| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US07992775B2 |
Automated banking machine apparatus controlled responsive to data bearing records
A system controlled by data bearing records includes an automated banking machine that operates to carry out transactions responsive to data read from user cards. Theautomated banking machine includes a deposit accepting device. The deposit accepting device is operative to receive a stack of sheets and to separate each sheet from the stack through operation of a picker. Each sheet is analyzed by analysis devices including at least one magnetic read head, an imager and/or a validation device. Analyzed sheets are stored in a first storage and retrieval device. Sheets determined not to have at least one property of a genuine sheet are returned to a user of the machine. Sheets determined to have at least one property of genuine sheets are stored in a second sheet storage and retrieval device of the machine. |
| US07992773B1 |
System and method for presenting information about an object on a portable electronic device
Systems and methods are provided for enabling a portable electronic device to retrieve information about an object when the object's symbology, e.g., a barcode, is detected. According to one embodiment a method is providing in which symbology associated with an object is detected and decoded to obtain a decode string. The decode string is sent to one or more visual detection applications for processing, wherein the one or more visual detection applications reside on the portable electronic device, and receiving a first amount of information about the object from the one or more visual detection applications. The method also includes sending the decode string to a remote server for processing and receiving a second amount of information about the object from the remote server. The first amount of information is combined with the second amount of information to obtain cumulative information which is displayed on the portable electronic device. |
| US07992771B2 |
Document-management device and document-management method
In a document-management device which supports a task of electronizing paper documents and registering electronic data of the documents to an existing system having a user interface provided to register electronic data, a request receiving unit receives a code assignment request from a user when a user interface screen corresponding to an electronic-data registration site of the existing system is displayed on a client. A code generating unit generates a site identifying code identifying the registration site of the existing system after the code assignment request is received. A screen generating unit generates a screen containing an image of the site identifying code, the screen provided for the user to print an automatic registration request page which is scanned simultaneously with scanning of the paper documents. |
| US07992756B2 |
Hand-held fastener driver
A hand-held fastener driver for fastening elements, having a driving tappet that is movably mounted in a tappet guide and that can be driven using at least one drive spring element is disclosed, having a tensioner for the drive spring element, and having a locking mechanism. In a locked position of the locking mechanism, the drive spring element can be locked in its tensioned position, whereby the tensioner has a tensioning element that is provided with a profile, and said tensioning element can be axially moved along a longitudinal axis of motion using a rotatable counter-element that is engaged with the profile and that can be driven by a motor. |
| US07992755B2 |
Staple feeding mechanism in stapler
A staple feeding mechanism includes the components of only a magazine with a pair of guides and spring receiver being integrated, a driving shaft having a double function and a staple feeding member (inclusive of the feeding nail and spring) movably arranged in the magazine. The feeding nail of the staple feeding member at the home position is lowered by the driving shaft and retracted from the staple cartridge. For this reason, the loading/unloading of the staple cartridge can be done without any hitch. The staple feeding mechanism only requires a necessary minimized number of components and so is simple in structure. Thus, the stapler can be provided at low cost. Particularly, the driving shaft necessary to cause the magazine to make a reciprocating motion is also used as a fulcrum member, thus requiring no new component. This further reduces the number of necessary components and also contributes to space saving. |
| US07992754B1 |
Marker system with marker and installation apparatus
A marker installation apparatus is disclosed for inserting a marker of the type having shaft with a bottom end for inserting into a ground surface and an engagement portion of the shaft separated from the bottom end by an insertion portion of the shaft. The apparatus includes a magazine assembly defining a magazine space configured to receive at least one marker. The magazine space has a push position in the magazine space for receiving the at least one marker. The apparatus further comprises a push assembly mounted on the magazine assembly. The push assembly is configured to engage the engagement portion of the shaft of the marker located in the push position and push the marker from the magazine assembly when the push assembly is actuated. |
| US07992752B2 |
Blanking tool and a method of assembling the blanking tool
A blanking tool includes a lower blanking frame and a receiver tool. The lower blanking frame includes running rails and cross rails. A first cross rail extends substantially perpendicular to the first running rail and coupled to first and second running rails. A second cross rail is disposed substantially parallel to the first cross rail and coupled to the first and second running rails. The receiver tool includes receiver rails mounting assemblies. A first receiver rail is alongside and coupled to the first running rail. A second receiver rail is alongside and coupled to the second running rail. The second receiver rail is coupled to the second mounting assembly that is further operably coupled to the first frame member, and is further disposed on the second frame member. The mounting assemblies slide along the slot relative to one another when the mounting assemblies have an unlocked operational position. |
| US07992747B2 |
Product dispenser assembly and cartridge for holding product
A product holding, displaying and dispensing assembly includes a dispenser housing having a feed channel and a dispensing location together with a pre-packed, shipping cartridge holding a plurality of product units. The cartridge is inserted and held within the dispenser housing as the product units move within the cartridge to the dispensing location where a consumer can access and remove one or more product units. Unlike more conventional dispensers, the assembly of the present invention is configured so that the pre-packed cartridge is loaded into and remains within the housing as the product units are dispensed and advance forward within the dispenser. After insertion, the cartridge is locked in place by an arrangement of the feed track when one or more cans remain in the cartridge, but can be removed easily when the cartridge is empty. A forward facing surface also provides an additional advertising medium. |
| US07992740B2 |
Object-supporting device engageable with a waste container
A waste receptacle cover is configured for placing above an open top waste container. The cover has a main body that received objects therein and a central opening for disposal of the waste into the waste container. A tubular guard surrounds the central opening and prevents the objects from dropping into the waste container, while allowing the user to dispose of the waste directly into the waste container. |
| US07992738B2 |
Pallet container
A pallet container is used to transfer loose cargoes including frame members. The frame member has a rail connected to two posts. Each post is mounted with a nesting. The pallet container has a base frame which is formed by beams; a pair of first side frames and a pair of second side frames respectively formed by the base frame and post members of the invention. Each post member comprising a first post, provided at a corner of the base frame; a second post, spaced from the first post and mounted to the base frame by a reinforced plate, in which a cavity is provided. The pallet container equipped with the post member can be stable to load the frame member by inserting the second post of the present invention into the post of the loaded frame member. |
| US07992737B2 |
Surprise container
Container for products, such as surprises or similar accessories, comprising two half-shells (2, 4), with a containing wall (2a, 2b; 4a, 4b) and with an open mouth (10, 12), able to be coupled together mouth-to-mouth so as to form a closed container (1), where the two half-shells (2, 4) are connected together by means of hinging means (20), with a hinging axis (a-a) such as to allow the movement of one of the, half-shells (2, 4) with respect to the other one between a closed position of the container (1) and an open position. The container (1), in its closed configuration, has a minimum overall dimension of between 20 mm and 55 mm and the containing wall (2a, 2b; 4a, 4b) of at least one of the half-shells (2, 4) has, in the vicinity of the hinging means (20), at least one line (44a/46a; 44b, 46b) with a weakened wall thickness, which extends over a section of said wall (2a, 2b; 4a, 4b) and which is capable of breakage following stresses applied to the body of the half-shell (2, 4) and/or to the hinging means (20) connecting the two half-shells (2, 4) and prone to cause breakage of said hinging means (20). |
| US07992733B2 |
Assist system configured for moving a mass
An assist system is configured for moving a mass vertically, along a Z axis. The assist system includes a vertical actuation system, a cable, a plurality of pulleys, an actuator, and a mass. The pulleys are operatively attached to the support structure and an assist device that is movable attached to the support structure. The cable is routed around each of the pulleys and attached to the support structure. One of the pulleys supports the mass. The mass moves vertically in response to the actuator. |
| US07992732B2 |
Truck rack and loading/unloading system
A multi-use truck bed apparatus, comprising a first rack assembly, a second rack assembly, a base assembly coupled to the truck, wherein the first rack assembly and second rack assembly are coupled to the base assembly, and a lifting mechanism, wherein the lifting mechanism comprises a winch coupled to the second rack assembly. |
| US07992730B2 |
Pillar insertion combination rack system
An improved construction pillar insertion combination rack made of metal wire material in a rectangular or polygonal form and in a single layer or multiple layers includes multiple side frames, multiple pillars, multiple clamping members, and a top; each limitation corner of the rack comprised of two rings concentrically arranged with the diameter of the upper ring smaller than that of the lower ring; each side frame including an upper and a lower support rods; a connection rod usually made in a waveform being disposed at where between and soldered to both of the upper and the lower support rods; each pillar containing multiple sections with a circumferential slot being defined by any two abutted sections; the pillar being secured with the clamping member at where it to be inserted into the limitation corner; and the top usually related to a mesh being placed on the frame of the rack; alternatively, an upper frame with multiple upper rings of the limitation corner and a lower frame with multiple lower rings of the limitation corner may be separately made in continuous form to be spot soldered at where both ends meet. |
| US07992721B2 |
Method and apparatus for confirming that a filter drier has been replaced
A filter in some embodiments of the invention includes: a housing defining an interior chamber substantially sealed from outside of the housing; a valve located in the chamber biased to a first position where the valve maintains a seal between the interior chamber and outside of the housing; and an anchor fixed to the housing defining a surface for a spring to urge against and bias the valve to the first position and be compressed against when a receiver enters into the housing a moves the valve to a second position, the anchor defining, at least in part, flow paths wherein a pressurized fluid within the housing can communicate with an interior of the receiver to equalize a pressure within the chamber and the interior of the receiver; and a nipple attached to the housing having an interior passageway configured to permit the receiver to pass through in a substantially sealed manner. A method of attaching a filter to a filter receiver is also provided. |
| US07992718B1 |
Method for enhancing selectivity and recovery in the fractional flotation of particles in a flotation column
The method relates to particle separation from a feed stream. The feed stream is injected directly into the froth zone of a vertical flotation column in the presence of a counter-current reflux stream. A froth breaker generates a reflux stream and a concentrate stream, and the reflux stream is injected into the froth zone to mix with the interstitial liquid between bubbles in the froth zone. Counter-current flow between the plurality of bubbles and the interstitial liquid facilitates the attachment of higher hydrophobicity particles to bubble surfaces as lower hydrophobicity particles detach. The height of the feed stream injection and the reflux ratio may be varied in order to optimize the concentrate or tailing stream recoveries desired based on existing operating conditions. |
| US07992715B2 |
Developing agent container package unit, packing receptacle for developing agent container, and packing method of developing agent container
A developing agent container package unit includes a packing case, a developing agent container received inside the packing case and storing developing agent, and a supporting member to support the developing agent container so that the developing agent container is inclined with respect to one side surface of the packing case. |
| US07992707B2 |
Storage unit
A storage unit is disclosed comprising a container disposed within a housing, the container having a cavity with an opening at the upper end for receiving an item. A cover comprises two or more rounded cover sections pivotally mounted between the container and the housing for movement between an open position and a closed position, the cover sections being biased toward the open position. Vertical downward movement of the container toward the bottom wall of the housing causes the cover sections to overcome the bias and rotate to the closed position. When rotating to the open position, the cover sections recede into a receiving space between the housing and container, thereby exposing the cavity, such that the outer form factor of the storage unit is no larger in the open position than in the closed position. |
| US07992704B2 |
Conveyor clean-out for material transport vehicles
An improved material transport vehicle having an integrated assembly for cleaning out conveyors, elevators, hoppers and the like, and method for clean-out utilizing the same. The cleanout assembly comprises one or more detachable panels strategically located about the material transport vehicle, and means for releasing the same, so as to permit convenient and safe access to the components for removing unused, old or dried material. The detachable panel or panels are integral with a surface of the housings, typically the lower surface thereof. |
| US07992698B1 |
System for preventing gear hopout in a tooth clutch in a vehicle transmission
A system is provided for preventing gear hopout in a tooth clutch in a vehicle transmission, the tooth clutch including an engaging sleeve having sleeve clutch teeth. The tangent function for at least one of driving back-taper angle and braking back-taper angle is larger than the average value of clutch coefficient of friction and spline coefficient of friction multiplied by the sum of unity and the ratio of clutch teeth pitch diameter and spline teeth pitch diameter. |
| US07992696B2 |
Construction machine, as well as clutch for switching the power flow
Construction machine, with working drum mounted at a machine frame, combustion engine for driving the working drum, drive train between the combustion engine and the working drum, and clutch in the drive train, where the clutch is arranged between a drive shaft and output shaft of the drive train, clutch elements on drive side capable of being engaged with clutch elements on output side, where clutch elements on the drive side or on output side are provided with several clutch part elements that are permanently engaged with one another via at least one mechanical coupling, it is provided that a braking device acting between the drive shaft and the output shaft is arranged at the clutch, said braking device being additionally engaged during engagement of the clutch in order to eliminate or reduce any rotary vibrations caused by play of mechanical coupling between clutch part elements. |
| US07992694B2 |
Seal for torque converter lockup clutch
A method and a sealing system for sealing the space between a piston and the hub of a torque converter lockup clutch is provided. According to the method and the sealing system, the seal is pretensioned with its cylindrical surface facing the piston bore. In an embodiment of the invention, the first seal is fastened by a second seal. The invention allows minimization of oil leakage flow and at the same time to linearize its dependency on the differential pressure. Spontaneous sealing may be reduced, thereby directly correlating the contact pressure of the piston—and thus the torque of the torque converter lockup clutch—with differential pressure and eventually allowing for smoother travel. |
| US07992686B2 |
Pallet counter for lift truck
A method for counting the pallets or loads moved by a lift truck using internal sensors is disclosed. The lift truck includes a weight sensor for weighing a load, a height sensor, for measuring a height of the forks, and a distance sensor for determining whether the vehicle has moved. When the data from each of these sensors exceeds a corresponding minimum value, a vehicle control system increments a pallet counter. A count of the number of pallets moved is therefore maintained without the need for tracking specific pallets of for adding expensive components and devices. |
| US07992683B2 |
Multipurpose sawhorse end frame
The multipurpose sawhorse end frame has a top section defining center and lateral slots for receiving 2″×4″ beams and central slots for 2″×12″ planks, a central section with center slots for receiving 2″×4″ beams and lateral support bars for supporting 2″×12″ planks, and a bottom section having feet for supporting the frame. A plurality of diagonal braces maintain rigidity of the end frame and provide the end frame with structural strength. Two or more end frames may be configured as a sawhorse, a scaffold, a workbench, a table, or other temporary construction accessory using scrap lumber and without fasteners. The multipurpose sawhorse end frame may be made from lightweight aluminum or other suitable material. |
| US07992680B2 |
Rigid rail fall protection apparatus having bypassable moveable anchorages
A fall protection apparatus includes a single longitudinally extending rigid rail onto which two laterally spaced apart moveable lanyard anchorages are mounted. The rail has a generally H-shaped cross-section with opposing vertically oriented first and second tracks laterally spaced apart by a connecting member extending between the tracks and substantially continuously along the length of the tracks The apparatus is attached to a structure by a support member, such as an overhead or lower support member, with the support member being attached to an upper or lower surface of the connecting member respectively. Each anchorage is adapted to be independently moveable along the length of one of the tracks, with the tracks being sufficiently spaced apart to permit the anchorages to freely pass by each other and the attachment point. |
| US07992672B2 |
Electric power steering system
An electric power steering system includes a steering wheel, a rack-and-pinion type steering gear box connected to the steering wheel, a steering torque sensor, a pinion shaft, and a steering actuator mounted on the pinion shaft to assist a steering operation conducted by a driver. An overload preventing control is conducted so that a sum of a current conversion value of a steering torque detected by the steering torque sensor and an assist current calculated based on the steering torque becomes equal to a limit value. When the steering gear box has reached a stroke end, the assist current is prevented from excessively increasing, thereby preventing a reduction in durability of the steering gear box or a motor of the steering actuator. |
| US07992670B2 |
Motor vehicle having a unit operated by a cryogenically stored fuel
A motor vehicle having a unit, particularly a drive assembly, which is operated by a fuel that is cryogenically stored in a vehicle tank, is provided, in which fuel is heated by a heat exchange with a warmer medium. The fuel taken from the vehicle tank comes in contact with the cold side of a thermoelectric generator, particularly in the form of a Seebeck element, in order to generate electric current for the electric power supply of the vehicle. The warm side of the thermoelectric generator is preferably acted upon by the warmer medium also used for the heat exchange with the cold fuel, in which case the thermoelectric generator may be integrated in a heat exchanger for the heat exchange between the fuel taken and the warmer medium. |
| US07992668B2 |
Low-angle spline coupling for power transmission units
A power transmission device for a four-wheel drive vehicle includes an input shaft adapted to be driven by a power source. A first output shaft is rotatable about a first axis and adapted to transmit torque to a first driveline. A second output shaft is adapted to transmit torque to a second driveline and is rotatable about a second axis. The first and second axes diverge from one another. A transfer unit includes a drive member driven by the first output shaft and a driven member driving the second output shaft. A spline coupling is positioned within a cavity formed in the driven member to drivingly interconnect the driven member and the second output shaft. The second output shaft is axially moveable relative to the driven member. |
| US07992664B2 |
Jalousie for a vehicle
The jalousie for the control of the air flow through the engine cooler of a vehicle has rotatable fins (2), which are supported on one side in an outer housing ring (47) provided for the connection with the engine cooler of the vehicle and on the other side in an inner supporting ring (4). The swivelling of the fins (2) occurs with an adjusting ring (45), whose engaging portions (46) work together with counter-engaging portions (10) provided at the fin ends. The adjusting ring (45) with its engaging portions (46) and the counter-engaging portions (10) of the fins (2) are enclosed together on all sides in a hollow space (49) circumferentially extending around along the adjusting ring (13, 45) for the protection against contaminants and consequently for its safe function, which is limited by two profile rings (47, 50) interlocking with each other all around. |
| US07992658B2 |
Pilot reamer with composite framework
A reamer for subterranean wellbores may include a composite framework, which may include one or more high strength stems, each having one or more reamer bodies coupled thereto. The body may include a plurality of plates coupled together and may include additional components formed integrally therewith or coupled thereto. A method of forming a reaming tool may include forming a high strength stem and a reamer body and coupling the body to the stem. A method of using the reaming tool may include coupling one or more bodies in a drill string and reaming a wellbore. |
| US07992656B2 |
Self healing filter-cake removal system for open hole completions
A method of treating a subterranean formation including providing a well bore that includes a filter cake on at least a portion of the well bore and contacting at least a portion of the filter cake with a filter cake degradation fluid comprising a relative permeability modifier. The method also includes allowing the relative permeability modifier to retain at least a portion of the filter cake degradation fluid in the well bore for a time sufficient to contact the filtercake and allowing the filter cake to degrade. |
| US07992655B2 |
Dual gradient drilling method and apparatus with multiple concentric drill tubes and blowout preventers
Controlling drilling mud density in drilling operations utilizing concentric drill tubes and at least two different density fluids. The mud required at the wellhead is combined with a base fluid of a different density to produce diluted mud in a riser. By combining the appropriate quantities of drilling mud with base fluid, greater control over the pressure in the wellbore and various risers can be achieved. Concentric drill tubes or risers are disclosed, wherein a first annulus defined within one riser is utilized to carry one fluid to the wellbore injection point, while a second annulus defined within another riser is utilized to carry a combination fluid and cuttings back to the drilling rig. In one embodiment with three concentric drill tubes, a third annulus is also define, wherein the various annuli can be utilized in various combinations to deliver at least two different fluids to the wellbore and return a combination fluid from the wellbore. Blowout preventers may also be used in combination with the process to control these pressures. |
| US07992654B2 |
Dual gradient drilling method and apparatus with an adjustable centrifuge
A system for controlling drilling mud density in drilling operations that combines a base fluid of lesser/greater density than the drilling fluid required at the drill bit to drill the borehole to produce a combination return mud in a riser. Concentric tubular members are disclosed, wherein one tubular member, such as the drill string, is utilized to inject the drilling fluid into the wellbore. Another tubular member carries the combination fluid to the surface for separation by a centrifuge system. By combining appropriate quantities of drilling mud with another fluid, the density of the combination fluid carrying drill cuttings to the surface can be regulated. During separation by the centrifuge, a weir plate having an adjustable height is utilized in the centrifuge to regulate the separation of the base fluid from the drilling fluid, producing a high density fluid and a low density fluid. The adjustable centrifuge permits the densities of the two fluids to be readily altered as desired for well drilling operations. |
| US07992648B2 |
Light ultra high pressure fire vehicle system
A firefighting apparatus on a small all-terrain utility vehicle has a U-shaped water tank closely spaced from the driver's cab. A reel for a high-pressure hose is mounted in the U of the water tank. A high-pressure engine driven pump is connected to the reel and a high-pressure hose through a water management system, which directs water from the water tank to the pump, and from the pump to the hose. The pump has a pressure valve which sets the engine idle when the high-pressure water nozzle is closed. A pressure unloader valve recirculates water from the pump outlet to the pump inlet when the nozzle is closed. A check valve is used between the water tank and a point where water recirculates to the pump. A prefilter is connected between the check valve and the water tank. |
| US07992647B2 |
Process and device for fire prevention and extinguishing
The instant invention relates to a fire extinguishing apparatus. Particularly to an apparatus that includes at least one container that includes a fire retardant gel. The gel is formed from dehydrated superabsorbent polymer and water. The pre filled containers include at least one control valve or frangible portion to release the fire retardant to extinguish the fire. |
| US07992642B2 |
Polished bore receptacle
An integral polished bore assembly for use in a wellbore. The assembly includes a barrel having a polished bore; at least one no-go member positioned within the barrel; an elongated locator member having a sealing head and an end, the end extending out of the barrel; and a radial port formed through the barrel. |
| US07992639B2 |
Methods for improved hydrocarbon and water compatibility
Improvement in the compatibility of hydrocarbon and water is achieved by surface active agents newly synthesized by mixed microbial populations. Methods for enhancing the microbial production of surface-active agents in hydrocarbon-exposed surface waters can be achieved by supplementing the mixed microbial population with one or more carbon sources, most notably propionate. Hydrocarbon-exposed surface waters having enhanced levels of surface-active agents can be used to improve hydrocarbon recovery from subterranean formations or for remediation of hydrocarbon-contaminated sites. |
| US07992638B2 |
Downhole disconnect mechanism
A release device includes a first sub, a second sub, and a connector separably connecting the first and the second sub, wherein the connector includes a shear member disposed with the first sub and a collar connected between the second sub and the shear member. |
| US07992634B2 |
Adjustable pipe guide for use with an elevator and/or a spider
One embodiment provides an adjustable guide 10a to steer the end 90 of a pipe string 88 into position to be engaged and supported by a pipe gripping apparatus such as, for example, an externally gripping elevator assembly 10. The adjustable guide 10a may comprise a plurality of angularly distributed guide inserts 30, each having a sloped surface 30A to engage a pipe end 90. Another embodiment provides an adjustable guide 60a to steer a pipe connection into position to pass through a spider 60. The guide inserts 30, 80 of an adjustable guide may be controllably positionable to together form a guide that is concentric with the bore of the tapered bowl of an elevator assembly or a spider. One embodiment comprises a guide insert retainer 11 having a plurality of channels 28, each slidably receiving a guide insert 30 and positionable by rotation of a threaded shaft 40. |
| US07992627B2 |
Microjet module assembly
Low-pressure drop thermal assemblies, systems and methods of making low-pressure drop thermal assemblies for use in high power flux situations. A manifold body is attached to a distributor to form a subassembly. This subassembly is in communication with a substrate surface, which has a semiconductor device in need of thermal management thereon. An enclosed cavity is formed between the target substrate surface and the subassembly, and a seal of the cavity protects critical components residing on the active surface of the semiconductor device. The distributor includes a distributed liquid impingement microjet inlet array isolated from and parallel with a distributed microjet drain array for impinging cooling fluid and removing spent heated fluid in a direction orthogonal to a target surface for maximizing the heat transfer rate, and thereby providing high cooling flux capabilities while enabling low-pressure drops. |
| US07992626B1 |
Combination spray and cold plate thermal management system
A combination spray and cold plate thermal management system for effectively thermally managing a heat producing device during startup. The combination spray and cold plate thermal management system includes a spray unit thermally managing a heat producing device and a coolant reservoir thermally connected to the heat producing device. The coolant reservoir includes a porous media with coolant channels for storing a volume of the waste coolant after spraying of coolant has terminated. The coolant reservoir is fluidly connected to the spray chamber within the spray unit to receive the waste coolant. |
| US07992624B2 |
Heat sink module
A heat sink module includes a heat transfer tube, a plurality of radiation fins respectively riveted to locating grooves around the periphery of the heat transfer tube, and a heat transfer panel fastened to the bottom side of the heat transfer tube and the radiation fin set and kept in contact with a heat source, such as a CPU or a light emitting unit of a LED lamp for transferring heat from the heat source to the radiation fins for quick dissipation. |
| US07992621B2 |
Side dam with insert
A side dam for use in a continuous twin roll caster system includes a body of refractory material having opposed outer surfaces with one outer surface adapted to contact molten metal and casting rolls in a continuous twin roll caster system and retain molten metal, and an opposite outer surface having fastening portions of refractory material adapted to attach the side dam to a side dam holder to hold the side dam in place during casting; an aperture in the outer surface of the body positioned adjacent a nip of the continuous twin roll caster system and adapted to receive a side dam insert; and a side dam insert of a second refractory material harder than the refractory material of the body having a first surface adapted to contact molten metal and form with the outer surface of the body the outer surface of the side dam. |
| US07992618B2 |
Coating-film transfer tool
A coating-film transfer tool is configured to positively absorb rotation of a head part caused when pressed and an effect of lean of the head part, and such a configuration contributes to favorable and uniform transfer. A member 4 is disposed at one end of a support column 2 supporting a head part 1 at the other end. A distance between the axial center of the support column 2 and its periphery varies depending on a position in the rotation direction. Sandwiching plates 3 resiliently sandwich the facing sides of the member 4 with the narrowest gap, when the head part 1 is not pressing a transfer target. When the head part 1 rotates around the axis of the support column 2 in a state pressing the transfer target, the member 4 rotates to forcibly and significantly widen the gap between the sandwiching plates and generate a restoring force. |
| US07992613B2 |
Method and arrangement for the production of composite work pieces comprising layers laminated to each other
A method and an arrangement for the production of composite work pieces of layers laminated to each other, with at least one layer representing a glass plate. First, at least one composite work piece is laminated in a lamination press under the effects of pressure and heat in order to at least activate the adhesive material used for lamination. Then the composite work piece is removed from the lamination press and transported into a curing station and/or cooling station for curing and/or cooling. A testing device for detecting broken glass in the composite work piece is arranged between the lamination press and the curing station or between the lamination press and the cooling station, which detects potentially present broken glass by testing the inherent stability of the composite work piece. |
| US07992612B2 |
Research press
A simulation press having a main body and an actuator attached thereto. The actuator is substantially aligned with the main body. A first plate is coupled to the main body and a second plate is coupled to the actuator. Both plates are adapted to engage a workpiece so as to simulate various modes of deformation of an area or areas on the workpiece when the second plate is moved relative to the first plate. The simulation press further includes a drive controller for controlling operation of the actuator. The drive controller additionally responds to feedback from at least one feedback sensor included with the simulation press. |
| US07992611B2 |
Pneumatic tire with a leno weave flipper or chipper
A pneumatic tire includes an axis of rotation, a carcass, a tread, and a belt structure. The carcass has at least one reinforced ply and a reinforcing structure providing a buffer for absorbing shear strain. The tread is disposed radially outward of the carcass. The belt structure is disposed radially between the carcass and the tread. The reinforcing structure comprises at least one layer of an open construction LENO weave fabric having warp yarns extending in the radial direction and weft yarns extending in the circumferential direction. |
| US07992610B2 |
Device for connecting a tire of an aircraft wheel to a pneumatic unit of the aircraft
A device for selectively connecting a tire to a pneumatic unit of an aircraft, the tire forming part of a wheel mounted to rotate on a hollow axle of the aircraft, the device comprising a stator and a rotor that is mounted to rotate relative to the stator and that includes means enabling it to be rotated by the wheel. The stator is bell-shaped and is designed to be received as a push-fit in the axle, and includes an end wall carrying a first pneumatic port for connection to the pneumatic unit via a tube running along the inside of the axle, the rotor extending substantially inside the stator. |
| US07992609B2 |
Pneumatic tire with tread including wavy sipes having branch portions
A sipe inner wall surface of a sipe is provided with a wavy first concave and convex row, a wavy second concave and convex row arranged in a sipe bottom side from the first concave and convex row so as to be spaced, and structured such that a wavelength is made shorter than the first concave and convex row so as to increase the number of waves, and a third concave and convex row extending toward the sipe bottom side in a branched manner while being inclined to a longitudinal direction side of the sipe with respect to a normal direction of a tread surface, and interposed between the first concave and convex row and the second concave and convex row so as to be connected to both elements. |
| US07992605B2 |
Multifunctional tire support device
A tire assembly inserted in a conventional pneumatic tire that allows the driven vehicle to be operated in a normal operating condition as well as in both a low tire pressure and a “run flat” condition. The tire embodies a multifunctional tire support device that permits the tire even when punctured to continue to support the vehicle and never allows the tire to go entirely flat. The support device when installed reinforces the tire tread and its side walls by applying internal pressure against them should they collapse when tire is punctured. The invention embodies a means for supporting the tire with the multifunctional device and provides an additional embodiment that uses the same device with a backup redundant inner tube to provide support to the punctured or ruptured tire and permits it to be operated in a run flat condition. The inner tube is located in the assembly at a distance away from the tread so that any puncture of the tread would not also puncture the inner tube. This provides safety and security for the vehicle operating with this assembly installed in a conventional tire and a standard tire wheel rim. |
| US07992604B1 |
Ripsaw stabilizing device
One aspect of the present invention includes a ripsaw stabilizing device that has a moveable carrier arm subassembly, a hold-down subassembly, a hold-down support engaged to the moveable carrier arm subassembly and a force applying subassembly engaged to the hold-down subassembly and the hold-down support that applies downward force such that downward force is applied to a piece of material being cut on both sides of the blade. Another aspect of the present invention includes a method for making a glue-line quality cut without further processing of the material being cut and without the use of a sacrificial material. Yet another aspect of the present invention includes a ripsaw including one or more ripsaw stabilizing devices of the present invention. |
| US07992602B1 |
Device, kit and method for adding salt to a water softener system
The present invention relates to devices, kits and methods to aid the home owner in the transport of salt to their cellar-based water softening system. The device of the present invention uses rectangular piping because of the greater ease of supporting the piping and greater stability during use. |
| US07992598B2 |
Fluid bin assembly with hoist
A method for filling a dispensing bag includes inserting a collapsed bag within the chamber of a bin, the chamber being bounded by a floor and an upstanding sidewall. A first port formed on the collapsed bag is securely fixed within a port hole formed on the floor of the bin. A hoist mounted on the bin is manipulated so that the hoist raises an upper end of the collapsed bag within the chamber while the first port remains fixed within the port hole so as to expand the collapsed bag within the chamber of the bin. |
| US07992596B2 |
Method and apparatus for weaving tape-like warp and weft and material thereof
A method of weaving including warp and weft being supplied in the form of tapes, and not yarns. The method preferably carried out in vertical format and includes feeding positively flat tensionless warp for shedding and taking-up; selecting, feeding positively and inserting weft tapes of different widths and thickness by gripping in its fore end in flat condition; depositing inserted weft at fabric-fell in a flat condition without beating-up; and taking-up the woven material that includes either the same or different widths of flat wefts. The warps and wefts, preferably of partially stabilized type of fibrous tapes, can be overfed in a tensionless, positive and controlled manner when required to make the fibres of constituent fibrous tapes occur non-linearly in the form of wave/texture during weaving. Extra warps and wefts can be also fed in tandem whereby the warps and wefts become composed of two or more unconnected, mutually slipping, flat tapes in a stacked arrangement. These doubled warps and wefts function effectively as a unit warp and weft during weaving and in the fabric. The method also allows for the production of other materials such as those with slant weft tapes in relation to warp, having a shape within the body of the fabric and warp and weft tapes of shaped edges. A variety of fibrous and non-fibrous materials are equally well processed. |
| US07992593B2 |
Electrically conductive confined space ventilator conduit formed of conductive polymer, electrical grounding circuit for ventilation systems using same, and methods of using and forming same
An electrically conductive confined space ventilation conduit formed of a substantially rigid non-metallic conductive material, such as plastic, and a related process for ventilating an enclosure accessed by a manhole or other port. In one embodiment, the conduit has a pair of outer cylindrical sections and a central section having a cross-sectional shape of a crescent or a segment of a circle where it passes through a port to provide a minimum of obstruction for men and equipment passing through the port. Intermediate sections of varying cross-section connect the central section to the cylindrical outer sections so that the outer sections are offset from the axis of the manhole. The central section is preferably configured to obstruct no more than about 10 percent of a standard manhole opening, while causing either no air flow rate reduction, or a reduction of no more than about 10 percent as compared to the flow rate through a cylindrical conduit similar to said outer sections. The conduit is preferably formed of a conductive or electrically dissipative polyethylene polymer material to allow static electricity to be conducted from the conduit to ground. In a preferred embodiment, a connecting device for connecting the conduit to electrical ground is connected to the conduit. A grounding circuit kit and method of grounding the conduit is also disclosed. |
| US07992590B2 |
Faucet spout with water isolating couplings
A faucet including a spout body formed of metal and having an inlet end, an outlet end and a chamber extending between inlet and outlet ends. A tube formed of a non-metallic material is enclosed within the chamber and has receiving and dispensing ends. Tube defines a passage extending between receiving and dispensing ends. Receiving end is in fluid communication with water source to communicate water through passage. An inlet coupling formed of a non-metallic material and having an inlet opening extending therethrough is molded about receiving end such that receiving end is sealingly received within inlet opening. An outlet coupling formed of a non-metallic material and having an outlet opening extending therethrough is molded about dispensing end such that dispensing end is sealingly received within outlet opening. Inlet and outlet couplings are sealingly coupled to inlet and outlet ends of spout body, respectively. |
| US07992589B2 |
Dual butterfly valve driven by a common drive motor
A valve including a body delimiting an inlet duct opening into a first and second outlet duct. The body includes a first butterfly valve element and a second butterfly valve element. The first butterfly valve element is mounted on a first transmission gearwheel connected to a drive motor and is movable into two closed positions on either side of an open position of the first duct. The first transmission gearwheel is connected to a second transmission gearwheel, on which the second butterfly valve element is connected by a one-way positive drive element. When the first butterfly valve element is moved from an open position to one of the two closed positions in the first duct, the second butterfly valve element is driven from a closed position to an open position of the second duct. The valve includes a member for returning the second butterfly valve element to the closed position. |
| US07992582B2 |
Umbrella and umbrella canopy
An umbrella having a central shaft, a spindle slidably disposed on the shaft, a first plurality of radially extending ribs hingedly attached to the shaft, a second plurality of radially extending ribs secured at first ends thereof to the spindle and secured at second ends thereof to respective ones of the first plurality of ribs and an umbrella canopy supported by the first plurality of ribs, the canopy secured to the first ends of the first plurality of ribs adjacent to the second end of the central shaft and secured to the second ends of the second plurality of ribs at an outer perimeter of the canopy, wherein the canopy includes one or more single-canopy umbrella panels, and one or more double-canopy umbrella panels and wherein the double-canopy umbrella panels includes an upper canopy and a lower canopy, and wherein only the lower canopy is secured directly to the ribs. |
| US07992581B2 |
Canopy device
The present invention relates to a canopy device, in particular an umbrella or parasol, comprising: a rod; a canopy of flexible material connected to the rod close to an end thereof; operating means displaceable along the rod for closing or opening the canopy; and means for tensioning the canopy, which canopy tensioning means comprise a set of first tensioning members and a set of second tensioning members, wherein the first tensioning members are each pivotally connected with one first outer end to the rod and extend therefrom along the canopy to a position close to the periphery thereof, and wherein the second tensioning members are each pivotally connected with a first outer end to the operating means and are connected with a second outer end to a corresponding first tensioning member, wherein the connection between the first and second tensioning members is arranged closer to the periphery of the canopy than to the rod, and is preferably situated substantially close to the periphery of the canopy. |
| US07992580B1 |
Combination parts washer and sink washer
A combination parts washer for cleaning mechanical parts of oil, grease and contaminants. The washer has a cabinet which has two reservoirs. A parts receptacle in the one of the reservoirs receives the parts which are cleaned by ultrasonic waves. An operable sink for manual cleaning is positioned on the top of the cabinet and opens to access the cabinet and reservoir. Fluid from the sink drains to the first reservoir. In the closed position, the sink covers the top of the cabinet and may be used as a sink washer using the attached brush supplied by fluid from the first reservoir. Initial pre-cleaning may be performed in the sink using the brush. Subsequent precision cleaning may be accomplished by immersion and ultrasonic cleaning in the second reservoir. |
| US07992568B2 |
Integrated operating room sheet system and method for using the same
Disposable operating room surgical draping systems are disclosed. Methods of using disposable operating room surgical draping systems are also disclosed. |
| US07992567B2 |
System and method for percutaneous glossoplasty
Methods and devices are disclosed for manipulating the tongue. An implant is positioned within at least a portion of the tongue and may be secured to other surrounding structures such as the mandible and/or hyoid bone. In general, the implant is manipulated to displace at least a portion of the posterior tongue in an anterior or lateral direction, or to alter the tissue tension or compliance of the tongue. Methods and devices are also disclosed for manipulating other soft tissue structures, including the soft palate and pharyngeal airway. |
| US07992564B2 |
Respiratory devices
Described here are devices for altering the flow of air in a respiratory cavity such as the mouth and nostrils of the nose. These methods and devices may be useful for affecting a physiologic benefit in patients suffering from a variety of medical diseases, particularly those that may benefit from “pursed-lip” breathing and non-invasive ventilation, such as COPD, heart failure, sleep apnea, and other medical disorders. The devices are typically removable devices that may be placed over or in a respiratory cavity to increase resistance to airflow within the respiratory cavity. Resistance to expiration may be selectively increased relative to inspiration. Removable oral and removable nasal devices are described. Oral and nasal devices that filter inhaled airflow of debris and allergens are also provided. A nasal device that increases patency of the nares is also provided. |
| US07992563B2 |
Methods and devices for improving breathing in patients with pulmonary disease
Methods, apparatus, and kits for enhancing breathing in patients suffering from chronic pulmonary obstructive disease are described. The methods and apparatus rely on increasing flow resistance to expiration in a manner which mimics “pursed lip” breathing which has been found to benefit patients suffering from this disease. In a first example, a device is implanted in a trachea or bronchial passage to increase flow resistance, preferably selectively increase resistance to expiration relative to inspiration. In a second embodiment, a mouthpiece is provided, again to increase resistance to expiration, preferably with a lesser increase in flow resistance to inspiration. In a third embodiment, the patient's trachea or bronchial passage is modified by the application of energy in order to partially close the lumen therethrough. |
| US07992562B2 |
Laryngeal mask airway installation kit, laryngeal mask airway with a stylet, and stylet
A laryngeal mask airway installation kit includes a laryngeal mask airway having a gastric access tube and includes a stylet capable of being inserted into the gastric access tube from the inlet end. When bent, the stylet changes the original shape of the laryngeal mask airway, thus facilitating the installation of the laryngeal mask airway. |
| US07992549B2 |
Method of fueling an internal combustion engine using pressurized and heated fuel
A method of operating an internal combustion engine comprises the steps of (a) pressurizing a liquid fuel to a pressure above 150 psig; (b) heating the liquid fuel to a temperature above 500° F. to produce a heated liquid fuel; (c) suddenly reducing the pressure of the heated liquid fuel sufficiently to vaporize the heated liquid fuel to form a vaporized hot fuel; (d) combining the vaporized hot fuel with oxygen to form a vaporized hot fuel/oxygen mixture; (e) introducing the vaporized hot fuel/oxygen mixture into the internal combustion engine; and (f) combusting the vaporized hot fuel/oxygen mixture within the internal combustion engine. |
| US07992545B2 |
Piezoelectric fuel injector having a temperature compensating unit
The present invention provides a fuel injector, comprising a housing having a sealable injector seat; a fuel injector pin disposed within the housing proximate) the injector seat such that the injector seat may be sealed and unsealed by displacing the fuel injector pin; a resilient element biasing the fuel injector pin in an unsealed direction; a piezoelectric actuator disposed within the housing proximal to the fuel injector pin configured to actuate to force the injector pin towards the injector seat to seal the injector seat; and a thermal compensating unit disposed within the housing proximal to the actuator and configured to compensate for thermal expansion or contraction of a component of the fuel injector. |
| US07992541B2 |
System and method for controlling auto-ignition
A method controlling combustion modes of an engine with at least a first and second cylinder, the engine having a first actuator configured to control at least intake valves of the first and second cylinder and a second actuator configured to control at least exhaust valves of the first and second cylinders, the method comprising of sending a first signal to the first actuator which adjusts operation of at least intake valves of the first and second cylinder and a second signal to the second actuator which adjusts operation of at least exhaust valves of the first and second cylinder, said first and second signals sent at different crank angles, and transitioning combustion modes of said first and second cylinders, said combustion modes including spark ignition and homogeneous compression ignition. |
| US07992540B2 |
Decompression braking device in endothermic engines
A decompression braking device in an endothermic engine (1) is provided of the type comprising a lever axle (2) on which a plurality of eccentric bushings (31) of a corresponding plurality of levers (3) provided with tappets (4) are rotationally and eccentrically mounted for actuating a plurality of exhaust valves (5), and a camshaft (30) for actuating the plurality of levers (3), the device is characterized in that it comprises an actuating member (6, 61) mounted externally to the lever axle (2) and connected to the latter by linkages (8, 9, 10), such that a respective rotation of the bushings (31) by a predetermined angular value (α), with consequent displacement of the hinging axis of the levers (3), corresponds to each excursion of the actuating member (6, 61). |
| US07992536B2 |
Direct fuel injection diesel engine
In a direct fuel injection diesel engine equipped with a pentroof-shaped piston, when fuel is injected into a cavity (25) recessed in a central part of a piston (13), for which the height of a top face changes in the circumferential direction, from a fuel injection point (Oinj) of a fuel injector disposed on a piston central axis along a plurality of fuel injection axes (Li1,Li2), if a cross-section of the cavity (25) passing along the fuel injection axis (Li1,Li2) is defined as a fuel injection cross-section (Sn), a cross-sectional shape (see shaded portion) of the cavity (25) defined by first to third specific points (An, Bn, Cn) on the fuel injection cross-section (Sn) is set so as to be substantially equal for each fuel injection cross-section (Sn). By so doing, the conditions in which fuel and air are mixed in each fuel injection cross-section (Sn) can be made uniform, the engine output can be improved, and harmful exhaust substances can be reduced. |
| US07992534B2 |
Engine balancer system
An engine balancer system is provided in which a balancer housing (17) disposed so as to face an oil pan beneath a crankshaft is formed by joining an upper housing (29) and a lower housing (30) via mating faces (P), and the height of the mating faces (P) is lower on a vehicle front side than on a vehicle rear side. Oil discharge holes (45a, 46) for discharging oil that is within the balancer housing (17) are formed in the mating faces (P) on the higher side of the balancer housing (17) and in the upper housing (29) above the mating faces (P) on the lower side of the balancer housing (17). This enables the position of the oil discharge hole (45a) on the lower side to be as high as possible, thereby suppressing penetration of oil into the interior of the balancer housing (17) through the oil discharge hole (45a). |
| US07992531B2 |
Phase varying apparatus for engine
Heat generation is not caused by friction in a phase varying apparatus for use with a vehicle engine.A phase varying apparatus for use with a vehicle engine varies the opening/closing timing of an intake valve or an exhaust valve. The phase varying apparatus includes a rotary drum (44A) screwed to an intermediate member (30); an electromagnetic clutch (42) including a plurality of magnets (80) that are fixedly arranged at predetermined intervals along the circumferential direction of the rotary drum and that are magnetized alternately in opposite directions and a coil wound around an iron core (60); and ferromagnetic-material-made magnetic flux induction members (82, 84) having a plurality of claws (82B, 84B) close to magnetic poles of a magnet, having a slight gap between the iron core and the magnetic flux induction member, and forming a magnetic path (85) made up of the iron core and the magnets. The magnetic flux induction member is fixed to an outer cylinder part (10) or to an inner cylinder part (20). The rotary drum is accelerated and decelerated by a magnetic force exerted on the magnet by the claws while controlling an electric current to be supplied to the coil, and the inner cylinder part (20) and the outer cylinder part connected to the intermediate member in a spline manner are rotated relative to each other. |
| US07992524B2 |
Cat can't jump—device for training small animals
An animal training device and restraint (10) is comprised of a lead (14) having a length greater than the height of the cat and less than the length of the cat and a device (12) for attaching to the cat's collar or harness on one end and a weight (13), light enough to lift into the air and swing freely when the cat jumps, attached to the other end to provide the animal with some free roaming ability while preventing them from jumping onto furniture or over fences or after birds. |
| US07992521B2 |
Method and device for automatically detecting mating of animals
The inventive device for automatically detecting the mating of animals is wearable by an animal. The device includes a fixing to an animal mechanism, a detector for an attempt of mating a female animal by the animal with the fixing mechanism, and an identifier for an electronic label which is introduced in the body of the female animal and actuated by the detector and/or by the female animal identification device by processing the image of at least one part of the female animal triggered by the detector. The identifier includes a communicator with an electronic label carried by a female animal. The communicator can read the electronic label identifier of each female animal which the animal attempts to mate. The communication can also be provided with a device for storing representative information on the attempted mating in the random access memory of the electronic label. |
| US07992520B2 |
Squirrel-proof bird feeder and feed level control device
A squirrel-proof bird feeder and feed level control device is described. The bird feeder includes a vertically disposed inner housing member which is positioned within a vertically disposed outer housing member with each of the housing members including a plurality of vertically spaced-apart housing segments. The spacing of the housing segments divide feed openings therebetween. A combination feed level control and feed port device is positioned between each of the housing segments of the inner housing member so that feed ports are provided therebetween. The outer housing member has a plurality of feed openings formed therein which register with the feed ports of the combination devices when the outer housing member is in its first position. If a squirrel should move onto the outer housing member, the outer housing member moves downwardly with respect to the inner housing member so that the feed openings in the outer housing member do not register with the feed ports of the combination devices. A spring interconnects the inner and outer housing members to yieldably maintain the outer housing member in its first position. The combination feed level control and feed ports not only function as a feed level control mechanism but also provide feed ports at the lower end thereof. |
| US07992517B2 |
Gantry tower spraying system with cartridge/receptacle assembly
A gantry tower spraying system with a cartridge/receptacle assembly includes a gantry and a spray assembly coupled to the gantry to allow for translational movement of the spray assembly along the gantry. The spray assembly includes a receptacle for receiving a cartridge containing a cosmetic liquid for skin treatment, and a spray nozzle coupled to the receptacle for receiving the cosmetic liquid and dispensing the cosmetic liquid in a spray. The receptacle has an inner surface of a size and shape to generally conform to a size and shape of a portion of an outer surface of the cartridge. The spraying system can further be provided with an oscillation mechanism adapted to cause oscillation of the spray nozzle. The bottle can be provided with a keying mechanism for engaging a corresponding key structure of the receptacle. |
| US07992514B1 |
Imparted charge in situ pipelining device
The invention pertains to a lining device that can be pulled through a pipe having an approximate diameter between 1 and 36 inches. The device sprays an electrically charged lining mixture 360° onto the inside pipe surface. The lining mixture is electro-statically charged to facilitate full encapsulation and adhesion to all pipe wall surfaces in a circumferentially uniform thickness. The lining device can be contained in a multipart housing having flexible rod-like components that hold the device in the center of the longitudinal axis of the pipe. The lining mixture is conveyed to the device through heated non expanding hose. The non expanding properties facilitate the delivery of the lining under pressure to the device. The device also incorporates a dwell cone having a knurled edge that atomizes the lining mixture as it is centrifugally thrown onto the pipe wall. The device may further incorporate nitrogen in mixing the lining material. |
| US07992509B1 |
Shellfish habitats
Methods of producing precast concrete structures, installing them to form larger structures along shorelines or underwater and the structures produced thereby are disclosed. Certain preferred embodiments can be employed as underwater shellfish habitats for raising oysters, mussels and the like. |
| US07992499B2 |
Device for neutralizing and destroying buildings for storing noxious substances
The invention relates to the field of penetrative projectiles capable of penetrating buildings whose structures are reinforced such as anti-aircraft shelters for example. The invention consists in a projectile comprising a solid penetrative body designed to perforate a wall of the building, the roof for example. Inside the projectile according to the invention are housed sub-munitions enclosing the charge in the form of bomblets, a device for plugging the hole formed in the wall by the passage of the projectile, and a sequencing and command device. When the wall is penetrated, the rear portion of the penetrative body is separated from the rest of the penetrative body and the plugging device is deployed so as to block the hole that has been passed through. After penetration, the front portion of the penetrative body continues its route toward the ground while the sub-munitions enclosing the bomblets remain suspended in the air under the wall. |
| US07992498B2 |
Reduced collateral damage bomb (RCDB) and system and method of making same
A reduced collateral damage bomb (RCDB) bomb casing is described and disclosed along with the system and method for making it. The RCDB bomb casing may be formed from conventional or penetrating warhead bomb casings. The RCDB bomb casing has a filler material/materials disposed on the interior walls that will assist in controlling the collateral damage caused by the finished bomb but not prevent the appropriate destructive power being delivered to a selected target. |
| US07992497B1 |
Tactical weapons system and method of use
An inert tactical weapons system and method of use thereof, said system being a non-lethal application system designed to deal with terrorists and hostage situations. It consists of pumping an inert gas into a structure in which hostages are being held, the inert gas displacing the oxygen in the air within the structure and rendering all those within unconscious. Prompt venting after the initial incapacitation renders all those affected conscience within a few minutes and does no permanent harm. |
| US07992496B2 |
Decoys for infra-red radiation seeking missiles and methods of producing and using the same
The present invention relates to decoys for heat-seeking missiles and methods of producing and using the same. The decoys are designed to be kinematic or pseudo-kinematic, producing one or more infra-red radiation emitting clouds that give the appearance of a moving infra-red target in the airspace in which the decoy has been released. |
| US07992494B2 |
Detonator ignition protection circuit
An ignition circuit for a detonator is disclosed. The circuit includes; an igniter having a first terminal and an opposing second terminal, a first diode electrically connected in series with the igniter at the first terminal, and a second diode electrically connected in series with the igniter at the second terminal. The first and second diodes each have an anode terminal and a cathode terminal, wherein like terminals of the first and second diodes are electrically connected to the igniter, thereby defining proximal terminals proximate the igniter and distal terminals on an opposing side of each respective diode. An energy source and a switch are electrically connected in series with each other, and are electrically connected across the distal terminals. Current flow through the igniter sufficient to ignite the igniter is prevented until an ignition voltage is applied to the distal terminals that is equal to or greater than the reverse breakdown voltage of the first diode or the second diode. |
| US07992493B2 |
Dampening water control method and printing apparatus
Line patches m and solid patches s are printed with a subject image, each line patches having at least 200 lines per inch and a duty ratio of at least 60%, to detect densities Dm and Ds. A water coefficient W (=Dm/Ds) is calculated from the detected densities Dm and Ds. Whether dampening water is fed at a proper rate or not is determined based on correlation data stored beforehand and showing a relationship between the feed rate of dampening water and the water coefficient W. The feed rate of dampening water is controlled to be a proper rate. |
| US07992490B2 |
Automatic by-pass control system for meat injection machine and method of using same
A by-pass control system for a meat injection system has a variable speed pump that transports fluid to a meat injection machine. Excess fluid is transported to a by-pass control valve. The valve has a moveable piston disposed therein that separates the valve into a fluid chamber and an air chamber. The piston moves back and forth based on the relationship between fluid pressure and air pressure. Sensors are disposed within or through the lid or the valve to sense the position of the piston. A controller is connected to the sensors and the variable speed pump and adjusts the speed of the pump based on the position of the piston. |
| US07992487B1 |
One-step canning kettle and associated method
The invention as presently conceived discloses a cooking kettle apparatus having special features to make food canning a single step process. The apparatus comprises a large diameter pour spout on the upper portion of the kettle that allows even the thickest food to flow through, and a series of interchangeable spout attachments. One spout attachment is a strainer to hold back solids as the cooked product is poured into containers. Another attachment is a straight pour spout with an air induction vent to improve the flow or liquids. The kettle has three handles about the upper portion to allow easy pouring by one person, or for two people when there is a particularly heavy batch of cooked food. The method of use provides a means by which a person can cook jams, jellies, and similar foods in the most efficient manner and with less specialized cooking items. |
| US07992484B2 |
Rotary hydraulic machine and controls
A variable capacity hydraulic machine has a rotating group located within a casing and a control housing secured to the casing to extend across and seal an opening in the casing. The control housing accommodates a control circuit and a pair of sensors to sense change in parameters associated with the rotating group. One of the sensors is positioned adjacent the barrel on the rotating group to sense rotational speed and the other senses displacement of the swashplate. The control housing accommodates a control valve and accumulator to supply fluid to the control valve. |
| US07992483B2 |
Firing frequency controller
A firing frequency controller which includes a cylinder body, a piston assembly, and a unidirectional seal is provided. The cylinder body includes a first orifice, a second orifice and a third orifice, wherein the gas flux through the first orifice and the third orifice are inequality. The piston assembly disposed inside said cylinder body is repeatedly moved. The unidirectional seal is disposed at outside of the piston and adjacent to the inner wall of the cylinder body. The unidirectional seal is contacted with the cylinder body and is kept airtight while moved at one direction. The unidirectional seal is not contacted with the cylinder body and kept non-airtight while moved at another direction. Because of pressure difference, the velocity of piston assembly can be adjusted and then the firing frequency of toy gun can be controlled. |
| US07992480B2 |
Angle indicating device for table saw
A table saw includes a curved channel formed in a supporting base, a cradle attached to the supporting base, an arbor bracket attached to the cradle for supporting a saw blade and a motor, a height shaft attached to the cradle and extended through the curved channel of the base for engaging with the arbor bracket, a tilt shaft attached to the base and engaged with the cradle for adjusting the saw blade relative to the base to selected angular positions, a follower slidably engaged in the curved channel of the base, and a signal generating device attached to the follower for detecting a bevel angle of the arbor bracket and the cradle and the saw blade relative to the base and for precisely showing the angle with digits. |
| US07992477B2 |
Medicine feeding device
A medicine feeding device including a support portion (32) for supporting a seal surface side of a press through pack (5), a press section (33) for pressing the housing recess portions (9) from one side other than the seal surface of the press through pack (5), and a cutter (38) for making a cut slit in the sheet (11) at a boundary portion between the housing recess portions (9) and the seal surface (8) at least before the sheet (11) is broken or the medicine (6) is damaged by the pressure exerted by the press section (33). |
| US07992476B2 |
Food chopper
A food chopping or slicing device preferably includes three primary components, including a lid, a blade tray, and a food reservoir. A trimming blade secures to an edge of the device to cut overlength food items. In some embodiments, a reservoir bottom is removable and the device includes orthogonal volumetric markings. |
| US07992475B2 |
Plate workpiece processing
A plate workpiece processing method includes utilizing one or more cutting devices of a machine tool to perform first and second cutting operations on a plate workpiece. During the first cutting operation, the workpiece is moved relative to cutting device(s) used for the first cutting operation, at least two cut-outs are partially formed in the workpiece with only a common residual connection left that jointly connects the partially formed cut-outs to a remaining portion of the workpiece and that is shortened along one or more cutting lines of the second cutting operation to a size that is larger than a working area of the cutting device(s) used for the second cutting operation. During the second cutting operation, the workpiece is maintained stationary supported by the machine tool, the shortened common residual connection is severed along the cutting line(s) to completely separate the cut-outs from the remaining portion of the workpiece. |
| US07992472B2 |
Torque limiting and ratcheting driver and assembly
A torque-limiting and ratcheting driver. The drive comprises a handle having an enclosed end and an open end, which houses a drive assembly. The drive assembly comprises a drive shaft, a drive clutch member and a camming clutch member supported by the drive shaft. The camming clutch member is coupled to the drive shaft, and the first drive clutch member and second camming clutch member are biased towards one another. The drive assembly has a locking screw supported by the drive shaft, with the locking means located at the enclosed end of the handle. The drive assembly is secured with the housing. The driver also comprises a ratcheting assembly connected to the handle, independently assembled of the drive assembly. |
| US07992471B2 |
Positioning apparatus for hand tool
A positioning apparatus for hand tool includes a shank, a driving head, a switch, and a positioning device. The shank has a connecting end having a receiving space and a slot communicated with the receiving space. The driving head has multiple positioning holes. The switch includes a screw. The positioning device is received in the receiving space. The positioning device includes a spring, a pusher, and a base. The base is received in the receiving space. The base has a recess for receiving the spring and the pusher and a slot communicated with the recess. The spring has one end abutting against a bottom of the recess and the other end abutting against the pusher. The screw passes the switch and fastens with the pusher via the slot in the shank and the slot in the base. The pusher selectively engages with one of the multiple positioning holes. |
| US07992470B2 |
Adjustable gripping tool
A self-energizing and de-energizing adjustable gripping tool for engaging a work piece to impart work thereto includes a first element and second element connected for relative movement. The second element includes an actuation portion having a plurality of slots. The first element includes gripping elements which are each associated with a force transfer element which engages one of the slots such that movement of the second element relative to the first element actuates the gripping elements to engage the work piece. |
| US07992468B2 |
Internally fitting tool for spinning a hollow element
A spinner tool has a shaft that is receivable in a rotation-imparting device, such as a hand-held drill. The shaft carries mounts in which the shaft rotates. Gripper elements are mounted between the mounts for radial movement relative to the shaft. The shaft is configured to move the gripper elements away from the shaft away from the shaft upon rotation of the shaft. This movement of the gripper elements causes the gripper elements to engage the interior surface of a hollow-cylindrical element in which the tool is inserted, so that the hollow-cylindrical element rotates together with the shaft. |
| US07992467B2 |
Shingle removing apparatus
The present invention discloses a shingle removing apparatus which includes a handle, a stripper member, a drive assembly and a drive linkage assembly with lost motion mechanism. The stripper member is adapted for inserting under a shingle has a first end portion and a second end portion. The drive assembly drives at least a portion of the stripper member and the drive linkage assembly causes at least portion of the stripper member to reciprocally move up and down to thereby remove the shingle. The drive linkage assembly provides a lost motion mechanism which allows the stripper member to intermittently not be driven. |
| US07992465B2 |
Drive unit for actuators in a motor vehicle
A drive unit (10) actuates drives in a motor vehicle with a first housing part (12), in particular a pole pot (12), and a second housing part (14), in particular a gear housing or electronic housing (14, 15), which can be connected with connecting elements (40), wherein the first housing part (12) features receptacles (38) for the connecting elements (40), wherein the receptacles (38) are embodied as centering holes (36) for corresponding centering pins (48), which are arranged on the second housing part (14). |
| US07992463B2 |
Shifter for automatic transmission
A shifter for an automatic transmission has a gate plate with a main gate and a sub-gate. A shift lever has a spherical portion and is movable along the main gate and the sub-gate. A switching member enables switching the automatic transmission to a manual operation. The switching member includes a body held in a swingable manner, and a lever holding section integrally formed with the body to rotatably hold the spherical portion. The body is adapted, to be uncoupled from the shift lever so as to place the automatic transmission in a manual mode when the shift lever is swung from the main gate into the sub-gate about the spherical portion and to be coupled to the shift lever so as to return the automatic transmission to an automatic mode when the shift lever is returned from the sub-gate to the main gate. |
| US07992462B2 |
Resin double-helical gear
In a resin double-helical gear formed by injection-molding, smooth meshing of teeth can be performed for rotation of the resin double-helical gear in both directions, and occurrences of thrust-direction load and noise can be prevented.Peak-side tooth flanks 7c and 7d and valley-side tooth flanks 7e and 7f of a tooth 7 in a resin double-helical gear 1 are formed such as to become farther away from peak-side tooth flanks 9c and 9d and valley-side tooth flanks 9e and 9f of a standard tooth 9 in an inward direction, the closer the peak-side tooth flanks 7c and 7d and the valley-side tooth flanks 7e and 7f are to a tooth width direction center section 3 from one tooth width direction end section 4a and another tooth width direction end section 4b. As a result, meshing escape sections g (g1 and g2) and h (h1 and h2) having dimensions in a tooth thickness direction that increase towards the tooth width direction center section 3 are formed on the peak-side tooth flank side and the valley-side tooth flank side. |
| US07992461B2 |
Circulating device for motion guide apparatus
A motion guide device includes a ball nut attached onto a shaft and having helical grooves for receiving ball bearing elements, a tubular member is engaged with the ball nut and includes a ball circulating pathway communicative with the helical groove of the ball nut, and includes an intermediate segment, two curved segments, and two end coupling segments each having a ball guiding channel which includes a wider inner section for guiding and circulating the flexible coupling member of a ball coupler to smoothly move through the ball guiding channel of each end coupling segment and for preventing the flexible coupling member from being twisted. The tubular member is preferably formed by two half members. |
| US07992453B1 |
Erosion-resistant insert for flow measurement devices
An erosion-resistant insert is provided for a flow measurement device having a fluid displacement member. The insert includes a flange and a sleeve extending axially from the flange. The sleeve may be inserted into a recess machined into a fluid conduit of the fluid measurement device to protect the inner wall of the conduit. The insert maintains the inner diameter of the conduit and the beta ratio of the flow measurement device. |
| US07992449B1 |
Method for assessment of cable strength and residual life
A method for determining the condition assessment and residual life span of bridge cables based on a parametric statistical model. The method includes random sampling of individual cable wires, mechanically testing the sampled wires, determining the probability of broken and cracked wires and the ultimate strength of cracked wires using fracture toughness and imputing the above data to simulate stress-strain curves for each wire in the cable, applying strain increments until reaching ultimate elongation. Assessing remaining service life of the cable by determining the rate of change of broken wires detected over a time frame, measuring the rate of change of fracture toughness over said time frame, and applying the rates of change to a time-dependent degradation prediction model. |
| US07992448B2 |
Mechanical-quantity measuring device
A mechanical-quantity measuring device capable of measuring a strain component in a specific direction with high precision is provided.At least two or more pairs of bridge circuits are formed inside a semiconductor monocrystal substrate and a semiconductor chip, and one of these bridge circuits forms a n-type diffusion resistor in which a direction of a current flow and measuring variation of a resistor value are in parallel with a <100> direction of the semiconductor monocrystal silicon substrate, and an another bridge circuit is composed of combination of p-type diffusion resistors in parallel with a <110> direction. |
| US07992444B2 |
Pressure detection device and pressure detection method
The pressure detection device includes a buffer member deformable by a pressure change, including one or more magnets, and a sensor assembly including one or more magnetic sensors to detect a variation of a magnetic field accompanied by deformation of the buffer member. |
| US07992441B2 |
Pressure sensor for measuring pressure in a medium
A pressure sensor module is disclosed. The pressure sensor module comprises a sensing element (1) mounted on a front side (3) of a support member (5). The support member (5) comprises a hole (7) through the support member (5) from the front side (3) to a back side (9). The sensing element (1) covers the hole (7) at the front side (3). A back side barrier (6) provided at the back side (9) of the support member (5) surrounds a surface of the back side (9) of the support member (5) and forms an enclosed area (8), wherein the enclosed area (8) and the hole (7) form a pressure channel (10). A back side protective member (2) fills the hole (7) and at least partially the enclosed area (8). The support member (5), back side barrier (6) and back side protective member (2) form a module that can be placed during production of the pressure sensor in a housing of the pressure sensor. |
| US07992438B2 |
Multiaxial gyroscope
The present invention relates to a multiaxial gyroscope, which comprises a vibration-sensing device, a plurality of elastic connecting parts, a first substrate, and a plurality of electrodes. The first ends of the elastic connecting parts are adapted on the periphery of the vibration-sensing device. The sidewall of the first substrate connects with the second ends of the elastic connecting parts. The plurality of electrodes is located on the periphery of the vibration-sensing device and is opposite to the plurality of elastic connecting parts. The vibration-sensing device comprises a ring and a plurality of vibration blocks. By means of the vibration blocks, the sensing area as well as the driving amplitude of the gyroscope can be increased effectively. Thereby, the intensity of the sensed signals of the gyroscope can be enhanced. |
| US07992437B2 |
Liquid level detector
A liquid level detector for conductive liquids for vertical installation in a tank, the detector having a probe positioned within a sheath and insulated therefrom by a seal so that the tip of the probe extends proximate to but not below the lower end of the sheath, the lower end terminating in a rim that is provided with notches, said lower end being tapered, the taper and notches preventing debris collection and bubble formation, said lower end when contacting liquid as it rises will form an airtight cavity defined by the liquid, the interior sheath wall, and the seal, the compression of air in the cavity preventing liquid from further entry into the sheath and contact with the seal. As a result, the liquid cannot deposit a film to form an electrical bridge across the seal. |
| US07992436B2 |
Electro-optic liquid level sensing system for aircraft beverage brewing
The electro-optic liquid level sensing system detects a level of liquid in a container having an upper opening, such as for a server container of a beverage maker for a transport system, such as for aircraft, trains, trucks, buses and the like. A support housing mates with the upper opening of the container, and a primary liquid level sensor is mounted in the support housing for non-intrusively measuring the liquid level. A secondary liquid level sensor may be mounted in the support housing to sense a predetermined liquid level to prevent accidental overflows. Protective lenses may be placed in front of the primary liquid level sensor. |
| US07992435B2 |
Air flow meter
In a structure in which peripheral part of a diaphragm section of an electrical insulating film is covered with a protective film made of an organic material, the resistor wire on the diaphragm section crosses the peripheral part of the diaphragm section. At a place where a narrow wire of a resistance temperature detector and the like crosses the peripheral part of the diaphragm section, the protective film is thinner than the other part, and the dust impact resistance is reduced. At a place where a heating resistor wire connected to a heating resistor body or resistance temperature detector wires connected to resistance temperature detector bodies cross a periphery of the diaphragm section, a film component protruding from an electrical insulating film is arranged side by side with the heating resistor wire or the resistance temperature detector wires. |
| US07992434B2 |
Christmas tree with internally positioned flowmeter
A measurement device is disclosed which includes a structure adapted to be removably coupled to a Christmas tree, a sleeve operatively coupled to the structure and a flowmeter positioned at least partially within the sleeve. |
| US07992431B2 |
Piezoelectric microcantilevers and uses in atomic force microscopy
The invention is direct to a piezoelectric microcantilever for static contact and dynamic noncontact atomic force microscopy which may be carried out in solution. The piezoelectric microcantilever, which includes a piezoelectric layer and a non-piezoelectric layer is capable of self actuation and detection. The piezoelectric layer may be constructed from a lead magnesium niobate-lead titanate (Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3)0.65—(PbTiO3)0.35(PMN0.65-PT0.35)(PMN-PT), zirconate titanate (PZT)/SiO2 or from any lead-free piezoelectric materials such as doped sodium-potassium niobate-lithium niobate. The piezoelectric layers of the microcantilevers may have dielectric constants of from 1600-3000 and thicknesses below 10 μm. Also disclosed are methods for fabricating microcantilever sensors and methods for atomic force microscopy employing the microcantilevers. |
| US07992430B2 |
Sampling device and method for monitoring of liquids
Methods and devices for measuring chemical or biological properties of a liquid from a subsurface position are disclosed, wherein a closed casing is submerged in the liquid to be sampled. The flow of the liquid for the sampling is driven by a hydrostatic pressure and is thus independent of pumps or the like when placed at the correct subsurface position. The flow rate is in a first aspect of the present invention controlled by providing a constant hydrostatic pressure during the sampling period. Alternatively, the inlet is provided with a cartridge comprising a tracer material, which is partly soluble by the liquid and is released proportional to the flow rate. |
| US07992428B2 |
Method and device for ingredient analysis
A method for ingredient analysis includes the steps of: providing a database, which stores a plurality of standard ingredient data; analyzing a sample to obtain a plurality of inspection data via a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method; and respectively comparing the inspection data with the corresponding standard ingredient data to analyze all ingredients contained in the sample simultaneously. The method may be applied to a device for ingredient analysis. Thus, by cooperating the database with the HPLC method, all ingredients contained in the sample can be analyzed via at least one analysis procedure so that the procedures for ingredient analysis are simpler and quicker and the accuracy of the analysis result can be enhanced. |
| US07992424B1 |
Analytical instrumentation and sample analysis methods
Sample introduction components of analytical instruments are provided that can include a membrane inlet component in fluid communication with both a mass analyzer component and a sample inlet. The components can also include a valve in fluid communication with the sample inlet and a sampling component. Components can include a sample loop assembly in fluid communication with valve, and a preconcentration assembly in fluid communication with the valve. Sample analysis methods are provided that can include providing sample to a membrane in fluid communication with a mass analyzer to acquire sample parameter data, and providing the sample to a sampling assembly upon acquisition of predefined sample parameter data. Methods can also include providing sample to a first sampling assembly in fluid communication with a detection component to acquire sample parameter data, providing the sample to a second sampling assembly upon acquisition of predefined sample parameter data. |
| US07992420B2 |
Method for the production of a housing of a brake caliper
A brake caliper for a disk brake, in particular for motorcycles and/or bicycles, includes a housing (30) in which a disk space (39) for receiving a brake disk and a brake cylinder (35) for receiving a brake piston (25) are formed. The brake cylinder (35) is connected to the disk space (39) and has, on its side opposite to the disk space (39), an assembly opening (50) through which the brake piston (25) can be inserted into the brake cylinder (35). A closure element (10) closes the assembly opening (50) after the insertion of the brake piston (25) into the brake cylinder (35). A securing element (21) secures the closure element (10) in the assembly opening (50) against forces in the direction of the main axis of the brake cylinder (35). |
| US07992419B2 |
High speed extrusion
An apparatus for extrusion, in particular for extrusion of metal, comprising an extrusion body defining a passage for material to be extruded, including a die having a bearing opening extending between a bearing opening entry surface and a bearing opening exit surface, and wherein cooling means are arranged in the body defining the extrusion passage upstream of the bearing opening exit surface, the cooling means comprising the material of the body being differentiated in thermal conductivity so as to define cooling pathways. |
| US07992413B2 |
Process for producing synthetic quartz glass
An object of the invention is to provide a process for producing a synthetic quartz glass while taking account of a refractive index distribution remaining in the synthetic quartz glass; a jig for use in the synthetic-quartz-glass production process; and a synthetic quartz glass for an optical member, produced by the process. A process for producing a synthetic quartz glass, which comprises: depositing and growing fine quartz glass particles synthesized by flame hydrolysis of a glass-forming material on a rotating target to thereby form a porous quartz glass base of a substantially cylindrical shape; presintering the porous quartz glass base; and heating the presintered porous quartz glass base to a temperature not lower than the vitrification temperature to convert the base into a transparent glass, wherein in the step of conversion into a transparent glass, the porous quartz glass base is placed so as to make its growth axis vertical and a load is vertically imposed on the thus-placed porous quartz glass base. |
| US07992410B2 |
Modified princess cut diamond having hearts and arrows pattern and method
A modified princess cut diamond and method of forming a modified princess cut diamond into a symmetrical shape possessing a hearts and arrows pattern characteristic of the true hearts and arrows pattern in a round cut diamond. The modified princess cut diamond includes: a tablet facet, 4 main crown facets, 8 crown halves, 8 crown star facets, 4 subsidiary crown facets, 8 subsidiary crown halves, 8 main pavilion facets, 4, subsidiary pavilion facets, 16 pavilion halves, a girdle and 4 subsidiary cut corner girdle facets with each main crown facet having a pair of crown star facets symmetrically disposed on one side thereof adjacent to the tablet facet and a pair of crown halves symmetrically disposed on the opposite side thereof with each pair of crown star facets having the side thereof adjoining the table facet meeting at a point equal to essentially half the longer distance of the main crown facet measured horizontally and with all crown star facets and crown halves adjacent each main crown having identical polished angles with a maximum tolerance of 0.3°. |
| US07992409B1 |
Cryogenic process for separation of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere using a superconducting wind turbine
A continuous cryogenic process for the separation and removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere using, in part, the existing cryocooling apparatus that is a component of the inventor's patented high temperature superconducting wind turbine electric generating and energy storage system. The proposed system is contained within a long, large, non-corrosive, open-ended, double-walled tubular-shaped vacuum or conventionally insulated dewar, which is cantilevered in two or more units from the wind turbine's steel tower. The major internal components consist of a large screen grid, a small screen filter, a low-speed electric turbo-style fan and, most importantly, a series of coated frost-free heat exchangers of differentiated design that freeze the carbon dioxide in the moving air into a form of flake-like dry ice which is then captured for potential reuse or underground sequestering. |
| US07992405B2 |
Drain pan and method for fabricating a drain pan
A drain pan and a method for fabricating a drain pan for use with an air conditioner, the drain pan having a plastic drain having plastic threads, with an insert disposed within the plastic drain to prevent the fracturing of the plastic threads when a steel pipe is threaded into the plastic drain. The insert may be a metal insert. |
| US07992404B2 |
Window air conditioner with easy installation method
A window air conditioner includes an indoor housing, an outdoor housing, an air conditioning unit including a first unit for removing heat from indoors at the indoor housing, a second unit for releasing the heat to outdoors at the outdoor housing, and a power control panel provided at the indoor housing to control the first and second units; and a connecting rod extended between the indoor housing and the outdoor housing, wherein the connecting rod serves as a bridge for suspendedly hanging the air conditioning unit at the window frame at a position that the indoor housing is supported at an interior side of the window frame while the outdoor housing is supported at an exterior side of the window frame. |
| US07992403B2 |
Air conditioning system using ground heat
Provided is an air conditioning system using ground heat. The system includes one or more indoor units, at least one outdoor unit, a ground heat exchanger, and a plurality of auxiliary heat sources. The one or more indoor units condition indoor air. The at least one outdoor unit communicates with the indoor units via a plurality of pipes, and includes an outdoor heat exchanger where heat exchange occurs. The ground heat exchanger is connected with the outdoor heat exchanger of the outdoor unit, and laid under the ground to allow heat to be exchanged between ground heat and a circulating medium circulating through the ground heat exchanger. The plurality of auxiliary heat sources are installed on one side of the outdoor unit to assist heat exchange of the outdoor heat exchanger. Two or more auxiliary heat sources are simultaneously used, or one of them is selectively used. |
| US07992400B2 |
Refrigerating apparatus and fluid machine therefor
A complex fluid machine has an expansion-compressor device, a pump, and a motor generator, wherein the expansion-compressor device, the pump, and the motor generator are operatively connected and arranged in series, and a power transmitting device for disconnecting the pump from the motor generator, when the expansion-compressor device is driven by the motor generator so as to be operated as a compressor device. |
| US07992394B2 |
Cold trap and cold trap regeneration method
A cold trap is provided with a cold panel provided in a pumping path such that the panel is exposed, a refrigerator thermally coupled to the cold panel and operative to cool the cold panel; and a controller configured, in a regeneration process for evaporating a gas frozen on the surface of the cold panel and discharging the gas outside using the vacuum pump, to control the refrigerator so as to raise the temperature of the cold panel to a temperature exceeding a non-liquefaction temperature range and to adjust a pressure in the pumping path at the temperature so that the gas frozen on the surface of the cold panel is evaporated without being melted, the non-liquefaction temperature range being a range in which it is guaranteed that a gas frozen on the surface of the cold trap is evaporated without being melted. |
| US07992389B2 |
Method and apparatus for actively turbocharging an engine
A system and method for monitoring at least one operating parameter indicative of an operating condition of an engine and controlling a turbocharger assist device to maintain desired operating conditions of the engine equipped with a turbocharger. In one embodiment, a controller is provided to control operation of a turbocharger assist device in an engine for generating electric power when an excess of energy exists in the exhaust of the engine to subtract work from a turbocharger drive shaft. |
| US07992388B2 |
Method for estimating compressor output temperature for a two-stage turbocharger
A method for estimating the output temperature of the output compressor of a two-stage turbocharger. The method includes: storing a composite relationship relating temperature ratio across a pair of compressors of the two-stage turbocharger as a function of mass flow through such pair of compressors and pressure drop across the pair of the compressors; calculating the pressure ratio equal to the pressure at an input to the first one of the pair of compressors to the pressure at the output of the second one of the pair compressor; using the composite relationship and an output of a mass flow at the input to the first one of the pair of compressors and the calculated pressure ratio to determine the temperature ratio across the pair of compressors; and calculating the estimated output temperature of the second one of the pair of compressors by multiplying the determined temperature ratio across the pair of compressors by a temperature at the input of the first one of the pair of compressors. |
| US07992387B1 |
Arrangement for simultaneous actuation of compensation valves
A master cylinder having a housing with a bore wherein front and rear pistons are located by return springs to define front and rear chambers. The front and rear chambers are respectively connected by an axial port and a radial port in the housing to a reservoir. Communication of fluid between the bore and reservoir is controlled by a rear center compensation valve that is linked to a front center port compensation valve such that fluid communication between the front and rear chambers and reservoir is controlled by movement of the rear piston in response to an input force with a first and second actuation springs respectively closing the front and rear center port compensation valves to allow simultaneous pressurization of fluid in the front chamber and rear chamber that is supplied to front wheel brakes and rear wheel brakes to effect a brake application. |
| US07992386B2 |
Waste heat engine
An engine includes a radial arrangement of cylinders each having a reciprocating piston with a piston head and a connecting rod pivotally linked to the piston head at an upper end. A lower end of each connecting rod is pivotally linked to a crank disk that is rotatably mounted on a crank arm of a crankshaft. Steam intake valves at each cylinder are momentarily opened by a bearing cam roller that is moved in a circular path by rotation of the crank disk to sequentially engage spring urged cam followers on inboard ends of radially extending valve stems. Low pressure steam or gas is injected into the top of each cylinder, as the intake valves of the cylinders are opened in sequence, thereby forcing the piston in each cylinder through a power stroke to move the crank disk and turn the crankshaft. Angular displacement of each connecting rod through the return stroke of the piston urges an exhaust reed valve on the piston head to an open position, thereby releasing exhaust steam to a condenser chamber. The engine is self-starting and operates in a low pressure, low temperature range, using waste heat from an external source, such as exhaust from an internal combustion engine, burning of refuse (e.g. garbage or other solid waste material) or solar heat. |
| US07992385B2 |
Hydraulic control device
A hydraulic control device includes an oil pan; an oil pump; a strainer; a pressure regulating valve; an oil cooler; a cooler bypass valve with an input port that is connected with a cooler supply oil passage through which the hydraulic oil to be supplied to the oil cooler flows, wherein the input port is communicatively connected with an output port when the hydraulic pressure of the hydraulic oil within the cooler supply oil passage is equal to or greater than a predetermined valve opening pressure; and a cooler bypass oil passage that connects the output port of the cooler bypass valve with an intake oil passage between the strainer and the intake port of the oil pump. |
| US07992383B2 |
Method for controlling exhaust gas purification system and exhaust gas purification system
In regeneration control, when the catalyst temperature index temperature (Tg2) using the temperature of the oxidation catalyst (12a) as an index is below a predetermined first determination temperature (Tc1), the engine speed of idling is brought to a predetermined first target engine speed (Nei1) which is higher than the engine speed of idling (Nei0) in the ordinary operation, and, further, multi-injection is carried out. On the other hand, when the catalyst temperature index temperature (Tg2) is the predetermined first determination temperature (Tc1) or above, the engine speed of idling is brought to a predetermined second target engine speed (Nei2), which is lower than the predetermined first target engine speed (Nei1) and is higher than the engine speed of idling (Nei0) in ordinary operation, and, further, post injection is carried out, followed by raising of the temperature of an exhaust gas flown into a DPF apparatus (12b) to a predetermined second determination temperature (Tc2). According to the above constitution, in the regeneration control of the DPF apparatus (12b) in an internal combustion engine (10), the regeneration can be forcibly carried out with high efficiency while enhancing the temperature rise efficiency of the exhaust gas, and, at the same time, excessive rise in the exhaust temperature, a deterioration in fuel consumption, and the occurrence of noise are suppressed. |
| US07992378B2 |
Exhaust gas purifying device for an internal combustion engine
An exhaust gas purifying device for an internal combustion engine, comprises: an exhaust purifying catalyst; a NOx purifying catalyst disposed downstream of the exhaust purifying catalyst; upstream and downstream A/F detecting sensors disposed on upstream and downstream sides of the exhaust purifying catalyst, respectively; means for supplying a reducing agent to the NOx purifying catalyst when conducting a reduction control of the NOx; means for calculating an amount of reduced NOx in the NOx purifying catalyst; means for terminating the reduction control when the amount of reduced NOx exceeds a prescribed reduction termination threshold value; means for detecting a degree of deterioration of the exhaust purifying catalyst based on an output from the upstream and downstream A/F detecting sensors; a threshold value correcting means for correcting the reduction termination threshold value according to the degree of deterioration of the exhaust purifying catalyst; and a correction prohibiting means for prohibiting the correction of the reduction termination threshold value when an amount of H2 and/or CH4 in the exhaust gas exceeds a prescribed correction prohibiting judgment value. |
| US07992377B2 |
Diesel exhaust control during limp-home mode
A method of extending emissions performance of an exhaust after-treatment system of a vehicle that includes a dosing agent includes determining a level of a dosing agent source, selectively entering a limp-home mode based on the level and monitoring a catalyst temperature during said limp-home mode. Operation of an engine is regulated to increase the catalyst temperature when the catalyst temperature is less than a threshold catalyst temperature during the limp-home mode. |
| US07992376B2 |
Method for metering a fuel into an exhaust duct of an internal combustion engine and a device for implementing the method
A method for metering a fuel into at least one exhaust duct of an internal combustion engine and a device for implementing the method. The fuel is converted in an exothermic reaction for achieving a specified setpoint temperature of a component to be heated. The required metering quantity of the fuel is calculated with the inclusion of a model of the exothermic reaction. The method makes it possible to achieve the specified setpoint temperature of the component to be heated or of the exhaust gas in front of the component to be heated using a minimal quantity of fuel. |
| US07992375B2 |
Treatment of engine exhaust using molecular sieve SSZ-73
The present invention relates to new crystalline, essentially all silicon oxide molecular sieve SSZ-73 prepared using a 3-ethyl-1,3,8,8-tetramethyl-3-azoniabicyclo[3.2.1]octane cation as a structure-directing agent, and its use in treating engine exhaust. |
| US07992370B2 |
Work machine with auxiliary power unit and intelligent power management
A work machine includes a primary power unit having a rated primary output. The primary power unit is couplable with at least one primary load, including a propulsion load. An auxiliary power unit is mechanically independent from the primary power unit, and has a rated auxiliary output which is smaller than the primary output. The auxiliary power unit is couplable with at least one external load, including an operator initiated load. At least one electrical processing circuit is configured for selectively coupling the primary power unit with one or more primary loads, and for selectively coupling the auxiliary power unit with one or more external loads. |
| US07992368B2 |
Equine training device
An equine training aid for enabling a horse, pony, donkey or the like, particularly dressage or show horses, to adopt an optimum outline or profile. The training aid includes a self-centering, continuous loop portion (1), configured, during lunging or riding, to be in contact tension with the equine wherein the continuous loop portion (1) includes a front section (1a) and a rear section (1b) each of which are linked by a linker such as the form of rings (2a) and pivotal clips (2b). Each of the loop sections (1a) and (1b) additionally has two adjustment mechanisms (e.g. sliders; (3)) to allow each loop section to be lengthened or shortened and both ends of the rear section (1b) terminate in a safety loop (4) which allows rotation of the device to a limited extent and prevents the rear section of the loop portion (1b) from slipping down the hind legs of the equine when the device is being dismantled and removed from the equine. |
| US07992365B2 |
Devices and methods for verifying capping of vials in system for dispensing prescriptions
A method of verifying the seating and securing of a closure on a container includes the steps of: (a) positioning a container on a stage of an automated capping station; (b) bringing a closure into contact with the container; (c) detecting the nature of a physical relationship between the container and the closure; (d) responsive to step (c), relatively moving the closure and the container if step (c) indicates seating of the closure on the container is proper; and (e) detecting the nature of a physical relationship between the closure and the container to determine whether the closure is properly secured. |
| US07992364B2 |
Vertical bagging machine
A vertical bagging machine including a spindle for receiving and supporting a roll of stock material, the spindle defining a spindle axis, wherein the stock material is unwindable as a sheet, a folding plate defining a folding plate plane that is substantially parallel with the spindle axis, the folding plate including a first edge and a second edge, wherein the first and second edges are generally equal in length and connect at a central peak, a spreader chute including a first guide plate and a second guide plate, the second guide plate being generally parallel with and spaced apart from the first guide plate, wherein the first and second guide plates are substantially perpendicular to the folding plate plane, and first and second folding rollers defining a nip therebetween, the first and second folding rollers being generally parallel with the folding plate plane and disposed between the folding plate and the spreader chute, wherein the sheet is moveable over the central peak, through the nip, and over the first and second guide plates to define a loading space between the first and second guide plates. |
| US07992363B2 |
Method and apparatus for palletizing confectioned units of articles
A method for palletizing confectioned units including the steps of grouping the confectioned units to a layer of confectioned units in a grouping device, providing a material for an intermediate layer comprising a partly elastic foil material, cutting a single sheet from the material for the intermediate layer, moving the layer of confectioned units and the single sheet of the intermediate layer to a transport device, moving the layer of confectioned goods and the single sheet of the intermediate layer into the loading station of the transport device, transporting the layer of confectioned goods and the single sheet of the intermediate layer to an unloading station, and positioning the layer of confectioned goods and the single sheet of the intermediate layer at the unloading station onto a pallet or onto layers of goods which are already positioned on the pallet. |
| US07992362B2 |
Column assembly
A kit of parts for a column assembly includes a sleeve having a first end portion, and a second opposed end portion. The kit further includes a collar having a collar aperture therethrough for receiving the first end portion of the sleeve in sliding fit. The kit further includes a skirt having skirt a first end and a skirt second end opposed to the skirt first end. A skirt aperture extends through the skirt for receiving the first end portion of the sleeve in sliding fit to position the skirt second end is adjacent the collar. A base is positionable adjacent the first end portion. The collar is selectively securable to the either the base or the skirt second end, and the skirt first end is selectively securable to the base, such that the column assembly is selectively assemblable with or without the skirt. |
| US07992360B2 |
Inlay system for concrete
The present invention discloses a tactile warning panel inlay system and method. Such system is comprised of a panel formed with an exposed surface having a plurality of tactile warning protrusions and a support surface configured to contact a substrate matrix. The panel includes a plurality of apertures extending from the exposed surface to the support surface. Further, a plurality of fasteners are configured to extend individually through an aperture included in the plurality of panel apertures to secure the panel to the substrate matrix. Each fastener includes a head conformed to the shape of the tactile warning protrusion and a body for extending the fastener through the panel and into the substrate matrix. |
| US07992358B2 |
Guiding means at a joint
A guiding means at a joint comprising groove (1) and tenon (2) preferably intended to be joined with glue. The tenon (2) and/or groove (1) includes guiding wedges (3). |
| US07992349B2 |
Multi-media workstation having a master rail system
A multi-media workstation having a master rail system for permitting horizontal adjustment of the various components of the workstation. The workstation generally includes a console having a work surface and a master rail system for supporting various audiovisual equipment. The master rail system includes a rail extrusion connecting at least two frames and having a longitudinal slot formed in at least one of its surfaces. The various components of the workstation each include a finger engaged in the longitudinal slot of the rail extrusion, wherein the component is able to be horizontally translated along a length of the rail extrusion. |
| US07992344B2 |
Artificial soil and method for growing vegetation on sloped surface using the same
An artificial soil and a method for growing vegetation on a sloped surface using the same are disclosed. The artificial soil is produced by mixing peat or grass peat, paper chip or pulp chip, saw dust or bark, fermented animal waste or dried animal waste, and a microbe activator, frisol; and by adding clay or Silt(SILT) or granular to the mixture. The method comprises forming a vegetation base layer by applying the artificial soil to a sloped surface; waiting until the vegetation base layer has a crack by a shrinkage; and applying a seed mixture of artificial soil over the vegetation base layer, the seed mixture of artificial soil obtained by adding a myocardium catalyst, a microbe activator, a material binder, an evaporation prevention material, and grass seeds, weed seeds, and tree seeds to the artificial soil with water. |
| US07992343B1 |
Flexible fishing lure that traps air
A flexible fishing lure comprising: a head integral with an egg sack, a body integral with the egg sack opposite the head, at least two air trapping cavities disposed adjacent each other along a central axis in the body for trapping and retaining air during lure movement, and a tail integral with the body. The tail is tapered to a point and rises when the head is engaged with a hook, and the tail remains at an elevated position above the head when submerged in water. |
| US07992340B1 |
Fishing apparatus
A fishhook setting apparatus utilizing a lever arm support which holds a fishing rod associated with the fishhook and which is freely rotatable about a pre-determined arcuate path. The trigger mechanism initiates the instantaneous raising of the rod chip through the lever arm support when the lever arm support travels to the extreme portion of an arcuate path. |
| US07992338B2 |
Finger alignment devices for triggers and trigger-activated devices incorporating the same
Alignment devices for assisting proper location of fingers relative to the triggers of trigger-activated devices, trigger-activated devices, finger position indicating triggers for trigger-activated devices, and methods for activating a trigger-activated device are disclosed. Alignment devices for assisting proper location of a finger relative to a trigger may include a body having a trigger face configured to engage a user's finger, a trigger-engaging region, and a position indicator disposed on the trigger face. The trigger-engaging region may be adapted to couple the alignment device to a trigger of a trigger-activated device. The trigger-engaging region may be configured to position the trigger face in a predetermined position relative to the trigger. The position indicator may be disposed on the trigger face. The position indicator may be configured to provide an indication that at least a portion of the finger is positioned in a predetermined lateral position relative to the trigger. |
| US07992334B1 |
In-store marketing sign
A marketing sign is constructed of a sheet material. The sheet material includes a free portion, a base portion and a connecting portion that couples the base portion to the free portion. The base portion is configured to engage with a product display structure, which has a price holder. The connecting portion is defined between a first connecting bend line spaced apart from a second connecting bend line by a distance. The distance substantially corresponds with an edge thickness of the price holder. |
| US07992332B2 |
Apparatuses for providing power for illumination of a display object
An exemplary power regulator apparatus provides power for illumination of a display object, such as a merchandise package or container, which has a light emitting apparatus comprising a secondary inductor and an illumination source. A support structure, such as a point of purchase display, typically contains or supports one or more power regulators and display objects. The power regulator comprises a controller and a primary inductor, and the controller is adapted to provide a voltage or current to the primary inductor to generate a primary inductor voltage. The controller may also comprise a plurality of switches and a memory adapted to store values for switching frequency or switch on-time durations or pulse widths. The illumination source emits visible light when the power regulator is in an on state and when the secondary inductor is within a predetermined distance of the primary inductor. |
| US07992328B2 |
Trench wall ripper apparatus
An apparatus coupled to an excavation bucket for creating a trench sidewall having indentations formed therein. |
| US07992322B2 |
Dryer having intake duct with heater integrated therein
Disclosed herein is a dryer having a heater-integrated intake duct capable of reducing thermal loss and preventing overheating of the dryer. The dryer includes a support panel having a through-hole, an intake duct communicating with the through-hole, a drum into which air flows via the through-hole, a heater disposed inside the intake duct to heat the air flowing into the drum, and a heat exchanging part transferring heat of the heated air into the drum. |
| US07992319B2 |
Dryer, drying method and drying plant
The invention provides a dryer for drying particulate material, comprising at least one substantially vertical elongate container having: an upper inlet for receiving a charge of moisture containing particulate material; a lower outlet for discharging dried particulate material, whereby the particulate material travels under the influence of gravity from the inlet to the outlet; at least one substantially vertical gas permeable wall through which a drying gas can pass to contact the particulate material; the dryer also comprising at least one plenum on an exterior surface of the at least one gas permeable wall, covering ingress and egress openings within the at least one gas permeable wall. |
| US07992317B1 |
Tape measure apparatus
A tape measure apparatus that includes one or more information storage components and one or more protection components. |
| US07992314B2 |
Measuring device for fast measurements
An elevation measuring device comprises a measuring column at which a vertically movable measuring slide is supported, so it can be moved by hand and also by a drive motor through a clutch device. The measuring slide supports a scan head, which imparts a constant measuring force onto the measuring location at the work piece, which is generated by the drive motor and the clutch device. A measuring system detects the elevation coordinate of the scan head and hands said elevation coordinate to a control device for further processing and evaluation. The control device comprises logic for automating the measuring process. This logic automatically detects a positioning of the scan head in a certain direction, which is manually performed by the operator, subsequently controls the drive motor in a suitable manner in order to cause a scanning of the work piece and determines the measurement values. |
| US07992311B2 |
Rotary boring tool alignment and depth indication system
A system for a rotary boring tool that enables a user of the tool to align the tool perpendicularly with respect to a work surface of a work piece. In one embodiment the system enables a user to gauge distance or depth drilled into the work piece. |
| US07992310B2 |
Reference beam generator and method
A reference beam generator has first, second, and third projection turrets for projecting first, second, and third fan beams of laser light, respectively. The first, second, and third fan beams of laser light are oriented normal to each other. The turrets may be rotated such that each of said fan beams can each be rotated about an axis that is normal to the plane in which the fan beam is projected. The generator may be used to project a number of reference points and lines on multiple surfaces. |
| US07992304B2 |
Razor
A razor having a simplified structure is provided. This oscillating razor is provided with a razor head. The razor head is provided with a blade member composed of a base having a blade-body supporting portion and a plurality of blade bodies, a blade base member located on the back side of the razor head, and a top member located on the front side of the razor head. The blade member is fitted between the blade base member and the top member. The base is supported on the blade base member and the cutting edge of the blade body is exposed outward at the top member. Each of the blade bodies is placed on the blade-body supporting portion, and welded portions fixed to each other by welding from the side corresponding to the blade-body supporting portion are formed on the blade body and the blade-body supporting portion. |
| US07992301B2 |
Method for manufacturing an exhaust element of an exhaust line of a vehicle with a heat engine and exhaust element, namely obtained through implementing said method
The invention relates to a method for manufacturing an exhaust element of an exhaust line of a vehicle with a heat engine. The exhaust element includes a box having, internally, at least one compartment and at least one tube extending at least partly inside such a compartment. The method includes inserting sound-insulation into at least one such compartment. The insertion is ensured through injection into such a compartment through an opening in the tube from the inside of the tube. The invention also relates to an exhaust element obtained by implementing this method, including forming a box with at least one compartment containing sound-insulation and at least one tube extending at least partly inside at least one such compartment, the tube having an opening provided for in the body of the tube. |
| US07992300B1 |
Method of assembling a hydraulic fluid accumulator
A method of assembling a hydraulic fluid accumulator in a bore defined in a housing structure is disclosed. The method includes (a) inserting an annular seal into a second bore portion of the bore so that the annular seal is positioned in contact with the first ledge, (b) inserting a piston into the bore so that the piston is located in a first bore portion of the bore as well as the second bore portion of the bore, and (c) inserting a cover having an annular rim into the bore so that (i) the annular rim is positioned in contact with the annular seal, and (ii) the annular seal is located in an annular space defined by the first ledge, the annular rim, the piston, and an internal wall of the housing structure that partially defines the second bore portion. |
| US07992294B2 |
Method of manufacturing an interconnect device which forms a heat sink and electrical connections between a heat generating device and a power source
An interconnect device is used to mate a heat generating device to a power source. Plated components are provided on the interconnect device to provide a heat sink function for the heat generating device when the heat generating device is connected to the interconnect device, and to provide an electrical path between the heat generating device and the power source. A method of manufacturing same is also disclosed. |
| US07992292B2 |
Method for manufacturing a touch panel
A method for manufacturing a touch panel for acquiring a plurality of touch panels in one machining process comprises the steps of: sticking a rectangular transparent film to a back liner as to be formed with an upper material piece; each upper electrode unit of the transparent film being formed with a closed gluing frame along an inner periphery of the cutting line; forming a plurality of lower electrode units with an identical specification as the upper electrode units on the transparent film on a surface of the glass substrate; sticky a surface of each upper electrode unit on the transparent film to a surface of a respective lower electrode unit on the glass substrate by the gluing frame; a glass cutter cutting along a cutting line into one lateral side of the surface on the glass substrate; performing a piece peeling operation so as to acquire each touch panel. |
| US07992286B2 |
Assembly apparatus for attaching decorative pieces
A assembly apparatus for attaching decorative pieces to electronic devices includes a seat, a first cover, a second cover, and a transmitting member. The seat includes a disengaging portion and an attaching portion. The disengaging portion has a recess, a protrusion and at least one positioning column in the recess. The attaching portion defines a receiving room for receiving a shell. The first cover is detachable mounted on the disengaging portion and defines at least one first through hole. The second cover is detachable mounted on the attaching portion and defines a second through hole. The transmitting member includes a latching portion. The latching portion is inserted in the first through hole to attract a decorative piece, and is inserted in the second through hole to release the decorative piece on the shell. |
| US07992285B2 |
Method for fabricating negative temperature coefficient thermistor
A method for fabricating a negative temperature coefficient thermistor is provided, including the steps of: (A) combining ceramic powders having a negative temperature coefficient of resistance, a polymer binder and a solvent to form a mixture; (B) removing the solvent and granulating the mixture to form granulous powders; (C) compressing the granulous powders to obtain a thermistor material with a specific shape; (D) curing the thermistor material at 80° C. to 350° C.; and (E) mounting an electrode to the thermistor material to form the negative temperature coefficient thermistor. The method can be performed in a low temperature without the problem of interface diffusion. Further, the desired resistance value and thermistor constant (B) can be easily adjusted and obtained by mixing ceramic powders with different characteristics of temperature coefficient of resistance and/or the addition of conductive metal powder. |
| US07992279B2 |
Releasable barb assembly
The embodiments provide a barb assembly for use with a cable duct component to oppose removal of a cable duct section from the cable duct component. The barb assembly can comprise a releasable assembly for applying a force to a barb and, responsive to the application of the force, for moving the barb and one or more barb arms from an unengaged position to an engaged position without the use of tools. The barb assembly and/or cable duct component can also comprise a spring bias, which can bias the releasable assembly to the unengaged position upon actuating the releasable assembly to the unengaged position. The embodiments also provide methods of installing cable duct components and systems with the above-described features. |
| US07992277B2 |
Suspension damper removal tool
The present disclosure relates to a suspension damper removal tool for removing a shock absorber from a suspension assembly of a vehicle. The removal tool includes a base and a projection. The base includes a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion has at least one mounting hole for mounting the removal tool to at least one lug bolt of a hub assembly. The projection extends outwardly from the second end portion of the base. |
| US07992276B2 |
Fixture exchange rail system and method of use
A fixture exchange rail system is provided having first and second fixture assemblies movably mounted with respect to respective first and second stationary rails. A movable rail is disposed substantially adjacent to, and movable between, the first and second stationary rails. The movable rail is sufficiently configured to selectively receive the first and second fixture assemblies thereon. A method of operating a workstation having a fixture exchange rail system operable to enable work on a workpiece is also provided including the steps of: A) determining the style of workpiece present at the workstation; B) aligning a movable rail with one of a first and second stationary rail having a respective first and second fixture assembly mounted thereto corresponding to the style of workpiece; and C) moving the fixture assembly corresponding to the style of workpiece from the stationary rail to the movable rail. |
| US07992272B2 |
Method and apparatus for milling thermal barrier coated metals
A method is provided for milling a thermal barrier coated metal part. This method includes selectively removing a portion of a ceramic coating using a mechanical cutting tool, thereby forming a counterbore, and machining the metal part through the counterbore. A drilling head for drilling thermal barrier coated metal parts is also provided. The drilling head comprises a mechanical cutting tool, which is operable to mill through ceramic, and an electrode for electrical discharge machining. The electrode may be used to mill the metal part, and may be interchangeable with the mechanical cutting tool. |
| US07992269B2 |
Child restraint assembly for child vehicle seat
A child restraint assembly for a child vehicle seat includes a buckle assembly including a buckle and a pair of latches, a harness coupled to the buckle assembly, and a harness adjuster to adjust the harness. The buckle includes a buckle actuator slidable between a first position and a second position relative to a front surface of the buckle to unlock the buckle assembly. The harness adjuster includes a housing and a harness adjuster actuator movable between a first position and a second position relative to a front surface of the housing to unlock the harness adjuster. Movement of the buckle actuator from the first position to the second position is in the same direction as movement of the harness adjuster actuator from the first position to the second position. The buckle can include a grip surface of sufficient thickness to enable a user to brace a finger against the buckle grip surface when actuating the buckle actuator. Likewise, the housing can include a grip surface of sufficient thickness to enable a user to brace a finger against the housing grip surface when actuating the harness adjuster actuator. The child restraint assembly also can include a chest clip coupled to the harness. The chest clip can include a male member and a female member releasably coupled to the male member, the male member having a pair of opposing grip surfaces of sufficient thickness to enable a user to grip the male member when decoupling the male member and the female member. |
| US07992267B2 |
Snap lock carabiner
A locking mechanism is contained within a carabiner's straight or bent gate. The locking mechanism incorporates a pivoting link that can be moved to abut against a transverse pin, thereby immobilizing the gate return spring, which prevents opening movement of the gate. The transverse pin is a material able to resist and distribute forces attempting to open the locked gate. The spring pin is notched to engage the transverse pin thereby simplifying assembly of the carabiner. A low profile protrusion is pushed in the direction of opening the gate to switch the mechanism to the unlocked position. Similarly, another low profile protrusion is pushed in the direction of closing the gate to switch the mechanism to the locked position. The locking and unlocking protrusions are located adjacent the gate hinge so that the gate can be conveniently unlocked, opened, closed and relocked with the fingers of one hand. |
| US07992262B2 |
Flush cleat
A rope cleat secures a rope to a structure. The cleat has a body with opposite first and second portions joined along a longitudinal central plane. The body has a U-shaped cavity inside it tapering between a large entrance leg and a smaller exit leg, which communicate at a confluent portion. A flange is integrally attached to the body first portion. The flange is mounted against the structure through a mounting hole. The flange has an entrance hole and an exit hole spaced apart and extending through the flange. The rope is easily inserted into the large entrance hole, through the U-shaped cavity, and out the smaller exit hole. A knot is then tied to secure the rope in the cleat. The cleat has registration pins on one body portion, and corresponding registration holes on the opposite portion. The pins align the body first and second portions for assembly with a screw. |
| US07992261B2 |
Reel based closure system
Disclosed is a closure system used in combination in any of a variety of applications including clothing, for example as a footwear lacing system comprising a lace attached to a tightening mechanism. The lace extends through a series of guide members positioned along two opposing footwear closure portions. The lace and guides preferably have low friction surfaces to facilitate sliding of the lace along the guide members so that the lace evenly distributes tension across the footwear member. The tightening mechanism allows incremental adjustment of the tension of the lace. The closure system allows a user to quickly loosen the lace and inhibits unintentional and/or accidental loosing of the lace. |
| US07992251B2 |
Robot and method for controlling the robot
A robot includes a second bumper that senses an obstacle having such a height that can be passed over. Thus, the robot can pass over the obstacle without avoiding it. |
| US07992248B2 |
Spoilerless flat wiper blade assembly
A wiper blade assembly has a resilient wiper element with a crown having lengthwise grooves and a tip for wiping a window. An arcuate metal flexor has inner edges disposed in the grooves of the crown and outer edges. An elongate cover has an upper wall and a pair of flanges curled inwardly in spaced relation from the upper wall to provide elongate channels. The outer edges of the flexor are disposed in the channels. The connector is configured for attachment to a wiper arm, and has a lower surface with a pair of flanges curled in spaced relation from the lower surface to provide opposite facing pockets that slidingly receive the cover flanges therein. A projection on one of the connector or the cover is received in an opening of the other of the connector or the cover to lock the connector to the cover. |
| US07992247B2 |
Toothbrush and process for producing the same
The invention relates to a toothbrush that is produced by AFT and has a head part and at least one carrier element connected thereto. A front surface of the head part is formed by the top surfaces of the at least one carrier element and has a non-planar three-dimensional configuration, or is capable of assuming such a configuration during intended use. The invention also relates to a process for producing such a toothbrush. |
| US07992246B2 |
Radial vane for tooth brush, tooth brush using the same, and method and device for manufacturing the radial vane for the tooth brush
In a 360-degree toothbrush in which a brush head is formed by superposing disk-shaped radial vanes 1 in an axial direction, the arranging pitch of the radial vanes 1 is increased so as to make the bristle density appropriate. Spacers are not used between the radial vanes 1 so as to increase the productivity, and to improve the hygiene condition. In order to realize these aspects, an annular protrusion or protrusions 3 are formed on one or both of the surfaces of an annular weld portion 2 of the radial vane 1. The annular protrusion 3 is formed at the same time when forming the weld portion 2 in a welding step in which the bristle bundle is opened radially and the center part is welded so that the radial vane 1 is manufactured. |
| US07992243B2 |
Custom fit system with adjustable last and method for custom fitting athletic shoes
A system for custom fitting athletic shoes to an individual wearer includes a foot measurement device, an adjustable footform and an infrared activation chamber. Shoes of a single width for each length size have at least a portion of the upper made of heat malleable material to be custom fitted for width. Foot measurement data is used to calculate length size, width size and a number of custom adjustment factors. After the length size is calculated, the appropriately sized shoe and last are assembled together and subject to infrared radiation until the heat malleable material becomes plastic. Adjustments are then made to the last in accordance with the adjustment factors to provide custom width sizing. After further heat treatment to set the shoe upper and cooling, the shoe is complete. In this manner, if used in a retail setting, shoes are custom fitted to the wearer in a matter of minutes. |
| US07992242B2 |
Mattress having a zoned spring unit with firmness indicating zones formed by a multiple colored top panel
A zoned mattress including at least a head firmness zone, a leg firmness zone between the head and leg firmness zones overlaid by a knit top fabric knit from threads of at least two different colors to define three different firmness indicating areas corresponding to the three firmness zones of the mattress. At least one of the firmness indicating areas is defined by threads differing in color as compared to the color of the threads defining at least one of the two remaining firmness indicating areas. |
| US07992233B1 |
Hydraulic suction fuse
A swimming pool hydraulic suction fuse system. Implementations may include a fuse housing having a pump outlet, a drain inlet, and an air source. The hydraulic suction fuse system may also include a fuse assembly coupled into the fuse housing, the fuse assembly having a fuse body including a first section and a second section. An air intake may be coupled to the fuse body and a magnet assembly may be coupled to the first section of the fuse body. The magnet assembly may include a solid magnet. A fuse may be included, which may be coupled to the second section of the fuse body and include an attractor element coupled between a fuse cap and a fuse stem. |
| US07992232B1 |
Toilet flush control device
A device for controlling valve travel of the flush valve of a toilet operated by a rigid linkage rod and for forcibly returning the valve to the closed position. The device may comprise a spring contained within a sleeve. The sleeve has end caps bearing openings for passing the rigid linkage rod entirely through the sleeve and spring. One end cap may be threaded to enable it to compress and immobilize the spring for selectively defeating operation. |
| US07992231B1 |
Urinal
A splash-eliminating urinal contains an outer body and a receptor cavity within the outer body. The receptor cavity contains a rear surface having projecting concave rear walls that converge to form sides of an outwardly-projecting vertical ridge, and two side walls that transition to the rear walls. When a stream of urine is directed onto the rear walls, it adheres by surface tension without causing a splash. |
| US07992228B2 |
Protective eyewear
Protective eyewear includes a frame having a first and second opposing sides and an eye protector joined with the frame. A flexible strap is joined with the first and second sides of the frame. The strap extends around at least a portion of a player's head to position the eye protector over the player's eyes. A connector is rotatably joined with the first side of the frame so that the connector rotates in a plane generally parallel to a temple of the player. The connector is joined with the strap so that the strap can rotate relative to the frame and includes a limiter that limits the rotation of the connector. A strap diverter is adjustably positioned along the strap and divides the strap into first and second strap portions that extend at an angle relative to one another and define a space therebetween. |
| US07992221B2 |
Ballistic combat uniform
An improved uniform for military, police, and security personnel that when worn with ballistic vests, offer the wearer increased protection, performance and survivability from low and high velocity projectiles in a combat or tactical environment. |
| US07992220B1 |
Protective burp cloth
A burp cloth device that is designed to protects a mother's hand while feeding and burping an infant. In this manner, the amount of an infant's spit-up that contacts the mother's hand is limited and the mother's skin need not become irritated by the contact with stomach acid or the need for excess washing. The burp cloth device has a hand pouch that defines an open interior. The hand pouch has at least one side opening that provides access into the open interior by a user's hand. A cloth panel extends below the hand pouch. The cloth panel has side edges that extend downwardly to a free hanging end. Secondary features, such as a catch pocket, protruding tabs and teething surfaces can be added to the cloth panel. |
| US07992217B2 |
Shape changing material
An apparatus is configured with one or more sensors arranged to detect a first shape-related parameter, one or more control elements arranged to provide a force, and circuitry operably connected to the one or more sensors and the one or more control elements to determine the force provided to the one or more control elements. |