparatus can include a separator and a collector having an internal volume defined at least in part by one or more surfaces narrowing toward a bottom portion of the volume. The separator can include an exit port oriented toward the bottom portion of the volume. The internal volume can receive a fluid expelled from the separator into a flow path in the collector and the flow path can include at least two directional transitions within the collector. |
| US07905943B1 |
Synthesis of hybrid inorganic nanoparticle structures using peptides
Bimetallic hybrid nanostructures exhibit enhanced properties beyond a single composition nanoparticle, but present technical challenges for synthesis that includes the ability to process two or more materials while offering control over structural arrangement. Unlike conventional synthetic strategies, biological systems are excellent manufacturers of complex inorganic materials which possess maximal functionality, quality, and structures. Using a bio-mediated approach, Applicants have developed a synthetic method for the controlled synthesis of bimetallic nanostructures using multifunctional peptides. |
| US07905939B2 |
Block for filtering particles contained in exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine
A filter block, particularly for filtering particulates present in the exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine, including peripheral inlet (50,14p2) and outlet (52,14p1) channels arranged alternately at the periphery of the block and each including an external wall (44;54;401,402;403) exposed to the exterior of the block and an internal wall (46;56;404,405;406,407,408) arranged inside the block. The block according to the invention is remarkable in that it includes at least one group (G) of two adjacent peripheral channels (50,52) such that, in a transverse plane of section (P), the ratio R of the average thickness “E” of all the external walls (44,54) of the group (G) to the average thickness “e” of all the internal walls (46,56) of the (G) is greater than 1.2. |
| US07905937B2 |
Two-stage mist eliminator and method
A two-stage blade-type mist eliminator is provided. In general, both stages include a plurality of impingement blades arranged to form a vaulted or inverted V-shaped profile. The first stage defines a larger included angle than the second stage. Advantageously, the corresponding terminal ends of each stage can be supported by a common support member. |
| US07905935B2 |
Twist and lock connection for pleated filter element
A baghouse and filter assembly are provided for at least partially removing particulate matter from a gas stream. The filter assembly includes a first filter portion to be supported within the baghouse adjacent to an opening defined by a tube sheet, a first generally-tubular frame, and a first pleated filter media adjacent to the first generally-tubular frame. A second filter portion includes a second generally-tubular frame and a second pleated filter media disposed adjacent to the second generally-tubular frame. A coupler is provided for connecting the first filter portion to the second filter portion and establishing fluid communication between the first and second filter portions when connected. The coupling includes a first coupling portion including a side wall defining a receiver, as well as a lug clip disposed adjacent to the receiver. The lug clip us substantially-elastically displaced in a radial direction from an unbiased position during connection of the first and second filter portions. |
| US07905933B2 |
Exhaust gas purifier and filter regenerator
An exhaust gas cleaning apparatus and a filter regeneration apparatus that are capable of cleaning a large volume of exhaust gas without any increase in size of a nonmagnetic member around which a working coil for induction heating is wound. The exhaust gas cleaning apparatus includes a particulate collecting section and a filter regenerating section placed next to each other in the flow direction of an exhaust gas, and a movable frame. The movable frame holds an extension of a filter unit extending from a casing of the particulate collecting section beyond the support frame of the filter regenerating section, and can move the filter unit in the axial direction of the casing. When the filter unit moved by the movable frame passes through the filter regenerating section, a corresponding part of a holding frame disposed in the filter unit is continuously induction-heated to burn collected particulates, such that the filter unit can be regenerated. |
| US07905930B2 |
Two-stage process for producing oil from microalgae
A process for production of biofuels from algae can include cultivating an oil-producing algae by promoting sequential photoautotrophic and heterotrophic growth. The method can further include producing oil by heterotrophic growth of algae wherein the heterotrophic algae growth is achieved by introducing a sugar feed to the oil-producing algae. An algal oil can be extracted from the oil-producing algae, and can be converted to form biodiesel. |
| US07905928B2 |
Reactive dyes, processes for their preparation and their use
Reactive dyes of the formula (1) in which Q1, X, V1, V2, B, T and R1, R2, R4 and R5 are defined in the claims and in the disclosure and wherein the reactive dyes are suitable for dyeing widely varying fiber materials, in particular cellulosic fiber materials and produce dyeings with good allround properties. |
| US07905922B2 |
Surgical implant suitable for replacement of an intervertebral disc
An implant (10) is provided for replacement of an intervertebral disc (14). The implant 10 includes a core portion (20) extending into the disc space (16) and the ligament portion 20 extending longitudinal against the anterior side of the spine (12). The core portion (20) is configured to at least partially replicate the function of an intervertebral disc (14) and the ligament portion (22) is configured to at least partially replicate the function of an anterior longitudinal ligament (28). To this end, the core and ligament portions (20, 22) preferably have different mechanical properties from each other that are customized to provide the particular function desired for each portion (20, 22). |
| US07905913B2 |
Apparatus and methods for delivery of multiple distributed stents
Blood vessels and other body lumens are stented using multiple, discreet stent structures. Stent structures may be balloon expandable or self-expanding and are delivered by a delivery catheter which is repositioned to spaced-apart delivery sights. By coating the stents with particular biologically active substances, hyperplasia within and between the implanted stents can be inhibited. An exemplary delivery catheter comprises a catheter body having both a pusher rod for advancing the stents relative to a sheath and a reciprocatable delivery catheter for implanting the stents. |
| US07905911B2 |
Method and apparatus for connecting a hose to a warming blanket
A nozzle is provided for connecting an air hose to an air inlet. In one embodiment, the nozzle includes a tapered region and a plurality of vents. In another embodiment, the nozzle includes a projection configured to facilitate insertion of the nozzle into an air inlet. Warming assemblies comprising heated air blowers and warming blankets connected by the air hose and varying nozzle embodiments are also provided. |
| US07905909B2 |
Bone stabilization system including multi-directional threaded fixation element
A bone fixation system includes a plate and a set of fixation locking screws. The plate defines a set of locking screw holes each having an internal thread. Each respective locking screw has a head with an external structure that is adapted to self-tap into the internal thread of a given locking screw hole to secure the respective first-type fixation locking screw at an surgeon-directed angle relative to the plate. This angle is defined during forcible insertion and rotation of the respective locking screw into the given screw hole. The system may also include unidirectional locking screws. In a preferred embodiment the plate and first-type of screw are made of different metals, with the plate made of titanium alloy and the screw made of cobalt chrome alloy. |
| US07905907B2 |
Internal structure stabilization system for spanning three or more structures
A method and system are described for immobilizing three or more vertebrae. The system includes a first bone anchor assembly, a second bone anchor assembly including a connector having a predefined arc, and at least a third bone anchor assembly. The first and second bone anchor assembly are inserted into the pedicles of vertebrae spanning at least a third vertebra. The third bone anchor assembly is positioned into the third vertebra between the first and second bone anchor assemblies using an arc defining instrument which is used to locate the proper position for the third bone anchor assembly based on the predefined arc of the connector. Once the third bone anchor assembly is in place the connector is rotated into position and captured by the first and third bone anchor assemblies. |
| US07905905B2 |
Spinal mobility preservation apparatus
A spinal mobility preservation apparatus and methods are disclosed. The spinal mobility preservation apparatus may include a proximal body, an intermediate body, a distal body, and an expandable membrane. The proximal body and the distal body secure the mobility preservation apparatus to adjacent vertebral bodies. At least one of an intermediate body and an expandable membrane secure the proximal body to the distal body and provide a degree of support to a spinal motion segment defined by the adjacent vertebral bodies. A single proximal body and an expandable membrane may also compose a spinal mobility preservation apparatus. The proximal body secured to one of a superior or an inferior vertebral body and the expandable membrane extending into the intervertebral disc space to support the spinal motion segment. |
| US07905904B2 |
Soft tissue repair device and associated methods
A fibrous tissue repair device and associated method. The device includes an inserter having a solid distal portion defining an external surface, and a single anchor carried solely on the external surface of the distal portion of the inserter. The method includes preloading a first anchor externally onto a first inserter, passing the first inserter from a first side to a second side of the fibrous tissue at a first location, delivering the first anchor on the second side of the fibrous tissue, and retracting the first inserter away from the tissue. |
| US07905903B2 |
Method for tissue fixation
A method for securing a strand to a fixation member for arthroscopic fixation, wherein the fixation member includes an aperture therethrough. The method includes passing a strand having first and second ends through a flexible sleeve, passing the sleeve through the aperture of the fixation member in a first direction, tensioning the strand, and pulling the sleeve in a second direction different than the first direction to secure the sleeve to the fixation member without tying the strand on the fixation member. |
| US07905902B2 |
Surgical implant with preferential corrosion zone
The present invention provides a surgical implant which can be made of a metal that corrodes while implanted in tissue of a patient. The surgical implant has a preferential corrosion zone adapted to corrode at a different rate than the rest of the surgical implant. In one embodiment, the surgical implant is surgical staple that may be formed into a “B-shape” when deployed into tissue, although the invention also is applicable to many other kinds of staples, clips, and other metallic surgical implants. In one embodiment, the preferential corrosion zone comprises an indentation that provides a site for crevice corrosion. |
| US07905901B2 |
Self-centering occlusion device
This invention relates to an occlusion device for the closure of physical defects. The occlusion device is capable of self-centering itself in the defect. This allows the center of the occluder to remain properly positioned in the defect, while maintaining a low profile against the tissue. |
| US07905891B2 |
Suction clip
A suction clip and system and method therefor. The suction clip is configured for deployment from a catheter to provide for hemostasis of injured tissue. The suction clip preferably includes a flexible distal rim configured to form sealing contact with tissue to be treated and a proximal check valve to maintain a seal of the clip to the tissue when a vacuum has been provided therebetween. The suction clip may include a visual or radio-opaque marker to aid in later location of same. |
| US07905889B2 |
Integrated handle assembly for anchor delivery system
Intergrated systems and associated method for manipulating tissues and anatomical or other structures in medical application for the purpose of treating diseases or disorders or other purposes. In one aspect, the system includes a delivery device configured to deploy and implant anchor device for such purposes. |
| US07905887B2 |
Surgical microscopy system and method for performing eye surgery
A surgical microscopy system comprises microscopy optics for generating an image of an eye under surgery. A pattern generator generates a pattern to be superimposed with the image. An eye-tracker is provided for tracking a position of the superimposed pattern with respect to the image in case of a movement of the eye. The superimposed pattern comprises pattern elements that are equally distributed on first and second circles of different sizes, in order to give assistance when placing a suture during a corneal transplant. The superimposed pattern may also provide an assistance for orientating a toric intra-ocular lens. |
| US07905885B2 |
Reduction system for restoration of a vertebral body
An apparatus and method is provided for distracting, in a given direction, and supporting opposed endplates of a vertebral body. A plurality of wafers are consecutively inserted within the vertebral body between the two endplates to create a column of wafers. The column of wafers is oriented between the endplates so as to expand in the given direction as the wafers are consecutively added to the column. |
| US07905882B1 |
Activator for electrosurgical handpiece
A disposable bipolar or unipolar electrosurgical handpiece having an extendable and retractable active electrode end and housed in a relatively inexpensive body comprising an activating handle for use in various electrosurgical procedures. The housing comprises slidable axially-aligned body sections coupled to rigid axially-spaced arms of the actuating handle, the arms extending both below and above the common axis of the body sections and comprising concave portions configured to receive fingers of the user. The arrangement allows the user to use 2, 3 or 4 fingers and thumb to operate the handpiece both in a normal and an inverted position. |
| US07905879B2 |
Cryoablation catheter handle
A cryocatheter system includes a first handle portion having a proximal end, a distal end, a first fluid flow path, and a second fluid flow path; a second handle portion having a proximal end, a distal end, a first fluid flow path, and a second fluid flow path; and a catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, a first fluid flow path, and a second fluid flow path. The distal end of the first handle portion is matable with the proximal end of the second handle portion to place the respective first and second fluid flow paths of each handle portion in fluid communication; and the distal end of the second handle portion is matable with the proximal end of the catheter to place the respective first and second fluid flow paths of the second handle portion and the catheter in fluid communication. |
| US07905878B2 |
Implantable pump with reservoir level detector
An implantable pump includes a base plate and a can that are parts of the pump housing. The base plate bottom divides the housing into a first electronics chamber and a second chamber. A bellows mechanism is connected to the base plate and is disposed within the second chamber. The bellow mechanism has an expandable sidewall and a bottom plate. The bellow mechanism divides the second chamber into a medicament receiving portion and a non-medicament-receiving portion. The bellow mechanism has an intermediate plate disposed within the medicament-receiving portion. A coil is disposed in a recess on the lower surface of the base plate, and the coil is spaced from an internal wall of the recess. The amount of fluid remaining in the implantable pump can be monitored by energizing the coil. A primary magnetic field is generated by the energized coil. A secondary magnetic field, which is dependant on the position of the bottom and intermediate plate of the bellow mechanism, couples back to the primary field affecting the electrical characteristics of the coil. The amount of fluid remaining in the reservoir is determined based on the resulting changes in the electrical characteristics of the coil. |
| US07905867B2 |
Pen-type injector
A pen-type injector is improved so that a user may select a delivery dose of medicinal product from a multidose cartridge. The injector includes a housing. a cartridge containing medicinal product retained within a housing, a piston rod, a dose selecting member to select a dose of medicinal product to be expelled, and a drive member to expel the selected dose of medicinal product. The housing is formed unitary so that the dose selecting member and the drive member are moveably retained within the housing. The injector may include ratchet means associated with the insert to ensure the piston rod only rotates in a single direction through the insert, a button located on the drive sleeve, and clutch means which upon depression of the button prevents rotation between the dose dial sleeve and the drive sleeve. |
| US07905863B1 |
Device and method for treatment or evacuation of intervertebral disc
A method of positioning an arcuate catheter against an inner annular wall of the disc, and particularly on the posterior and postero-lateral portions of the inner annulus of the disc, by arthroscopy is presented. The arcuate catheter retains its predetermined arcuate shape when no pressure or force is applied to the catheter. This present device and method require no forward tip pressure on the inner annular wall of a mammalian intervertebral disc. An arcuate sheath having a cutter is used to remove tissue from the inner annulus of the disc. In another embodiment an arcuate sheath is used to progressively remove material from the interior of the mammalian intervertebral disc. In yet another embodiment, an arcuate sheath and catheter are used to remove the entire intervertebral disc and place supports to maintain a disc space. |
| US07905860B2 |
Plunger disc loading mechanism for syringe pump
A syringe pump is equipped with mechanism for easy handling of syringes of different sizes. The syringe pump is equipped with a plunger holding device. The plunger holding device includes a retainer housing with two retainer bars. The plunger holding device also includes two handles and a sensing plate. When two handles move toward each other, the retainer housing moves forward and two retainer bars moves away from each other. When two handles are released, the retainer housing slides back over a dowel pin attached to the sensing plate and the retainer bars return to their initial position. A plunger's disc can be securely held by the retainer bars without introducing error in the sensing of the pushing force of the syringe plunger. |
| US07905858B2 |
System and method for providing warm, pressurized irrigation fluid
An economical yet effective apparatus and associated method heats and pressurizes a fluid-filled bag of the type used in a surgical setting. The apparatus includes an inner sealed flexible jacket including a sodium acetate solution and activator button therein operative to heat the fluid-filled bag. An outer sealed flexible jacket adjacent to the inner jacket includes a gas inlet for inflation thereof thereby applying pressure to the fluid-filled bag through the heated inner jacket during use. |
| US07905855B2 |
Dialysis system having non-invasive temperature sensing
A dialysis system includes a dialysis instrument; a disposable item configured to hold a dialysis fluid and including an at least substantially opaque portion and an at least substantially clear portion; at least one non-invasive temperature sensor mounted to the dialysis instrument so as to be pointed selectively at the at least substantially clear portion and the at least substantially opaque portion; and a processor configured to calculate a temperature of the dialysis fluid within the disposable item using (i) a first temperature measurement from the at least one sensor while pointed at the at least substantially opaque portion, and (ii) a second temperature measurement from the at least one sensor pointed at the at least substantially clear portion. |
| US07905853B2 |
Dialysis system having integrated pneumatic manifold
A dialysis machine valve manifold assembly includes a plurality of pneumatic valves; a plate including a first side and a second side, the plurality of pneumatic valves mounted to the first side of the plate, the second side of the plate defining a plurality of pneumatic flow paths; and a port header mounted removably to the plate, the port header including a plurality of ports configured to connect sealingly to pneumatic tubing, the ports in fluid communication with the pneumatic valves via the pneumatic flow paths defined in the plate. |
| US07905850B2 |
Device and method for combining an athletic shoe and conventional ankle brace to limit active ankle inversion
A device and method is provided wherein a non-extendable strap is attached to the interior of an athletic, or other type of shoe, commencing on the instep side, extending below the user's foot, and ankle, which has been previously fitted with a commercial brace or wrap or taped, which is inserted within the shoe, and the strap is attached within the shoe again on the outstep upper side. The strap element is drawn tight about the user's ankle when the shoe is laced, strapped, or otherwise secured about the user's foot. The strap element extends above the user's ankle, and is pulled taut and affixed to the brace, or wrap, or separately taped, at a position on the outside of the user's lower leg. The device and method of attachment allows the shoe and brace or wrap to act together, as an integrated system, to limit active ankle inversion. |
| US07905845B2 |
Pressure pulse/shock wave therapy methods and an apparatus for conducting the therapeutic methods
The method of stimulating a substance is disclosed. The method has the steps of activating an acoustic shock wave generator or source to emit acoustic shock waves; and subjecting the substance to the acoustic shock waves stimulating said substance wherein the substance is positioned within a path of the emitted shock waves and away from a geometric focal volume or point of the emitted shock waves. In one embodiment the emitted shock waves are divergent or near planar. In another embodiment the emitted shock waves are convergent having a geometric focal volume of point at a distance of at least X from the source, the method further comprising positioning the substance at a distance less than the distance X from the source. The substance is a tissue having cells. The tissue can be an organ of a mammal. The mammal may be a human or an animal. The organ may be a heart, a brain, skin, a liver or a kidney or any other organ. The tissue may be muscle, cartilage, tendon, bone, teeth or gums. The tissue may be a part of the vascular system, a part of the nervous system, a part of the urinary or reproductive system, a part of the lymph node or pituitary systems, a part of the ocular system or a part of a skeletal system. |
| US07905844B2 |
Disposable transducer seal
A transducer seal designed to seal an open aperture of a transducer housing for a therapeutic ultrasound procedure. The seal has a membrane, a retainer and a mating device for locking in place with the transducer housing. The membrane is essentially transparent to ultrasound energy while being stretched taut about the retainer. The transducer seal may be made in a disposable or re-usable form. |
| US07905842B2 |
Apparatus and method for excising tissue and bandaging the resulting wound
An apparatus (10) and method for excising tissue (208) and closing a wound (156) that results from excision of the tissue (208) is provided. The apparatus (10) includes structure (14) defining an aperture (34) into which tissue (208) to be excised is exposed and a cutting member (96). The apparatus (10) also includes an adhesive bandage (140) for closing the wound (156). The adhesive bandage (140) is secured relative to a lower surface (20) of the structure (14) in a location for contacting skin (154) adjacent to the tissue (208) to be excised. The apparatus (10) further includes a device (150) that is actuatable for closing the wound (156) with the adhesive bandage (140) and actuators (108 and 182) for moving the cutting member (96) relative to the structure (14) for excising the tissue (208) exposed in the aperture (34) and for actuating the device (150). |
| US07905838B2 |
Image diagnostic system and apparatus, and processing method therefor
An image diagnostic system controls a probe to perform radial scanning within a body cavity produces data based on signals received by the probe to construct and display a tomographic image of the body cavity and surrounding biotissue. The system includes a generation unit, a selection unit and a conversion unit. The generation unit generates and outputs synchronization signals in synchronization with a timing of acquisition cycles of line units of the signals and generated at a higher frequency than output signals outputted corresponding to rotational angles of the probe upon performing the scanning. The selection unit successively receives the output signals, and selects and outputs first ones of the synchronization signals as received subsequent to the receptions of the output signals. Responsive to successive inputs of the synchronization signals selected by the selection unit, the conversion unit converts the reflected signals into digital signals and outputs the digital signals. |
| US07905837B2 |
Ultrasound diagnostic apparatus
An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus includes: an ultrasound probe capable of 2D scanning and 3D scanning; a transceiver device which drives said ultrasound probe to perform 2D scanning and 3D scanning of the inside of a subject with an ultrasound beam; a storage device which stores 3D data obtained by said 3D scanning; a display device which displays on a display device a 3D image resulting from the projection of said stored 3D data, the position of the 2D scanning plane for Doppler measurement, and a Doppler cursor in a prescribed projecting direction; an instruction-responsive altering device which accepts an instruction from the operator and alters said projecting direction and the position of said Doppler cursor in accordance with the instruction; and a Doppler measurement device which performs Doppler measurement by using the finalized position of the 2D scanning plane for Doppler measurement and the Doppler cursor. |
| US07905836B2 |
Localized production of microbubbles and control of cavitational and heating effects by use of enhanced ultrasound
A method of using ultrasound waves that are focused at a specific location in a medium is provided to cause localized production of bubbles at that location and to control the production, and the cavitational and heating effects that take place there. Production and control are accomplished by interference-specific waveforms at the focal point, which are not produced at other locations. Preferably, the region within the focal zone of all the transducers in which the specific waveform develops at significant intensities are very small. The method, and a system that performs the method, can be used to perform a variety of therapeutic procedures. Typical of such procedures is occlusion of varicose veins. |
| US07905833B2 |
Transcutaneous analyte sensor
The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for measuring an analyte in a host. More particularly, the present invention relates to systems and methods for transcutaneous measurement of glucose in a host. |
| US07905829B2 |
Endoscope inserting direction detecting method and endoscope inserting direction detecting system
An endoscope inserting direction detecting system receives an endoscopic image, detects an endoscope inserting direction, in which an endoscope should be inserted, on the basis of the endoscopic image and produces information concerning the detected inserting direction. The endoscope inserting direction detecting method includes setting sampling pixels, detecting the direction of a change in brightness in the endoscopic image and evaluating the angles among a plurality of inserting-direction candidates and the direction of the change in brightness. |
| US07905825B2 |
Pelvic implants and related methods
Described are surgical implants that include a central support portion adapted to be positioned to support pelvic tissue, between mesh end portions adapted to be passed through body tissue, wherein edges of the end portions exhibit extensions that are resistant to deformation. |
| US07905823B2 |
Devices, methods and systems for establishing supplemental blood flow in the circulatory system
A blood circulation assist system comprising an inflow cannula having a lumen and an insertion device configured to be received therein and to facilitate insertion of a portion of the inflow cannula into a heart chamber. The insertion device includes a shaft having distal and proximal end portions and a plurality of lumens. A first lumen is configured to receive a guidewire and a second lumen is configured to receive a pressurized fluid. A tip connected to the distal end portion of the shaft is configured for insertion into the heart chamber. The tip has a hollow interior communicating with the first shaft lumen. An inflatable member is coupled to the distal end portion of the shaft and includes a hollow interior in fluid communication with the second shaft lumen. The inflatable member is movable between deflated and inflated configurations for releasably securing the insertion device to the inflow cannula. |
| US07905818B1 |
Molded cushions for exercise equipment
A cushioned support has a rigid base and a molded resilient cushion. The cushion is releasably attached to the base with a wrap-around lip or by means of a retaining member disposed along a periphery of the base. The retaining member, if used, may be conveniently manufactured as an extrusion with a first portion for attachment to the perimeter of the base and a second portion having a barbed cross-section for engaging the cushion. |
| US07905814B2 |
Shift control method of an automatic transmission
A shift control method of an automatic transmission for controlling a shift from an nth speed, achieved by engagement of first and second frictional elements to an (n−3)th speed, achieved by engagement of third and fourth frictional elements. The method includes (a) beginning release control of the first element; (b) beginning release control of the second element after step (a) and after the shift is completed; (e) beginning engagement control of the third element; and (d) beginning engagement control of the fourth element after step (c). An alternative method includes (a) beginning release control of the first element; (b) beginning engagement control of the third element after step (a); (c) beginning actual engagement of the third element; (d) beginning actual release of the first element after step (c); (e) beginning engagement control of the fourth element after step (d); (f) beginning release control of the second element after step (e). |
| US07905813B2 |
Electronically controlled engine generator set
An apparatus for controlling the power output of an unthrottled engine has a variable gear ratio transmission connected between a mechanical load and the engine, and it has a controller for controlling the torque load on the engine, according to the power output required. The controller measures the torque output of the unthrottled engine at the power output required, and sets the gear ratio of the transmission to produce a torque load on the engine equal to the torque output of the engine. This means the unthrottled engine will reach an equilibrium with the mechanical load at the required power output. Controlling the unthrottled engine in this way involves receiving a signal describing the power output requirement, varying a gear ratio of the transmission, and establishing a torque equilibrium between the load and the engine. |
| US07905811B2 |
Speed changing structure for work vehicle
A speed changing structure for a work vehicle, comprising a travel speed changing device having a plurality of speed change positions, a manually operated speed changing lever (63), control means (64) for controlling the travel speed changing device, and a manually operable operating part (65) provided to the speed changing lever (63), wherein the control means (64) has a first speed changing mode for operating the travel speed changing device in single steps so as to follow the operation of the speed changing lever (63), and a second speed changing mode for operating the travel speed changing device without passing through intermediate speed change positions to a speed change position that corresponds to the operating position after the speed changing lever (63) has been moved from the speed change position that corresponds to the operating position prior to the speed changing lever (63) being operated; and the control means (64) operates the travel speed changing device in the first speed changing mode when the operating part (65) is not operated and the speed changing lever (63) is operated, and operates the travel speed changing device in the second speed changing mode when the operating part (65) is operated and the speed changing lever is operated. |
| US07905809B2 |
Multi-speed transmission
A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices may include clutches. |
| US07905808B2 |
Heavy duty transmission for bowl-mill roller crushers
A heavy-duty transmission for the drive of a bowl-mill roller crushers, comprising a bevel gear stage (6; 7), a horizontal input drive shaft (5) and a vertical output drive shaft (8) and a multi stage planetary gearbox arrangement which is connected to the vertical output drive shaft (8) by a sun pinion (9) and is connectable to the grinding bowl of the roller mill by an output flange (3). Planetary wheels (10) engageable into the sun pinion (9) are placed on a first plane on a planetary wheel support (14) which is connected to the output flange (3). On a second plane, other planetary wheels (15) are arranged in such a way than the axes of rotation thereof are connected to a gear housing (2) and which are engageable into a ring gear (20) connected to the support of the planetary wheels (14) and are engaged into the sun pinion (19) of an intermediate gear wheel (17), which is also provided with a ring wheel (18) which gearing from outside into the planetary wheels (10) on the first plane. |
| US07905806B2 |
Power train for hybrid electronic vehicles and method of controlling the same
A power train for hybrid vehicles increases the range of the transmission gear ratio within which the efficiency of the power train is superior. Furthermore, the method of operating the power train varies depending on the transmission gear ratio, and thus the power train can be operated with superior efficiency. |
| US07905802B2 |
Expanding, exposed-blade arrow head
An expanding, exposed-blade arrow head and a method of its operation. In a preferred embodiment, the arrow head comprises: a ferrule comprising three blade holders and having a longitudinal cavity having a bottom; a tip comprising a piston that is slidably mounted in the longitudinal cavity, the tip having a front end having three slots; three blades, each of the blades having a forward end that is pivotably mounted in one of said slots and a body having a cutting edge, each body being slidably mounted in one of the blade holders; wherein the sliding of the piston in the longitudinal cavity toward the bottom causes the cutting edges to move outward. |
| US07905800B2 |
Hockey shooting training device
A hockey shooting training device comprises an elongate track and a carriage having a puck shaped an engaging member supported thereon for engagement by a hockey stick to be displaced along the track with the carriage from a starting end to a target end. Wheels on the carriage have a resilient peripheral surface for rolling along the track. A tether coupled to the carriage is wound onto a spool at the starting end of the track. Constant frictional resistance is applied to the spool during displacement of the carriage towards the target end as the tether unwinds from the spool. A winding mechanism on the spool returns the carriage to the starting end. An illuminated indicator extends along the track to provide visual guidance of the path of the carriage. A further indicator may indicate an angular offset of the engaging member from a central position about an upright axis. |
| US07905797B2 |
Golf club head with varying face grooves
The present invention is directed to a golf club head with an improved striking surface. Grooves are machined into the strike surface with tight tolerances. The grooves have sharp edges, radiused ends, and a draft angle between about 2° and 12°. The striking face is machined such that it has a uniform texture with a roughness of more than 40 Ra. The grooves may contain a plurality of portions, including a radiused or angled portion, a portion having substantially parallel walls, a portion having a v-shape, and a curved portion. The grooves may also be characterized by various dimensions, including draft angle, inclusive side wall angle, width, depth, cross-sectional area, spacing, and pitch ratio. Preferred values for these dimensions are provided. A golf club head having a variety of groove types and a set of golf clubs with grooves varying among the individual clubs of the set are also disclosed. |
| US07905791B2 |
Control device for a swing
Various embodiments of the invention include a motor system for driving a swing and controlling the speed and/or amplitude of the swing. In one embodiment, the motor system includes a DC motor, a swing velocity sensor system, and a swing velocity control circuit. The DC motor drives the swing through at least one fill swing cycle, and then the motor is allowed to free-wheel for at least a half swing cycle. During the free-wheeling half cycle, the swing velocity sensor system measures the velocity of the swing and compares the measured velocity to a goal velocity. The control circuit increases or decreases the velocity depending on this comparison. In other embodiments, the system includes a swing amplitude sensor system that measures the amplitude of the swing and a swing amplitude control circuit that compares the measured amplitude to a goal amplitude. |
| US07905787B2 |
Drive system for a motor vehicle
A drive system for a motor vehicle comprises a drive unit with a drive shaft and a torque-transmitting assembly, which is to be connected on the drive side to the drive shaft for rotation in common around an axis of rotation (A) and which is to be connected on the takeoff side to a gearbox. The drive-side connection is accomplished by means of an axial plug-in connection arrangement, and the torque-transmitting assembly is supported in at least one axial direction on the gearbox. |
| US07905786B2 |
Decoupling mechanism for power tools
A decoupling mechanism for a power tool having a motor driving a drive shaft that drives a rotating component includes a shaft gear disposed around the drive shaft. The shaft gear has a first side and a second side. The second side has at least one shallow receiving structure and at least one deep receiving structure. At least one friction plate is disposed on the drive shaft adjacent to the first side. At least one pressure plate is disposed on or integrally part of the drive shaft adjacent to the friction plate and configured for rotation with the drive shaft. A spring assembly is biased against the shaft gear. The spring assembly includes a plate disposed around the drive shaft and a spring member. At least one cam is disposed between the plate and the shaft gear, and is configured to engage with the shallow and deep receiving structures. |
| US07905785B2 |
Sealing assembly
An embodiment of a constant velocity joint includes a first rotational member having a generally cylindrical surface. The generally cylindrical surface is defined, at least in part, by a groove portion. The constant velocity joint further includes a grease cover selectively positioned adjacent the first rotational member. An edge portion of the grease cover is positioned within the groove to at least partially retain the grease cover in a desired position. |
| US07905784B2 |
Method, apparatus and article for evaluating card games, such as blackjack
Identifiers are read from playing cards collected after completion of at least one hand of a card game, such as blackjack, and the value of a hand is determined from the resulting sequence of read identifiers (i.e., ending sequence). The playing cards are collected in a defined order, such as from players in order from a dealer's right to left, and finally from the dealer. The cards, and the play of the game, can be validated based at least in part on the ending sequence. Identifiers may also be read from cards before or while dealing the card game to produce an initial sequence. |
| US07905781B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information storing medium and program thereof, and operating device for game machine
An information processing apparatus includes a controller (1), and a game machine (2) to which the controller (1) is connected, and from at least one of a plurality of switches provided on the controller (1), a digital output or an analog output is obtained in accordance with an operating state of the switches thereof. A CPU of the game machine (2) carries out a first processing operation of game information in response to the analog output, and also carries out a second processing operation associated with the first processing operation in response to the digital output. |
| US07905774B2 |
Apparatus providing payouts proportional to wagers and methods for operating same
A gaming device such as a slot machine is provided having a payout proportional to a wager value. In accordance with one or more embodiments, the gaming machine provides a player with the ability to flexibly and automatically increase and decrease wagers, thereby allowing the player to press his bets when he feels lucky, and to decrease his bets when he feels unlucky. Different proportional payout tables are provided for different levels of wagers. |
| US07905773B2 |
Gaming device
Exemplary embodiments for playing a game having a slot mode and a pinball mode generally include activating the slot mode to display different combinations of symbols and create a slot credit score, activating the pinball mode to play a pinball game and create a pinball credit score, and adding the pinball credit score to the slot credit score when the game switches from the pinball mode to the slot mode. The pinball game may include at least two flippers for operation by a player. The slot mode may switch to the pinball mode upon display of a combination of symbols including a pinball symbol. Machine-readable media may embody instructions for causing one or more machines to perform operations related to the game. Systems for playing the game may include an input, a processor that executes instructions in response to an input, and a display. |
| US07905768B2 |
Device for picking or plucking poultry-feathers and an apparatus for driving such a device
A device for picking or plucking poultry feathers is provided that includes a sleeve-coupling and, connected or connectable thereto, a plucking plate with receptacles for plucking fingers, which sleeve-coupling is mountable on a drive-shaft for the plucking plate. The sleeve-coupling is provided with a circumferentially extending slot for receipt of a radially extending pin that is provided on the drive-shaft, and the circumferentially extending slot has an opening between the slot-extremities to allow the pin to enter and to exit the slot so as to securely mount the sleeve coupling on the drive shaft with the pin being located at one of the slot extremities. |
| US07905761B2 |
Remote controlled toy vehicle, toy vehicle control system and game using remote controlled toy vehicle
A vehicle toy combination includes a wireless controlled toy vehicle having a mobile platform configured to move over a surface. A central controller on the platform is configured to control at least one aspect of the toy vehicle. A hand-held manually actuable wireless controller is configured to remotely control user selected movement of the toy vehicle. Multiple vehicles can be controlled simultaneously with multiple wireless, manually operated controllers operating at the same frequency by initially synchronizing the controllers to transmit in non-overlapping windows. |
| US07905759B1 |
Interactive play set
An interactive play set, method and apparatus, is disclosed which is based on a host toy and a plurality of action figures. Each of the action figures has a unique set of attributes related to how the action figure interacts with the host toy device. The play set includes communication means to transmit the identity of the action figure to the host toy, and/or to transmit commands from the host toy to the action figure. The preferred embodiment discloses a remote control toy car, and a plurality of action figures that represent drivers. Associated with each action figure is one or a plurality of motion profiles that are stored in the memory of the car device. Upon connecting an action figure to the car device, the microprocessor of the car device will select and execute a motion profile corresponding to the action figure. The car toy device has a remote control apparatus to enable a player to interact with it. An alternate embodiment discloses a host toy device in the form of a doll, and a plurality of action figures in the form of pet animals. Upon connecting an action figure to the doll device, a set of interactions unique to said action figure are executed. |
| US07905755B1 |
Electrical terminal connection with sealed core crimp
A corrosion resistant electrical connection structure has an electrically conductive cable with a core made from a first electrically conductive material and an insulative outer cover. A terminal is electrically connected to the core at a lead extending beyond the insulative outer cover. A conformal coating covers and seals the lead of the core not in direct contact with the terminal. |
| US07905751B1 |
Electrical connector module with contacts of a differential pair held in separate chicklets
An electrical connector includes a housing and contact modules held in the housing. Each of the contact modules has a first chicklet and a second chicklet coupled together to form a corresponding one of the contact modules. Contacts are held in the contact modules and arranged in differential pairs. A first contact in each of the differential pairs is held by the first chicklet and a second contact in each of the differential pairs is held by the second chicklet. |
| US07905750B2 |
Electric connector with a bluetooth device therein
An electric connector includes an electrically insulative housing, which has connector receiving chambers and an accommodation space arranged in a stack, metal terminals respectively mounted in the connector receiving chambers, the metal terminals each having a front contact end respectively extended to an insertion slot on the front side of each connector receiving chamber for the contact of an external electric connector and a rear bonding portion extended out of the bottom side of the electrically insulative housing for bonding to an external circuit board, and a Bluetooth device mounted in the accommodation space for receiving an external wireless signal, and a metal shield capped on the electrically insulative housing for EMI protection. |
| US07905749B2 |
Ganged electrical outlets, apparatus, and methods of use
Ganged-outlet devices are disclosed that can be incorporated and utilized in a power-distribution unit. In one exemplary embodiment, a ganged-outlet device includes a plurality of electrical power outlets that each comprise at least first and second power-connection elements. The device also includes at least one common power line electrically interconnecting the first power-connection elements among the plurality of electrical power outlets. At least one separate, dedicated control power line can be electrically connected to the second power-connection element of each of at least one power outlet among the plurality of electrical power outlets. Power transmitted to the respective second power-connection element of the at least one power outlet via the at least one separate, dedicated control power line is selectively controllable. |
| US07905746B2 |
Adjustable connector for electrical cable
An adjustable connector for armored that includes a body, a hub, a clamp and a coupling nut. The body has a flanged end that is angularly disposed to the longitudinal axis and the hub has a mating flange that is angularly disposed to the central axis. The mating flange has a dovetail for receiving the flanged end and joining the body and hub together. The clamp is placed over the flanged end and mating flange and secured in place by tightening the coupling nut on the hub. |
| US07905744B1 |
Cartridge lock registered jack and method of use thereof
The present invention relates to a cartridge lock registered jack and method of use thereof. The cartridge allows wires to be fed through and pulled tight around a retaining bar. This ensures that the wires terminate with the insulation displacement contact very close to the point at which the wires are still twisted. Termination is made by moving the cartridge to a locked position, which then pushes the wires into the insulation displacement contacts that displace the wire insulation to make contact. |
| US07905743B2 |
Quick-fit connection socket for multi-conductor cable
The invention relates to a socket to be mounted on a multi-conductor cable and including a removable comb (1) having a central channel (5) extending therethrough, a connection terminal block (2), and a screw (3) and nut (4) assembling device. According to the invention, the screw (3) is fixedly mounted on the comb (1) for axial translation therewith and capable of rotation relative to the comb about the axis (X) of the socket, the terminal block (2) including two columns (22) that prevent the rotation of the comb about the axis (X) and in which helical notches (41) are formed that define a portion at least of the nut (4). |
| US07905741B1 |
Anti-vibration connector coupling with an axially movable ratchet ring
A connector coupling that comprises a connector body, a first collar coupled to the connector body, and a second collar surrounding the first collar. The first collar has a plurality of locking members. The second collar is rotatable with respect to the first collar between first and second positions. A ratchet ring is supported by the connector body and has a plurality of locking members corresponding to the plurality of locking members of the first collar. The ratchet ring being axially movable with respect to the connector body between an engaged position and a disengaged position. A biasing member is supported by the connector body adjacent the ratchet ring. The biasing member biases the ratchet ring in the engaged position. Rotating the second collar from the first position to the second position moves the ratchet ring from the engaged position, in which the plurality of locking members of the ratchet ring engage the plurality of the locking members of the first collar, to the disengaged position, in which the plurality of locking members of the ratchet ring are spaced from the plurality of locking members of the first collar, thereby allowing the first collar to rotate with respect to the connector body. |
| US07905739B2 |
Connector connection terminal and connector using the same
A connector connection terminal has a fixed piece to be inserted to a base of a connector, a coupling portion extending from the fixed piece, and a movable piece extending in parallel to the fixed piece to both sides from a free end of the coupling portion and being operated by an operation lever rotatably assembled to the base. An aspect ratio of a cross-sectional area of the coupling portion is greater than or equal to 1.2. |
| US07905737B2 |
Center connect single-sided junction block
A junction block assembly (300) includes a junction block (302). The junction block (302) is single-sided in that it provides for interconnection of electrical receptacle blocks (310, 308) only on one side of the junction block (302). The junction block assembly (300) includes a first center connect cable assembly (304) and a second center connect cable assembly (306). The center connect cable assemblies (304, 306) are adapted to electrically interconnect to the junction block (302), in a manner so that electrical power received from one of the cable assemblies (304, 306) may be applied to the electrical receptacle blocks (310, 308) connected to the junction block (302), and also to apply power to the other of the center connect cable assemblies (304, 306). |
| US07905729B2 |
Board-to-board connector
The invention relates to a board-to board connector (9) comprising at least a first contact module (9a) with a first set of board contacts (20) for connecting to a first board (8), and a second contact module (9B) with a second set of board contacts (21). The connector further comprises an interconnection element (22) for interconnecting at least one of said first set of contacts with at least one of said second set of contacts. The interconnection element enables rerouting and compensation of skew. |
| US07905728B2 |
Device and method for generating vortex
A device and method for generating a visible vortex for display or educational purposes. A container houses a two-phase fluidic system of a primary fluid, such as water, and a secondary fluid such as silicone fluid carrying a powder which has no affinity for the primary fluid. The two-phase fluidic system may be stirred using a stir bar or pump to generate the vortex. |
| US07905723B2 |
Convection combustion oven
An oven assembly for baking coatings applied to an object includes a housing with a header receiving pressurized air from a ventilator disposed outside the oven. A heater provides heat to the pressurized air received from the ventilator raising the temperature of the pressurized air to between about two and four times curing temperature in Fahrenheit degrees of the coatings applied to the object. The header extends from the heater into the housing. The header has nozzles disposed at spaced locations directing pressurized air at the temperature being between about two and four times the curing temperature in Fahrenheit degrees of the coating applied to the object toward predetermined locations on the object. |
| US07905717B2 |
PD pumps with a common gearbox module and varying capacities and easy access to mechanical seals
Rotary lobe pump and circumferential piston pump designs are disclosed where the drive and driven shafts are detachably connected to their respective rotors. The rotors are disposed in a pump or rotor casing, which is sandwiched between a head cover and a gearbox. The drive and driven shafts pass through mechanical seal assemblies, which are sandwiched between the first and second rotors and the gear box respectively. The seal assemblies can be serviced or replaced by simply removing the head cover and removing the rotors from the drive and driven shafts. The pump casing does not need to be removed to replace or service the seal assemblies. Further, the capacities of the disclosed rotary lobe and circumferential piston pumps can be modified without changing the gearboxes or shaft length. To modify a pump capacity, all that needs to be changed are the rotors, the pump or rotor casing and, in some designs, the head cover or cover plate. In some designs, the cover plate is universal to the gearbox so that only the rotors and pump casing need to be changed to modify the pump capacity. |
| US07905714B2 |
Progressing cavity pump assembly and method of operation
A progressing cavity pump assembly includes a collar assembly connecting a housing and a tubing string, with the collar having an inside diameter upset and the rotor having a rotor head axially spaced from a rotor helix, with the rotor head having an outer diameter forming a stop adapted to land on the inside diameter upset. A method of timing a progressing cavity pump assembly includes providing a collar assembly having an inside diameter upset, movably connecting the collar assembly and the housing, providing a rotor having a rotor head axially spaced from a rotor helix, with the rotor head having an outer diameter forming a stop, selectively adjusting the relative position of the collar assembly and the housing to form a pathway substantially corresponding to the rotor helix, landing the stop on the inside diameter upset, and fixing the relative position of the collar assembly and the housing. |
| US07905712B2 |
Centrifugal pump device for a heat-dissipating system
A centrifugal pump device includes a motor unit and a pump unit. The motor unit includes two elongated stator units, and a rotor disposed rotatably on a motor housing unit between the stator units. Each of the stator units extends in a direction perpendicular to and spaced apart from a rotating axis of the rotor. The pump unit includes a pump chamber, a plurality of impeller blades disposed in the pump chamber and anchored to the rotor, a pump housing unit attached fixedly and sealingly to the motor housing unit, a liquid passage in fluid communication with the pump chamber, an inlet passage in fluid communication with the liquid passage, and an outlet passage in fluid communication with the pump chamber and extending at least partially into a between-stator region. |
| US07905710B2 |
System and method for improved low flow medical pump delivery
A medical pump with an improved continuity low flow delivery system and method for use with a pumping chamber, for example in a cassette, is disclosed. The pump includes a pump drive for exerting a force on the pumping chamber and a sensor for sensing the force/pressure exerted by the pump drive on the pumping chamber. The pump drive position sensor senses the position of the pump drive. The medical pump also includes a processing unit and a memory having a programming code adapted to calculate the rate of change of the sensed force/pressure values and determine whether the rate of change of the sensed force/pressure values meets a rate of change threshold. Once the rate of change threshold is met, the programming code is adapted to calculate a remaining pump drive travel value for determining how much farther the pump drive should travel before the end of an effective pump cycle. The programming code is further adapted to trigger one or more signals to drive the pump drive for the remainder of the effective pump cycle using the remaining pump drive travel value. |
| US07905707B2 |
Pitch actuator for wind turbine generator, and wind turbine generator
Provided are a pitch actuator for a wind turbine generator and a wind turbine generator that can be prevented from losing their reliability. Provided are a cylinder (12) and a rod (13) that rotate a wind turbine rotor blade about an axis thereof relative to a rotor head to change a pitch angle; a cylinder bearing (14, 15) supporting the cylinder (12) so as to be rotatable relative to the rotor head about a first rotation axis (L1) extending substantially parallel to the axis of the wind turbine rotor blade and about a second rotation axis (L2) extending in a direction crossing both the first rotation axis (L1) and the axis of the cylinder (12) and the rod (13); and a rod bearing (16) rotatably supporting an end of the rod (13) on an end surface of the wind turbine rotor blade. |
| US07905702B2 |
Method for detecting rotating stall in a compressor
A system and method is provided for detecting and controlling rotating stall in the diffuser region of a compressor. A pressure transducer is placed in the gas flow path downstream of the impeller, preferably in the compressor discharge passage or the diffuser, to measure the sound or acoustic pressure phenomenon. Next, the signal from the pressure transducer is processed either using analog or digital techniques to determine the presence of rotating stall. Rotating stall is detected by comparing the detected energy amount, which detected energy amount is based on the measured acoustic pressure, with a predetermined threshold amount corresponding to the presence of rotating stall. Finally, an appropriate corrective action is taken to change the operation of the compressor in response to the detection of rotating stall. |
| US07905700B2 |
Vertical-type heat processing apparatus and method of controlling transfer mechanism in vertical-type heat processing apparatus
The present invention is a vertical-type heat processing apparatus comprising: a heat processing furnace; a holder capable of being loaded into the heat processing furnace and unloaded therefrom, with holding therein a plurality of objects to be processed at predetermined vertical intervals in a tier-like manner; a transfer mechanism including a base table capable of vertically moving and rotating, and a substrate supporter capable of horizontally moving on the base table; and a controller for controlling the transfer mechanism; wherein the transfer mechanism is adapted to transfer an object to be processed between a container containing a plurality of objects to be processed at predetermined intervals, and the holder; the substrate supporter includes a to-and-fro driving part for driving the substrate supporter in the horizontal direction, and a pitch-change driving part for changing a pitch at which the objects to be processed are supported; the controller is adapted to monitor at least one information of position, velocity and current fed back to a motor for driving the transfer mechanism; and the controller is adapted to judge, by comparing the monitored information with predetermined information corresponding to a normal drive, that the transfer mechanism is abnormally driven, and then is adapted to stop the drive of the transfer mechanism. |
| US07905699B2 |
Transfer robot, transfer method, and control method
A transfer robot includes a hand section on which an object is placed; a horizontal arm mechanism connected to the hand section, the horizontal arm mechanism including at least two rotary joints, the horizontal arm mechanism extending and contracting so as to move the hand section along one direction, the horizontal arm mechanism being disposed so as to face in an axial direction; and a lift mechanism including a link mechanism that moves the horizontal arm mechanism up and down, wherein the lift mechanism includes at least two sets of link mechanisms disposed on a base member, and wherein the horizontal arm mechanism is disposed between parts of the lift mechanism when the horizontal arm mechanism is moved to a lowest position. |
| US07905697B2 |
Wheel locks with rotatable sleeves and methods of manufacturing wheel locks
A wheel lock includes a key engaging member and a rotatable sleeve. The key engaging member has a threaded opening for receiving a bolt and a key shaped end for mating with a key. The rotatable sleeve surrounds at least a portion of the key engaging member. The rotatable sleeve is attached to the key engaging member and is capable of rotating around the key engaging member. The wheel lock may further include a spring washer for attaching the rotatable sleeve to the key engaging member. The rotatable sleeve is capable of rotating around the key engaging member without causing the threaded opening of the key engaging member to rotate. The key engaging member is configured such that the key engaging member rotates when a shaped protrusion of the key is mated with the key shaped end of the key engaging member and the key is rotated. |
| US07905696B2 |
Fastener for joining metal plate members
A fastener includes a socket for fastening to a mounting through hole of a first metal plate member, a screw member inserted through the socket for threading into a screw hole of a second metal plate member to joint the first and second metal plate members together, a barrel molded on the head of the screw member and axially movably coupled to the socket for enabling the screw member to be moved axially relative to the socket and rotated with the barrel relative to the socket and having interference devices protruded from the inside wall for friction engagement with the socket, and a spring member sleeved onto the shank of the screw member and stopped between the head of the screw member and an inside annular flange of the socket. |
| US07905695B2 |
Methods and apparatus for locking element
The disclosed system, device, and apparatus for a locking element generally includes a force device having a suitable shape to fit around a plurality of coupled elements. This re-usable force device reduces unwanted and unintended rotation of coupled elements. Disclosed features and specifications may be variously controlled, adapted, or otherwise optionally modified to realize improved locking function. |
| US07905686B2 |
System for removing boiler tube stubs
A rotary milling head for boiler tube stub removal with cylindrical cutting pieces removably secured to the milling head by forces exerted by the material being cut and by friction, without any separate securing element. |
| US07905685B2 |
Gabion deployment
A gabion deployment system comprising: a container (30) for retaining a gabion (22) and a gabion (22) of the folding type comprising hingedly attached, connected side walls (16 & 18) and cross-members (12) such that it can be folded for storage and deployed for use; a retaining means (50) associated with the container (30) for retaining the gabion (20) in the container; and at least one releasable attaching, connecting or retentive engaging means (66) for attaching, connecting or retentively engaging at least one part of the gabion (22) to the retaining means (50); wherein the at least one releasable attaching, connecting or retentively engaging means (66) is adapted to attach, connect or retentively engage a part of the gabion (22) to the retaining means (50) when the gabion (22) is folded but to release the gabion (22) from the retaining means (50) when the gabion (22) is deployed. |
| US07905684B2 |
Offshore power plant
Platform for a power plant equipped for producing oil and made of reinforced concrete to reduce maintenance cost, consisting of at least one module. Each module will consist of at least one circular column surrounded by concrete to create a desired outer surface. Any of the columns can be used to store the petroleum (oil, gas, production water, sand, etc.), act as expansion chamber(s) and act as passive ballast or separation tank. The platform will have at least one deck for oil producing equipment, at least one deck for a power plant, and will have equipment necessary for electric power distribution. |
| US07905679B2 |
Dual lifting manhole cover
A one-piece, unitary manhole cover has dual lifting ports that drain through the outer circumferential edge of the cover. A lifting channel runs from the interior of the upper face out to the outer circumferential edge. A lifting bar spans the lifting channel and defines an ergo lifting port and a pry bar lifting port. Both the ergo lifting port and the pry bar lifting port drain through the outer circumference of the manhole cover. |
| US07905668B2 |
Coating/developing apparatus and method
A coating/developing apparatus includes a first storage section that stores data comprising correlations of different pattern information units including at least a line width of the resist pattern, different values of a film thickness of the underlying film, and different light information profiles. The apparatus further includes a mechanism configured to use a film thickness distribution to obtain an estimated film thickness of the underlying film at a light-irradiation area on the surface of the substrate, and to check the estimated film thickness and a light information profile obtained at the light-irradiation area against the data to determine pattern information at the light-irradiation area. |
| US07905665B2 |
Optical connector
An optical connector includes four main components, namely a clamp; a housing into which the clamp slides; two optical elements, a transmitter and a receiver; and an EMI metal shield surrounding the elements. The clamp has two parallel through holes for receiving fiber terminations, each through-hole having a generally conical mouth for convenient guidance of a fiber termination. Inside of the through-holes there are side resilient clamp members, and there is a single central clamp member. The clamp is of moulded plastics construction, and the clamp members are resilient in the lateral plane. The central clamp member on the other hand has little flexibility and remains essentially static throughout the clamping operation. Each resilient clamping member has a tooth at its end for snap-fitting engagement with the housing at open and closed positions. Fiber terminations are inserted through the clamp mouths and the through-holes and into the sockets of the housing. The clamp is then simply pushed inwardly so that teeth in the socket walls bite into the fiber claddings. |
| US07905664B1 |
Input/output connector having an active electrical/optical communication component
An I/O connector that includes an optical communication component, for example an optical transceiver, mounted to a ferrule body of the I/O connector. The connector can be installed on a circuit card assembly and is configured to allow blind-mate connectivity. Mounting the optical communication component to the ferrule body of the connector frees up the surface of the circuit card that could be eliminated or used for mounting other components, facilitates installation of and access to the optical communication component for repair and maintenance thereof, and eliminates the need for a fiber optic pigtail extending from the connector to the circuit card. |
| US07905663B2 |
Electronic apparatus and photoelectric conversion module
There is provided an electronic apparatus connectable to a receptacle of an external electric device. The electronic apparatus includes: a substrate; an electronic component mounted on the substrate; an electric connector which is provided on one longitudinal end of the substrate, electrically connected with the electronic component, and is insertable into the receptacle of the external electric device; first and second spacers respectively provided on the opposite surfaces of the substrate; a metal case for covering the substrate, the electronic component, the electric connector, and the first and second spacers; and a resin protective cover for covering the metal case. The metal case is provided in such a manner that an electrical connection portion thereof required for electrical connection with the receptacle is left exposed. The metal case is in contact with and supported by the first and second spacers. |
| US07905651B2 |
Diffusively reflective film, method of manufacturing the same, light guiding module, backlight assembly, and liquid crystal display apparatus having the same
A diffusively reflective film includes a base film, a light reflection layer and a light diffusion layer. The base film is flexible. The light reflection layer is disposed on the base film. The light reflection film reflects a first light. The light diffusion layer is disposed on the light reflection layer. The light diffusion layer diffuses the first light to form a second light. The diffusively reflective film may be bent to cover the light guide plate without being broken so as to increase the amount of light. Thus, a display quality is enhanced. Further, the diffusively reflective film covers the first side face, the second side face and the first face of light guide plate at once. Thus, productivity is enhanced and its manufacturing cost is reduced. |
| US07905650B2 |
Backlight suitable for display devices
A backlight suitable for use in a display device includes an illumination device having at least one light source and a back reflector stack including a reflective layer and a transparent layer having substantially uniform refractive index and having a plurality of light-directing protrusions disposed in a matrix array. The transparent layer is disposed between the reflective layer and the illumination device with the plurality of light-directing protrusions facing away from the reflective layer. The plurality of light-directing protrusions are configured and disposed in a configuration that is not registered to any light source of the illumination device. |
| US07905649B2 |
Display device and optical device
Disclosed herein is a display device including, a visual target, and a backlight adapted to illuminate the visual target from the rear, the backlight including, a plurality of first light sources, second light sources, and a light guide plate, wherein the light guide plate has a plurality of projecting portions on a side surface portion thereof upon which the light, produced by the plurality of first and second light sources is incident, the projecting portions being arranged, along the side surface portion and project toward the one side of the given direction, the plurality of first light sources are disposed to be opposed to the tip surfaces of the plurality of projecting portions, and the second light sources are disposed to be opposed to the bottom surfaces of recessed portions formed between the plurality of projecting portions. |
| US07905648B2 |
PDT magnifier camera illumination
A device that enlarges text and images to enable a low vision person to see the text and images includes a hollow structure including a top housing and a bottom housing that are connected to one another. A camera aperture is formed in the bottom housing and a transparent light guide lens is disposed in closing relation to the camera aperture so that all light entering the camera aperture must first pass through the light guide lens. A cavity formed in the light guide lens is bounded by walls that are positioned at a critical angle. Light-emitting diodes are positioned at critical locations about the periphery of the light guide lens to illuminate the object being viewed. |
| US07905644B2 |
System in package high power high efficiency light-emitting diode lamp
The invention provides a system-in-package, high power, and highly efficient light-emitting diode lamp. The light-emitting diode lamp, according to the invention, includes a light-guiding device. At least one end of two ends of the light-guiding device, the light, converted by a diode light-emitting device from an electric energy, is emitted into, and then is guided by the light-guiding device outside. The heat generated during light-emitting of the diode light-emitting is conducted by a heat-conducting device from a flat portion thereof to at least one heat-dissipating fin and further dissipated by the at least one heat-dissipating fin. |
| US07905637B2 |
Transformer assembly and light fixture assembly using same
A potted transformer assembly comprises a housing portion to form an exterior transformer housing, a transformer unit dimensioned to fit within the housing portion, the housing portion including a first passage to receive the transformer unit in an operative position therein, the housing portion having an inner surface which is oriented to provide an interior cavity between the transformer unit and the inner surface, the interior cavity being dimensioned to receive a predetermined quantity of a potting compound, the housing portion further including a second passage in fluid communication with the interior cavity, the second passage being dimensioned to receive a portion of the potting compound therein, the second passage being located on the housing portion in such a manner that, following a transformer encapsulation step, the presence of potting compound in the second passage is indicative of the transformer being substantially encapsulated by the potting compound. |
| US07905634B2 |
Multi-reflector LED light source with cylindrical heat sink
A cylindrical light source comprises multiple LEDs mounted on either the exterior or interior surface of the cylinder, with heat-sink fins respectively on its interior or exterior. The LEDs emit radially, but their emission is redirected along the cylinder axis by individual ellipsoidal reflectors. |
| US07905632B2 |
Projection module for a headlamp or an automobile light
The invention relates to a illumination module (10; 10a; 10b) for a headlamp or a illumination system of an automobile with at least one semiconductor light source (5) secured to a carrier element (4). The carrier element (4) in turn is attached to a heat sink (7) and fixed in place by means of a separate securing bracket (18; 18a; 18b) that is plate-shaped or is in the form of a wire-bale spring. The securing bracket (18; 18a; 18b) is attached to the heat sink (7) and includes a recess that at least partially surrounds the carrier element (4). |
| US07905627B2 |
Keypad device and related input device for an electronic device
A keypad device for an electronic device includes a substrate, a first light-emitting device coupled to the substrate for generating a first colored light source, a second light-emitting device coupled to the substrate for generating a second colored light source different from the first colored light source, a first transparent board made of a translucent material of a first color for displaying a first symbol, a second transparent board made of a translucent material of a second color, for displaying a second symbol, and a transparent film deployed on the first transparent board and the second transparent board. The first color is a complementary color of the color of the first colored light source, and the second color is a complementary color of the color of the second colored light source. |
| US07905626B2 |
Modular lighting apparatus
A modular lighting apparatus includes a replaceable bulb assembly, an adapter, and a mechanical and electrical connector assembly that removably connects the bulb assembly to the adapter for use. The bulb assembly includes a light-emitting component mounted to a body. In example embodiments the light-emitting component includes spiral-tube CFLs, low-profile transverse CFL tubes, and omni-directional LED arrays. The adapter includes a standard screw base mounted to a body that houses an electronic ballast. In this way, the bulb assembly can be removed from the adapter and replaced, while reusing the electronic ballast in the adapter. And the screw-base adapter allows the reuse of the electronic ballast in standard screw-socket household light fixtures. In addition, the reusable adapter base also may be provided with an integral photocell for light-based control of the lighting apparatus without increasing the overall height of the composite lighting apparatus. |
| US07905622B2 |
Traffic safety cone incorporating a flashing light module
A traffic safety cone incorporating a flashing light module includes electrically coupled first and second modules. The first module includes a solar cell array positioned atop an upper surface of a circular mounting member, a resilient, impact cushioning bumper that surrounds the mounting member, and a high-intensity LED flasher unit having a cylindrical base. The circular disk is secured to the top of the flasher unit, and the cylindrical base fits into the top of a traffic cone that has been truncated for a precise fit. The second module includes a truncated cone-shaped housing, electrical batteries installed within the housing, battery charging circuitry and an ON/OFF switch. The second module and a module retainer plate, which also functions as a battery cover, are installed in that order in the bottom of the traffic safety cone and are secured to the first module with threaded securing rods. |
| US07905619B2 |
Optical sheet, and backlight device and display device provided therewith
A notch is formed in a side of an optical sheet. As seen in plan view, the notch is shaped such that the maximum width of the notch as measured in the direction parallel to the line connecting both ends of a mouth portion of the notch is greater than the width of the mouth portion along the side of the optical sheet. Here, it is preferable that the notch be polygonal or have a curved shape as seen in plan view. |
| US07905616B2 |
Illumination unit and display unit incorporating the same
An illumination device has at least one fluorescent tube, a lower frame supporting the fluorescent tube, a light diffusion plate which opposes the lower frame with the fluorescent tube being interposed therebetween for forward diffusion of output light of the fluorescent tube, a reflection sheet disposed along the fluorescent tube side of the lower frame for reflecting the fluorescent light toward the light diffuser plate, and an upside reflector covering an electrode of the fluorescent tube for reflecting the light toward the light diffuser. When letting a direction along a length of the fluorescent tube be a horizontal direction, a distance between the fluorescent tube and the reflection sheet at at least one of nearby portions of right and left ends of the illuminator is greater than such distance at a central portion thereof. A liquid crystal display (LCD) apparatus using the illuminator is also disclosed. |
| US07905614B2 |
Refrigerator
The refrigerator includes the following parts. A heat-insulating main body has openings in a front side. A divider creates a first storage compartment and a second storage compartment, by dividing inside of said heat-insulating main body into the first storage compartment and the second storage compartment arranged side by side. A lighting unit, located close to at least one of the openings of the first and second storage compartments, respectively, each of which has a light-emitting diode as a light source. |
| US07905610B1 |
Graphics processor system and associated method for projecting an image onto a three-dimensional object
A system and method are provided for projecting an image onto a three-dimensional object. In use, after an image is received, such image is processed utilizing a graphics processor for projecting the image onto the three-dimensional object in various embodiments, the image may be processed as a function of three-dimensional information associated with the three-dimensional object, for improving projection. |
| US07905609B2 |
Projector and brightness adjusting method
A projector including a projector body, which has a light modulating device that modulates light emitted from a light source according to input image information to thereby form an optical image and a projection optical device that projects the formed optical image in an enlarged manner; an image output device that outputs the image information to the projector body; a connection mechanism for connecting the projector body and the image output device with each other such that the projector body and the image output device can rotate relative to each other; a rotation operation detecting unit that detects a relative rotation operation of the projector body and the image output device; and a control unit that controls the projector body and the rotation operation detecting unit. |
| US07905607B2 |
Projector and keystone distortion correction method for projector
A projector includes an adjusting leg section configured to be capable of protruding/retracting outside/inside an exterior chassis and changing a tilt condition of the projector, an interlocking device that displaces based on the protruding/retracting movement of the adjusting leg section, a variable resistance device that has a resistance that varies based on displacement of the interlocking device, a voltage detection device that detects a voltage based on the resistance of the variable resistance device, a storage device that stores keystone distortion correction amount information, and a keystone distortion correction device that obtains a keystone distortion correction amount from the keystone distortion correction amount information based on the voltage detected by the voltage detection device, and that corrects the keystone distortion of the projection image using the keystone distortion correction amount. |
| US07905602B2 |
Polarization conversion systems for stereoscopic projection
A polarization conversion system (PCS) is located in the output light path of a projector. The PCS may include a polarizing beam splitter, a polarization rotating element, a reflecting element, and a polarization switch. Typically, a projector outputs randomly-polarized light. This light is input to the PCS, in which the PCS separates p-polarized light and s-polarized light at the polarizing beam splitter. P-polarized light is directed toward the polarization switch on a first path. The s-polarized light is passed on a second path through the polarization rotating element (e.g., a half-wave plate), thereby transforming it to p-polarized light. A reflecting element directs the transformed polarized light (now p-polarized) along the second path toward the polarization switch. The first and second light paths are ultimately directed toward a projection screen to collectively form a brighter screen image in cinematic applications utilizing polarized light for three-dimensional viewing. |
| US07905601B2 |
Color filtering device
A color filtering device including a color filter, a plurality of polarization beam splitting units, a plurality of reflecting units, and a plurality of wave plates is provided. The color filter has a plurality of filtering parts and a plurality of light shielding parts alternately arranged thereon. Each of the polarization beam splitting units is disposed in front of one of the filtering parts and makes an angle with a corresponding filtering part. Each of the reflecting units is disposed in front of one of the light shielding parts and makes an angle with a corresponding light shielding part. Each of the wave plates is substantially parallel to one of the filtering parts. Each of the polarization beam splitting units is disposed between a pair of a wave plate and a filtering part. The color filtering device has both color filtering function and polarization conversion function. |
| US07905597B2 |
Fundus observation device and a program controlling the same
A fundus observation device comprises: an image forming part comprising a first image forming part and a second image forming part, the first image forming part forming a 2-dimensional surface image of fundus oculi of an eye through optical processing, the second image forming part optically scanning a surface region of the fundus oculi corresponding to at least a part of the 2-dimensional surface image to form a tomographic image of the fundus oculi; a controller configured to control the image forming part; and a storage configured to store control information including control instructions to be sent from the controller to the image forming part, when one of the 2-dimensional surface image and the tomographic image is formed. The controller, at the time of formation of new one of the 2-dimensional surface image and the tomographic image of the fundus oculi, instructs the image forming part to form the new one of the 2-dimensional surface image and the tomographic image based on the control information stored in the storage. |
| US07905595B2 |
System and method to treat and prevent loss of visual acuity
A system and method for treating and preventing loss of visual acuity. The system comprises a vision correcting lens, such as a contact lens, having a material with a regular pattern of orientation of polarizable molecular bonds, so as to create a birefringent effect. Off-axis light rays are refracted through the contact lens so as to focus in front of the retina, whereas on-axis light rays pass through the contact lens without refraction, such that their focal point on the fovea is unaltered. In an exemplary embodiment, a contact lens of the present invention is capable of independently altering the refractive state of the eye in relation to fovea and peripheral retina so as to simultaneously correcting visual acuity while minimizing the signal for axial growth and hence myopic progression. |
| US07905594B2 |
Free form ophthalmic lens
This invention provides for an ophthalmic lens with at least one portion of the lens including multiple voxels of polymerized crosslinkable material. In addition, the present invention provides for apparatus for generating an ophthalmic lens with at least one portion including multiple voxels of polymerized crosslinkable material. In some embodiments, an ophthalmic Lens includes a surface with one or both of a raised area and a depressed area. |
| US07905584B2 |
Image forming apparatus and image forming method
An image forming apparatus includes at least one liquid discharging head and a pressure release member. The at least one liquid discharging head is configured to discharge a liquid to form an image. The pressure release member is configured to adjust an inner air pressure in the at least one liquid discharging head to be continuously equivalent to an outer air pressure. |
| US07905583B2 |
Ink supply system
The present invention comprises at least a reservoir tank which stores an ink supplied from an ink supply section, and an ink chamber which distributes and supplies the ink supplied from the reservoir tank to each recording head in a recording head group, wherein the reservoir tank maintains a predetermined negative pressure state with respect to the ink in a plurality of ink nozzles of each recording head through the ink chamber, and the ink chamber supplies the ink with an uniformed pressure loss in ink supply paths to each recording head in the recording head group. |
| US07905579B2 |
Shear mode-type piezoelectric actuator and liquid droplet ejection head
This invention provides a shear mode-type piezoelectric actuator using a piezoelectric ceramic composition free from lead having a high coercive electric field and a liquid ejection head having the shear mode-type piezoelectric actuator. The shear mode-type piezoelectric actuator is characterized by using a piezoelectric ceramic composition having a solid solution including a main component of general formula (1) and an auxiliary component of general formula (2) added in an amount of less than 1% by mole based on the total amount of the solid solution: {LiX(K1-YNaY)1-X}(Nb1-Z-WTaZSbW)O3 General formula (1) (Wherein 0≦x≦0.2, 0≦y≦1, 0 |
| US07905578B2 |
Liquid ejection head and liquid ejection device
A liquid ejection head which can fly a minute high viscosity droplet with high precision by a low drive voltage in electric field assist system which exhibiting excellent maintainability such as cleaning. The liquid ejection head (2) comprises a nozzle plate (4) provided with a nozzle (5) having a liquid supply opening (9) for supplying a liquid (L), an ejection opening (11) for ejecting the liquid (L), and a liquid supply passage for supplying the liquid (L) from liquid supply opening (9) to the liquid ejection opening (11), a cavity (20) for storing the liquid (L), a pressure generating means for generating pressure in the cavity (20), and an electrostatic voltage generating means for generating an electrostatic attraction between the liquid (L) and a substrate. The liquid supply opening side of the nozzle (5) is formed of a silicon layer (41), the ejection opening side of the nozzle is formed of at least one resin layer (42) composed of thermosetting or photosensitive fluorine polymer having a volume resistivity of 1015Ω or above and a dielectric constant of 3 or less, and the diameter of the nozzle (5) on the liquid supply opening side is larger than that of the nozzle on the liquid ejection side. |
| US07905576B2 |
Liquid ejection apparatus and image forming apparatus
The liquid ejection apparatus includes: a nozzle plate in which a nozzle is formed; a substrate which is opposite to the nozzle plate and is provided with a heat generating element; a bubble generation chamber which has an internal diameter greater than an internal diameter of the nozzle, at a boundary between the bubble generation chamber and the nozzle plate; a liquid storage chamber which stores liquid to be supplied to the bubble generation chamber through a supplying channel; a heat generating element drive device which drives the heat generating element to generate and expand an ejection bubble in the liquid in the bubble generation chamber so that the liquid in the bubble generation chamber is ejected from the nozzle by means of the ejection bubble; and an air bubble incorporation unit which incorporates air bubbles into the liquid stored in the liquid storage chamber. |
| US07905567B2 |
Closed-loop printing registration systems, devices, components and methods
Closed-loop printing registration systems (e.g., printers), devices, components and methods are provided. In one embodiment, a printer reproduces continuously and sequentially on a sheet of paper invisible ink landmarks that mimic registration information provided initially by permanent invisible ink markers disposed on a platform or platen. According to one embodiment, once the first row of invisible ink landmarks has been printed on a sheet of paper, the first and subsequent rows of invisible ink landmarks provide a basis for continuous registration and alignment of sheet of the paper as it is being printed upon and advanced through the printer. In other embodiments, one or two invisible ink landmarks dispensed on a sheet of paper, preferably in combination with a sensed edge or corner of a sheet of paper, provide sufficient information for a sheet of paper to be registered and aligned initially with respect to a print head or carriage, and for subsequent invisible ink landmarks to be deposited on the sheet of paper at locations which are determined. |
| US07905565B2 |
Recording apparatus and method for detecting the position of an ink container
A recording apparatus and method for detecting the position of an ink container in the recording apparatus, whereby when an ink tank is correctly mounted within the recording apparatus, detection of the position of the ink container is performed in a timely manner, and whereby when in container is incorrectly mounted, the incorrect position as well as the color of the incorrectly mounted ink container are identified using light emitting portions of the ink containers. |
| US07905561B2 |
Pull-out guide for drawer
A pull-out guide for drawers includes a first and at least one second rail, and at least one carriage with load-transmitting roller bodies being arranged between the two rails. The carriage can be coupled to the second rail, particularly when deviating from the differential course between the two rails. A rolling or sliding body is mounted in a freely movable manner on or in the carriage, through which the carriage can be coupled to a coupling part on the second rail. A recess is provided in the first rail into which the rolling or sliding body can be moved during opening of the drawer. The coupling part can de decoupled from the rolling or sliding body and passes along the carriage. |
| US07905560B2 |
Security showcase
A security showcase having a housing with storage and display portions for respectively storing and displaying items. The display portion includes a support for supporting items and being positionable between an item-storing position, within the storage portion, and an item-displaying position for displaying items. A closure with closure elements is movably mounted to the housing. The closure elements are movable between a closed position, for enclosing the support within the storage portion and an open position for when the support is in the item-displaying position. The closure may be automated and move in accordance with the position of the support or operationally linked thereto for simultaneous movement thereof. The closure may be positioned within the storage portion when the support is in the item-displaying position. |
| US07905557B2 |
Brake-pressure modulator pilot unit
A valve control unit including three valve units for two brake channels of an electropneumatic brake system is provided. Each valve unit is embodied as a valve modulator device for a braking pressure control circuit including an air inlet valve with a primary solenoid and a bleed valve with a secondary solenoid. Each modulator device armature includes a common solenoid guide arrangement controlled by the magnetic flux of a common magnetic coil. Independent operation of the armatures is achieved whereby flux through the secondary solenoid is weakened by a shunt in the flux circuit which causes a switching delay for the secondary solenoid relative to the primary solenoid. The magnetic resistance of a non-magnetic disc effects switch-off acceleration in the flux circuit with energized secondary solenoid, weakens the field and causes the secondary solenoid to revert to a spring-loaded base state at a higher flux than the primary solenoid. |
| US07905554B2 |
Working machine
A working machine includes a body, a ground engaging structure including at least one pair of driven wheels, an engine, and a transmission for transmitting power from the engine to the driven wheels, a pressurized air system for providing pressurized air for use in applying service brakes for braking the wheels, the transmission including a transmission member which is rotatable with the wheels, a transmission brake for applying a braking force to the transmission member, and the transmission brake being releasable by a hydraulic fluid operated transmission brake releasing device, the hydraulic fluid for the brake releasing device being derived from a pressurized hydraulic fluid system which includes a hydraulic pump and one or more pressurized fluid operated services, there being a transmission brake control valve to control the flow of hydraulic fluid to the brake releasing device, the transmission brake control valve being actuated to permit pressurized hydraulic fluid to flow therethrough to release the transmission brake, by air pressure, derived from the pressurized air system. |
| US07905552B2 |
Environmentally friendly layered seating assembly
The present invention relates to an environmentally friendly layered vehicle seat assembly and a method of making the same. In at least one embodiment, the vehicle seat assembly comprises a cushion composite comprising a structural layer and a cushion layer adjacent to the structural layer, and a trim material secured over the cushion composite. |
| US07905551B2 |
Seatback frame structure for vehicles
A seatback frame structure is provided for the manufacture of a seat of a vehicle. The seatback frame structure includes a pair of side brackets and an upper cross member. The side brackets are coupled at lower ends thereof to left and right sides of a seat frame. The upper cross member is transversely mounted between the upper ends of the side brackets, and a headrest is placed on the upper portion of the upper cross member. Each of opposite ends of the upper cross member comprises a downwardly inclined surface, and is coupled to the upper end of a corresponding side bracket. |
| US07905544B2 |
Carrier element
A carrier element for an object. The carrier element has an essentially u-shaped form and includes two side pieces, which are interconnected by a bridge. |
| US07905540B2 |
Modular architecture for combat tactical vehicle
A combat tactical modular vehicle structure including a center frame module comprising a front bulkhead a cab portion and a rear bulkhead where the center frame module includes an integrated armor so that the integrated armor is a part of center frame module or the center frame module has at least one piece of armor attached to the center frame module, a front frame module comprising an engine subframe where the front frame module is connected to the front bulkhead by a plurality of mechanical coupling devices, and a rear frame module comprising a gearbox subframe where the rear frame module is connected to the rear bulkhead by the plurality of mechanical coupling devices for selectively connecting and disconnecting the front frame module to the front bulkhead without substantially affecting the connection and the rear frame module to the rear bulkhead without substantially affecting the connection. |
| US07905533B2 |
Rear module for fitting on a motor vehicle
The invention relates to a rear module for fitting to a motor vehicle, the module comprising a large door for being pivotally mounted about an axis, the large door extending in a direction parallel to said axis between two stiffener uprights both presenting a cross-section of thickness, taken perpendicularly to the door, that is not less than a first thickness, the large door having an opening extending as far as said uprights in the direction parallel to said axis; and a small door mounted on the large door to move between an open position uncovering said opening, and a closed position closing said opening, the small door extending in the direction parallel to the axis between two stiffener uprights both having a cross-section of thickness, taken perpendicularly to the door, that is not less than a second thickness, the uprights of the small door covering the uprights of the large door when the small door is in the closed position. The uprights of the small door and the uprights of the large door are shaped in such a manner as to engage in pairs one in another when said small door is in the closed position so as to present a maximum thickness taken perpendicularly to the door, that is less than the sum of the first and second thicknesses. |
| US07905527B1 |
Harness assembly for use in underwater recovery operations
A harness assembly for use in the recovery of an object deployed underwater has legs attached to an object prior to an underwater deployment thereof. A sling is coupled to the second ends of the legs. A first support is coupled to the sling and a rigid ring. Second and third supports are coupled to the ring in a breakaway fashion and adapted to be coupled to the object. The supports work in combination to hold the ring in a stand off position with respect to the object and in a substantially vertical orientation during the underwater deployment of the object so that the ring can be readily accessed by a trained marine mammal transporting a recovery tether thereto. |
| US07905525B2 |
Security latch device with a latching arm cover
Exemplary embodiments of a security latch device comprises a security latching arm configured to move, pivot, swing or slide from a operative position, non-operative position or door-ajaring position and a security latching arm cover. The cover comprises a sleeve configured to conform to the security latching arm and to slip on or install on, over or around the security latching arm and being made of impact absorbing material to protect an impacted surface (e.g., a door's surface, door frame or door jamb) when the security latching arm is impacted by a door. |
| US07905524B2 |
Door with a pressure opening
A door with a pressure opening comprises articulated hinges for hinging to the piece of furniture, and a pull-push closing device to be released by manual thrust of the door towards the inside. At least one articulated hinge comprises a spring acting for its movement from the closed position to the open position, in the way of pushing the door to the open position against the retaining action in the closed position performed by the pull-push device in order to help in opening the door upon release of the pull-push device. |
| US07905522B1 |
Exit pushbar with blocking mechanism
An exit device for latching a door in tornado-prone areas keeps the door closed when the door is subjected to tornado debris impact by incorporating a blocking arm that swings outward away from the door as impact energy is transferred through the door to the blocking arm in the exit device. The blocking arm prevents a pushbar actuator from moving towards the door during impact or rebound which would allow the door to open. The blocking arm is biased close to the door in a non-blocking position where it initially receives the transferred impact energy. During the impact event the blocking arm rapidly rotates on a pivot from the non-blocking position to a blocking position away from the door. After the impact event, the blocking arm returns to the non-blocking position so that the exit device operates normally. |
| US07905521B2 |
Multi-point sliding door latch
A multi-point door latch adapted to fit in the stile of a door. The multi-point door latch includes a pair of hooks that are allowed to rotably pivot around a pair of eccentric cams. The eccentric cams are allowed to rotate inside of apertures located through the hubs of the hooks. The eccentric cams are geometrically centered inside the hubs of the hooks, and are kept in position via pins that are eccentrically orientated through cams. The multi-point door latch also includes an opening for receiving a turning mechanism. In addition, the turning mechanism is connected to a pair of toothed gear wheels that mesh with a toothed bar. The toothed bar is connected to a synchronizing link which simultaneously rotates the hooks to either an engaged or disengaged position. The multi-point door latch also includes stopping members, which prevent the hooks from rotating passed a certain point when the door latch is not engaged. |
| US07905519B2 |
Vehicle seatbelt apparatus
A vehicle seatbelt apparatus includes a power supply voltage fluctuation detecting section incorporated in a control device for detecting fluctuations of power supply voltage occurring when an engine cranking operation is being performed. The control device changes drive mode of the motor when such fluctuations of the power supply voltage are detected by the power supply voltage fluctuation detecting section. |
| US07905517B2 |
Device for increasing occupant protection in a motor vehicle during a lateral impact
The invention is a device for increasing occupant protection in a motor vehicle during a lateral impact, in which the energy input acts laterally on a partial area of the motor vehicle door wherein a motor vehicle seat is situated on the side of the motor vehicle door facing away from the energy input. The motor vehicle door is provided with an interior lining facing the motor vehicle seat and at least one partial area of the interior door lining is conveyable from an initial state into an extended state projecting by a drive unit into the motor vehicle interior. The drive unit is connected to the motor vehicle door and to the partial area of the interior door lining. |
| US07905516B2 |
Airbag module with integrated gas generation
An airbag module integrates the components required for gas generation, thereby eliminating the need for a separate inflation component. The airbag module can comprise a cover with a pocket, a gas generant container, an inflatable cushion an upper and lower retainer housing, and an inflation gas generation system in fluid communication with the cushion. The airbag module does not comprise a discrete inflator that is functional outside the assembled airbag module. The gas generant container houses a package of solid gas generating compound. The energetic materials of the propellant do not become functional as a gas generation source until the cover is secured to the lower retainer housing. |
| US07905509B2 |
Brake mechanism for a baby stroller
A brake mechanism for a baby stroller, having a plurality of wheels and a pair of rotatable push arms capable of being moved either forward or rearward. The brake mechanism comprises a connecting assembly and an actuator; and has a braking block for operatively stopping the baby stroller. The connecting assembly has a pulling slider for operatively associating with the braking block of the brake mechanism, and the actuator is operatively secured to the push arm and associated with the connecting assembly, so as to indirectly drive the brake mechanism. This allows a user to manipulate the actuator to stop the stroller from either in front of or behind the stroller. |
| US07905507B2 |
Trailer reversal self-correcting assembly
A trailer reversal self-correcting assembly (10) adapted to be disposed between the tow bar (12) of a vehicle (14) and the tow member (16) of a trailer (18), the assembly (10) comprising a tow arm (20) pivotally connected to the tow bar (12) at its first end and to the tow member (16) at its second end, a first extension mount (26) extending laterally from the tow bar (12), and a second extension mount (30) extending laterally from the tow member (16), a first correcting linkage device having at least a first linkage member (38) connected between the first extension mount (26) and the second extension mount (30). |
| US07905504B2 |
Seat
A seat (14), particularly but not exclusively for a wheelchair, comprises a bottom rest (13, 60), a back rest support (18) rotatable relative to the bottom rest about an axis of rotation (100); and a back rest (22) slidably mounted on the back rest support and moveable therealong to vary its position relative to the bottom rest. The back rest is kinematically linked to the bottom rest such that the back rest moves nearer to the axis of rotation as the angle between the back rest support and the bottom rest increases. |
| US07905498B2 |
Gasket formed from various material
A gasket for creating a seal between two surfaces. The gasket may include a pervious base sheet and a permeating material applied to or incorporated into the base sheet. The gasket is formed by various methods disclosed herein. The gasket may include a base sheet, a primary sealing material covering the base sheet, and a secondary sealing material covering the primary sealing material. |
| US07905497B2 |
Ring seal and retainer assembly
The ring seal and retainer assembly includes an annularly shaped ring seal defining a radial inner surface, a radial outer surface, first and second axial end surfaces and a central bore for fluid or gas passage. A retainer is provided for affixing and positioning a ring seal in a sealing assembly. The retainer includes a circular sidewall sized and positioned to engage and cover the ring seal's radial outer surface. The retainer includes an arcuate flange which extends at one of the retainer's axial extremities to form a concave interior and a convex exterior. Preferably, the arcuate flange extends outwardly to increase the retainer's radius and the arcuate flange is sized to compressibly engage the interior sidewall of the component block's counterbore. |
| US07905496B2 |
Bearing protector for axial shaft movement
A seal device, which accommodates axial displacement between a housing and shaft of an item of rotating equipment, includes a stator which locates into the housing of a piece of rotating equipment. A first rotor locates on the shaft of the rotating equipment and a second rotor is rotationally coupled to the first rotor with the first rotor being permitted to axially float with respect to the second rotor. The device provides sealing integrity when the shaft is both idle and operational. The sealing device may be used, for instance, in a double ended centrifugal pump where shaft displacement occurs from thermal expansion. |
| US07905495B2 |
Circumferential sealing arrangement
A circumferential sealing arrangement is disclosed herein. The circumferential sealing arrangement includes a structure operable to rotate about an axis and having a first surface facing radially outward. The circumferential sealing arrangement also includes a static housing circumscribing the rotatable structure. The circumferential sealing arrangement also includes at least one seal element connected to the static housing and having a second surface facing radially inward. The circumferential sealing arrangement also includes a seal runner rotatable with the structure and having a third surface facing radially outward. The third surface cooperates with the second surface to form a circumferential seal between the static housing and the rotatable structure. A radial gap is defined between the first surface of the rotatable structure and a fourth surface of the seal runner facing radially inward and opposing the first surface. The circumferential sealing arrangement also includes at least one resilient member disposed in the radial gap and operable to radially compress in response to a change in size of the radial gap to limit hoop stresses being generated in the seal runner. |
| US07905489B2 |
Portable gaming system and related methods
The present invention generally relates to a system and methods for facilitating entertainment. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a system, certain embodiments of which include easy to transport and to assemble components and, when assembled, provide a portable apparatus which a human can engage in horseshoe gaming. The system includes an apparatus which, in one embodiment, includes a frame element, a vertical element and a cushion element. |
| US07905488B2 |
Target game
A target game includes a target area having first and second electrical grids that are configured to maintain a predetermined spacing therebetween. The target game includes a processor in communication with a power supply and grids so as to actuate the power supply to impart a level of capacitance between the grids, to measure an amount of time required for the level of capacitance between the grids to be discharged, and to detect a change in the amount of time required for the level of capacitance to be discharged. The game includes at least one dart having a conductive front portion sized to span the predetermined spacing between the grids. An output device is in data communication with the processor for conveying the detection of a change in an amount of time required for the level of capacitance between the grids to be discharged. |
| US07905487B2 |
Lottery card holding and marking apparatus and associated method
An apparatus for holding and marking a lottery ticket during playing conditions includes a base plate with a planar top surface provided with upwardly extending walls contiguously surrounding a periphery thereof. A lid is pivotally coupled to the base plate in such a manner that the lid and base plate pivot about a fulcrum axis extending along respective proximal latitudinal edges of the lid and the base plate. The apparatus further includes a plurality of brackets attached to opposed ones of the walls of the lid. Each of such brackets is linearly slidable along a corresponding edge of the lid, and the brackets are slidable along mutually exclusive linear paths defined along the corresponding lids respectively. The apparatus further includes a scratching implement removably coupled to one of the brackets, and a marking implement removably coupled to another one of the brackets. |
| US07905485B2 |
Paper feeding apparatus and paper feeding method thereof with a plurality of force units with fluid-supply devices
A paper feeding apparatus includes a fluid-supply device, a connecting pipe communicating with the fluid-supply device, and a plurality of force units connecting to the connecting pipe, each force unit having a pressing wheel on one end thereof, wherein each pressing wheel operates in coordination with a paper feeding wheel for feeding paper. The force units output equal force according to the same hydraulic pressure so that the pressing wheels provide the same component force to the corresponding paper feeding wheel so as to improve the quality of paper feeding. Furthermore, a method for using the paper feeding apparatus is disclosed. |
| US07905483B2 |
Transport device and image forming apparatus
A transport device includes: a positioning member provided in a sheet transport path, used for positioning of a print sheet in a direction orthogonal to a sheet transport direction; and a skewed roller that transports the print sheet while skewing the print sheet toward a direction of the positioning member, a transport roller being provided in a position different from the skewed roller in the sheet transport direction. |
| US07905481B2 |
Method for feeding a shingled stack of sheet material
A method for feeding a shingled stack of sheet material to a downstream processing device includes the step of identifying a discontinuity in the shingled stack of sheet material wherein the discontinuity has a length dimension from an aft end of a downstream portion of the shingled sheet material to a forward end of an upstream portion of the shingled sheet material. In a next step, the motion of first and second serially arranged conveyors are controlled such that the length dimension of the discontinuity is substantially equal to a prescribed gap of known length dimension. The first conveyor supports the upstream portion of the shingled sheet material and the second conveyor supports the downstream portion of the shingled sheet material. The deck of the first is advanced over the deck of the second conveyor toward the aft end of the downstream portion by the length dimension of the prescribed gap. The upstream portion is then dispensed into shingled engagement with the downstream portion to produce a continuous stack of shingled sheet material. |
| US07905479B2 |
Feeder unit, sheet feeding device, and image forming apparatus
A feeder unit to feed sheets is provided. The feeder unit includes a main frame, being swingably supported at a pivotal end by a first shaft, and arranged to extend from the first shaft toward an upper level of a tray, a rotary member, which is rotatably supported, and is arranged to come in contact with a topmost surface of the sheets, a pair of opposing walls, formed in the main frame, a secondary frame, having a pair of supporting walls which come to face the opposing walls, a gear train to transmit rotation force to the rotary member, a positioning system to situate the secondary frame in a predetermined position, and a detachment restricting system to restrict the secondary frame from being detached from the main frame. The secondary frame is situated in the predetermined position when the rotary member rotates in a direction to feed the sheets. |
| US07905478B2 |
Inserter apparatus, printer, print system and insert method
An inserter apparatus has a printer A and an inserter apparatus B. The printer A has a print section 13, and an insert information output section 9 for outputting insert information including an insert page showing a position of an insert paper and an interval of printing papers. The inserter apparatus B has a discharged paper carrying section 17 of printing papers from the print section 13; a counter section 19 for counting the number of sheets of the printing papers; a paper feeding section 21 for setting the insert paper therein; and a paper feeding controller 23. Based on insert information from the insert information output section 9, the paper feeding controller 23 controls the insert paper to be fed at a timing before the next paper interval is passed after a count value of the counter section 19 reaches one page before the insert page. Therefore, it is possible to realize an excellent short insert processing for the printing papers. |
| US07905477B2 |
Intermediate conveying apparatus
A conveyance control device of an intermediate conveying apparatus calculates the number of sweets finished in terms of processing, based on information about the number of superposed sheets for one set and about the number of sets finished in terms of processing received from the post-processing apparatus, and controls to transmit the calculated number of sheets to the aforesaid image forming apparatus. |
| US07905474B2 |
Sheet finisher, image forming apparatus using the same, and sheet finishing method
A sheet finisher of the invention includes a fold reinforcing unit that reinforces the fold line. The fold reinforcing unit includes a roller unit, a drive unit that has a single motor and moves the roller unit along the direction of the fold line from a standby position; and a nip unit. The nip unit includes a first nip plate and a second nip plate. The first nip plate and the second nip plate are opened in a thickness direction of the sheet bundle when the roller unit is located at the standby position, and are closed to nip the sheet bundle when the roller unit reinforces the fold line after the sheet bundle is transported to between the first and the second nip plate. The second nip plate is driven to be opened and closed in the thickness direction of the sheet bundle by the single motor. |
| US07905470B2 |
Vibration damper
An object of the present invention is to obtain a vibration damper capable of instantly changing or rapidly increasing the spring constant of the vibration damper, with improving sealing properties. An intermediate cylinder 16 is fittingly engaged with the inner peripheral surface of an outer cylindrical metal member 12. The intermediate cylinder 16 and a mounting metal member 22 are elastically connected by a rubber elastic body 24. A circular tube portion 36A of a yoke forming member 36 is provided at a position on the inner peripheral side of the intermediate cylinder 16. A coil 46 is to disposed between the intermediate cylinder 16 and the yoke forming member 36. A pressure receiving liquid chamber 40 in which a portion of an inner wall thereof is formed of the rubber elastic body 24 communicates via an orifice 44 with a secondary liquid chamber 42 which is elastically deformable due to presence of a diaphragm 38, such that a magnetism responsive fluid can flow in either direction between the pressure receiving liquid chamber and the second liquid chamber. A yoke portion 36C is provided on the inner peripheral side of the circular tube portion 36A such that the yoke portion 36C is situated along magnetic path which is generated upon electrical activation of the coil 46. |
| US07905465B1 |
Shimless aligner
A shimless aligner for insertion between a machine foot and base to align the foot relative to the base, which foot and base are secured together by a hold-down bolt extending between the foot and base. The aligner includes, a top plate having a slanted bottom surface, a taper wedge having a slanted top surface slidably engaging the slanted bottom surface of the top plate and further having a vertical alignment rod extending substantially laterally, a bottom plate below the taper wedge, and a back plate attached substantially perpendicularly at one end of the bottom plate. For receiving the hold-down bolt, the top and bottom plates have a corresponding hole, while the taper wedge has a slot. Said back plate has a hole for the vertical alignment rod to slidably engage the hole thereby preventing rotation of the taper wedge during vertical alignment operations and preserving bent foot corrections. |
| US07905461B2 |
Seat track latch assembly
A track system for a seat is disclosed. The track system comprises a first track including a plurality of apertures; a second track configured to move relative to the first track and including a plurality of apertures; and a latch assembly coupled to the first track. The latch assembly comprises a base, a first pin, and a second pin. The base comprises a first slot and a second slot. The first pin is moveable in the first slot between a first position, in which the first pin engages the second track and cants in a first direction, and a second position, in which the first pin disengages the second track. The second pin is moveable in the second slot between a first position, in which the second pin engages the second track and cants in a second direction, and a second position, in which the second pin disengages the second track. |
| US07905457B2 |
Interlocking brackets for filter capsules and method of forming the same
Interlocking brackets for filter capsules are provided. According to one embodiment, a filter capsule bracket includes a first bracket portion including a first side having a concave surface and at least one plug; and a second bracket portion including a first side having a concave surface corresponding to the concave surface of the first bracket portion and at least one socket for receiving the at least one plug of the first side of the first bracket, wherein the concave surfaces of the first and second bracket portions are configured to retain a filter capsule when the at least one plug of the first side of the first bracket portion is received by the at least one socket of the first side of the second bracket portion. |
| US07905454B2 |
Metal tube support bracket
A tube support bracket that comprises an aluminum-coated steel support bracket formed having a circular tube-receiving aperture and an annular, castellated collar abutting the aperture. The aperture and collar are sized for receiving therethrough in close-fitting relationship an aluminum alloy heat exchanger tube. The collar, formed by a draw-punching process, has a plurality of spaced-apart, axial tabs sized for swaging against in hoop stress and bite the received tube. An inner surface of each of the collar tabs being has at least one axial groove therein, the groove being configured for receiving exterior regions of the received tube when the collar is swaged tightly against the tube to thereby lock the tube in the collar and thus in the support bracket. A corresponding method for making a tube support is disclosed. |
| US07905453B2 |
Piggyback equipment panel payload arrangement, a device for and method of attaching a hosted secondary piggyback payload and adapter to be used for a piggyback secondary payload arrangement for launching the piggyback equipment panel secondary
The invention relates to piggyback secondary payloads, a device for and a method of attaching piggyback secondary payloads, including a primary satellite and at least one secondary payload, such as a deployable microsatellite, affixed instrument package or the like, wherein the secondary payload is mounted on the nadir end of the primary satellite, preferably employing a universal adapter between the primary satellite and the at least one secondary payload. |
| US07905452B2 |
Window frame for aircraft
A window frame for installation in the exterior shell of an aircraft, which comprises one outer flange, an inner flange, and a vertical flange extending between flanges. A window frame is fixed in its position via a plurality of holder elements being arranged substantially equidistance from each other over the periphery of the window frame, being distributed on the outer flange of the window frame. Each of the holder elements comprises a base plate having a face, a pin, a pin extending outwardly from the face of the base plate and a pin to, a downholder clip. The clip may be adapted for a press fit engagement with the pin. The outer surfaces of the pin include a sawtooth-like structure, which engages with hook-shaped clamping elements flexibly formed on the downholder clip and over which an annular locking element is displaced. The holder elements may include a thermoplastic material, which may be provided with reinforcement fibers and may be die cast. Before installation of the window frame in the aircraft, the base plates of the holder elements are adhered to the outer flange of the window frame, and upon mounting of the window frame to an aircraft structure, the outer flange is riveted to an exterior shell of the aircraft. |
| US07905450B2 |
Aircraft equipment support
A support for aircraft seats and other equipment has a lower support link that sweeps out a lateral arc. The lower support link supports a platform that may have a conventional linear track. The linear track provides fore/aft movement substantially orthogonal to a line tangent to the center of the lateral arc. A pilot link is attached to the platform to form a parallelogram linkage that maintains the equipment platform in a rotationally fixed attitude as the lower support link sweeps out its lateral arc. |
| US07905448B2 |
Annular torsional rigid static component for an aircraft engine
In an annular torsional rigid static component for an aircraft engine, the component includes at least one arrangement for mounting the engine to an aircraft. The mounting arrangement comprises a body formed in a composite material. |
| US07905446B2 |
Unwind and feed system for elastomeric thread
An overend unwind system for unwinding tacky elastomeric fiber threads such as uncoated spandex thread, capturing the ballooning affect of the thread as the thread leaves the spool, applying a first-stage tension control on the thread adjacent where the thread leaves the spool, feeding the unwound thread to a nip in a downstream process, and applying a final tension increment to the thread adjacent where the thread enters the downstream process. All thread guide surfaces encountered by the thread after leaving the spool, and while the thread is under designed operating tension, are moving surfaces, such that the tensioned thread thereby experiences a reduced level of drag as the thread traverses its path of travel from the spool to the downstream process. |
| US07905444B2 |
Carbon ribbon shaft of barcode printer
A carbon ribbon shaft is provided for a barcode printer and includes a shaft rod and at least one first rotation member and one second rotation member. The shaft rod has an end coupled to a housing of the barcode printer. The first and second rotation members are fit over the shaft rod. Arranged between inside of the first rotation member and the shaft rod is a resilient element that allows the first rotation member to effect resilient rotation with respect to the shaft rod. The first rotation member has an outer surface forming sliding-resistant resilient tabs. Arranged between inside of the second rotation member and the shaft rod is a resilient element that allows the second rotation member to effect resilient rotation with respect to the shaft rod. The second rotation member has an outer surface forming sliding-resistant resilient tabs. The surfaces of first and second rotation members receive a carbon ribbon roll of the barcode printer to fit thereon. With the resilient expansion of the sliding-resistant resilient tabs of the first and second rotation members, the carbon ribbon roll is securely fixed on the first and second rotation members to thereby form a carbon ribbon shaft assembly for a modularized carbon ribbon roll. |
| US07905439B2 |
Apparatus and method for tapered core drum package payoff
Arrangements and methods for welding wire payoff sources. A tapered core and base plate, optionally along with a wire guide insert, are configured with a payout drum package and a cover containing a welding wire stack such that the welding wire may be payed off smoothly from the wire stack during an arc welding operation, without the welding wire flipping or tangling. |
| US07905437B2 |
Waste shredder comprising at least two rotors
A waste shredder (1) includes at least one loading chamber (3), two or more rotors (4) placed in seats formed in the bottom wall of the loading chamber (3) and a movable hopper (2) sliding above the loading chamber (3) and provided with a reciprocating translational movement. The hopper (2) has two end walls (B, B′) and carries a plurality of stiff vanes (5) placed in the spaces between the rotors (4), the end walls (B, B1) and the stiff vanes (5) protruding downward until they skim the bottom of the loading chamber (3) to press the material (8) to be shredded against the rotors (4). The rotors (4) turn in the opposite direction to the translational movement of the hopper (2) and reverse their direction of rotation when the hopper (2) reverses its direction of translation. |
| US07905435B1 |
Roof grinder
A roof grinder is operative to both comminute and transport rubber, asphalt, insulation, rock and other diverse material. The grinder has a cutter which comminutes commercial roofing material. An air transport uses a high velocity air stream to blow the comminuted particles to a collection site on the ground. A rotary air lock couples to the cutter for receiving comminuted roofing material and isolates the cutter from the air transport, to prevent high velocity air from passing through the rotary air lock to cutter. The device is sized for placement on the roof, and has wheels or tracks for easy movement. A flexible hose couples the air transport to a remote location for discharge, such as to a roll-off container. In an alternative embodiment, a roof grinder is operative to both comminute and transport rubber, asphalt, insulation and rock material, and the cutter is operative upon a roof sub-floor to both remove and comminute commercial roofing material. |
| US07905434B2 |
Powder processing apparatus
In order to manufacture the compound powder or the porous granulated substance in an efficient manner, a powder processing apparatus has an accumulating face on which the processing target powder is to be accumulated and a processing face disposed in opposition to the accumulating face and convexly curved, and a moving means for moving the accumulating face and the processing face along the accumulating face relative to each other. The apparatus comprises an excitement treatment means capable of applying an excitation energy to the processing target powder accumulated on the accumulating face from an excitation energy supplying portion disposed in opposition to the accumulating face or an oscillation means for oscillating the accumulating face or the processing face in a direction intersecting the accumulating face. |
| US07905432B2 |
Casting nozzle
An object of the invention is to provide a casting nozzle in which attachment and deposition of alumina or the like can be prevented while a drift of molten steel can be prevented.The casting nozzle according to the invention is characterized in that the casting nozzle has a molten steel flow hole portion in which “a plurality of independent protrusion portions and/or concave portions” are disposed so that each of the protrusion portions and/or concave portions has a size satisfying the expression (1): H≧2 mm and the expression (2): L>2×H mm [in which “H” shows the maximum height of the protrusion portion or the maximum depth of the concave portion, and “L” shows the maximum length of a base portion of the protrusion portion or concave portion]. |
| US07905429B2 |
Dispensing system and method for shower arm
Dispensing systems for dispensing one or more materials into a fluid flow conduit, during the conveyance of fluid through the conduit are configured to connect to a fluid conduit, such as a standard pipe of a shower arm and dispense a material into the water flow in the shower arm. The system includes a first tube member having a restrictor flow passage to provide a pressure differential, as fluid flows through the tube member. The pressure differential created within the restrictor passage by the fluid flow is communicated to a flask, to provide a pressure differential between the interior and the exterior of a flexible container within the flask. The pressure differential causes material within the flexible container to be drawn out and conveyed to the fluid flowing through the tube member. The flask may be connected to the first tube member, through an extension portion that is rotatable around the first tube member for convenient positioning. A quick-release connection structure may allow the flask to be connected and selectively releasable from the system. |
| US07905428B1 |
Multiple chemical sprayer
A sprayer has a sprayer outlet and a pressurizable reservoir adapted to contain a fluid. The reservoir has an air-pressure outlet and a reservoir outlet, the reservoir outlet being in fluid connection with the sprayer outlet. Detachable, pressurizable tanks are adapted to contain a chemical, each tank having a chemical outlet and an air-pressure inlet. Each air-pressure inlet is in fluid connection with the air-pressure outlet of the reservoir for equalizing air pressure between the reservoir and each tank. A switch is adjustable between a plurality of settings for causing at least one of the chemical outlets to be in fluid connection with the sprayer outlet. A ratio valve is provided for selecting a fluid flow rate out of the selected outlet. Fluids flowing into the sprayer outlet from the outlets are mixed together prior to discharge from the sprayer outlet. |
| US07905427B2 |
Apparatus and method for cleaning and de-icing
A windshield heated liquid spray assembly including a liquid heating assembly and a heated liquid spray assembly operative to spray the heated liquid onto a windshield, the liquid heating assembly including a liquid heating chamber, at least one heating element disposed in the liquid heating chamber and at least one heat dissipator in heat conduction contact with the at least one heating element, the at least one heat dissipator at least partially defining at least one liquid flow channel and being operative to transfer heat from the at least one heating element to the liquid flowing through the at least one liquid flow channel. |
| US07905425B2 |
Modular outward opening solenoid direct fuel injector
A module, direct fuel injector (10) includes a fuel module (46) having a valve body (12) defining an outlet opening (20) and including a seating surface (18). A needle 14, disposed in valve body, has a sealing surface (16). An armature (28) is coupled with the needle such that movement of the armature moves the needle between a closed position with the sealing surface engaging the seating surface and an open position with the needle moving outwardly from the valve body with the sealing surface being disengaged from the seating. A spring (38) biases the armature and thus the needle to the closed position. An inlet tube (22) is coupled to the fuel module defining an inlet of the injector. A power assembly (42) is separate from, but coupled to, the fuel module. The power assembly includes an electromagnetic coil (44) for causing movement of the armature, and a connector (43). |
| US07905423B2 |
Coding pattern with plurality of orientation features in each tag
A substrate having a coding pattern disposed on a surface thereof. The coding pattern comprises a plurality of target elements defining a target grid. The target grid comprises a plurality of cells, wherein neighboring cells share target elements. A plurality of data elements are contained in each cell. Tags are defined by a plurality of contiguous cells and each tag comprises respective tag data encoded by a respective set of the data elements. Each cell comprises an orientation symbol encoded by at least one data element. Any tag-sized portion of the coding pattern is guaranteed to contain a plurality of the orientation symbols. Each orientation symbol identifies an orientation of a layout of the tag data with respect to the target grid, enabling a relative orientation of an optical reader imaging the coding pattern to be determined. |
| US07905419B2 |
Method for routing outgoing and incoming data in an NFC chipset
A method for routing data in a chipset comprising at least one host processor and an RFID-type contactless data send/receive interface includes, in response to a command for opening a data path sent by a source point located in the host processor and designating a destination point located in the contactless data send/receive interface, defining a data path linking the source point to the destination point by allocating to the data path a routing channel number and by saving in a routing table the routing channel number and routing parameters comprising at least one identifier of the source point and one identifier of the destination point, and sending to the destination point data supplied by the source point by encapsulating the data in a frame having a header field comprising the routing channel number. |
| US07905405B2 |
Method of imaging a coding pattern having fragments of common data distributed in each tag
A method of imaging a coding pattern disposed on a surface of a substrate. The method comprises the steps of: (a) operatively positioning an optical reader relative to the surface and capturing an image of a portion of the coding pattern; (b) sampling and decoding fragments of common data contained in the imaged portion; and (c) assembling the decoded fragments to determine the common data. The imaged portion has a diameter of at least one tag diameter and less than two tag diameters. |
| US07905398B1 |
Card including account number with value amount
Embodiments of the invention disclosed herein provide a method of participating in prepaid programs through retail systems without the need to first upgrade their POS capabilities to participate, and allow for a merchant (retailer) to participate in proof of concept programs to determine if prepaid is a viable solution for their retail business model. |
| US07905397B2 |
Data management method and data management system
In managing an underground facility, considering the enormous number of documents, the number of people who are involved with the management of electric power, communication, gas, water, sewage or the like, and expended hours, enormous cost and time have been needed so far. A wireless chip is attached to each buried object itself in substitution for a boundary stake or a display stake of an underground facility or a ground facility. Then, data such as embedded date, position data, or an owner is written into a memory portion of the wireless chip. In addition, by incorporating a CUP in the wireless chip, only a terminal having an encryption function which has obtained permission of communication can communicate, and access by unspecified number of devices, leakage of position data or the like, an erasure of stored data, rewriting, and the like can be prevented. Such a system can surely perform management of facility data. |
| US07905393B2 |
Generating an optimized supplier allocation plan
Generating an optimized supplier allocation plan includes identifying parts and suppliers associated with an allocation problem, where each supplier can supply at least one part. One or more objective functions are selected. Each objective function has part variables, and each part variable represents a quantity of a part to be procured from a supplier. At least one constraint constraining at least one part variable is received. The one or more objective functions are optimized with respect to the at least one constraint to yield a value for each part variable. A quantity of each part to be procured from at least one supplier is determined according to the values to generate the optimized supplier allocation plan. |
| US07905389B2 |
Container and foldable blank for forming the container itself
Container obtained by the folding of a single respective foldable blank, is delimited by walls of which at least one is shaped in such a way as to protrude towards the outside of the container, and has at least one flat stiffening wall, which extends between two walls bordering on the shaped wall and is arranged at a distance from the shaped wall in order to make stable the shape of the latter. |
| US07905387B2 |
Method of manufacturing expansion joint
A method of manufacturing an expansion joint includes steps of: marking parts, which will form the expansion joint, on a piece of raw material, so that the original 360 degree shape of the expansion joint is equally divided by the parts, and cutting the marked parts from the raw material; welding the divided parts, so that opposing ends of the welded parts are separated from each other; bending the welded parts into the form of a cone using a bending roller, thereby welding and joining the opposing ends thereof; fixedly mounting the resultant structures on a press; shaping the mounted resultant structures into products using a mold having a desired shape and dimension; and butting a pair of the products against each other and welding the products in the outer radial direction. |
| US07905382B2 |
Wave soldering tank
A wave soldering tank is provided on which it is easy to perform maintenance, which does not have fluctuation of the height of spouted solder, which does not damage the rotating shaft of a discharge pump, and which can be stably used for long periods.The wave soldering tank 1 has a tank body 1a which houses molten solder S, a discharge pump 5 which pumps molten solder S, a discharge nozzle 4 which spouts molten solder S which was sent to it by the discharge pump 5 upwards, a duct 2 having the discharge pump 5 installed at one of its ends and the discharge nozzle 4 installed at its other end, an oxidation preventing member 22 which has a prescribed size and which floats on the surface of the molten solder S, and an engaging means 13 which controls rotation of the oxidation preventing member 22 in a horizontal plane. The oxidation preventing member 22 has a surrounding member 28 which extends downwards at its center and which surrounds the rotating shaft 10 with a gap between it and the rotating shaft 10, and a hollow space 26 in its interior for providing buoyancy. |
| US07905381B2 |
Surgical stapling instrument with cutting member arrangement
A surgical stapling instrument including a first jaw member, a second jaw member, and a cutting member. In at least one form of the invention, the surgical stapling instrument can further include a housing which can at least partially extend over and/or around the cutting member. In various embodiments, the housing can at least partially cover the cutting member when the first and second jaw members are detached from one another, yet permit the cutting member to be moved relative to the first and second jaw members during use. |
| US07905380B2 |
Surgical instrument having a multiple rate directional switching mechanism
A surgical instrument including a drive mechanism configured to advance a staple driver and/or cutting member at a first rate and retract the staple driver and/or cutting member at a different rate. In at least one embodiment, the rate at which the driver and cutting member is advanced and/or retracted is the distance that the driver and/or cutting member is translated per actuation of a trigger, for example. In various embodiments, the cutting member can be retracted at a faster rate as compared to the rate in which it is advanced. In such embodiments, the surgical instrument can, owing to the slower advancing rate, provide a greater torque or advancing force to the cutting member while, owing to the faster retracting rate, reduce the time required for the surgeon to retract the cutting member. |
| US07905375B2 |
Dispensing device arranged to reduce the risk of strain and injury during use
A device for dispensing flowable materials to low locations without the user being required to bend over or kneel down during dispensing provides relief from back strain or other injuries. The device includes a cylinder having a piston mounted therein which reciprocates between forward ejecting and return directions. A driven rod, connected to the piston, extends through a front wall of the cylinder. Upon actuation, a trigger mechanism supplies a pressure medium within the cylinder for displacing the piston in the forward ejecting direction to dispense flowable material from the dispensing device. The trigger mechanism is oriented to enable the user to hold the dispensing device like a suitcase and is spaced a sufficient distance from where the flowable material is dispensed to enable a user to remain standing erect while dispensing to low areas such as where a floor and wall meet. |
| US07905374B2 |
Bottled water cooler with hot water sterilization system
The present invention is a bottled water cooler with a hot water sterilization system. A bottled water cooler with a hot water sterilizing system having a cold tank installed on the top of the cooler. There is a bottle receptacle in it, and the bottle receptacle groove having a probe connecting with water bottle and the cold tank inside. There is a baffle on a hollow baffle leader under the probe. The end of the baffle leader connects with a hot tank installed under cold tank by the cold and hot tank connecting tube, hot tank draining three-way pipe or draining pipe. |
| US07905372B2 |
Devices useful in system and method for dispensing prescriptions
An automated method for dispensing pharmaceuticals, particularly tablets and capsules, and other small discrete objects, includes: receiving prescription information, selecting a container, labeling the container, dispensing the tablets or capsules into the labeled container, applying a closure to the filled, labeled container, and offloading the container to a designated location. Preferably, the tablets are dispensed with high speed dispensing bins that employ forced air to agitate and singulate the tablets. The other functions within the system are typically carried out at stations designed to offer speed, flexibility and precision to the dispensing operation. |
| US07905370B2 |
Dispenser of consumable products such as drinks
A simple, inexpensive, reliable and maintenance-free dispenser in which the stored products are offered automatically on the outside of the dispenser where they can be grasped by a hand without further manipulation. The dispenser includes housings in which the products, stacked in a column, are stored and moved by gravity and, at the base of each housing in front of the first product of the column, outlet orifices are closed by a closing membrane with slits. A slope is provided, in the lower rear part of each housing, to automatically advance the first product a predetermined distance through the outlet orifice so that the product partially emerges and can be grasped by hand on the outside of the dispenser. The dispenser can be used to automatically dispense consumable products, such as drinks, without prepayment, and for all types of industrial, commercial, home and other applications. |
| US07905367B2 |
Oil pan for an internal combustion engine
An oil pan having a drain mechanism (10) that comprises an adjustable valve body (11) which is introduced into a drain opening (13) in an oil pan wall and which is adjustable between a closed position and an open position. A sealing member (12) made of a flexible material is arranged on the valve body (11) of the drain mechanism (10) for closing the drain opening (13) in the wall of the oil pan (1) when the valve body is in the closed position, and the valve body (11) when in the closed position is secured against the wall of the oil pan (1) by a closing element, and the sealing member (12) is held in the closed position by the closing element. |
| US07905366B2 |
Energy dissipation device for a multi-member vehicle
The invention relates to an energy dissipation device (100) for a multi-member vehicle, a rail-mounted vehicle in particular, comprising a first end plate (10), a second end plate (20) and an energy dissipation element (30) in the form of a hollow body extending in the longitudinal direction (L) of the energy dissipation device (100) and arranged between the first and the second end plate (10, 20), whereby to prescribe the formation of folds for the energy dissipation element (30) upon activation of the energy dissipation device (100), said energy dissipation element (30) comprises a response trigger in the form of a fold/bulge area (33, 33′) extending peripherally at least partly around the periphery of the hollow body. In order to ensure that the energy dissipation device (100) can be utilized to transfer both compressive forces as well as tractive forces, the invention provides for the energy dissipation device (100) to comprise at least one tractive force-transferring element (31) which connects the first end plate (10) to the second end plate (20) and is designed to transfer tractive forces in the longitudinal direction (L) of the energy dissipation device (100), whereby the line of action (W2) for the tractive force transferred over the at least one tractive force-transferring element (31) runs completely through the interior of said tractive force-transferring element (31). |
| US07905360B2 |
Centrifugal separator for mixtures in a liquid or gaseous medium
The invention concerns a separator, wherein the mixture, after passing through the inlet channels of the container body (1), penetrates into the admission chamber (30) of the rotor (2), where blades (35) arranged in star formation and perpendicular to the axis of rotation produce a centrifugal propulsion and, further, compact the components with greater density, thus facilitating extraction thereof. The thus modified mixture passes into the separating chamber (31), where blades (36) arranged in star formation and parallel to the axis of rotation, through their centrifugal force, push the components with greater density outwards; the latter having penetrated into the collecting cells (41) of the grid (34) which is coated on the outside of the separating chamber, through holes (42) exit from the rotor upon reaching the accumulation chamber (13). The fluid medium which, countered by a suitable pressure, cannot penetrate into the accumulation chamber, exit through evacuation channels. An electromechanical control system (3) adjusts the functioning of the method. |
| US07905359B2 |
Device for delivering bulk material stored in a supply container
The device for delivering bulk material consisting of individual products has a supply container for storing the individual products. A perforated plate is arranged downstream of the product outlet of the supply container on a base stand and serves to receive the individual products from the product outlet and to move them further in a transport direction while removing broken products and dust. A clamping strip is supported and removably fixed in a motion guideway of a motion guideway carrier mounted on the base stand. The motion guideway extends at an angle to a vertical direction. The clamping strip thus removably fixes the perforated plate to the base stand. |
| US07905356B2 |
Method for separation of heterogeneous products, including household waste
A method for separation of heterogeneous products included in household waste (HW) comprises separating the products in a fractionation vessel containing a liquid. The waste includes components, of which at least some are capable of floating in the liquid. The components are exposed to a first essentially horizontal force (P1) in a first direction (D1) enforced by a flow of the liquid in the fractionation vessel and to a second essentially horizontal force (P2) in a second direction (D2), which is substantially different from the first direction (D1). The combined impact of the forces (P1; P2) on the components spreads the components and leads them to at least two collection areas. Products of varying buoyancy may thus be treated separately. |
| US07905355B2 |
Theft-resistant and senior-friendly packaging of consumer products
The present invention is a novel, theft-resistant, and senior-friendly packaging for consumer and retail products that is cheap and easy to manufacture. The packaging is designed to prevent individuals from gaining access to the enclosed product through tampering with the packaging while at the same time meeting or exceeding federal child-resistant and senior-friendly guidelines. The packaging incorporates plastic material and multiple cuts to be tear-resistant and to halt the propagation of a tear, if one should occur. |
| US07905354B1 |
Magnetic tool holder
A tool holder has a housing with magnets mounted in a pair of dove-tailed grooves with a slot therebetween and movable pegs therein cooperating to hold a series of sockets, or a series of screw drivers or bits therefor, or a series of wrenches, or other tools, or combinations thereof, mounted at a desired position on the tool holder. |
| US07905352B2 |
Kits containing medicine injection devices and containers
A reloadable medicine injector and methods are described in which a barrel with a receiving cavity is adapted to slidably receive a syringe subassembly for axial movement therein. Upon removal of a safety and release of a syringe driver, the syringe driver moves forward and injects the syringe needle. A plurality of penetration controls are shown for controlling injection needle penetration depth. The penetration controls have an abutment and various lengths to provide different needle penetration depth positions. In one form of penetration control a sleeve is used against which the syringe or related parts contact. In another form the front return spring is used as a penetration control. A cushioning ring may be used to reduce syringe breakage. A load distribution and guide ring may be used to distribute loading applied to the syringe and help guide the moving syringe. |
| US07905350B2 |
Side-open gun case
A gun case having a waterproof outer shell and an oil impregnated inside fabric liner, and conjoined sidelong and end access openings that allow the gun case to be quickly turned inside out and hung for cleaning and/or drying. Secure fold-over VELCRO® closure flaps are provided for both openings to solidly retain the gun within the gun case and to prevent accidental opening and release of the gun. Padding is disposed between the patterned outer shell fabric and inner liner to cushion the gun as it is transported, and to maintain the buoyancy of the gun case so that it floats even with a gun contained therein. |
| US07905342B2 |
Supply unit
A supply unit including a funnel-shaped container for receiving a quantity of unsorted, or randomly oriented, nuts and bolts, a conveyor that is driven, in a reciprocating manner, along an inwardly tapering interior wall of the container. The upper carrying surface of the conveyor dips into the unsorted nuts and bolts on its downward stroke and picks up some of the nuts and bolts. On its upward stroke, or travel, the conveyor cooperates with the adjacent wall to properly orient the majority of the nuts and bolts. Some of the improperly oriented nuts and bolts may fall off the conveyor during its upward travel. Blasts of air, or mechanical deflectors, cause other improperly oriented nuts and bolts to fall back into the container. A step is formed near the top of the container, and the upward travel of the conveyor term mates above the step. The properly oriented nuts and bolts are transferred away from the container by a transport assembly located in proximity to the step. The transport assembly includes an endless belt, and a guide for maintaining the sorted nuts and bolts in proper orientation. |
| US07905341B1 |
Handling system for multiple workpieces
A handling system for multiple workpieces is provided for repeatedly lifting rows of multiple workpieces on a lift assembly from a collection of workpieces in a hopper and selectively delivering one or more rows of orientated workpieces to an exit conveyor. Any disoriented workpieces on the exit conveyor can be discarded from the exit conveyor and returned to the collection of workpieces in the hopper. |
| US07905339B2 |
Operation mechanism of working machine
Operation mechanism of a working machine includes a main clutch lever pivotably provided on an operating handle, and a pivot member operable in interlocked relation to pivoting operation of the main clutch lever. The pivot member pivots about a pivot point differing in position from a pivot point of the main clutch lever. When fully pulled by pivoting operation of the main clutch lever, the cable member is located nearest to the pivot point of the pivot member, so that force reverse-pivoting the pivot member is reduced. |
| US07905337B2 |
Force transmission device
A force transmission device including an input and an output, a hydrodynamic component, having at least one pump shell and one turbine shell, and a device for damping vibrations including a primary component and a secondary component, rotatable relative to each other in circumferential direction, wherein the secondary component is connected at least indirectly torque proof with the output, and the turbine shell is connected at least indirectly torque proof with the output.The connection between the turbine shell and the output, or an element coupled torque proof with the output, is performed through the intermediary element connected with the turbine shell in a first coupling section and coupled in a second coupling section with the output, or with the element coupled torque proof with the output, wherein the intermediary element is characterized by a substantially constant wall thickness, and the two coupling areas are disposed offset relative to each other in axial and in radial direction. |
| US07905329B2 |
Earthquake control operating system for an elevator and earthquake control operating method for an elevator
An earthquake control operating system for an elevator is provided so that the elevator can operate free of the influence of earthquakes. Data concerning zones without resonance between the intrinsic vibration frequency of the ropes of the elevator and the intrinsic vibration frequency of the building, and data corresponding to the speed at which vibrations of ropes of the elevator are in a safe range during a long-period seismic wave are stored in a database. When an emergency earthquake report is received by an emergency earthquake information receiver, the elevator car is driven to a floor free of resonance at the speed stored in database. Then, when it is judged that the long-period seismic wave has been sufficiently attenuated on the basis of a detection signal of a long-period vibration sensor, the operation of the elevator is restored. |
| US07905328B2 |
Brake device of an elevator car
A brake device of an elevator car with a brake unit that is mounted on the elevator car. The brake drive includes a flexible tension member that passes around two tension-members reversing-sheaves. One end of the tension members extends parallel to the travel path of the elevator car and is coupled to an actuating element of the brake unit, and thereby also to the elevator car, so that in normal operation the tension member moves synchronously with the elevator car. A blocking device, at least on overspeed of the elevator car, brakes the tension member, as a consequence of which the tension member, via the actuating element, activates the brake unit. A monitoring device detects failure of the coupling between the tension member and the elevator car. |
| US07905320B2 |
Exhaust system for saddle-ride type vehicle
An exhaust valve and a catalyst can be easily disposed of in a simple manner. The interior of a triangular muffler is partitioned into three expansion chambers. A manifold pipe is connected to the second, middle expansion chamber sideways from a lower portion thereof and is accommodated therein so as to face upward. A catalyst is accommodated in the interior of the manifold pipe. Exhaust gas flowing out from an open end of the manifold pipe expands into the second chamber. A short-circuiting aperture is formed in a second separator and is opened and closed with an exhaust valve installed within the third chamber. The exhaust valve is normally closed by a spring. When the exhaust pressure reaches a predetermined magnitude, the exhaust valve opens automatically, allowing the exhaust gas to flow out into the third chamber through the short-circuiting aperture, thereby controlling the exhaust pressure. |
| US07905316B2 |
Clutch device of oil pump in power steering system
A clutch device of an oil pump in a power steering system includes a pulley shaft coupled with a pulley connected with a crankshaft of an engine via a belt, a body shaft coupled with a rotor rotatably installed in a pump body and provided with a vein, clutch plates provided in the pulley shaft and the body shaft, and transmitting a rotation power of the pulley shaft to the body shaft or blocking the rotation power therebetween, an elastic member provided in the body shaft, a check valve installed on a supply port connecting an airtight space, a solenoid valve installed on a return port connecting the airtight space in the pump body with an input port through which oil is supplied to the pump body, and a controller to control the operation of the solenoid valve. |
| US07905315B2 |
Vehicles having exhaust pipe extending through space between cylinder housings of engine
A vehicle, such as a motorcycle, includes an engine having first and second cylinder housings arranged in a V-shape such that a space is defined between the first and second cylinder housings. The first cylinder housing includes a first exhaust port and the second cylinder housing includes a second exhaust port. A first exhaust pipe is attached to the first exhaust port and is configured to facilitate passage of exhaust fluid from the first cylinder housing and toward a muffler. A second exhaust pipe is attached to the second exhaust port and is configured to facilitate passage of exhaust fluid from the second cylinder housing and toward the muffler. The second exhaust pipe extends through the space. |
| US07905306B2 |
Home care equipment system
A system for assisting a person of limited mobility in moving from room to room within a home and performing essential daily activities includes a personal mobility device which includes transfer drivers which engage a transfer system to transition from a first elevation to a second elevation. |
| US07905305B2 |
Blow-molded wheels having undulating treads, methods for producing the same, and children's ride-on vehicles including the same
Improved blow-molded wheels, methods for producing the same, and children's ride-on vehicles including the same are disclosed. The blow-molded wheels may include a blow-molded wheel body that is configured to rotate about an axis and has a tread surface that extends circumferentially around the wheel body and may have a circumferential profile that is defined as the locus of points at which the radial distance from the axis to the tread surface is greatest at each position around the circumference of the tread surface. The radial distance from the axis to the circumferential profile may change from a first radius to a second radius that is larger than the first radius at a plurality of spaced-apart positions along the circumferential profile. The method for producing the blow-molded wheels may include providing a mold with pinch-off rings that have an opening configured to form the circumferential profile. |
| US07905299B2 |
Articulation assembly for moving a drill mast
A jib assembly for use with a drill rig includes a jib boom having a first end and a second end. The jib boom is to rotate about the first end and the second end is configured to be coupled to a mast assembly mount. The jib assembly also includes an articulation assembly having at least one variable length link having a first end and a second end. The first end of the variable length link is offset from the jib boom and the second end is configured to be pivotingly coupled to the mast assembly mount. |
| US07905297B2 |
Automatic connection for mid-mounted implement
An automatic connection mechanism for a mid-mounted implement to a tractor is disclosed. The automatic connection mechanism includes a rear lift linkage pivotably attached to the tractor, that automatically and releasably engage the rear of the implement. The forward lift linkage is pivotably attached to the front of the implement, and automatically and releasably engages the forward end of the tractor. A PTO coupling member also is attached to the rear lift linkage to engage an opposing PTO coupling member on the implement. |
| US07905286B2 |
Method and apparatus for sealing a hole made with a cased hole formation tester
Apparatus and methods for forming and sealing a hole in the sidewall of a borehole are provided. The method may include conveying a carrier into the borehole, forming the hole in the sidewall using a bit, and sealing at least a portion of the hole by leaving at least a portion of the bit in the hole. An apparatus includes a carrier conveyable into the borehole, and a bit disposed on the carrier that forms the hole in a sidewall, the bit including a sealing portion that seals at least a portion of the hole. |
| US07905284B2 |
Fracturing/gravel packing tool system with dual flow capabilities
A fracturing/gravel packing tool system with dual flow capabilities. A method of treating a well includes the steps of: flowing a fluid into the well through a work string while simultaneously flowing another fluid into the well through an annulus; and directing each of the fluids to the exterior of a well screen in the well. A well treatment system includes a slurry and a fluid flowed into a well. The slurry has an initial density, but the fluid is mixed with the slurry in the well, thereby causing the slurry to have a reduced density in the well. Another method of treating a well includes the steps of: installing a gravel packing assembly including a well screen in the well; flowing a slurry and a fluid into the well; mixing the slurry with the fluid, thereby reducing a density of the slurry in the well; and flowing the reduced density slurry about an exterior of the well screen. |
| US07905279B2 |
Combination whipstock and seal bore diverter system
A combination whipstock and seal bore diverter system includes a whipstock; and a diverter configured to receive and support the whipstock in a selected orientation, the system being installable in a single run in a borehole. |
| US07905277B2 |
Method of producing a heat exchanger module
The invention relates to a heat exchange fin, particularly for cooling, consisting of a strip (30) comprising a first heat-exchange zone (18), intended to collaborate with tubes of a first heat exchanger, and a second heat-exchange zone (20), intended to collaborate with tubes of a second heat exchanger.According to the invention, said strip comprises a zone of weakness (22) able to allow it to be parted into a first element (64) comprising said first heat-exchange zone (18) and a second element (66) comprising said second heat-exchange zone (20).The invention also relates to a heat-exchange module comprising such a fin and to a method of producing such a module. |
| US07905276B2 |
Method and apparatus for leak-proof mounting of a liquid cooling device on an integrated circuit
Apparatus for cooling of an electrical circuit element on an electrical element package, comprising in combination, structure including a hollow body defining a cavity for containing cooling fluid located in heat transfer relation with said element, a rotatably tightenable connection between said package and said hollow body, and acting to block leakage of cooling fluid from said cavity. |
| US07905272B2 |
Method and device for the production of wide strips of copper or copper alloys
A method for producing wide strips of copper is performed by pouring a molten liquid into a revolving wide strip mold via a distribution container and a pour nozzle. A surface of the molten metal in the distribution container is maintained at a constant level above the place where the pour nozzle is fixed in the distribution container in the range of 75 mm to 90 mm with respect to the level of the bath surface of the mold. The molten metal is guided by an ascending channel from the distribution container to the pour nozzle and is distributed within the pour nozzle symmetrically over a width corresponding to the width of the strip. Within the pour nozzle, the molten metal is guided through first and second flow restrictors and is separated into numerous small individual flows in a vertical direction over the entire strip width of the mold. |
| US07905267B2 |
Handheld welding tool with external air supply
The invention relates to a handheld welding tool with external air supply for welding thermoplastic synthetic material, with a preferably wand-shaped housing containing at least one hot air generating device, and with flexible supply lines for air and power supply that are combined in a supply line package. The supply lines of the supply line package are connected with rear connection elements on the housing, to the supply line for the air supply encasing the power supply line as a sheath. The invention proposes to connect the supply line package rotatably to a common rear non-rotatable connection piece of the housing. This makes it possible to rotate the handheld welding tool with little force in relation to the supply line package in order to facilitate the handling of the handheld welding tool. |
| US07905265B2 |
Aircraft tire with composite cables
An aircraft tire inflated to high pressure and including a tread and a crown reinforcement in the form of composite textile cables which form at least one twin ply of two layers of crossed elements obtained by winding, in a zigzag around a cylindrical support and from one edge of the crown reinforcement to the other, a strip of at least one reinforcement until the two layers of crossed elements form angles of opposing directions of between 8° and 30° with the circumferential direction. |
| US07905264B2 |
Runflat tire
A pneumatic tire comprises a sidewall reinforcing rubber disposed axially inside the carcass in each of the sidewall portion, and in order improving the ride comfort during normal running without deteriorating runflat performance, the axially inner surface of the sidewall reinforcing rubber is provided with a circumferentially extending groove. When the tire is deflated, the groove in the ground contacting patch is closed and the sidewall reinforcing rubber supports the tire load. When the tire is inflated-normally, as the sidewall portion can be bent around the groove, the ride comfort is improved. |
| US07905260B2 |
Router dust collection assembly
A dust collector is provided for use with a router that is mounted to the underside of a router table. The device serves as a means for collecting dust from both upper and lower surfaces of a cutting tool. The dust collector includes a flexible cup attachable to the underside of the router table, a vacuum hose opening on the cup connectable to a workshop vacuum hose and reducer fitting in combination are attachable to a router table fence and to one of two small openings of a “T” connector fitting on the other end, a vacuum hose attachable to the vacuum hose opening of the cup on one end and attachable to the other of two small openings of the “T” connector on the other end, a larger opening on the “T” connector connectable to a vacuum hose of a workshop vacuum, which in combination. |
| US07905258B2 |
Ventilation assembly for a machine for the preparation of radiopharmaceuticals
A ventilation assembly for a machine for the preparation of radiopharmaceuticals. The ventilation assembly includes a suction apparatus and release apparatus for generating a circulation of air within a vacuum dispensing chamber, a product filling calibrator accommodated in the dispensing chamber and presenting a cavity accommodating a container to be filled with radiopharmaceutical, and a suction conduit adapted to connect a bottom portion of the accommodating cavity to the suction apparatus for creating a one-way flow in the accommodating cavity. Also, a machine that includes the ventilation assembly. |
| US07905255B2 |
Installation of sealant materials for repair of underground conduits
A method and apparatus for use in repairing an underground conduit, such as a sewer pipe. A tubular bladder is filled within a selected portion of the length a conduit to occupy a large part of the interior while a sealant material in a fluid state is forced into the conduit to flow along the bladder to plug and seal defects in the conduit and at least partially fill voids in adjacent soil. A slender object such as a smaller tubular bladder extends along the bladder to provide a passageway for flow of sealant to defects in the conduit. A special plug may be used to direct the sealant into a selected portion of the conduit. |
| US07905253B2 |
Double seat valve
The invention relates to a double seat valve with cleanable seats, the valve including first and second closing elements (3, 4) and a leakage cavity (5). An intermediate seal (8) seals the closing elements (3, 4) in their opening and closing movements and in the open position against each other, is arranged in the second closing element (4). The second closing element (4) abuts in its closed position at a transition area (2e, 2e*) with a stop face (4e) arranged at a front face of a cylindrical lug (4*) and that directly adjacent to a first seat (2a, 2g), a central recess (4d) is provided in a front face of a second cylindrical lug (4*). |
| US07905252B2 |
Apparatus and methods to dispense fluid from a bank of containers and to refill same
A fluid dispensing system includes a manifold having a fluid outlet port to dispense fluid from a plurality of fluid supply containers. The system additionally includes a plurality of valves connected to the manifold for controlling the flow of fluid from the containers. The manifold and valves are configured such that all fluid flow connections are disposed within the manifold, thereby reducing and/or eliminating the amount of piping required external to the manifold. So configured, the valves include simple cartridge-type devices that are easily installed into and removed from the manifold. |
| US07905251B2 |
Method for wellhead high integrity protection system
A high integrity protection system (HIPS) for protection of a pipe downstream of a wellhead includes an inlet connected to the wellhead; outlet connected to the downstream pipe; two sets of two series-connected surface safety valves (SSVs) in fluid communication with the inlet and outlet, the sets being in parallel fluid flow relation to each other, either one or both of the sets of SSVs operable as a flowpath for fluids entering the inlet and passing through the outlet to the downstream pipe; two vent control valves (VCVs), each connected to piping intermediate one set of series-connected SSVs, the VCVs being in fluid communication with a vent line, whereby, upon opening of a VCV, process pressure between the two SSVs is vented; a signal-generating safety logic solver, in accordance with preprogrammed safety and operational protocols; and pressure sensing transmitters attached to piping upstream of the HIPS outlet. |
| US07905247B2 |
Vacuum actuated valve for high capacity storage and delivery systems
The invention relates to a re-configured valve design to accommodate a high volume of product in the delivery system and the dispensation of product upon the application of a predetermined vacuum condition on the downstream side of the valve. |
| US07905246B2 |
Low pressure measurement devices in high pressure environments
The present invention presents various novel approaches to solving the problems inherent in measuring biological pressures in high pressure systems. Thus, to protect a pressure transducer exposed to fluid flows at higher pressures than its overpressure rating, a novel valve is used that closes a protected leg in which the transducer is located. The various exemplary embodiments of such valves each have a high pressure input, one or more low pressure inputs, and an output. In operation, when a high pressure fluid flow occurs at a high pressure input, such valves automatically close the low pressure inputs. Alternatively, a novel transducer system is presented, which automatically limits the effective pressure sensed by a transducer to a certain maximum. |
| US07905237B2 |
Hair braiding machine
A hair braiding machine makes it possible to mechanically braid hair in a short period of time and to stably braid hair regardless of the state of hair. The hair braiding machine includes a pair of stationary rotors, which is rotated in opposite directions by driving of a motor and has a plurality of insertion recesses along an outer circumference thereof at regular intervals, a plurality of movable rotors, which is inserted into insertion recesses of the stationary rotors along orbital tracks, makes a circular motion along the orbital tracks by means of a rotating force of the stationary rotors, and includes a fastener at an upper portion thereof to and from which a hair holding unit holding hairs to be braided is coupled and decoupled, and a guide, which is installed at the intersections of circles of an upper orbital hole, changes a path of each movable rotor reaching one of the intersections in a diagonal direction by one of the stationary rotors, and guides the movable rotor, the path of which is changed, to make a circular motion by means of the other stationary rotor. |
| US07905235B2 |
Cigarette rolling machine
The present invention generally relates to a compact electrical cigarette rolling machine. The machine is particularly suitable for easily and quickly rolling tobacco into a cigarette. The tobacco is placed into a holding reservoir having tapered walls which help guide the tobacco into a rotating coil located near the bottom of a holding reservoir. The rotating coil then forces the tobacco through a hollow tube and into a pre-rolled paper cigarette in a compact and efficient manner. The machine has a support bar which allows the tobacco to become easily compacted within the paper of the cigarette without the pre-rolled paper becoming accidentally dislodged. The user may control how tightly the tobacco is packed within the cigarette by use of a control knob. |
| US07905234B2 |
Medical manipulator
A medical manipulator comprises a working unit (10) that performs operations, an operating unit (20) that generates instructions, a drive unit (50) that drives the working unit on the basis of instructions given thereto by the operating unit, a power transmission mechanism (60) for transmitting driving force of the drive unit to the working unit, and a control unit (40) for controlling the power transmission mechanism on the basis of instructions given thereto by the operating unit. The power transmission mechanism includes a first power transmission unit (61) interlocked with the drive unit, and a second power transmission unit (63) interlocked with the working unit and capable of being detachably connected to the first power transmission unit. A back drive torque of the first power transmission unit is larger than a back drive torque of the second power transmission unit. |
| US07905230B2 |
Metered dose inhaler with lockout
An aerosolization device comprises a housing, a container comprising a reservoir storing a pharmaceutical formulation which comprises a propellant, and a metering valve. The metering valve is in communication with the reservoir and is moveable into the container to an actuated position where a predetermined amount of the pharmaceutical formulation is released. A contact member is provided in the housing. In one version, the contact member is moveable between a first position and a second position to allow for selective actuation of the metering valve. In another version, the contact member's configuration may be changed to allow for selective actuation of the metering valve. |
| US07905229B2 |
Aerosol generating and delivery device
Particular aspects provide novel atomizers for generating particles over a broad range of MMAD size distributions, the eliminating the requirement for an impaction baffle in generating the desired particle sizes. In particular aspects, the atomization means communicates with a remote particle filter member configured and positioned to provide for particle size filtering. In additional aspects, the atomization means communicates with a particle dispersion chamber suitable to impart a desired particle flow pattern to particles within and exiting the dispersion chamber. In further aspects, the atomization means communicates with a nasal, ocular, oral or ‘vicinity’ adapter. The novel devices provide for targeted (e.g., nasal, ocular, oral, local vicinity), systemic, and/or topical delivery of an atomized liquid (e.g., via the nasal cavity, olfactory region, and mouth). Further exemplary aspects relate to aerosolization and delivery of perfume, fragrance, essential oil or cosmeceutical agents and the like. |
| US07905226B2 |
Synthetic oil-filled double-bottom pot and pan
A double-bottom pot with synthetic, silicon heat transfer oil sealed in a cavity formed between them to the extent of 100 percent of its volume, to disperse and evenly spread to the food contents the heat from an applied flame or burner no matter how high the temperature. |
| US07905223B2 |
Guide cart and power tool with guide a cart
A guide cart for a hand-held power tool with a driven tool has a pivot device that is pivotable between an open position and a fixation position. A fixation elements is provided that releasably secures the power tool on the guide cart. The fixation element is secured on the pivot device. The pivot device has at least one support for supporting a tool of the power tool in the fixation position of the pivot device. The guide cart has a holder for the power tool, wherein holder is provided with a base plate and has at least one lateral guide for the power tool. The pivot device is supported on the base plate. The pivot device and the baseplate together form a C-shaped frame. |
| US07905220B2 |
Speed and position sensing device for EMD two-cycle diesel engines
A device is disclosed for sensing the speed of an EMD 567/645/710 two-cycle diesel engine having a crankcase, electronic fuel injectors and an electronic control system for controlling the electronic fuel injectors. The device includes a spline shaft sized for insertion into the crankcase of the engine so that the spline shaft rotates with the engine, a gear operably secured to the spline shaft to rotate with the spline shaft and sized to rotate with the engine in a 1:1 ratio, and at least one electronic sensor located adjacent the gear to sense rotation of the gear. The at least one electronic sensor is connectable to the electronic control system to provide electronic signals to the electronic control system for determining when to inject fuel with the electronic fuel injectors. Also disclosed is a method for retrofitting the engine and a kit for retrofitting the engine. |
| US07905214B2 |
Method for ascertaining the gas work performed by the cylinder pressure on the piston of a cylinder and the internal mean pressure
To determine the gas work WK from the areas formed by the cylinder pressure curve over the associated stroke volume Vα, a cylinder-pressure-proportional integrator is started integrating the signals of the cylinder pressure sensor in multiple integrator runs depending on a settable integrator capacitance. A lower and an upper threshold value are predefined, whose difference corresponds to the integrator capacitance. Upon reaching one of the threshold values, respective new integrator runs are started, at the beginning and end of which the current crankshaft angle α (is detected, respectively. For each integrator run, the associated individual work is determined depending on the product of the integrator capacitance and the particular covered stroke volume and the gas work resulting from the cylinder pressure curve is determined by summation of the individual works. The gas work may be used in particular for determining the internal mean pressure of the cylinder. |
| US07905213B2 |
Adaptive positioning method for an actuator
In an adaptive positioning method for an actuator, in particular, for a throttle butterfly on an internal combustion engine, during the adaptive positioning method, after a request for a set position and selection of a pilot value a corresponding pilot position for the actuator is adopted. The pilot position is adjusted until said position corresponds to the requested set position. The control value actually required or this set position is subsequently measured and recorded as corrected pilot value for the corresponding set position. |
| US07905212B2 |
Balancer apparatus of engine
A pump chamber is arranged on the side of a balancer shaft on a vehicle backward side of the two balancer shafts. An oil strainer for sucking oil into an inlet passage is arranged on a vehicle forward side of the axis of the balancer shaft on the vehicle forward side of said two balancer shafts. The inlet passage and the delivery passage are overlaid in the vertical direction and oriented to one side in the circumferential direction of the pump chamber, and the inlet passage and the delivery passage are arranged in a state where they are rectilinearly extended from the pump chamber in the vehicle forward direction. |
| US07905209B2 |
Glow plug with combustion pressure sensor
A glow plug with combustion pressure sensor is disclosed having a cover and a housing with which a piezoelectric element is hermetically accommodated. A lead wire having flexibility is employed to supply electric power to a heating member. The lead wire, fixedly connected to the heating member, extends through an insertion bore of the cover and is hermetically bonded to an inner circumferential wall of the insertion bore. When the heating member is axially displaced upon receipt of a combustion pressure, the lead wire flexes to absorb the resulting displacement, causing a joint portion between the cover and the lead wire to have no drag against the displacement. This allows the piezoelectric element to detect the combustion pressure with high precision. |
| US07905208B2 |
Valve bridge with integrated lost motion system
A system and method of actuating one or more engine valves is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system comprises: a valve train element; a rocker arm pivotally mounted on a shaft and adapted to rotate between a first position and a second position, the rocker arm selectively receiving motion from the valve train element; a valve bridge disposed above the one or more engine valves; and a lost motion system disposed in the valve bridge. |
| US07905207B2 |
Variable valve lift apparatus
A variable valve lift apparatus may include a camshaft having an input cam, a rocker arm shaft disposed in parallel with the camshaft with a distance therebetween, a shaft carrier with a camshaft and a rocker arm shaft, a rocker arm that is mounted on the rocker arm shaft with a first roller contacting the input cam, a first link connected to the rocker arm, an amplification lever with a middle portion thereof connected to the first link and the shaft carrier, a second link connected to the amplification lever, an output cam mounted on the camshaft, one side of the output cam connected to the second link, and a profile portion formed at an exterior circumference thereof, a variable driveshaft rotating the shaft carrier by a predetermined angle, and a valve moved by the profile portion with rotation of the output cam. |
| US07905205B1 |
2-stroke engine crank shaft
A two-cycle engine heaving a pair of disk wheel shaped counterweights attached to the crankshaft. The rims of the first and second counterweights provided with a plurality of parallel grooves arranged continuously around the circumference of the rims and extending from an outer edge to an inner edge of the rims. The grooves are angularly disposed with respect to an axis of rotation of the crankshaft and in a direction against the direction of rotation of the crankshaft. The grooves of the first counterweight are aligned with the grooves of the second counterweight whereby the corresponding grooves form a “V” configuration. |
| US07905204B2 |
Internal combustion engine and method with improved combustion chamber
Constant pressure internal combustion engine having compression and expansion chambers of variable volume, an elongated combustion chamber of substantially constant volume between the compression and expansion chambers, and a fuel inlet for introducing fuel into the combustion chamber where it mixes with compressed air from the compression chamber to form a mixture of fuel and air that burns as it travels through the combustion chamber. In some embodiments, the combustion chamber is folded back upon itself and has a rough, twisting interior side wall, with long, sharp protrusions extending inwardly therefrom and forming hot spots which help to provide complete combustion of the fuel mixture throughout the combustion chamber. These protrusions, together with flow turbulators within the chamber, promote complete mixing and, hence, combustion of the fuel and air in the combustion chamber. |
| US07905202B2 |
Condensate trap for condensing gas boiler
A condensate trap for a condensing boiler has a generally hollow body for receiving condensate from a heat exchanger of the condensing boiler and for providing a path of flow for condensate out of the side of the boiler. The body of the condensate trap includes a condensate receiving end having an inlet, a condensate discharging end having an outlet, and an intermediate reversely-turned trap portion interconnecting the condensate receiving and discharging ends. The hollow body can be one-piece and molded of plastic. A level sensor can be mounted on or within the condensate receiving end of the body. In a preferred embodiment, the condensate receiving end includes a chamber with an opening, and the level sensor extends within the chamber and seals the opening. The condensate trap can also include an air vent located above the level sensor in communication with an air pressure sensor. |
| US07905195B2 |
Floating-type substrate conveying and processing apparatus
The present invention provides a floating-type substrate conveying and processing apparatus that floats a substrate to be processed. The device includes a floating stage that floats the substrate, a liquid supplier placed above the floating stage via the substrate to supply a process liquid to a surface of the substrate, and a moving mechanism for holding the substrate as detachable at opposite ends of the substrate, at a floating height of the substrate, and for moving the substrate on the floating stage. The floating stage is formed of a porous member and has a plurality of suction apertures airtightly defined in a porous portion of the porous member. The floating stage injects gas through the porous portion and sucks gas through the suction apertures to float the substrate placed on the porous portion. |
| US07905189B2 |
Bobbin thread winder and sewing machine equipped therewith
A bobbin thread winder for sewing machine includes a thread winding shaft to which a bobbin is detachably set, a thread winding shaft gear attached to the shaft and having a gear portion, a gear mounted integrally on a timing pulley so as to be mesh-engageable with the gear portion, and a torque limiter mechanism transmitting rotation of the shaft gear to the shaft when load exerted on the shaft is below a predetermined value. The mechanism cuts off transmission of shaft gear rotation so that the shaft gear rotation is prevented from transmission to the shaft when the load is not less than the value. The mechanism includes a closely wound portion on a shaft periphery and a coil spring engaged with the shaft gear. The shaft gear rotation is transmitted to the shaft by frictional force of the closely wound portion when the load is below the value. |
| US07905184B2 |
Foldable stool or table
A foldable stool or table having hinges comprises a plurality of support members. In one embodiment, a foldable device comprises three legs. In another embodiment, the foldable stool or table comprises two foldable support members and two non-foldable support members. Relative to the top and bottom of the device, embodiments of the present invention may comprise one or more intermediately located steps or shelves, wherein the steps or shelves are located along at least one of the non-foldable support members. The one or more intermediately located steps or shelves may be forwardly-offset relative to a front surface of the non-foldable support members. A method of using the stool is also provided. |
| US07905180B2 |
Long range electrified projectile immobilization system
A long range electrified projectile immobilization system is mainly comprised of a launching device, a projectile and a high voltage electric pulse current generator. The projectile has two rotary arms which can rotate around hinges on the projectile head at an arc toward the target, there are two pointed electrodes affixed on the rear end of the two rotary arms, these two pointed electrodes are connected to the high voltage electric pulse current generator by two trailing wires. There is also an electric arc sensitive deploying squib inside the projectile and interlock with the two rotary arms, so that these two rotary arms can not separated from each other until the deploying squib is destroyed or removed from the projectile. Once the projectile is launched out by the launching device and hits a target, the deploying squib is initiated by the high voltage electric pulse current, the explosion of the deploying squib will destroy the interlock relation with the two rotary arms and force them rotate around the hinges at an arc toward the target, thus deploy the two pointed electrodes onto the target. The high voltage electric pulse current that conduct through the target from the two electrodes will immobilize the human or animal target. |
| US07905175B2 |
Screen printing method and apparatus including clampers for substrate
Movable claws 13 are formed in clampers 10 holding a substrate 3 so that the movable claws can be selectively moved to a position where they have projected above the substrate 3, and to a position where they have retreated from above the substrate 3. Thereby, the safety of operation is ensured by causing the movable claws 13 to retreat during maintenance. Moreover, printing with high precision can be performed in a state where the surface of the substrate 3 and the rear face of the mask 2 are brought into surface contact with each other without any clearance by causing the movable claws 13 to retreat. |
| US07905174B2 |
Device for machining the surface of parts
The invention relates to a device (1) for processing the surface of objects (3) and comprises a predetermined number of processing stations (B1-B8) performing processing processes and a conveying unit performing processing movements. The objects are transported into predetermined desired positions at the processing stations (B1-B8) by means of the conveying unit. The device (1) further comprises a central controller (7), by means of which the processing movements of the conveying unit and the processing processes of the processing stations are synchronized by presetting a clock pulse being correlated with the processing movement of the object (3) to be processed and controlling the respective processing process via the central controller (7) for each processing station (B1-B8). |
| US07905173B2 |
Food staging device, method of storing foods, and method of making a sandwich
A cooked food staging device and method are provided. The device and method are particularly suited for storing breaded, battered or bread food items for extended periods of time without becoming soggy. A heated compartment having a slot has a flexible member covering at least a portion of the slot to restrict airflow and to permit access to the food items contained therein, which may be contained on trays, without the necessity of removing the tray to view and remove selected food items therefrom. |
| US07905171B1 |
Noise reducing booster insert
A noise reducing booster insert of a sound suppressor coupled to a barrel of a firearm includes an elongate body, a plurality of gas vents, and a plurality of indexing spokes. The gas vents permit expanding gases from the firearm to fill a space about the body to thereby increase noise reduction without the need of modifying a baffle stack of the sound suppressor. The gas vents are angled such that the expanding gases force the booster insert to rotate into tighter threaded engagement with the barrel of the firearm. |
| US07905169B2 |
Load reducing stores launch tube
Stores launch tubes and vehicles equipped with stores launch tubes are disclosed. According to a particular illustrative example, a stores launch tube includes a tube member and a flexible seal. The flexible seal couples an exterior of the tube member to a hull. The flexible seal acts as a pressure barrier against an ambient environment. |
| US07905166B2 |
Anti-kickback device
The present invention provides an anti-kickback for arresting movement of a rail accommodated within an elongate channel. The anti-kickback device includes a slide member arranged to slide along a slide surface between an extended position and a retracted position. The device further includes a resilient member, housed in a sleeve, which biases the slide member along the slide surface. The slide member, when in the extended position, is designed to urge the rail into abutment with a wall of the channel to arrest movement of the rail accommodated within the channel. |
| US07905165B1 |
Adapter assembly for hubbed rotor
A adapter assembly for refinishing a hubbed rotor is provided. The adapter assembly for a hubbed rotor includes an adapter drum and a self-centering bearing mechanism sleeve mountable on a brake lathe arbor to secure a hubbed rotor during a refinishing operation. |
| US07905164B2 |
Adjustable one way screw remover
A tool for removing conventional one way fasteners that includes, generally, a member, a collar, and, a shaft that can be removably received by the collar, wherein in the shaft is configured to engage regions of the fastener head. The collar is adjustable to fit fastener heads of different sizes. The member can be configured to correspond to a threaded portion of the outer surface of the collar. The collar may also have a bottom portion that includes multiple splines. |
| US07905163B1 |
Tool combination
A tool combination includes a shaft having a non-circular segment, a tool carrying head having a stud pivotally mounted to the shaft, and a sleeve slidably engaging onto the shaft and having a compartment formed in one end for receiving the end portion of the shaft and the stud of the tool carrying head and for retaining the stud of the tool carrying head in line with the shaft, and one end of the shaft is engageable with a power driving tool for being driven by the power driving tool automatically, and the non-circular segment of the shaft is engageable with a non-circular space of the sleeve for allowing the shaft to be selectively rotated by the sleeve manually. |
| US07905159B2 |
Torsional vibration damper
A torsional vibration damper having a hub carrying a radially projecting flange and an annular inertia mass defining an annular channel encompassing the radially projecting flange and an elastomeric member. An annular compression ring is attached to the opening of the annular channel to axially compress and extrude the elastomeric member to fill the annular channel around the radial flange within the inertia ring. Projections defining an intermittent annular inner rim of the inertia mass extend through openings between the spokes of the hub and cooperate with an annular outer rim of the inertia mass to retain the compression ring. |
| US07905158B2 |
Actuation device for a control cable for a bicycle gearshift, with rotatable support of the cable-winding bobbin
The described actuation device comprises a housing, intended for attachment to the handlebars or to the frame of a bicycle, a cable-winding bobbin, angularly mobile in the housing about a main axis (X) of the device, and support means of the bobbin in the housing. Such support means comprise a first support unit at an outer guide collar of the cable-winding bobbin, situated in an intermediate position of the bobbin in the direction of the main axis (X) of the device. An excellent distribution of the stresses between the bobbin and the housing is thus ensured, substantially reducing the risks of excessive deformation and breaking. |
| US07905157B2 |
Ball screw unit
A housing has a screw shaft passing wall in which a through hole, through which a screw shaft passes, is formed. A spline outer cylinder is held at one end by the screw shaft passing wall, and a disc spring that biases the spline outer cylinder toward the screw shaft passing wall is arranged at the other end of the spline outer cylinder. A tapered recess is formed in one end face of the spline outer cylinder, and a tapered projection that is fitted in the tapered recess is formed in a face of the screw shaft passing wall of the housing, which faces the spline outer cylinder. |
| US07905156B2 |
Single chain linear actuator
A linear actuator comprises a chain having adjacent first and second links. A pivotal connection pivotally connects the first link to the second link. The first link is pivotable about a pivot axis which is non-perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the first link. A locking mechanism releasably locks the first link and the second link to prevent the first link from pivoting about the pivot axis. A releasing mechanism releases the locking mechanism to allow the first link to pivot about the pivot axis. A drive mechanism moves the chain between an extended position and a retracted position. At least a portion of the chain is helically wound when the chain is in the retracted position. |
| US07905148B2 |
Method for imaging strain of a target body
The invention is directed toward a new method for estimating and imaging the spatial and temporal mechanical behavior of materials in responses to a mechanical stimulus. This method is designed to work in inherently noisy applications, such as the imaging of the time-dependent mechanical behavior of biological tissues in vivo and using a preferred hand-held configuration of scanning. |
| US07905147B2 |
Methods for imaging displacement of a target body
The invention is directed toward a new method for estimating and imaging the spatial and temporal mechanical behavior of materials in responses to a mechanical stimulus. This method is designed to work in inherently noisy applications, such as the imaging of the time-dependent mechanical behavior of biological tissues in vivo and using a preferred hand-held configuration of scanning. |
| US07905146B2 |
Inertial sensor
An inertial sensor includes a stopper having a first locking member extending from a flame onto a proof-mass, a first recess formed at the proof-mass, including a bottom surface, a second locking member extending from the proof-mass onto the edge of the flame, a second recess formed at the edge of the side member of the flame and a projection member projecting from the flame toward the proof-mass, wherein each of the first locking member and the projection member is disposed on the both sides of the second recess. |
| US07905143B2 |
Ultrasonic fuel level monitoring system incorporating an acoustic lens
An ultrasonic liquid level monitoring system includes an ultrasonic transducer unit that is mountable to a tank. The unit has an emitter to generate an ultrasonic beam passing through the wall of the tank. The emitter further receives an echo of the ultrasonic beam off a liquid surface. An acoustic lens is disposed between the emitter and the tank wall to receive and shape the ultrasonic beam to compensate for lensing effects of the tank wall. |
| US07905142B2 |
Servo type volumetric flowmeter employing a pump unit system
A volumetric flowmeter (1) is equipped with a detachable pump unit (2), a main body casing (3) accommodating the pump unit (2), and a cover member (4). The main body casing (3) is equipped with a front side main body casing (8) accommodating the pump unit (2) and integrated with a differential pressure detector (6), and a rear side main body casing (10) connected to the front side main body casing (8) and allowing mounting therewithin of a servomotor (9) constituting a main body of a shaft driving unit (5). The pump unit (2) is inserted into a unit accommodating recess (11) of the front side main body casing (8) and is then covered with the cover member (4) to be thereby completely accommodated. |
| US07905140B2 |
Device with flow sensor for handling fluids
A channel substrate containing at least one channel for a fluid is provided. A sensor substrate carrying a thermal flow sensor is arranged adjacent to the channel substrate. The flow sensor contains at least one temperature sensor and at least one heater, which are integrated on the sensor substrate. The heater and the temperature sensor are in thermal contact with the channel in the channel substrate. This arrangement allows to measure the flow of the fluid in the channel, which provides an improved monitoring and control. The sensor substrate can have contact pads connected to bond wires or, using flip-chip technology, the contact pads can be connected to circuit paths to the channel substrate. |
| US07905139B2 |
Mass flow controller with improved dynamic
A system and method of compensating for pressure variations in a flow controller entails the use of the compressibility of the gas being controlled to provide a more accurate measurement of the flow. |
| US07905131B2 |
Apparatus and method for detecting resin leak
A resin leak detector includes a pressure sensor element and a leak determination unit. The pressure sensor element detects a pressure in a case cavity. That is, when resin leaks into a space between an upper circuit case and a lower circuit case, the pressure in the case cavity decreases temporarily. The decrease of the pressure in the case cavity is detected by the pressure sensor element based on comparison between a detected pressure and a predetermined lower limit. The resin leak into the upper and lower circuit case is detected without cutting an outer case of an electronic device such as an acceleration sensor or the like. |
| US07905127B2 |
Automated monitoring for clinching joints
A system and method for monitoring clinched joints senses lateral displacement of die segments during formation of a joint, which depends on joint button diameter. The system determines whether a joint is acceptable by correlating acceptable button diameter with acceptable amount of punch advancement. A predetermined number of unacceptable joints indicates excessive punch and/or die wear. |
| US07905126B2 |
Die cushion controller of press machine
A die-cushion controlling device includes a position-command-signal outputting section for outputting a position command signal of a die-cushion pad; a position detecting section for detecting a position of the die-cushion pad; a position comparing section for outputting a position deviation signal corresponding to a deviation between a target position value based on the position command signal and a position detection value based on a position detection signal; a position controlling section for outputting a position-speed command signal based on the position deviation signal; a speed controlling section for outputting a motor-current command signal based on the position-speed command signal; a servo amplifier for generating a current corresponding to the motor-current command signal; and an escape-position-command-signal outputting section for outputting a position command signal for commanding the die-cushion pad to escape from a bottom dead center position based on a press signal outputted when a slide has reached a bottom dead center. |
| US07905125B2 |
Programmable lock with integral change tooling
A key-operated lock that can be programmed for use with one of a plurality of user keys without disassembling the lock or replacing the tumblers, that employs a programming key and an integral change tool to effect the lock programming. The lock can be configured to permit or to prevent use of the user key to program or reconfigure the lock. The lock is typically manually latched or bolted into a locked configuration. The integral change tooling simplifies the lock programming operation, and avoids the need for carrying a separate change tool. |
| US07905121B2 |
Washing machine with ion eluting and imbalance correcting units
A washing machine includes: a drum (630) in which laundry is put; an ion elution unit that elutes metal ions and adds them to water; a sensing unit (701) for sensing imbalance at the time of rotation of the laundry tub; and an imbalance correcting unit (702). When the sensing unit senses imbalance in the drum at the time of spin-drying rotation of the drum performed after metal ion added water supplied from the ion elution unit to the drum is supplied, the imbalance correcting unit corrects the imbalance by performing a processing different from a processing performed when imbalance is sensed in a case where the metal ion added water is not supplied. The different processing is not supply of tap water but balance correction rinsing in which the metal ion added water is supplied to the drum and agitation is performed. |
| US07905120B2 |
Washing machine with air wash function
A washing machine including a treating tub that houses clothes and that has an outer tub and an inner tub rotatably provided in the outer tub; a motor for rotating the inner tub; a circulating air duct for extracting and returning air in the treating tub during drying; a blowing means for circulating the air in the circulating air duct; a heating device for heating the air circulated in the circulating air duct; an ozone generation device connected to the circulating air duct for generating ozone by discharge; a command key for instructing execution of air wash; an air wash execution control device for operating the blowing device, the ozone generation device and the heating device in a predetermined mode in response to command key instruction; and a selection key for selecting whether to rotate the inner tub or to stop the inner tub during execution of the air wash. |
| US07905114B1 |
Method for forming optical fiber preforms
Optical fiber preforms can comprise a glass preform structure with an inner cavity. A powder can be placed within the inner cavity having an average primary particle size of less than about one micron. The powder can be in the form of an unagglomerated particles or a powder coating with a degree of agglomeration or hard fusing ranging from none to significant amounts as long as the primary particles are visible in a micrograph. Powders can be placed within a preform structure by forming a slurry with a dispersion of submicron/nanoscale particles within a cavity within the preform. In other embodiments, a powder coating is formed within a preform structure by depositing the powder coating directly from a reaction product stream. The formation of the powder coating can be formed within the reaction chamber or outside of the reaction chamber by flowing the product particle stream through a conduit leading to the preform structure. In additional embodiments, a powder coating is placed on an insert, e.g., a glass insert, that is subsequently placed within a preform structure. |
| US07905112B2 |
Reforming process of quartz glass crucible
A reforming process of a quartz glass crucible in which the quartz glass crucible is reformed by an arc discharge generated by electrodes positioned around a rotational axis and configured to heat an inside surface of the crucible while the crucible is rotated. The process includes arranging electrodes in an electrode structure such that neighboring electrodes are positioned at regular intervals in a ring-like configuration; forming a stable ring-like arc between the neighboring electrodes, without generating a continuous arc between electrodes facing each other across a central portion of the ring-like configuration; heating the inside surface of the crucible; and removing a foreign substance located on the inside surface of the crucible or a bubble located under the inside surface of the crucible. |
| US07905111B2 |
Bracelet
The present invention is a bracelet having an inner layer and an outer later. The inner layer of the bracelet is copper and the outer layer is another metal, preferably a precious metal such as sterling silver or gold, platinum or titanium. However, any suitable material may be used for the outer layer. Since copper can be absorbed through the skin, a wearer receives the medicinal benefits of copper while wearing a bracelet that is a fine piece of jewelry. In a preferred embodiment, the copper inner layer is a comfort fit layer. |
| US07905108B2 |
Air conditioning apparatus
An air conditioning apparatus is provided which includes a plurality of heat exchangers (11, 12, 13) for effecting heat exchange between a heating medium (such as refrigerant, cold and hot water et cetera) and air and which is adapted to separately perform sensible heat processing and latent heat processing of room air (RA). In the air conditioning apparatus, at least one heat exchanger (13) is made up of an adsorption heat exchanger (13) that supports on its surface an adsorbent, thereby preventing the increase in apparatus size and making it possible to perform operations at high COP. |
| US07905107B2 |
High efficiency dehumidifiers and combine dehumidifying/air-conditioning systems
An air-conditioning system for conditioning air by removing heat and moisture from the air and transferring it to the environment, comprising: a dehumidifier (14) that produces dehumidified air and utilizes a liquid desiccant for drying; at least one non-desiccant fluid at a temperature lower than the temperature of the liquid desiccant; and at least one heat exchanger (20) in which the liquid desiccant is cooled by the at least one fluid. |
| US07905106B2 |
Case and rack system for liquid submersion cooling of electronic devices connected in an array
A liquid submersion cooling system that is suitable for cooling a number of electronic devices in parallel using a plurality of cases connected to a rack system. The system cools heat-generating components in server computers and other devices that use electronic, heat-generating components and are connected in parallel systems. The system includes a housing having an interior space, a dielectric cooling liquid in the interior space, a heat-generating electronic component disposed within the space and submerged in the dielectric cooling liquid. The rack system contains a manifold system to engage and allow liquid transfer for multiple cases and IO connectors to engage electrically with multiple cases/electronic devices. The rack system can be connected to a pump system for pumping the liquid into and out of the rack, to and from external heat exchangers, heat pumps, or other thermal dissipation/recovery devices. |
| US07905105B2 |
Modular in-frame pumped refrigerant distribution and heat removal system
An apparatus, method and system are provided for a modular in-frame pumped refrigerant distribution system. Specifically, a micro-channel heat exchanger is positioned in an equipment cabinet close to equipment that generates heat. More specifically, the micro-channel heat exchanger may be positioned on a) a shelf above the equipment, b) the back side of the equipment, or c) a shelf below the equipment. The micro-channel heat exchanger is operable to receive a refrigerant supplied by an external heat exchanger along a primary flow path, transfer heat from air above and/or near the equipment to a coil of the micro-channel heat exchanger, circulate the refrigerant to extract the heat, and return the refrigerant with an extracted portion of generated heat to the external heat exchanger along a secondary flow path. The external heat exchanger may remove extracted heat from a building via a building chilled water system or an outdoor condenser unit. |
| US07905103B2 |
Model prediction controlled refrigeration system
The invention provides a refrigeration system with a compressing unit, and a method of controlling a refrigeration system. To facilitate a better control, the capacity of the compressing unit is controlled based on a predicted future cooling demand rather than an actually determined cooling demand. The invention further provides a system wherein a cost value for changing the cooling capacity of the system is taken into consideration. |
| US07905101B2 |
Refrigerated merchandiser with glass door heat control
A method of operating a refrigerated merchandiser. The refrigerated merchandiser includes a case that defines a product display area, and at least one door that provides access to the product display area. The method includes sensing a parameter of an ambient environment adjacent the case, delivering a signal indicative of the sensed parameter to a controller, and determining a duty cycle using the controller based on the signal indicative of the sensed parameter. The method also includes detecting a change in the sensed parameter using the controller, interrupting the duty cycle by initiating a clearing interval using the controller in response to the controller receiving the signal indicative of the change in the sensed parameter, and clearing condensation from the door during the clearing interval. |
| US07905100B2 |
Method for controlling temperature in a refrigeration system
A method for controlling a temperature in a refrigeration system using a quality decay value expressing an expected decay rate in quality of the products being refrigerated, and which depends on the temperature of air present in the refrigeration system. The quality decay value is obtained using a mathematical model reflecting one or more physical and/or biological processes in the products. Prevents or reduces the quality degradation of the products in terms of shelf life, appearance or tastiness. Furthermore, a method for controlling the temperature in such a way that effects of scheduled events, such as temperature increase during defrosts, can be compensated prior to the event. |
| US07905090B2 |
Steam engine
A steam engine has a pipe shaped fluid container, a heating and cooling devices respectively provided at a heating and cooling portions of the fluid container, and an output device connected to the fluid container, so that the output device is operated by the fluid pressure change in the fluid container, to generate an electric power. In such a steam engine, an inner radius “r1” of the cooling portion is made to almost equal to a depth “δ1” of the thermal penetration, which is calculated by the following formula (1); δ 1 = 2 a 1 ω ( 1 ) wherein, “a1” is a heat diffusivity of the working fluid at its low pressure, and “ω” is an angular frequency of the movement of the working fluid. |
| US07905088B2 |
Energy recovery and reuse techniques for a hydraulic system
A hydraulic system has a valve assembly with two workports coupled to chambers of first and second cylinders which are connected mechanically in parallel to a machine component. A separation control valve is connected between first chambers of both cylinders, and a shunt control valve is connected between the workports. A recovery control valve couples an accumulator to the first chamber of the second cylinder. Opening and closing the valves in different combinations routes fluid from one or both cylinders into the accumulator where the fluid is stored under pressure, and thereafter enables stored fluid to be used to power one or both cylinders. The shunt control valve is used to route fluid exhausting from one chamber of each cylinder to the other chambers of those cylinders. Thus the hydraulic system recovers and reuses energy in various manners. |
| US07905087B2 |
Method for regenerating nitrogen oxide storage catalysts
Nitrogen oxide storage catalytic converters for purifying the exhaust gas of lean-burn engines are periodically regenerated by switching the engine from lean-burn mode to rich-burn mode. After regeneration has taken place, the engine is switched back to lean-burn mode. At this time, rich exhaust gas is still flowing in the exhaust line from the engine to the catalytic converter, which rich exhaust gas is ejected via the catalytic converter into the environment by the following, lean exhaust gas. This leads to brief emissions peaks of the rich exhaust gas constituents and impairs the level of exhaust gas cleaning which can be obtained. In order to solve said problem, it is proposed to create oxidizing conditions by injecting air upstream of the storage catalytic converter, so that the rich exhaust gas constituents still flowing in the exhaust line upstream of the storage catalytic converter can be converted at the storage catalytic converter to form non-harmful products. The proposed method can lead to a considerable improvement in exhaust gas purification in particular in the case of catalytic converters which are already impaired in terms of their storage capacity through aging, and which must be regenerated significantly more frequently than fresh catalytic converters. |
| US07905085B2 |
Method for operating an internal combustion engine and device for executing the method
A method for operating an internal combustion engine, in whose exhaust gas system an exhaust gas treatment device is positioned, a reagent, which is possibly mixed with compressed air, being introduced into the exhaust gas system upstream from the exhaust gas treatment device, and a device for performing the method. The reagent is brought to a predefined reagent setpoint pressure using a reagent pump and subsequently metered using a reagent dosing valve. The reagent pressure existing upstream from the reagent dosing valve is detected. In the framework of a diagnosis, a time curve of the reagent setpoint pressure is predefined. The reagent pressure detected during the diagnosis is compared to at least one predefined threshold value. If the threshold value is exceeded, an error signal is provided. The corresponding diagnosis of a compressed air path may be provided alternatively or additionally to the diagnosis of the reagent path. |
| US07905081B2 |
Sewing thread
An improved sewing thread and method of making it where at least one strand of spun yarn is composed of 100% staple fibers and has a high level of single twist that is equal to or greater than 4 more turns per inch than that of the ply twisted final product. |
| US07905079B2 |
Row-insensitive feeding and picking device for an agricultural header
A feeding and picking device having a rotating feeding device that is rotated about a vertical axis. The device is able to work in fields not planted in rows and is designed to grasp plant stalks and feed them into a picking device. The picking device comprises a snapping channel formed by snapping bars under which is located at least one snapping roll. The feeding device comprises a disc having fingers that overlap the snapping channel. The feeding device is therefore designed to transport the plant throughout the effective length of the picking device. |
| US07905075B2 |
Method of packaging thermally labile goods employing color-coded panels of phase change material
A method of packaging thermally labile goods. The method includes the steps of (a) obtaining a legend correlating some thermally labile goods with a first color and other thermally labile goods with a second color, (b) locating the thermally labile goods to be packaged on the legend and identifying the correlated color, (c) selecting thermally conditioned panels displaying the correlated color from amongst a plurality of panels displaying different colors wherein the panels are color coded in relation to the phase change temperature of the phase change material contained within the panels, (d) lining the retention chamber of a thermally insulated container with the obtained thermally conditioned panels, (e) placing the thermally labile goods to be packaged into the lined retention chamber, and (f) closing the container. |
| US07905074B1 |
Apparatus and method for the automated manufacture of self-sealing inflatable dunnage bags
An apparatus and method for the automated manufacture of self-sealing inflatable dunnage bags includes a bag making machine. The bag making machine includes a plurality of sheet roll spindles and a plurality of heat sealing rollers. A first bag sheet roll is retained on a first bag spindle. A second bag sheet roll is retained on a second bag spindle. A strip bag sheet roll is retained on a strip spindle. A plurality of first openings are formed through the first bag sheet. A plurality of second openings are formed through the strip bag sheet. Each edge of the strip bag sheet is heat sealed to the first bag sheet with a first roller. A first bag roller seals an end partition across the first and second bag sheets. The edges of the first and second bag sheet are heat sealed to each other with a second bag roller. |
| US07905072B2 |
Support panel structure
A support panel structure includes at least one panel which extends in longitudinal and cross direction of the support panel structure and essentially forms one integrated structure, which integrated structure is at least partly built up of at least one composite resin laminate building block comprising at least a first and a second face sheet of a fibrous reinforced material with sandwiched in between a sheet of a foamed core material, wherein the first and second face sheet and the sheet of core material are mutually connected by means of fibrous reinforcing material at least part of which extends in height direction of the resin laminate building block, further with the support panel structure including in height direction a multiplicity of composite resin laminate building blocks stacked on top of each other and bonded to each other, at least a first and a second superposed resin laminate building blocks which sandwich between them a layer of a foamed material, the resin laminate building blocks and foamed material being adhered to each other. |
| US07905070B2 |
Interlocking mortarless structural concrete block building system
An interlocking modular building block system for mortarless cavity wall construction having blocks configured such that upon grouting, the cavity is solidly filled in a unified mass. Four block configurations are provided, namely runner, half, corner, and end block units. The runner has a length two times its width, and the other blocks have the same width and length as the width of the runner. Common to all blocks is a pair of parallel offset solid walls forming the outside and inside walls while creating vertical and horizontal positive and negative alignment features. The offset walls also form flat horizontal and vertical surfaces where successive units meet upon alignment. These walls are connected by one or more transverse membranes, with the exception of the corner block, where the walls are joined end to end at right angles. |
| US07905069B1 |
Reinforcing systems to strengthen monopole towers
An existing vertical monopole tower is reinforced by a plurality of vertically extending metal reinforcing members in the form of elongated channel members or angle plate members or ribbed plate members. The reinforcing members have longitudinally spaced holes which align with vertically spaced holes in the tower wall, and blind fasteners extend through the aligned holes to secure the reinforcing members to the tower. The fasteners provide for transferring only tensile forces or tensile and shear forces to the reinforcing members. Vertically aligned reinforcing members have adjacent end portions spliced together by splice plates and blind fasteners, and the splice plates are fastened to the web portions of the channel members or the ribs of the rib plate members or the wing portions of the angle plate members. Shear plates and pin assemblies may also be used to transfer shear forces and in splicing vertically aligned reinforcing members. |
| US07905068B2 |
Protective cap for coupler bar
The present invention generally relates to methods and apparatus for protecting a coupling that is disposable within a concrete structure. In one aspect, a cap for engaging a coupling of a cement coupler bar is provided. The cap includes a body having an engagement portion and a back portion, wherein the engagement portion is configured to engage the coupling of the cement coupler bar. Additionally, the cap includes a flexible tail having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is attached to the back portion of the body. In another aspect, a method of using a protective cap with a coupling of a cement coupler bar is provided. In a further aspect, a coupler bar assembly for use in reinforcing a cement structure is provided. |
| US07905065B2 |
Fastener device
A fastener device for releasably securing an object within an opening formed in a structure comprises a first fastening member and a second fastening member each having a pair of legs which are oriented at an angle relative to one another. A coupling element is movable along one of the legs of at least one of the first and second fastening members. One leg of each fastening member is inserted into a hole formed in the structure surrounding the opening allowing the other leg to pivot, preferably in a trochoidal motion, until the pivoting legs align with one another at which time the coupling element may be moved into engagement with the two pivoting legs to releasably connect the fastening members together in position to secure the object relative to the opening. |
| US07905063B2 |
Double anchor and lifting shackle for concrete slabs
A lifting mechanism for a concrete structure is provided through means of a void former and anchor assembly which it cast in place to provide an accurate recess in the structure having two or more spaced divergent anchors therein. The anchors define annularly aligned apertures within the recess. A lifting shackle of an arcuate configuration complimental with that of the recess is received within the recess and carries an arcuate locking bolt extendable through the aligned apertures. |
| US07905061B2 |
Wind spoiler for roofs
A wind spoiler including a vertical member mounted vertically along a roof of a structure to extend above the plane of the roof for creating turbulence in wind flowing over the roof. |
| US07905060B2 |
Tiered seating system
A tiered seating system includes a series of tiers each including a block pair, a riser, brackets securing the riser to the block pair, and concrete. The block pair includes a lower block and an upper block. The riser is spaced from the front surface of the block pair. The system includes two rows of brackets. The first row is secured between the upper block and the lower block, and is secured to the riser between the bottom and the top of the riser. The second row is secured only to the upper block, and is secured to the top of the riser. The concrete fills the gap between the riser and the blocks and form a layer over the upper block. |
| US07905055B2 |
Method and apparatus for robotic ocean farming for food and energy
A robotic ocean farm includes a plant support means such as a grid, with a submersible towing system incorporating means for navigation of the support grid in the open ocean, and means for positioning of the support grid in a first surfaced position for sunlight exposure of the plants and a second submerged position for nutrient gathering by the plants. The submersible towing system incorporates one or more tow boats connected to a forward periphery of the grid, each of the tow boats incorporating a propulsion system for navigation of the grid and maintaining lateral tension in the forward periphery of the grid. Additionally, one or more reaction boats are connected to an aft periphery of the grid. Each of the reaction boats incorporates a propulsion system for maintaining lateral tension in the aft periphery of the grid and reacting in concert with the tow boats to maintain longitudinal tension in the grid. A system for harvesting multiple independently operating farms incorporates a harvesting station which is placed or positions itself to meet the farms at predetermined locations during their voyage to harvest and replenish the plants carried on the farm grid. Base stations, separately or as a part of the harvesting station, communicate with the farms provide mutual support and informational exchange for optimized operation of the farms. |
| US07905045B1 |
Mounting assembly with adjustable spring tension
An improved mounting assembly is provided that is configured to be releasably attached to a standard dovetail rail profile, wherein the initial clamping tension of the clamping actuator is adjustable. The mounting assembly generally includes a main body having a lower portion that is configured to engage a standard dovetail and an upper portion accessory receiving formation. The lower portion of the mounting assembly has a first engagement member extending downwardly along one side thereof for engaging one side of the dovetail rail and a clamping assembly to engage the opposing side of the dovetail rail. At least one spring and a retention nut are provided as part of the clamping assembly such that retention nut controls the preset spring tension thereby controlling the clamping force applied by the clamping assembly. |
| US07905044B2 |
Sighting system
A sighting assembly is configured for use on a firearm in long-range sighting applications and broadly comprises proximal and distal sights. The sights present various sighting surfaces including at least a pair of complemental surfaces that, when viewed along a sighting direction, are opposed to one another. The distal sight presents a radially outer one of the opposed sighting surfaces and the proximal sight presents a radially inner one of the opposed sighting surfaces. The opposed surfaces cooperatively present at least one aiming window for accurately aligning the sights and viewing a target. |
| US07905041B1 |
Stabilized rifle barrel and rifle
A firearm includes a support block having a forward end and a rearward end, and carrying a receiver on a top surface thereof. A rearward barrel guide having a thrust coupling extending radially outwardly therefrom, the thrust coupling engaging an engagement element located at the forward end of the support block, thereby aligning the rearward barrel guide with the support block. Also provided is a barrel having a breech end and a muzzle end, the breech end is received through the rearward barrel guide and coupled to the receiver. A forward barrel guide is fixed to the barrel intermediate the muzzle end and the breech end. A handguard assembly is received over the barrel and coupled to the rearward barrel guide and the forward barrel guide, stabilizing the barrel. |
| US07905038B2 |
Container with integrated media display
A container having an integrated media display includes a base having a storage compartment for holding contents and an orifice for receiving the contents into the storage compartment. A cover is adapted for coupling to the base and closing the orifice and enclosing the storage compartment. A cavity is integrated in an outer surface of the container and has an opening. The cavity is configured for receiving a media insert having at least one visual display and holding the media insert for displaying the visual display through the opening. |
| US07905037B1 |
Customizable universal-fit drinkmarker
A wearable drinkmarker element fitting a variety of beverage containers and customizable to depict individual ownership for health considerations. The element includes inner ribs configured to engage containers and affording space for condensation flow away from rib gripping areas. The element is fabricated from a flexible material and configured in a substantial C-shape defining an interior space where a container is embraced. The element is flexible with memory to embrace the container when spread apart for mounting thereon. The ribs are slightly tapered to promote proper adherence to containers, and have sloped or inclined surfaces at their upper ends to accommodate container placement. The ribs may extend inwardly individually or be interconnected by an inner rim, affording stability in use and comfortable wrist wear by the user when not placed on a container. Finally, outwardly curved ends of the element allow for easy placement and removal of the drink marker. |
| US07905036B2 |
Holder for wearing by a user, slidably, replaceably, and visibly holding an ID card, and replaceably and visibly holding at least one specifically configured charm
A holder for wearing by a user, slidably, replaceably, and visibly holding an ID card, and replaceably and visibly holding at least one specifically configured charm. The holder includes a frame, a first apparatus allowing the holder to be worn by the user, a second apparatus slidably, replaceably, and visibly holding the ID card, and a third apparatus replaceably and visibly holding the at least one specifically configured charm. |
| US07905035B2 |
Corrugated clearing bar
A clearing bar for the clearing blade of a snow plough, is defined at least partially in cross section by a curved contour and avoids undesirable swirling of snow within the clearing blade Snow is swirled on parts of the fastener for fastening the clearing bar to the clearing blade. To solve this problem, a design of the curved contour is optimized dynamically in terms of flow. |
| US07905034B2 |
Golf shoe outsole
The present invention is further directed towards a golf shoe having an outsole comprising of forward and rear base sections that are connected and molded together with an arch support shank. The base sections are relatively soft and made from thermoplastic polyurethane having a maximum Shore A hardness of between 75 to 85. The shank is also made of thermoplastic polyurethane having a minimum hardness of at least 95 Shore A hardness. Each base section has a plurality of openings, wherein a corresponding plurality of relatively hard pods are molded, each pod of a size and configuration to fit within a corresponding opening and extend at least 6.3 mm from the bottom surfaces of the base sections. The shoe provides flexibility both across the metatarsal area and longitudinally at approximately the metatarsal area thereby providing the golfer with improved traction and balance, especially when the golfer executes a golf shot. |
| US07905033B1 |
Energy-return shoe system
An energy-return shoe system includes a shoe portion for containing a foot, with an upper sole on a bottom surface of the shoe part. The upper sole has an upper toe sole area and an upper heel sole area. The upper sole is capable of bending at a point between the upper toe sole area and the upper heel sole area. A lower sole has a lower toe sole area and a lower heel sole area, also capable of bending at a point between the lower toe sole area and the lower heel sole area. A compressible heel mechanism interfaces the upper heel sole area to the lower heel sole area so that the upper heel sole area is held parallel to the lower heel sole area and the upper heel sole area is held in a same horizontal position with respect to the lower heel sole area. A spring pushes the upper heel sole area away from the lower heel sole area, thereby absorbing energy upon impact and releasing the energy on step-off. |
| US07905030B2 |
Linearity measuring apparatus for wafer orientation flat
Straight tracks are formed in a first direction on a base. The top surface of a platform is formed so as to be flat to mount a wafer having an Ori-Fla, and the platform is moved in the first direction by being engaged with the straight tracks via engagement means. A block having a flat face against which the Ori-Fla of the wafer abuts and which is parallel with the first direction is installed with a first clearance L being provided with the straight track in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. Wafer fixing means for fixing the wafer in a state in which the wafer is mounted on the platform is provided in the platform, and a measurement device having a probe opposed to the straight track and capable of being displaced in the second direction is installed on the base with a second clearance M being provided with the block in the first direction. When a clearance between the tip end of the probe and the straight track is taken as N, the relationship of 0 μm |
| US07905029B2 |
Adjustment device for the alignment of supporting parts on structures having inherent dimensional tolerances
In an adjustment device for the alignment of supporting parts on structures having inherent dimensional tolerances, in particular in an aircraft fuselage, by means of joining surfaces, the joining surfaces form positive shapes and negative shapes corresponding with one another in a form fit. The positive shapes and the negative shapes in each case are arranged in a cross grid. |
| US07905027B2 |
Method and apparatus for probe tip diameter calibration
A method for determining probe tip diameters with improved accuracy and reliability that includes performing a routine for determining probe tip diameter multiple times with the arm of the coordinate measurement machine in different machine positions. Diameter values associated with each of the calibration routines may be combined in a manner that provides more accurate diameter measurements. |
| US07905026B2 |
Compass device and method for a compass device
The invention relates to a method for defining a compass direction by means of an electronic compass device. In the method at least two field components of an external magnetic field are measured, from which a set of data points is formed, which correspond to the different orientations of the device relative to the external magnetic field, so that the location of the data points in a set of co-ordinates depends on the Earth's magnetic field and the magnetic disturbances of the environment. From the data points it is determined whether the set of data points correspond to a measurement, in which the device has remained on the horizontal plane with a predefined accuracy, or the tilting of the device is detected relative to the horizontal plane during measurement and the set of data points is corrected to correspond to a measurement in which the device has remained on the horizontal plane with a predefined accuracy. If the set of data points corresponds to a measurement in which the device has remained on the horizontal plane with a predefined accuracy, or the said correction of the set of data points has been performed, a new compass direction is defined by using the disturbance correction made on the basis of the said set of data points. The invention achieves a practical way of displaying an accurate direction. |
| US07905024B2 |
Drive wheel
A drive wheel for centerless drive of an annular saw blade of a cutting machine. The drive wheel includes a drive ring having concentrically arranged first and second annular elements, each of which has a first beveled side surface located radially outward from a second beveled side surface. The second beveled side surfaces are in contact with one another and the first beveled side surfaces together define a wedge-shaped drive groove for the inner edge of an annular saw blade that is to be driven by the drive ring. Third and fourth annular elements are arranged concentrically with, and outboard to the first and second annular elements located therebetween. The third and fourth annular elements are configured to inwardly compress upon the first and second annular elements. An anti-relative-rotation member interconnects the first and second annular elements to prevent relative rotation therebetween while driving the annular saw blade of a cutting machine. |
| US07905020B2 |
Automatic shaving apparatus system
A shaving apparatus system includes an electrically actuated and starting and shutting off device for improved shaving comfort. The system can include an electrical device, e.g. a battery, which actuates an operating device, e.g. vibrating, oscillating, heating and water-sprinkling system, etc. |
| US07905019B2 |
Working fluid injection apparatus for a fluid dynamic pressure bearing
A working fluid injection apparatus for injecting a working fluid into a gap between a housing and a shaft of a bearing unit of a fluid dynamic pressure bearing. The apparatus has an adapter configured to support the bearing unit in a state in which an end portion of the shaft protrudes from an open portion of the housing. A cover member has an upper opening, a lower opening, and a tapered inner surface with a radial dimension that increases gradually from the lower opening to the upper opening. The cover member is configured to be mounted in contact with an upper surface of the housing when the bearing unit is supported by the adapter so that the lower opening of the cover member surrounds the open portion of the housing and so that the protruding end portion of the shaft and the tapered inner surface of the cover member form a reservoir portion that communicates with the open portion of the housing and that is configured to store a working fluid. |
| US07905017B2 |
Method for repairing guide rails of an assembly radially maintaining a support plate of a pressurized water nuclear reactor core
The invention concerns a method for repairing guide rails (27) of an assembly (10) radially maintaining a core supporting plate (5), which consists in measuring the spacing between the spans of the lateral branches of the guide rail (27) to be repaired, cutting and removing at least one lateral branch of said guide rail (27) to be repaired, measuring the dimensions of said lateral branch and machining with identical dimensions at least one substitution lateral branch, mounting and fixing said substitution lateral branch and measuring the spacing between the spans of the lateral branches of the repaired guide rail. |
| US07905006B2 |
Method of manufacturing faceplate for in-the-ear hearing aid
Provided is a faceplate for an In-The-Ear (ITE) hearing aid and a method of manufacturing a faceplate for an In-The-Ear (ITE) hearing aid in which the faceplate can be manufactured in a compact size, using a foldable flexible printed circuit board (PCB), while maintaining the quality, enabling mass-production, and reducing the manufacturing cost. |
| US07905005B2 |
Sealing foam panels with a compression-generating joint
A method of joining panels of foam materials such that edges are compressed into panel surfaces to provide a secured and effectively sealed structure is disclosed. Panels in an orthogonal relationship to each other, which are made of foam (or other materials not intended to be load bearing) can be joined by compressing the outer side of one of the panels into the edge surface of an adjoining panel. This is done using two plates, one resting on the outer side of the first panel, and one inserted into the side of the second panel, where the plates are connected by a bolt, screw or wire under tension. |
| US07905002B2 |
Method of manufacturing a steel housing
A method is provided for producing metal housings composed of at least two housing parts, in particular for units mounted in commercial vehicles. A corrosion prevention layer composed of zinc or a zinc-containing alloy is applied onto an outwardly facing surface of at least one housing part with a subsequent passivation, and a positive overlapping of an edge of one housing part by the edge of another housing part is effected by way of a relative movement of the housing parts being reciprocally aligned beforehand with regard to a die stamp, which plastically deforms the edge of housing part and/or the edge of the other housing part. |
| US07904999B2 |
Adjustable temporary casket
A temporary casket made substantially from burnable material, having a positionable inclining mechanism inside a casket shell. The temporary casket may be inserted into a formal, traditional casket where the temporary casket shell protects the traditional casket. Inside the temporary casket, a plank is attached by a clamp or bracket to an adjusting mechanism for adjusting the tilt angle between the plank and the floor of the casket shell. The mechanism also includes a vertical threaded rod that engages the clamp, allowing the rod to be rotatable and move the clamp axially along the rod to lift or lower the plank. This allows a funeral director to easily adjust the deceased to achieve the most “restful” state, and without jostling or appearing disrespectful to the deceased. After a service, the deceased, along with the temporary casket and the mechanism itself, may be cremated. |
| US07904998B2 |
Casket and memorialization accessory
A casket and memorialization accessory combination comprises a casket comprising a casket shell having a pair of side walls and a pair of end walls and a casket lid closable on the casket shell, a decorative ornament, and a planter adapted to receive a plant therein. The casket shell and ornament are configured such that the ornament is removably attachable to the casket shell. The planter and ornament are configured such that the ornament is attachable to the planter. The ornament can be removed from the casket in which a deceased was displayed for viewing and attached to the planter so that the planter and ornament can be presented to a loved one of the deceased as a memorial to the deceased. |
| US07904997B2 |
Buckles for inflatable personal restraint systems and associated systems and methods
Buckles for inflatable personal restraint systems and associated systems and methods. In one embodiment, a buckle assembly can include a body and a latching mechanism carried by the body. The latching mechanism is configured to engage a corresponding tongue portion when the tongue is inserted into a front portion of the body. The buckle assembly also includes a cover operably coupled to the body and configured to pivotably move about an axis between a first position in which the latching mechanism engages the tongue and a second position in which the latching mechanism disengages the tongue. The buckle assembly further includes one or more counterweight components carried by the body and positioned such that the buckle assembly has a center of gravity (a) between the front portion of the body and a vertical plane extending through the axis, and (b) below a horizontal plane extending through the axis. |
| US07904995B2 |
Bi-material closure device for a bag
A closure assembly includes two complementary zippers, respectively with support backing-strips (220) and complementary closure elements (242), wherein at least one of these closure elements includes a widened soleplate (246) that is at least partially surrounded by the associated support backing-strip (220). |
| US07904986B2 |
Golf club cleaning device
In various exemplary embodiments, the present invention provides a golf club cleaning device that includes a cleaning portion including an upper and lower or concentrically-arranged cleaning surfaces; a flag portion disposed at a top end of the cleaning portion, the flag portion including a gripping means; and a spike portion disposed at a bottom end of the cleaning portion substantially opposite the top end of the cleaning portion, the spike portion including a support means for supporting the device in an upright manner when depressed into the ground. By grasping the flag portion, the spike portion is selectively disposed in the ground at a predetermined location associated with a golf course, practice range, or the like, thereby allowing a player to clean a golf club by selectively running the front face and/or rear face of the golf club horizontally and/or vertically across the one or more cleaning surfaces/materials of the cleaning portion. Advantageously, the flag portion may incorporate an advertising logo and/or informational text. |
| US07904984B2 |
Method of controlling motor-driven washing machine and control system for the same
A method of controlling a motor-driven washing machine. The method includes increasing a speed of a motor from zero to a first predetermined speed W1. Reducing the motor speed from W1 to a second predetermined speed W2 and measuring the deceleration period. Increasing the motor speed from W2 to a third predetermined speed W3 and braking the motor according to a slow brake logic if a first interruption of the motor is ordered during the step of increasing the motor speed from W2 to W3. Increasing the motor speed from W3 to a fourth predetermined speed W4 and selecting one of plurality of rapid-brake logics on the basis of the measured deceleration period and braking the motor according to the selected rapid-brake logic if a second interruption of the motor is ordered during the step of increasing the motor speed from W3 to W4. |
| US07904983B2 |
Method of controlling a multi-tub washing machine
A method of controlling a washing machine having a first washing tub and a second washing tub, the method having the operations: receiving a first operating command to be performed in the first washing tub; determining whether the operating command can be performed; and when the operating command can be performed, performing the operating command in the first washing tub. |
| US07904982B2 |
Washing machine having steam generator and method for controlling the same
A washing machine having a steam generator, which prevents the accumulation of scale in the steam generator due to the long-term use thereof, and a method for controlling the same. The washing machine includes a water supply valve for supplying water to the inside of the steam generator therethrough so as to cool the steam generator when the operating time of the steam generator exceeds a predetermined time, and a controller for controlling the operation of a heater for heating the water supplied through the water supply valve. |
| US07904980B2 |
Washing machine and method for controlling the same
A washing machine in which the poor heat-resistant laundry is sufficiently wet so that a plurality of water curtain layers are formed at the laundry, thereby preventing the laundry from being stained and damaged when the laundry contacts the steam. According to the present invention, cold water is supplied simultaneously with injection of the steam so that the real temperature of the steam contacting the surfaces of the laundry is lowered, thereby preventing the laundry from being stained and damaged when the laundry contacts the steam. |
| US07904974B2 |
Device for active temperature equalization in a sauna room
A device (1a) for positioning next to an existing sauna heater (3). Device (1a) is equipped with an air duct (2′) which is designed to conduct air from a level close to the floor in a sauna to a location close to the upper part of the sauna heater. The air from the floor (91) will be combined with the hot air from sauna heater (3′). The device will increase the airflow (92) down towards the lower parts of the sauna, which results in a more even temperature distribution and a more comfortable sauna experience. |
| US07904972B2 |
Ergonomic contoured urinal floor mat
An ergonomic, contoured urinal floor mat for use with wall-urinals with the purpose of positioning a user center, up and toward a wall-urinal so as to prevent urine spillage and drippings from reaching floor below a wall-urinal. The floor mat consists of a heavy duty, permanent material with topside anti-slip and floor conforming anti-skid surfaces and is designed with three unique contouring angles which, in combination, elevates heels above toes, spreads legs, pushes toes outward, pulls heels inward, and creates a lift in the inner arch of the foot. The system also incorporates a replaceable drip tray, located between the users' legs and the urinal lip (to catch the inevitable last drops), a topside perimeter gutter (for complete urinal misses), and underside seal (to prevent liquids seepage under mat). If spills do occur, the overall contouring guides liquid into the gutter and keeps the topside foot areas dry. |
| US07904971B2 |
Protective padding and protective padding systems
The present invention provides pads and padding systems for use in protective helmets, and particularly ballistic helmets. Generally, the pad includes a first, outer layer which provides substantial impact resistance and a second, inner layer which provides cushioning and comfort. The pad does not require the use of a moisture-proof, non-perforated, encapsulating layer since both layers provide little resistance to fluid flow. The pad may also include a cover made of moisture-wicking material. |
| US07904970B2 |
Headwear with features for holding eyeglasses
Stem holders are attached to opposing sides of the headwear crown, each forming an opening extending from its front edge to its back edge. The front and back edges of each stem holder may be partially attached to the crown such that the opening is larger along the front than along the back. At least a portion of the opening may be angled downward from front to back. For brimmed headwear, a raised flair may be positioned on the brim to create a pocket between it and the crown. For brimless headwear, the raised flair may be attached to the front of the crown to form a pocket between it and at least a portion of the crown. In either the brimmed or brimless configuration, the lens portion of the glasses will rest in the pocket when the stems of the glasses are inserted into the stem holders. |
| US07908666B2 |
Content playing system for reliably determining an authentication of a playing terminal
When a user wishes to play purchased content data by a playing terminal, a registration database server authenticates a user ID. Furthermore, when the playing terminal requests a content server to establish communication, the content server authenticates the playing terminal to thereby establish communication only with the playing terminal of which the user ID authentication and terminal authentication are correct. Consequently, the content data is prevented from being copied to another playing terminal which is owned by a third party, and thus the copyright of the content data can be protected. |
| US07908664B2 |
Data delivery apparatus and data delivery method
A data delivery apparatus including a storage adapted to store limited-access data which associates user data for specifying a user, with data, access to which is permitted or limited to the user; a function determination unit adapted to determine whether a destination device to which the limited-access data is to be transmitted has an access control function of permitting or limiting access to the limited-access data for each user; an authentication unit adapted to, when the limited-access data destination device is determined not to have the access control function, request input of authentication information and performing an authentication process using the input authentication information; and a transmission control unit adapted to, when the authentication process by said authentication unit is successful, transmitting the limited-access data to the destination device. |
| US07908661B2 |
Optical imaging device with motion sensing accelerometers field of invention
This invention relates to an optical imaging device that includes an elongate housing. An infrared sensor arrangement is arranged in the housing and is configured to sense information printed on a page with infrared ink. The device also includes a radio frequency transceiver arranged in the housing and operatively connected to the sensor arrangement for communicating said information wirelessly. A pair of orthogonal accelerometers mounted in the housing in a plane normal to an elongate axis of the housing. The accelerometers enable the device to sense direction and speed of motion without reference to a location on the page. Also included is a controller circuit for controlling operation of the sensor arrangement, the transceiver, and the accelerometers. |
| US07908658B1 |
System using IM screener in a client computer to monitor bad reputation web sites in outgoing messages to prevent propagation of IM attacks
In one embodiment, an instant messaging screener is configured to (a) intercept an instant message destined to a user account, (b) parse the instant message to identify any universal resource locators (URLs) in the instant message, (c) check any URLs identified in the instant message against a URL ratings database to generate reputation data; and (d) perform a protective action if the reputation data indicates a bad reputation. In another embodiment, the instant messaging screener is configured to (a) monitor outgoing instant messages to identify any universal resource locators (URLs) therein which are associated with bad reputation web sites, (b) track historical results of said monitoring, and (c) determining whether said identified instant are being sent to all members, or a substantial portion of the members, of a contact list for a user account. Other embodiments, aspects and features are also disclosed. |
| US07908657B1 |
Detecting variants of known threats
Detecting a variant of a known threat is disclosed. A portion of network traffic is matched with at least a portion of a signature associated with the known threat. If the portion of network traffic being matched with the signature does not exactly match the signature, the extent of match between the portion of network traffic and the signature is determined. If the extent of match satisfies a threshold, a security response is triggered based upon the extent of match. |
| US07908656B1 |
Customized data generating data storage system filter for data security
A data storage system filter operates through a filter framework in a file system to detect and provide customized responses to unauthorized access attempts. A security event definition determines when file system access events are classified as unauthorized access attempts. A trap manager manages the security events, and causes traps to be installed to capture file system responses. The trapped responses can be replaced with customized data, such as static artificial data, or artificial data generated based on a context of the request and/or response. The security filter can be loaded or unloaded in the filter framework and operates on a callback mechanism to avoid significant disruption of I/O activity. |
| US07908653B2 |
Method of improving computer security through sandboxing
Improving security of a processing system may be accomplished by at least one of executing and accessing a suspect file in a sandbox virtual machine. |
| US07908649B1 |
Method and apparatus for providing efficient authorization services in a web cache
Web server and Web cache operations to permit efficient user authorization and cross-domain authentication without repeated login requirements are described. Techniques to prevent unauthorized use of protected resources are also discussed. |
| US07908646B1 |
Virtualization system for computers having multiple protection mechanisms
In a virtual computer system, the invention virtualizes a primary protection mechanism, which restricts memory accesses based on the type of access attempted and a current hardware privilege level, using a secondary protection mechanism, which is independent of the hardware privilege level. The invention may be used to virtualize the protection mechanisms of the Intel IA-64 architecture. In this embodiment, virtual access rights settings in a virtual TLB are translated into shadow access rights settings in a hardware TLB, while virtual protection key settings in a virtual PKR cache are translated into shadow protection key settings in a hardware PKR cache, based in part on the virtual access rights settings. The shadow protection key settings are dependent on the guest privilege level, but the shadow access rights settings are not. |
| US07908642B2 |
Policy store
A method for obtaining resource restriction information of a client application's resource includes: receiving authentication information from one of a plurality of authentication modules; identifying a client application's resource and authentication module based on the received authentication information; locating a policy store that is associated with the identified client application's resource, the policy store containing resource restriction information for each of the plurality of authentication modules; and obtaining the resource restriction information associated with the identified authentication module from the policy store. |
| US07908641B2 |
Modular exponentiation with randomized exponent
For the determination of a result of a modular exponentiation, a randomization auxiliary number is employed for the randomization of the exponent on the basis of the product of the public key and the private key less “1”. This randomization auxiliary number may be derived from the private RSA dataset without special functionalities. Thus, low-overhead exponent randomization may be performed for each security protocol universally, to perform a digital signature secure against side-channel attacks. |
| US07908640B2 |
Data handling apparatus and methods
A data handling apparatus (400) for a computer platform (1) using an operating system executing a process, the apparatus comprising a system call monitor (402) for detecting predetermined system calls, and means (402, 404, 406) for applying a data handling policy to the system call upon a predetermined system call being detected, whereby the data handling policy is applied for all system calls involving the writing of data outside the process. A corresponding method is disclosed. |
| US07908638B1 |
Signal processing apparatus and methods
A unified system of programming communication. The system encompasses the prior art (television, radio, broadcast hardcopy, computer communications, etc.) and new user specific mass media. Within the unified system, parallel processing computer systems, each having an input (e.g., 77) controlling a plurality of computers (e.g., 205), generate and output user information at receiver stations. Under broadcast control, local computers (73, 205), combine user information selectively into prior art communications to exhibit personalized mass media programming at video monitors (202), speakers (263), printers (221), etc. At intermediate transmission stations (e.g., cable television stations), signals in network broadcasts and from local inputs (74, 77, 97, 98) cause control processors (71) and computers (73) to selectively automate connection and operation of receivers (53), recorder/players (76), computers (73), generators (82), strippers (81), etc. At receiver stations, signals in received transmissions and from local inputs (225, 218, 22) cause control processors (200) and computers (205) to automate connection and operation of converters (201), tuners (215), decryptors (224), recorder/players (217), computers (205), furnaces (206), etc. Processors (71, 200) meter and monitor availability and usage of programming. |
| US07908637B2 |
Digital cable TV receiver, diagnosis method for the same, and data structure of HDMI status report
A host includes a controller configured to collect High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) status information associated with at least one HDMI port in response to an externally generated request. The controller is further configures to forward the collected HDMI status information to a communication card and to cause the HDMI status information to be displayed. |
| US07908636B2 |
Memory card handling for enhancing interactive television services
An interactive television system is operable to receive television signals and data for implementing interactive television services. At least some of the interactive television data received is stored on a removable, non-volatile memory, such as a memory card or stick. To allow a user to access services, the system is operable to generate a user interface. Services that are available via information stored on a memory card are marked. |
| US07908634B2 |
High-speed cable with embedded power control
A High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) cable carries high speed encoded data which are transmitted differentially over data channels, along with a clock. High-frequency loss and differential skew within a differential signal may be compensated by analog circuits embedded in the cable. These embedded circuits are tuned at production for best performance by observing the quality of the recovered analog signal. The embedded circuits are powered by a combination of power sources, both carried within the cable, and harvested from the high-speed signals themselves. |
| US07908626B2 |
Network based digital information and entertainment storage and delivery system
Live television broadcast and other information and entertainment programs, e.g., videos-on-demand (VOD), are provided to a user through a communications network, e.g., a cable network. A processing unit is employed at an headend of the communications network to respond to user requests for PVR-like functions, e.g., pausing, rewinding and fast-forwarding, to be performed on the program content being viewed. The processing unit in accordance with the invention causes a delivery of an appropriate version of the program content to meet such user requests. |
| US07908620B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method, broadcast system, storage medium, and computer program
An information processing apparatus has the capability of making a registration for timer-controlled automatic viewing/recording not only in units of programs but also in units of sub-programs. The information processing apparatus includes a display control unit for displaying information on a display on the basis of the program information data such that when a program includes a plurality of sub-programs, sub-program information associated with sub-programs is displayed on the display, a processing unit for performing a specified process on sub-program content data of a sub-program included in the program content data received by the receiving means, and a timer-controlled automatic operation setting unit for specifying a sub-program indicated by the sub-program information displayed on the display and setting a timer-controlled automatic operation for the specified sub-program such that the specified process is to be performed on the specified sub-program at a specified time. |
| US07908619B2 |
Broadcasting system and reception apparatus
A broadcasting system 1 provides a digital content to be broadcast with an attribute vector A thereof. A filter 12 is assigned with a selection vector S indicating user's taste. The filter 12 performs a standardized inner product operation between the selection vector S and the attribute vector A for selecting and recording broadcast programs. A=(a1, a2, a3, . . . , an) S=(s1, s2, s3, . . . , sn) P = A · S A S |
| US07908611B2 |
Unmanaged programming language interoperability with managed internet protocol context
Methods and systems access managed Internet protocol context information by receiving an unmanaged Internet protocol context class call from an Internet application written in an unmanaged programming language. An unmanaged Internet protocol context class, which is written in an unmanaged programming language, is instantiated in response to the call. Interaction with a managed Internet protocol context class results in receiving Internet protocol context information. The managed Internet protocol context class corresponds to the unmanaged Internet protocol context class. |
| US07908610B2 |
Multi-threaded business programming library
A business programming library for use by an enterprise resource planning system provides a run-time environment and a library of API services for accessing common data types and business methods, accessing table and form meta-data, and database administration and retrieval/modification. The library provides the ability to safely call into exposed services using multiple threads, and also provides indirect and executable permission checking for increasing system security. |
| US07908603B2 |
Intelligent memory with multitask controller and memory partitions storing task state information for processing tasks interfaced from host processor
The disclosure describes a computing system having one or more processing elements, one of which is a floating point processor, a memory, and a multitask controller. The multitask controller includes a scheduler unit, a data flow unit, an executive unit, and a resource manager unit. The memory has two interfaces. One interface connects to a host processor and the other interface connects to the data flow unit of the controller so that the memory appears intelligent. The resource manager in the controller finds a processing element, such as a floating point element, that is available to perform a function for a task and assigns it to a task. The scheduler unit selects a task and an assigned processing element to carry out the function of the cuffent task, the results of which are placed back in the memory. |
| US07908602B2 |
Internet-based education support system, method and medium providing security attributes in modular, extensible components
A system, method and medium for providing and/or installing extensions to enhance functionality of a computer system. User roles may be provided or associated with extensible components in determining user access to the enhanced functionality. |
| US07908600B2 |
Fault-tolerant patching system
Techniques that promote a fault-tolerant patching system are described. According to one such technique, a patching operation is performed in two phases. During the first phase, before the updates specified in the patching operation are actually applied, an attempt is made to backup files, or portions thereof, which are going to be updated by the patching operation. If a failure is detected during the first phase, then the patching operation aborts without proceeding to the second phase. During the second phase, an attempt is made to perform the updates that the patching operation specifies. If a failure is detected during the second phase, then all of the updated files, or portions thereof, are restored; those files or file portions are replaced with their corresponding backed-up copies, which were made during the first phase. The foregoing technique is extensible to a system in which prospectively affected files are distributed among nodes. |
| US07908597B2 |
Method for executing plural programs, method for converting source programs and compiler program using these methods
A synchronous reference code indicative of the fact that synchronous updating was made is provided to data which is to be applied to a critical section, and the code is set when synchronous updating is made. After a sentence in the critical section is executed, it is confirmed whether or not the synchronous updating of the data was made. In a thread for synchronous reference, reference is made, it is confirmed whether or not synchronous updating was made, and then the correctness of the updating is confirmed. When the synchronous updating is not made, the execution of the critical section is completed. Thereby the simultaneous execution of the critical sections and reduction of an overhead are realized. |
| US07908595B2 |
Automatic updating of variables in a data language
Described are various methods and apparatuses for automatic updating of variables in a data language. A dynamic variable is updated by parsing an instruction written in the data language containing the dynamic variable, creating the dynamic variable in memory, assigning a value for the dynamic variable, and updating the dynamic variable value without parsing the instruction written in the data language containing the dynamic variable. The dynamic variable may also be updated by creating an object associated with the dynamic value, wherein the object determines the value of the dynamic variable. Further, an observing a function value may be associated with the dynamic variable and then a notification is given to the object when the function value has changed. |
| US07908592B2 |
Software/hardware partitioning program and method
A software/hardware (SW/HW) partitioning and evaluating program allows a computer to perform a procedure of compiling a source code in which a mark is added to a portion to be executed by hardware, a procedure of generating an executable program for a simulator of CPU on a system-on-chip (SoC), a procedure of storing in memory an execution result of the executable program, and a procedure of evaluating an SW/HW partition based on the execution result. |
| US07908587B1 |
IO update time based conditional statement evaluation
A method for a system control to automatically provide highly reliable calculations and decisions based on information from sources of input whose timing is less than reliable. With application of the method in a familiar environment, the program optimally and automatically suspends the execution of decisions or calculations until such time as a reliable set of input conditions can be confirmed. The method allows the use of existing computer language constructs with no need to address time-lagging, random input or intermittent device operation. With the use of the method a system automatically gains high reliability. |
| US07908584B2 |
Method and apparatus for creating an offline service-oriented architecture based application from an online service-oriented architecture based application
Disclosed is a method and apparatus for automatically creating an offline enterprise application from an online enterprise application by importing the data from the online enterprise application to an offline system, including importing user interface (UI) metadata, enterprise services repository (ESR) data and application data from the online enterprise application and generating the UI and enterprise services from the imported UI metadata and ESR data respectively. The created offline enterprise application switches automatically between offline mode and online mode. |
| US07908583B2 |
Evidentiary enrichment of traceability links between software specification requirements
Traceability links between software specification requirements are evidentially enriched. A traceability link indicates that a second specification requirement is dependent to some degree on a first specification requirement. A likelihood that the second specification requirement for software changes due to the first specification requirement for the software changing, and/or a degree of change of the second specification requirement due to the first specification requirement changing, are determined. A coupling value for the traceability link may be determined as directly proportional to the likelihood that the second specification requirement changes due to the first specification requirement changing, and to the degree of change of the second specification requirement due to the first specification requirement changing. |
| US07908579B2 |
Method and mechanism for extraction and recognition of polygons in an IC design
Disclosed is an improved approach for organizing, analyzing, and operating upon polygon data which significantly reduces the amount of data required for processing while keeping elements non-interfacing with each other. According to one approach, clusters of elements are extracted which are then handled separately. In some approaches, a set of polygons forms a cluster if for any two polygons from the set of polygons there exists a sequence of polygons from the set such that the distance between any sequential polygons are less than or equal to a given threshold number. Rather than analyzing each and every polygon in the design, repetitive unique patterns are analyzed once, which are then replicated for all clusters which have the same repetitive pattern. |
| US07908574B2 |
Techniques for use with automated circuit design and simulations
Various techniques related to clocking for use with automated circuit design and simulations are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method includes receiving descriptions of design circuitry including logic to receive input signals. The method further includes generating additional descriptions through at least one computer program including descriptions of a multiplexer to multiplex the input signals and delayed input signals, and provide them to the logic, and a demultiplexer to demultiplex output signals and delayed output signals from the logic. Other embodiments are described. |
| US07908572B2 |
Creating and applying variable bias rules in rule-based optical proximity correction for reduced complexity
An optical proximity correction (OPC) based integrated circuit design system and method introduce a variable rule in which rules are specified in terms of multiple correction actions that yield acceptable results. This category of rules provides more degrees of freedom in actual application so that the rule-based OPC tool can intelligently select the proper valid rule that minimizes the OPC complexity or meets other objectives. |
| US07908569B2 |
Creating virtual targets in directory structures
A method includes detecting a first user operation corresponding to a first item in a directory structure. The directory structure represents a hierarchical arrangement of a plurality of items, including the first item, in a memory. The first user operation indicates a start of an item action with the first item. The method also includes, in response to detecting a second user operation corresponding to a second item in the directory structure, creating a virtual target in the second item in the directory structure. The virtual target is a possible location for completion of the item action with the first item. The method further includes, in response to a third user operation indicating completion of the item action with the first item in the virtual target, completing the item action with the first item in the virtual target. |
| US07908566B2 |
System and method for scrolling among categories in a list of documents
A system and method is provided to assist a user in selecting, identifying, and handling email messages. A selection color module may provide for the display of color coding and selection highlighting. The selection color module may provide a secondary highlighting color to indicate messages related to a selected message. A category navigation module may provide one or more of the following: an indicator that provides the user with a number of items that are off the screen for a particular category, a command that causes the first entry for a category to be scrolled into view, a label to indicate the number of items in a particular category matching a particular criteria, and/or a control for scrolling between next or previous categories. |
| US07908564B2 |
Copying and pasting a plurality of data items as a group
A context menu including a group copy function is displayed and, when the function is selected, all parent nodes of a node corresponding to the input field the pointing device is positioned over are displayed as alternatives to be copied. In response to selection of a parent node for copying by the pointing device, data in all nodes lower than the parent node are copied into a memory. In response to clicking by the pointing device in the input field selected as a pasting destination, a data type of the input field selected as the copying destination and the data type of the data copied into the memory are compared, and if the same, all of the data copied into the memory are pasted in the fields lower than the input field previously selected as the pasting destination. |
| US07908559B1 |
Electronic search interface technology
Techniques are described for displaying a representation of a list of electronic search results while a user is reviewing content linked to by electronic search results included in the list. While the user is reviewing the search results, the user may jump between content linked to by different search results using the representation of the list of electronic search results displayed. The displayed representation of the list of search results may be updated based on the user's browsing activities in reviewing the search results, user input manipulating the list of search results, and supplemental information added to the list of search results by the user. |
| US07908554B1 |
Modifying avatar behavior based on user action or mood
Techniques are described for enabling the selection of wallpaper to modify the mood projected by an avatar. The mood projected by an avatar may be modified, for example, by modifying behaviors and/or appearance of the avatar to characterize a mood to be projected. The mood projected by an avatar also may be modified based on user action, such as user input of a mood to be projected by the avatar. |
| US07908553B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method, recording medium, and program
An input assistance button that is repeatedly operated in a state in which characters are displayed in a character input area. The characters serve as input assistance to words, as they are repeatedly displayed in the character input area in a predetermined order. The characters comprise of alphabetical letters in English and special characters other than the alphabetical letters in English. |
| US07908551B2 |
Dynamically generating customized user interfaces
A computer implemented method of presenting an online application, includes, at a first time, receiving and presenting a first webpage of the online application having a first style, and at a second time, receiving and presenting a second webpage of the online application having a second style that is distinct from the first style. In some embodiments, the first style and second style are in accordance with a user selected variable and the user selected variable has first and second distinct values at the first and second times, respectively. In some embodiments, the user selected variable is independent of the content of the webpages. In some embodiments, the first and second distinct values are determined in accordance with a user profile. In some embodiments, the first webpage is first displayed using the first style and is then re-displayed using the second style, without changing the content of the first webpage. |
| US07908548B2 |
User interface for establishing mappings from internal metadata to external metadata
A solution is provided that allows a user to provide an alternate set of metadata for any number of data points within a report, while in a report design environment. They may lay down a grid on the work area and specify the data by placing the relevant dimensional metadata, extracted from the source, in the grid as row headings and column headings. The user may then select either a column or a row from the grid and upon doing so may be provided with a mechanism to define alternate metadata that can describe all data points that are in the column or row in the target system. This allows for a much more user-friendly environment in which to specify metadata mappings between internal sources and external sources. |
| US07908545B2 |
Pipeline architecture for maximum a posteriori (MAP) decoders
The sliding window approach to pipeline maximum a posteriori (MAP) decoder architecture is modified to decrease processing time. Once the forward metrics have been calculated for the first sliding window of the decoder, the reverse metrics for each window are calculated while the forward metrics for the next window are calculated. As each new forward metric is calculated and stored into memory, the forward metric from the previous window is read from memory for use with reverse metric being calculated in calculating extrinsic value. Each forward metric for use in calculating an extrinsic value is written to the same memory location. The calculations can be reversed, reverse metrics being calculated first, followed by reverse metric calculations. Although this architecture as developed for a turbo decoder, all convolution codes can use the MAP algorithm of the present invention. |
| US07908540B2 |
Method of transmitting ethernet frame in network bridge and the bridge
Provided is a method of transmitting an Ethernet frame via a network bridge, the method includes receiving a frame header from a previous node connected to the network bridge; receiving a header cyclic redundancy check (CRC) flag and header CRC with respect to the frame header from the previous node; determining whether to forward the Ethernet frame including the frame header by referring to the header CRC flag and the header CRC; and forwarding the Ethernet frame from the previous node to a next node connected to the network bridge according to the determination. |
| US07908531B2 |
Networked test system
An automatic test system that can be configured to perform any of a number of test processes. The test system contains multiple functional modules that are interconnected by a network. By using software to configure data flow between functional modules, combinations of modules can be made, thereby creating virtual instruments. As test requirements change, the test system can be reconfigured to contain other virtual instruments, eliminating or reducing the need to add instruments to meet changing test requirements. To ensure adequate performance of the test system, a proposed configuration may be simulated, and if a virtual instrument does not provide a required level of performance, the test system may be reconfigured. |
| US07908529B2 |
Flash memory
A flash memory includes a memory sector, a command interface, a first signal buffer, a control signal generation circuit, a data input buffer, an error correction circuit, an address buffer, an address signal generation circuit, a plurality of data memory circuits, and write circuit. The command interface receives a write data input instruction from an external device to generate a write data input instruction signal, and receives a write instruction from the external device to generate a write instruction signal. The error correction circuit is activated by the write data input instruction signal to receive the write data in synchronization with the write enable signal, and is activated by the write instruction signal to generate a check data for an error correction in synchronization with the control signal. |
| US07908527B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit and redundancy method thereof
A semiconductor integrated circuit includes a main memory cell array, redundancy memory cell array, memory macro and repair information transferring circuit. A repair information analyzing circuit fetches repair information of transferred unit repair information therein, outputs the repair information to the memory macro having a redundancy repair mechanism and subjects the memory macro to a redundancy repair process by the redundancy repair mechanism of the memory macro in a case where memory identification information of the transferred unit repair information coincides with memory identification information stored in a nonvolatile memory element. |
| US07908523B1 |
System and method for multipath I/O support for fibre channel devices
A system and method enables a file server, to support multi path input/output operations for Fibre Channel devices. Upon each Fibre Channel Arbitrated Loop initialization event generated, the system and method updates a path and device instance to track multiple paths to a given device. While the file server is attempting input/output operations, the failure of a given path can be corrected by the use of another path associated with a given device. The data structures generated by the low levels of the storage operating system are exposed for use by upper level services for routing a storage device identification purposes. |
| US07908516B2 |
Low power mode fault recovery method, system and apparatus
A semiconductor integrated circuit device uses two keeper cells per configuration and/or enable bit as dual redundant storage with error detection thereof. One of the two keeper cells stores a logic level and the other keeper cell stores the inverse of that logic level before the integrated circuit device goes into a low power mode. An exclusive OR (XOR) is performed on the outputs of the two keeper cells (a keeper cell pair) such that if the two keeper cells of the keeper cell pair do not have opposite logic levels stored therein, then the respective XOR outputs an error signal for that keeper cell pair and the error signal is used to force the integrated circuit device out of the low power mode, depending on software control, with or without disturbing input-output (I/O) configuration control and data states present at the time the low power mode was entered. |
| US07908515B1 |
Methods and apparatus for action regulation for continuous data replication systems
Methods and apparatus for a continuous data protection system including replication and journaling, to detect a first problem, react to the first problem, recover from the first problem, determine whether to enter a regulation state due to repetition of the first problem, enter the regulation state, and maintain the regulation state after detecting the first problem again. |
| US07908512B2 |
Method and system for cache-based dropped write protection in data storage systems
A method and system for cache-based dropped write protection in data storage systems are provided. An implementation involves detecting undetected write errors in a storage system, by writing data to a storage medium from a data cache; maintaining a copy of the data in the data cache until said data on the storage medium is validated or said data needs to be evicted from the data cache; and prior to eviction of said data from the data cache, maintaining metadata for said data in a metadata cache until the data written to the storage medium has been validated against the metadata. |
| US07908510B2 |
Storage system and method of designing disaster recovery constitution
The present invention detects patterns that conform to the user conditions in cases where a disaster recovery constitution is constructed by connecting a plurality of sites. The design system is used in cases where the disaster recovery constitution is provided in a storage system. The site information acquisition section acquires information relating to the constitution in the sites and information relating to the connections between the sites, and stores the information in the site information table. The candidate pattern generation section generates candidate patterns for each of the parameters on the basis of the site information table and a basic pattern table. The candidate pattern evaluation section evaluates the respective candidate patterns by using the user condition table and presents patterns which conform to the user conditions to the user. The document output section generates a construction procedure and operating procedure on the basis of patterns selected by the user. |
| US07908508B2 |
Low power method of responsively initiating fast response to a detected change of condition
A voltage signal is monitored in comparison to another voltage signal by a differential amplifier. When the first voltage signal value drops below the second voltage signal value an output signal is boosted in response. The output signal returns to a previous state without boost. |
| US07908507B2 |
Apparatus and method for masking input of invalid data strobe signal
To provide a data fetch circuit, which reliably cuts off transmission of a high impedance state of a data strobe signal even if a manufacture condition or an operation condition is changed, and a control method thereof. The data fetch circuit includes an RL measuring part 10 measuring a latency measurement value RLB from an input of a read instruction signal RD to a valid edge of a data strobe signal DQS and an RL count comparing part 30 outputting a BL count start signal BST giving an instruction of a cancel of the cut-off of the data strobe signal DQS after standing by during the time based on the latency measurement value RLB in accordance with an input of a delay read instruction signal RDD. |
| US07908506B2 |
Memory card control chip
The invention discloses a memory card control chip. The memory card control chip comprises a clock generator, a first memory card interface, and a control circuit. The clock generator generates a first clock signal and a second clock signal. The second clock signal is a spread spectrum clock signal. The first memory card interface is coupled to the clock generator and comprises a first clock signal pin and a plurality of first data signal pins. The first memory card interface is connected to a first memory card to be a data transmission interface of the first memory card. The first clock signal pin transmits the second clock signal. The control circuit is coupled to the first memory card interface and receives the first clock signal for performing the data accessing of the first memory card. |
| US07908503B2 |
Method of saving power consumed by a storage system
Provided is a method of saving power consumed by a storage system that is connected to a host computer via a network, including a disk device for storing to be written data requested by the host computer, and controllers that control access to the disk device, in which the controllers each have an interface connected to the network, a processor connected to the interface, and a memory connected to the processor, in which the processor measures a load of the storage system, and in which the processor controls power to the controllers in accordance with the measured load of the storage system. |
| US07908502B2 |
Interface card, network device having the same and control method thereof
An interface card is capable of communicating with an external device and includes a power supplier; a non-volatile memory which stores executable instructions to operate in an active-mode and a sleep-mode; a small-capacity volatile memory which is supplied with power in the sleep mode; a transmitter-receiver which transmits and receives packet data to/from the external device; and a controller which retrieves sleep-mode instructions stored in the non-volatile memory and loads the sleep mode instructions in the small-capacity volatile memory to transition the interface card into the sleep mode if the transmitter-receiver does not receive the packet data for predetermined time period in an active mode. The interface card processes certain packet data in the sleep mode and transitions back into the active mode when sleep mode operations determine that the packet data cannot be processed in the sleep mode. The non-volatile memory, and other components of an external circuit, is powered down when the interface card is in the sleep mode. |
| US07908501B2 |
Progressive power control of a multi-port memory device
A method and system for progressively reducing the power consumption of a serial memory device is provided, called the power control system. The power control system monitors the ports of a multi-port serial memory so that they can be enabled or disabled on a per-port basis. When data is not being transmitted or received on a port, a series of steps are taken to progressively de-power portions of the port and cause the port to enter into a low-power state. By disabling certain ports and placing ports in a low-power state, the power consumption of the overall serial port memory is significantly reduced. |
| US07908500B2 |
Low power retention flip-flops
A microcontroller includes a processing unit having a processing unit having normal power mode of operation and a low power mode of operation. The processing unit further having digital circuitry connected to the processing unit having a plurality of logic circuits associated therewith for processing digital values. A plurality of retention flip-flops are associated with the digital circuitry for storing a logical state of at least one or more of the logic circuits within the digital circuitry when the processing unit enters the low power mode of operation. The plurality of retention flip flops include a first type of transistors for operating in both the low and high power modes of operation and a second type of transistors for operation only in the normal mode of operation and wherein substantially the remainder of the digital circuitry in the processing unit comprises the second type of transistors. |
| US07908497B2 |
Communication bus power state management
Methods and apparatus to manage communication bus power states are described. In one embodiment, an apparatus comprises a bus including a master node and at least a first slave node, logic to transmit a first power state change request from the master node to the first slave node, logic to receive the first power state change request in the first slave node, and logic to designate the first slave node as the master node when the first slave node denies the first power state change request. |
| US07908494B2 |
System and method for multiple PoE power supply management
A system and method for multiple power over Ethernet (PoE) power supply management. Power supply status signals indicative of an operating condition of a plurality of PoE power supplies are provided to a plurality of power sourcing equipment (PSE) controller chips. Pre-configured combination logic within each of the PSE controller chips converts an indicated operational state of the plurality of PoE power supplies into a powering decision for each of the Ethernet ports served by the PSE controller chip within one microsecond. |
| US07908489B2 |
Method for managing external storage devices
An apparatus, system, and method enable a new platform storage system to have access to an external storage system having data encrypted thereon by an existing platform storage system. Encryption information corresponding to the encrypted data in the external storage system is stored in a memory in the existing platform storage system. The encryption information stored in the memory of the existing platform storage system is transferred to an encryption table stored in the new platform storage system, so that the new platform storage system can read the encrypted data stored in the external storage system. |
| US07908488B2 |
Recording medium with copy protection information formed in intermittent or alternate wobbled pits and apparatus and methods for forming, recording, and reproducing the recording medium
A recording medium, such as a high-density and/or read-only recording medium, such as BD-ROM, which contains copy protection information encoded in intermittent or alternate wobbled pits, and to methods and apparatuses for forming, recording, and reproducing data on the recording medium. |
| US07908476B2 |
Virtualization of file system encryption
A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer program product for using a virtual file system to encrypt files. The process registers a plurality of file systems on a data processing system with the virtual file system. The virtual file system is enabled to encrypt files without intervention from any file system in the plurality of file systems. The virtual file system identifies whether a file on a given file system is an encrypted file using a map file associated with the given file system. In response to identifying the file as an encrypted file, the virtual file system encrypts all data written to the file in accordance with encryption specifications in the map file. |
| US07908475B2 |
Method and apparatus for transferring a communicaton session
Session Inter-Device (SID) mobility networks (50, 100, 150) are described in which a seamless transfer of a communication session from a first device (56, 106, 116) to a second device (66, 116, 166) can be achieved without interrupting the active session. According to the SID mobility network (50), the transfer can be accomplished by transferring away from the Transferring Node or first device (56) the IP address associated with the active session (58) so that the network (50) will route the session to the desired Target Node or second device (66). The Transferring Node (56) transfers its IP address (58) to the Agent (60) and stops requesting data packets addressed to its IP address (58). The Agent (60) then begins to request and eventually receive the packets addressed to the Transferring Node's IP address (58). The Agent (60) then transfers the packets to the Target Node (66). In an alternate SID mobility network (100), the Transferring Node (106) transfers a session specific IP address (114) to the Agent (110). The Agent (110) then transfers packets sent to the session specific IP address (114) to the Target Node (120). In another SID mobility network (150), the Transferring Node (162) obtains a temporary IP address (170) and transfers its IP address (164) to a Session Agent (166). The Session Agent (166) begins to request and eventually receive the packets addressed to the Transferring Node's IP address (164), and for each received packet determines if it belongs to the session the Transferring Node (162) requested to transfer to the Target Node (176). If it does, the Session Agent (166) will transfer the packet to the Target Node (176) at the Target Node's IP address (178). If it does not, the Session Agent (166) will transfer the packet to the Transferring Node (162) at its temporary IP address (170). In each SID mobility network, the session with respect to the Correspondent Node continues without interruption throughout the transfer, thereby providing a seamless transfer of the session from a first device to a second device. |
| US07908470B1 |
Multi-processor computer with plural boot memories
The present invention provides a controller that allows plural processor nodes to access plural boot memories concurrently. |
| US07908468B2 |
Method and control circuit for reducing instantaneous startup current of a computer system
A method and a control circuit for reducing an instantaneous startup current of a computer system by decreasing a fan rotational speed are provided. The computer system comprises a management controller coupled to a fan device through a tri-state buffer. In the present method, a duty cycle of a first PWM signal is reduced by the management controller. After that, the tri-state buffer is enabled to pass the first PWM signal with the reduced duty cycle to the fan device. Finally, the fan device is powered with the first PWM signal when the computer system is powered on. By reducing the duty cycle of the PWM signal before powering the computer system and turning on the fan device, the fan rotational speed of the fan device can be decreased when the computer system is powered on. As a result, the instantaneous startup current of the computer system can be reduced. |
| US07908467B2 |
Automatic configuration of equipment software
An architecture for automatically configuring software of a piece of equipment. The piece of equipment is in communication with a network, the piece of equipment having one or more machine-resolvable codes associated therewith. The piece of equipment connects to a remote location disposed on the network in response to reading a select one of the one or more machine-resolvable codes with a reader. Software associated with the select one of the one or more machine-resolvable codes is downloaded from the remote location to the piece of equipment, and the piece of equipment is then configured according to the software. |
| US07908466B2 |
Method and apparatus for booting a microprocessor system using boot code stored on a serial flash memory array having a random-access interface
A method and apparatus for booting a microprocessor system using a serial (e.g., NAND-type) flash memory array having a random-access (parallel, e.g., NOR-flash type) interface. The method includes loading a boot code loader stored in the serial (e.g., NAND-type) flash memory array into a RAM when power is turned on, according to a routine of a read-only memory (ROM) of the microprocessor; loading boot code stored in the serial flash memory into an internal or external (main) RAM of the microprocessor according to the boot code loader; loading application code stored in the serial flash memory into the main (RAM) memory according to the boot code; and executing the application code. The system may be manufactured at a low cost compared to NOR-Flash based systems, while ensuring flexibility of a microprocessor. |
| US07908458B2 |
Ethernet controller
A controller, in particular an Ethernet controller has a control unit operable to receive commands and data through an I/O interface; a plurality of registers arranged in a register block which is divided into a plurality of register banks, wherein at least one register controls a function of the controller; a register address unit having logic for accessing one of the plurality of registers by a plurality of addressing schemes, wherein the addressing schemes at least has a direct address provided by received data, a combined address provided by a partial address from a received command and a bank address stored in a bank register, and an address selected form a plurality of predetermined addresses through a received command. |
| US07908457B2 |
Retaining an association between a virtual address based buffer and a user space application that owns the buffer
Registering memory space for an application is performed. One or more open calls are received from an application to access one or more input/output (I/O) devices. Responsive to receiving the one or more open calls, one or more I/O map and pin calls are sent in order to register memory space for the one or more I/O devices within at least one storage area that will be accessed by the application. A verification is made as to whether the memory space to be registered is associated with the application. Responsive to the memory space being associated with the application, at least one virtual I/O bus address is received for each registered memory space of the one or more I/O devices. At least one I/O command is executed using the at least one virtual I/O bus address without intervention by an operating system or operating system image. |
| US07908453B2 |
Semiconductor device having a dynamically reconfigurable circuit configuration
A semiconductor device includes a plurality of memories, a sequencer which outputs configuration information, and a memory reconfiguring circuit which reconfigures the memory area in accordance with the configuration information supplied from the sequencer. Since the memory reconfiguring circuit dynamically changes the allocation of the memories, it is possible to reconfigure the memory configuration and freely change the memory size in accordance with the purpose of use. |
| US07908451B2 |
Memory command delay balancing in a daisy-chained memory topology
A methodology for a daisy-chained memory topology wherein, in addition to the prediction of the timing of receipt of a response from a memory module (DIMM), the memory controller can effectively predict when a command sent by it will be executed by the addressee DIMM. By programming DIMM-specific command delay in the DIMM's command delay unit, the command delay balancing methodology according to the present disclosure “normalizes” or “synchronizes” the execution of the command signal across all DIMMs in the memory channel. With such ability to predict command execution timing, the memory controller can efficiently control power profile of all the DRAM devices (or memory modules) on a daisy-chained memory channel. A separate DIMM-specific response delay unit in the DIMM may also be programmed to provide DIMM-specific delay compensation in the response path, further allowing the memory controller to accurately ascertain the timing of receipt of a response thereat, and, hence, to better manage further processing of the response. |
| US07908448B1 |
Maintaining data consistency in mirrored cluster storage systems with write-back cache
Techniques for maintaining mirrored storage cluster data consistency on systems with write back cache can employ write-intent logging and periodic log clearing. The techniques can track any outstanding I/Os, data in caches, and data that has gone out of sync between mirrored nodes due to link failures. The techniques can ensure that a power failure on any of the storage nodes does not result in inconsistent data among the storage nodes. The techniques can use gate bitmaps to log outstanding I/Os. The gate bitmaps may be periodically cleared. The clearing period may be selected as to allow enough time for all caches to be flushed and for all synchronizing I/Os to complete. Efficient queuing of I/O requests in conjunction with the efficient operation of multiple gate bitmaps can reduce performance impacts of the gating or logging operations. |
| US07908447B2 |
Storage apparatus and volume restoration method
A storage apparatus conducts, in a protection period, data protection processing for protecting, in a third logical volume, data stored in a first logical volume by using backup data stored in a second logical volume, and suspends the data protection processing in a no-protection period, during which backup relative to the second logical volume is suspended, in the protection period. Then, upon receiving an external order for restoring the first logical volume to its state as of at a time not in the no-protection period within the protection period, the storage apparatus restores the first logical volume to its state as of at a time of the order by using the data backed up in the second logical volume and the data protected in the third logical volume. |
| US07908446B2 |
Copy system and method using differential bitmap
Proposed are a copy system and a copy method capable of performing initial copy in a short amount of time and with high reliability. On a primary side, the area in the first volume to which data was written from the host is managed, a second bitmap is created reflecting the contents of the first bitmap, and the second bitmap is sent to the secondary side on the primary side. On a secondary side, a third bitmap to which the second bitmap sent from the primary-side is merged is created, on the primary side, only the valid data containing data written by the host in the first volume is copies to the second volume based on the second bitmap, and, on the secondary-side, the differential between the first and second volumes during the initial copy is managed based on the third bitmap. |
| US07908444B2 |
Status holding circuit and status holding method
A status holding circuit includes status holding sections of M stages (M is an integer equal to or more than 2) connected in series. Each of the status holding sections includes: N latches (N is an integer equal to or more than 2) provided for N input signals to N input terminals, respectively; and a switch circuit configured to set a data to a jth latch of the N latches in an ith status holding section of the M-stage status holding sections when a status signal is supplied to a jth input terminal of the N input terminals at an ith timing. |
| US07908443B2 |
Memory controller and method for optimized read/modify/write performance
A memory controller optimizes execution of a read/modify/write command by breaking the RMW command into separate and unique read and write commands that do not need to be executed together, but just need to be executed in the proper sequence. The most preferred embodiments use a separate RMW queue in the controller in conjunction with the read queue and write queue. In other embodiments, the controller places the read and write portions of the RMW into the read and write queue, but where the write queue has a dependency indicator associated with the RMW write command in the write queue to insure the controller maintains the proper execution sequence. The embodiments allow the memory controller to translate RMW commands into read and write commands with the proper sequence of execution to preserve data coherency. |